Reader review
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Dec 1, 2015
40 mpw came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Brooks Launch 3
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.8 oz · 10mm drop · 28/18mm stack
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Brooks Launch 5 replaced it
How it ranks
The Brooks Launch 3 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Value and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 11 runner reviews and 11 other rated shoes in the Launch product line. One more review would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.
Exceptional
98/100
Overall
98
Value
99
Durability
85
Comfort
83
Cushioning
76
Appearance
71
Confidence
94
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
94/100
What runners say
“The heel is a little more harsh, I think those who strike on their heels will get more out of the heel cushioning than those landing on their midfoot or forefoot.”
“Be warned the midsole is firm, it isn't like running on a cloud.”
“It's 100 bucks, goes on sale quite often for under 60 dollars, and will last you a really long time if you take care of them.”
“The cushioning is firmer and the upper, especially in the forefoot, is too rigid.”
“The build on this shoe is rock-solid, and the upper will probably go before the midsole and outsole goes.”
“It held up very well and was a versatile shoe which I could use for anything from speedwork to long runs.”
“The upper is breathable and soft, and the sole of the shoe supports you and lets your foot do its thing.”
“They didn't seem as smooth impact to toe off and the new more solid mesh was not as flexible and comfortable as the old.”
“The forefoot has blown rubber which contributes to a surprisingly soft landing in the forefoot.”
“It's a low profile lightweight trainer with a firm midsole.”
Prefer this shoe over another
48% 14/29
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
Pros
- It lists at $100, and value is its strongest dimension at 4.6 out of 5.
- Three reviewers call it durable, one getting over 600 miles from a pair.
- Reviewers use it for speed work, tempos and long runs.
Cons
- The seven reviewers who rated cushioning average 4.0 out of 5, and three warn the midsole is firm.
- Two reviewers find it stiffer than the Launch they come from, one calling the forefoot upper too rigid.
- Appearance averages 4.0 out of 5, and one reviewer calls the look old-school with few color options.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Confidence
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Brooks Launch
Each dot is one version of the Launch, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
40
60
80
100
98
2009
70
2015
98
2017
86
2017
93
2017
96
2018
85
2019
86
2020
71
2022
99
2023
90
2024
85
2026
Release year
-
2026 · 1 review
85 Good
58 Confidence
-
2024 · 1 review
90 Very good
75 Confidence
-
2023 · 12 reviews
99 Exceptional
95 Confidence
-
2022 · 20 reviews
71 Decent
86 Confidence
-
2020 · 3 reviews
86 Good
70 Confidence
-
2019 · 3 reviews
85 Good
77 Confidence
-
2018 · 29 reviews
96 Excellent
95 Confidence
-
2017 · 37 reviews
93 Excellent
96 Confidence
-
2017 · 24 reviews
86 Good
92 Confidence
-
Launch 3 This shoe
2017 · 11 reviews
98 Exceptional
94 Confidence
-
2015 · 25 reviews
70 Decent
93 Confidence
-
2009 · 55 reviews
98 Exceptional
99 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 9.8 oz
- Release
- 2017 Q3
- MSRP
- $100
- Stack Height
- 28mm heel - 18mm toe
- Drop Height
- 10mm
Runner reviews
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Brooks
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
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Best value
Newest
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Lowest price
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Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.8 oz M
—
8.5 oz M
Lightest
Stack
28/18mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
1mm
—
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2026
Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$100
$120
$145
Best price
—
$118.95
Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (98)
Good (85)
Exceptional (99)
Best overall
Comfort
Good (83)
Very good (90)
Exceptional (99)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Decent (76)
Good (80)
Exceptional (99)
Best cushioning
Durability
Good (85)
Decent (79)
Very good (92)
Best durability
Appearance
Decent (71)
Decent (73)
Very good (91)
Best appearance
Value
Exceptional (99)
Best value
Exceptional (98)
Good (88)
Brooks Launch 3 In Context
More on the Brooks Launch
- Brooks Launch 12
- Brooks Launch 11
- Brooks Launch 10
- Brooks Launch 9
- Brooks Launch 8
- Brooks Launch 7
- Brooks Launch 4 previous version
- Brooks Launch 5 next version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Brooks Launch 2 1 runner
- Nike Flex Fury 1 runner
- ASICS 33-FA 1 runner