Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.1 oz (men's) · 27/17mm stack · 10mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Brooks Launch 2 replaced it
How it ranks
The Brooks Launch 1 is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Comfort and value are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 55 runner reviews and 11 other rated shoes in the Launch product line.
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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
99 Very high
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
“Has enough cushion to keep your feet happy during a long run, but is flexible and light enough to be used for fast workouts on the track.”
“Enough cushioning for marathon training and races but not too clunky for tempo's and speed work.”
“Just straight EVA. Makes for a smooth ride and natural feeling transition.”
“It is so comfortable and supportive despite being light.”
“Over time it feels somewhat unstable in the heel, leading to some ankle soreness.”
“It is light enough for relatively fast training but solid for long training runs also.”
“The cushioning is pretty much shot at ~300 miles.”
“Relatively light, good cushioning, fits my foot well, and I don't notice it that much when I run.”
“One is 2 years old and still going strong after maybe 1,000 miles.”
“It's the first shoe I have repeatedly purchased since the old DS trainer.”
“The launch doesn't come in narrow width, but runs narrow and is comfortable.”
“I can get about 700 miles before it develops a lateral tilt that can hurt my ankles.”
“They seem to have problems with the material wearing out where the little toe pushes on the side.”
“Perfect fit for my foot (somewhat wide forefoot, narrow heel).”
“It is wearing out a little on the bottom after only 200 miles running.”
“It actually ripped a big hole where multiple toes popped out.”
“I can get 300-500 miles per pair.”
“The cushioning wears out faster than I would like.”
“I can only get about 350-400 miles/pair.”
“The shoe breaks down rather quickly.”
“Replaced due to upper starting to wear.”
“They seem to wear out a bit quickly.”
“I get about 300 miles out of the shoe.”
48% 14/29
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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.
Better Shoes Rating
Each dot is one version of the Launch, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
2026 · 1 review
87 Good
77 Confidence
2024 · 1 review
87 Good
76 Confidence
2023 · 12 reviews
97 Exceptional
86 Confidence
2022 · 20 reviews
76 Decent
89 Confidence
2020 · 3 reviews
84 Good
84 Confidence
2019 · 3 reviews
81 Good
85 Confidence
2018 · 29 reviews
88 Good
97 Confidence
2017 · 37 reviews
85 Good
99 Confidence
2017 · 24 reviews
78 Decent
96 Confidence
2017 · 11 reviews
91 Very good
94 Confidence
2015 · 25 reviews
69 Below average
97 Confidence
Launch 1 This shoe
2009 · 55 reviews
95 Excellent
99 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
5/5
Overall
runbhp · Sep 9, 2014
40 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Sep 2, 2014
30 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 31, 2014
50 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
rooser · Aug 31, 2014
30 mpw training for a half marathon
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 30, 2014
65 mpw training for a marathon
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