5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 23, 2019
45 mpw training for a marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Brooks Launch 3
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.9 oz · 28/18mm stack · 10mm drop
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 comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 11 runner reviews and 11 other rated shoes in the Launch product line.
Very good
91
Overall
91
Value
97
Comfort
80
Durability
79
Cushioning
71
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 is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
94 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 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.”
“It held up very well and was a versatile shoe which I could use for anything from speedwork to long runs.”
“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.”
“Relatively light and last 600+ miles.”
“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 upper is breathable and soft, and the sole of the shoe supports you and lets your foot do its thing.”
“The cushioning wasn't sufficient for putting in a lot of mileage.”
“It's great for faster runs, or long tempos.”
“It's a low profile lightweight trainer with a firm midsole.”
“The forefoot has blown rubber which contributes to a surprisingly soft landing in the forefoot.”
“Shoe is comfortable, fast, snappy and adequate cushioning.”
“The ride is really smooth and fast as well.”
“Overall the shoe is a lot stiffer.”
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 Oct 22.
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
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
95
2009
69
2015
91
2017
78
2017
85
2017
88
2018
81
2019
84
2020
76
2022
97
2023
87
2024
87
2026
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
-
Launch 3 This shoe
2017 · 11 reviews
91 Very good
94 Confidence
-
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
- 2017 Q3
- MSRP
- $100
- Stack
- 28/18mm
- Drop
- 10mm
Runner reviews
Brooks Launch 3
5/5
Overall
This shoe is exactly what I thought it would be. It's a low profile lightweight trainer with a firm midsole. It's great for faster runs, or long tempos. Be warned the midsole is firm, it isn't like running on a cloud. They can also do well for marathon shoes if running a marathon in a flat/racer doesn't work for you.
CT_Runner · Sep 30, 2018
50 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Brooks Launch 3 - A disappointing update
4/5
Overall
The Launch 3 was a disappointing update to the Launch series. The Launch 2 was one of my favorite running shoes, but the Launch 3 is a poor update. Overall the shoe is a lot stiffer. The cushioning is firmer and the upper, especially in the forefoot, is too rigid.
kcm · Jul 4, 2018
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Brooks Launch 2
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Feb 8, 2018
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 2/5
- Value
- 4/5
Easy, cheap, nononsense
5/5
Overall
A great overall shoe for those who don't need a ton of support. Cheap, supportive, light.
Anonymous runner · Feb 8, 2018
30 mpw training for middle distance
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- 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.
Current shoe
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Best value rating
Lightest
/
Newest
Lowest price
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Best overall
/
Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.9 oz
8.4 oz
Lightest
9.9 oz
Stack
28/18mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
10mm
8mm
4mm
Release
2017 Q3
2026
Newest
2022 Q3
MSRP
$100
$120
$165
Best price
—
$115
$95
Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
91 Very good
87 Good
99 Exceptional
Best overall
Comfort
80 Good
86 Good
99 Exceptional
Best comfort
Cushioning
71 Decent
75 Decent
99 Exceptional
Best cushioning
Durability
79 Decent
76 Decent
97 Exceptional
Best durability
Appearance
71 Decent
74 Decent
75 Decent
Best appearance
Value
97 Exceptional
Best value rating
96 Excellent
77 Decent
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