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Price history
Our verdict
The Brooks Launch 12 is the honest, no-frills daily running shoe in the range, and at £100 it is one of the easier trainers to justify. This is a neutral road shoe built for everyday miles rather than race day. There is no carbon plate and no fancy super foam, just a springy, no-nonsense ride that suits easy runs, steady miles and the occasional pick-up in pace. At 244g it is not a genuine featherweight despite the Launch name, but the 8.9mm drop and traditional geometry feel familiar and secure underfoot. We rate it as a dependable first pair or a simple workhorse to rack up mileage in without babying an expensive racer. If you want plush max-cushion comfort or marathon-day pop, look elsewhere. If you want a straightforward, affordable trainer that just gets on with the job, the Launch 12 delivers. The Brooks Ghost 17 sits one step up for more cushioning.
Key features
- Neutral road platformGives you a familiar, planted ride for everyday miles without corrective structure getting in the way
- Firm, responsive midsoleDelivers a springy, connected feel that rewards a quicker cadence and stays lively at steady pace
- Traditional 8.9mm dropSuits heel and midfoot strikers who want a classic, secure feel underfoot
- Breathable engineered mesh upperWraps the foot cleanly, breathes on warm runs and needs no break-in
- £100 price pointMakes it easy to justify as a first pair or a workhorse for racking up mileage
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- New runners who want a dependable, affordable first road shoe
- Runners after a simple daily trainer to rack up easy and steady miles
- Neutral runners who prefer a firmer, more connected ride
- Anyone wanting a workhorse to save their expensive racer for race day
Who should not buy it
- You want soft, plush max-cushion comfort for recovery days
- You need stability or support for overpronation
- You want marathon-day pop from a carbon plate and super foam
- You have a wider forefoot and need a roomy toe box
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Launch 12 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual Brooks or road-shoe size. The fit is on the standard-to-slightly-snug side rather than roomy, with a midfoot that wraps closely and a heel that locks in well from the first run. The toe box gives enough width for easy and steady efforts but is not generous, so if you have a wider forefoot or your feet swell on long runs, consider the wide fitting where stocked or size up a half. Lockdown is secure without needing to crank the laces, and the tongue is thin but padded enough to avoid lace bite. For a roomier, more forgiving everyday fit the Brooks Ghost 17 is worth a look. Overall this is a dependable, race-day-adjacent fit that holds the foot without feeling restrictive.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The Launch 12 rides firm and responsive rather than soft and plush. There is a lively, springy quality underfoot that rewards a quicker cadence, and the shoe feels most at home at easy to steady paces with the option to push a little when you want to. It is not a rocker shoe, so transitions come from your own foot rather than an aggressive geometry, which keeps it feeling natural and connected to the road. Heavier, slower runs are perfectly comfortable, but you will notice the firmness late in a long effort. Hold a moderate pace and it feels efficient and honest. This is a trainer that stays out of the way and lets you run.
Cushioning
Cushioning is moderate and on the firmer end of the daily-trainer scale. With a 33.4mm heel and 24.5mm forefoot stack you get enough underfoot protection for daily mileage and longer weekend runs, but this is not a soft, pillowy ride. The foam leans towards energy return and road feel over deep, plush comfort, so you stay connected to the surface. For easy runs, steady miles and shorter races it strikes a sensible balance. If you are a heavier runner or you want maximum cushioning for recovery days and marathon distance, a max-cushion shoe will serve you better. For the price, the protection on offer is fair and well judged for the everyday runner.
Stability
The Launch 12 is a neutral shoe with no medial post or dedicated support features, so it is aimed at runners with a fairly efficient gait who do not need corrective structure. That said, the traditional 8.9mm drop, secure midfoot wrap and reasonably wide base give it a planted, predictable feel that many neutral runners will find stable enough for daily training. It is not a motion-control shoe and should not be treated as one. If you overpronounce or need guidance to keep your stride in line, look to a dedicated stability trainer such as the Brooks Adrenaline GTS instead. For neutral runners, the Launch 12 offers a dependable, no-surprises platform.
Upper & comfort
The upper is a breathable engineered mesh that keeps things simple and functional. It wraps the foot cleanly, breathes well on warmer runs and needs no break-in, feeling comfortable straight out of the box. The padded heel collar and thin tongue do their job without adding bulk, and there are no hot spots or seams to nag at you over distance. It is not a plush, premium-feeling upper, and you will not find luxury touches at this price, but it is comfortable, secure and hard-wearing. For a £100 daily trainer the fit and finish are exactly what you want: no fuss, no distractions, just a comfortable hold that lets you focus on the run.
Reviews
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Lightweight |
| Surface | Road |
| Drop | 8.9mm |
| Heel Stack | 33.4mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 24.5mm |
| Weight | 244g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |