Brooks Men's Launch Gts 9 Sneaker

Product Information

ROBBE: I don’t know what happened to Brooks sizing over the last five years, but I used to go a half-size up in all their models, now I have to go a half-size down. That’s a full-size swing. 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. 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.

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.

The Bad

I’ve always had upper-fit issues with Brooks, from a too-high toe box in Ravenna 8 to a too-narrow forefoot in many Ravenna, Adrenaline, and Transcend models since. Sam: The midsole is Brooks usual BioGoDNA with 2mm more of it than in the Launch 8. Brooks rarely tells us what specific changes to BioMoGo DNA are and didn’t here. My sense is that the combination of 2 mm more of it and the Green Rubber outsole make for a somewhat softer more cushioned feel taking the rougher and firmer edge off the Launch 8’s feel, making the 9 a more versatile daily trainer able to handle somewhat slower and longer runs. 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. 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! LIGHTWEIGHT CUSHIONING: We have added more BioMoGo DNA cushioning to the midsole for an even faster ride without the extra weight. A dynamically responsive ride for days when you are working on your speed.

The bottom line is this upper is actually very elaborate in construction, very supportive and comfortable but I am not sure particularly breathable as while thin, overall the mesh is dense with no light showing through as seen in the picture above. The Brook Launch 9 is available in both a GTS version with some pronation support and none GTS version. The Brooks Launch GTS 9 is for those who require some pronation support and the Brook Launch 9 is for those blessed with neutral feet that don’t need any anti pronation support.The Brooks Ghost 14 is part of our vegan friendly range of running trainers meaning it’s now easier than ever to be kind to your legs and feet with this versatile pair of vegan running shoes. 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.

The Launch GTS 9 surprised me. Opening the box I was intrigued by the light feel; visibly it was a different shoe from the Ravenna 11, which I ran in in 2020, particularly regarding the very thin tongue. This thin tongue is a change from the Launch GTS 8 as well. Renee: Both shoes have a 10mm drop and decent outsole coverage, with the Nitro’s midsole being much more responsive. The Launch 9 is a lighter shoe, and the non GTS Launch 9 is much more nimble than the Velocity 2. My foot sat further down in the heel of the Velocity, which felt like a stability feature. I prefer the nimble, lighter ride of the Launch 9, but prefer the Velocity’s midsole for faster paces. I wore a women’s size 8 in both. With the GTS 9, I barely notice they are there at all, no interference with my stride but..I can tell they are "there" really functioning more for sure like extended vertical sidewalls for a touch of support than posts, plates, variable density foams etc… or for that matter the earlier GTS shoes’ implementation. When combined with the 10mm drop I flow smoothly forward here without “interference” but with a touch of support. After my mixed first impressions of the Launch 9, I’ve come to the decision they’re a good solid running shoe. Levitate GTS is a similarly fast shoe with an even more springy DNA AMP midsole than Launch, and the Beast/Arial (men’s/women’s) is the brand’s max support shoe.

Worth noting, sizing was the same as the previous model and I felt my size 8 fit just as it did previously. JORDYNN: The women’s Launch 9 weighs in at about 7.05 oz. The upper material is made up of a Creel Wrap mesh for a tighter fit. The midsole is made of the infamous BioMoGo DNA foam, and sits on a rubber outsole. The color combo is an orangish pink with a navy blue accent. The fit is true to size with a neutral width, and it was designed for good energy return, smooth transitions, and a springy step. The Good

So when I got the Launch 9 and saw– oh yay, BioMoGo DNA– I was obviously thrilled and by thrilled I mean not thrilled. But hey, at least there’s 2mm more of it. Launch GTS 9 is a better shoe than Ravenna 11 (I didn’t run in GTS 8). Ravenna has a far better name, though, and first caught my attention with the 8. Coming from history with ASICS Kayano, the Ravenna 8’s light stability and smooth transition were very appealing. GuideRails exist to allow each runner’s unique stride while guiding the foot into better alignment with knees to minimize torque on knees and hips. JAYTON: My first time in a Brooks Launch! I’ve heard a lot of good things about this affordable workhorse, but I’d never given it a fighting chance. I’ll keep it short and sweet — there’s a lot I like about this shoe, but also a lot I’d change. Let’s hop to it. GTS Guide Rails are not in the way of transition or over rigid/firm, a slight improvement over 8 for this neutral heel striker at slower paces Sam

Sam: The outsole is a new compound called Green Rubber. It is silica based instead of petroleum rubber based and as such is more sustainable. Looking inside, the outer pattern of orange and red areas is reproduced but the orange is all longitudinal making me think the outer denser orange areas are another layer of weaving.