5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jan 28, 2016
50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Pegasus+ 30
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Brooks Launch 2
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.9 oz · 27/17mm stack · 10mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Brooks Launch 4 replaced it
How it ranks
The Brooks Launch 2 trails most daily trainers in our data. Value and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Durability scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 25 runner reviews and 11 other rated shoes in the Launch product line.
Below average
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
97 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.
- Product line track record
- Our ratings
- External ratings
What runners say
“The heel on one shoe has all but worn down through the black and exposed white.”
“It is light but still supportive and soft, and lets me feel like I am running naturally.”
“There is a bunch more cushioning (which normally I would not like). I was pleasantly surprised.”
“The collar/top edge feels very stiff, reducing ankle mobility for lateral bending.”
“It feels heavy and stiff and a bit narrower than the first version.”
“It is light enough to use in longer races, yet sturdy enough for day to day use.”
“They're lighter, more comfortable, and surprisingly more durable than the Ghost.”
“The material on the contact surface wears a lot quicker than I was expecting.”
“The Launch 2 is a nice lightweight shoe that is very responsive and firm yet adequately cushioned.”
“Launch 2 is merely an OK trainer. Has lost the virtues that the original Launch had.”
“They are not supportive enough for long runs (anything much over an hour).”
“Lighter and just as versatile for both speed sessions and long runs.”
“My pair of Launch 2s made it to 500 miles.”
“The Launch has enough durability for the lightness of the shoe.”
“The upper is really nice, they fit like a glove.”
“The Launch has more room in the toe box.”
“Lightweight trainer, but sturdy enough to train for a marathon or a half.”
“It's a little mushy and lacks responsiveness.”
“The Launch is more durable and cheaper.”
“The forefoot is more cushioned in the Launch 2 than in the Pegasus.”
“Good for someone not looking to break the bank and who doesn't need a ton of cushioning.”
“Fit is snug but not tight.”
“They are too heavy for racing.”
“Outside edges have started showing extreme wear.”
“The laces are really long so I have to cut them.”
Prefer this shoe over another
50% 14/28
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- Reviewers use it for easy miles, faster workouts and marathon training, several calling it the most versatile shoe they own.
- Value draws 4.4 out of 5, and reviewers repeatedly name the price as a reason to buy.
- Comfort draws 4.4 out of 5, the highest mark of any dimension, with reviewers describing an upper that fits like a glove.
Cons
- Durability draws 4.0 out of 5, the lowest mark of any dimension, and several reviewers report the outsole wearing at the heel and outside edges.
- Several fans of the original Launch call this version heavier, stiffer and narrower, and one says it lost what the first one had.
- The Launch 1 and the Launch 10 both score 99 against its 71.
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
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.
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
-
Launch 2 This shoe
2015 · 25 reviews
69 Below average
97 Confidence
-
2009 · 55 reviews
95 Excellent
99 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 8.9 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 9.8 oz · Women's 7.9 oz
- Release
- 2015
- MSRP
- $110
- Stack
- 27/17mm
- Drop
- 10mm
Runner reviews
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Dec 14, 2015
35 mpw training for a marathon came from the Brooks Ghost 7
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Dec 13, 2015
80 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 1/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Dec 9, 2015
25 mpw came from the Brooks Pure Flow 3
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
4/5
Overall
Bford · Dec 7, 2015
30 mpw came from the Brooks Pure Flow 4
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Brooks
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Brooks Launch 2 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 next version
- Brooks Launch 1 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Brooks Ghost 7 4 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31 3 runners
- Brooks Launch 1 3 runners