Shannon (GTS): Normally I run in the neutral version of the Launch, but I found the Launch GTS arrived in its stead. Not to worry though as that’s the beauty of Brooks’ Guide Rail system: they can still accommodate a neutral runner and without overcorrecting, unlike the medial posts of yore. In theory, this shoe should feel like its neutral counterpart, just with the added stability of the Guide Rails wrapping the heel. The Brooks Launch GTS 9 is a light stability traditional 10mm drop run trainer featuring GuideRails. They are foam extensions above where the midsole normally ends to help stabilize on landing and transitions with the goal of reducing knee motion, and injuries, by guiding forward in the line of travel. GTS is thus less about controlling “classic” pronation, which they certainly do to a certain extent, yet without firmer under mid foot foams or plastic pieces . The medial side GuideRail is co molded of slightly firmer foam than the midsole while the lateral rail is the same foam as the main midsole. Look, I’m just going to be honest, when I slipped this shoe on I had a moment of panic. I beat my previous pair of Brooks Launch to smithereens, I loved them so much. So far, this wasn’t feeling much like it at all. Rather, it felt stiff and like there was just too much shoe going on for something in the Launch franchise, but I was willing to give it a chance! A versatile running shoe has to earn its name. It must live up to different criteria to prove that it works well both as a fast shoe for good days and a comfortable shoe for easy-going days. Renee: The Rebel v2 was my favorite road shoe of 2021. The midsole is magic. The Launch 8 is a more traditional, firmer ride, for daily miles. For speed and tempo work, the Rebel v2 is better. The Launch 8 has better protection underfoot, but I’ve used the Rebel v2 from short speed work to 20 milers on gravel. Sizing is comparable.

Overall: B- (A great shoe for those who want a slightly snug uptempo trainer with a touch of stability in the rearfoot. Great for entry level runners or those who want a workout shoe coming from the Adrenaline at a budget price. ) Shannon: Ah, two of my favorites head-to-head. Look, if you love one, you’re probably going to love the other. Overall, the Kinvara has a faster, lighter, more flexible ride and feels like a more minimal shoe, but what the Launch gives up in those categories, it gains in cushioning material and–I would assume but this remains to be seen–life of the shoe. I wore a women’s 8 in both of these.This version of this shoe also gets a green rubber outsole, in that it’s made of silica and not petroleum, so it’s more sustainable. It also gets a Creel Mesh upper, which is basically just a mesh upper made to sound cool.

Photo: Top outsole Launch 9, bottom outsole Launch 8). The pattern is slightly different than the previous version, which I’m guessing is a reason for the weight deduction. Like many of Brooks’ trainers, the outsole is a good balance of providing traction without unnecessary weight.Many long standing models have been consolidated into their existing neutral trainers that offer a support iteration. Shannon (GTS): The upper on this model is relatively similar to that of the previous version. I loved it in that there are no uncomfortable seams or overlays. It wrapped the foot well and securely, but didn’t inhibit any motion of the foot. I did notice on this version, I did not have to utilize the second eyelet when lacing up to secure the heel, rather, the heel stayed snugly and securely put.

Whether you overpronate or you just want some extra support when your feet get fatigued, the Launch is a solid choice—and proof that stable doesn’t have to mean slow. Sam: The Launch is a traditional 10mm drop daily run trainer that has been a long time favorite on the lighter, less cushioned, more agile end of the category. With the 8 we saw Brooks add a second Launch version with GuideRails GTS (Go-To-Support) thus replacing the Ravenna as the light stability trainer in the line up. There is a bit more focus on the support of your foot in the upper of the GTS, as there is an added support band around the midfoot to give an even tighter and more stable fit.My review pair is GTS (Go-To-Support) which means it has a lateral Guide Rail extending from the heel to mid foot of the same foam as the midsole and a co-molded slightly firmer than midsole foam on the medial side. My sample pair was a half size up from my normal US 8.5 and fits very well but it is long so in a future pair I would go true to size. There is plenty of toe box room, well held with just two small overlays near lace up. The toe bumper below the denser front orange weave is quite firm more vertical than the weave would indicate over the toes and clearly has a plastic stiffener of some kind. I’m a long-time fan of the Guide Rails for stability and applaud Brooks for continuing to use this concept. Renee (Non GTS): The full coverage rubber works well to provide stability and increase durability as compared to road shoes with exposed midsoles. While I might call the midsole “unexciting” as compared to other road shoes, the rubber outsole has better durability compared to daily trainer/speed road shoes.

New Green Rubber outsole (not the color) is made of silica, making it more sustainable for the environment. Loved the cushioning most of all!” said another tester. “I have recurring Achilles tendonitis that will get irritated if I run too much in low-profile shoes. These had lots of bounce in the heel, which really helps prevent injury for me.” This is the first shoe from Brooks where I have been comfortable not sizing up for forefoot width. I started out with the bigger size even though I do not prefer extra length. Launch GTS turns out to be slightly longer than past Brooks shoes. If you are a severe over pronator I would NOT go with these, but if you only slightly overpronate like me, these are perfect ::chef’s kiss:: Standard Delivery: In the event that you are not in when our courier attempts to deliver your parcel they will try to leave it in a safe place, if this is not possible they will leave a card so you can rearrange delivery

Who should buy the Brooks Launch GTS 10 ?

The rest of the rubber is the same firmness all the way to the front, moderately firm and also not a soft blown rubber up front yet I do think compared to the prior rubber it may contribute to the slightly softer ride I feel. This is not a super flexible light trainer as say the Kinvara 13 or Puma Liberate are. There is a moderate long flex with the front of the shoe with the toe off very stable. Brooks has been around for over 100 years, but its story as a running company began in 1974, when the brand released its first running shoe, the Villanova. The shoe was a revelation: It was the first to use ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam padding, which was lighter and softer than other midsole materials used at the time. The Villanova set a new standard for running shoes–EVA is still widely used in running midsoles today.