Brooks Launch 11 review

6 expert score
0 user's score
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples. We purchased this pair at Running Warehouse with our own money.
Review written on 03rd February by Paul Soriano Paul Soriano is an avid runner who enjoys racing and meeting fellow runners.
14 other reviews

Brooks Launch 11 Verdict

The Brooks Launch 11 is a versatile lightweight daily trainer that can take on some speed and middle distance runs. The Launch 11 still keeps its common cores as its predecessors along with that friendly price tag.

The pros

  • Outsole traction and durability
  • Comfortable mesh upper
  • Friendly budget shoe
  • Versatility

The cons

  • Not as fun of a ride even as I hoped with the updated midsole.

Rating breakdown

Comfort
8.0
Build quality
7.0
Upper
8.0
Sole unit
6.0
Landing
7.0
Transition
7.0
Toe-off
6.0
Traction
9.0
Durability
9.0
Value / Price
7.0

Facts / Specs

Brand
Model
Launch 11
Previous model
Weight
8.3 oz (235 g)
MSRP
$120.00

Heel
35 mm.
Toe
27 mm.
Heel drop
8 mm.
Carbon plate
No plate

Size/Fit

Sizing
True to size
Heel fit
Normal
Midfoot fit
Normal
Toebox fit
Normal

Cushioning & ride

Type of cushioning
Responsive/balanced
Amount of cushioning
Medium cushioning
Stability
Some stability
Flexibility
Medium

Usage

Racing
Speedwork  
Daily training  
Long distance racing
Ultra distance racing

Who should buy the Brooks Launch 11 ?

If you are in search of a shoe that fits your budget that can handle various types of runs the Launch 11 is a valuable option. With the amazing durability of the rubber on the outsole, the shoe is going to last you a while.

Who should not buy the Brooks Launch 11 ?

The midsole is more on the firmer side. So, if you are looking for a daily trainer that is anything other than firm I would search elsewhere.

Brooks Launch 11 Introduction

Picture of Brooks Launch 11

With the Brooks Launch 11, you can test your distances and paces in these lightweight running shoes. The Launch 11 delivers a fast and versatile ride thanks to its light weight and updated midsole, the DNA Flash.

With other competitors that are similar such as the Hoka Mach 6 and the New Balance Rebels, the Launch 11 has the advantage with a slightly lower price tag. But is it really worth the price compared to the other two?

Brooks Launch 11 First Impressions

Picture of Brooks Launch 11

My first impressions of the shoes as I opened the box was that the midsole was totally different from to Launch 10, meaning a different experience on the runs possibly? But by the looks of it, the new midsole, DNA Flash, felt softer on the touch compared to what the 10 had. But as I put the shoes on, the midsole felt okay to me.

During my first run, I felt the midsole and its firmness. I was hoping as the more miles I got in the shoe; it will start to break in and feel some sort of responsiveness. The grip and traction on the shoe felt amazing. I spotted that feature of the shoe right away.

Brooks Launch 11 Upper

Picture of Brooks Launch 11

Another pro for me is the upper with the Launch 11. The shoe uses a secure and breathable mesh upper that fits nicely around the top of your foot with no saddling or anything around the midsole areas.

The material is somewhat breathable as the mesh upper uses multiple layers along with some structure to it with the Brooks logos on both the medial and lateral sides of the shoe.

The shape of the toe box seems to be narrow, but as I put them on, that was not the case. My toes did not feel tight and were no hot spots nor blisters. The shoe runs trues to size.

Picture of Brooks Launch 11

The shoe lacing system is pretty standard, and the tongue is semi gusseted that is semi padded. The overall combination of the lacing system and tongue fits well with no feeling of any constrictions.

And finally, the last portion that makes the upper secured is the Speed Heel collar, an unpliable structure that fits the shape of the Achilles. The lockdown fits very nicely with no heel slippage on any pace.

Brooks Launch 11 Sole Unit

Picture of Brooks Launch 11

The Brooks Launch 11 midsole is fully updated with DNA Flash and DNA Flash v2, in which both are nitrogen infused compounds, which makes the shoe feel responsive.

The updated midsole technology and lightweight the Launch 11 provides the customer with a ride that can handle various paces. And compared to the Launch 10, the Launch 11 has a lower drop (8mm) compared to the Launch 10 (10mm). While testing this shoe out, I mainly used it for the easy daily miles and ran as far as 10 miles (16km’s) with the shoe.

The only times I actually did speed work was when I would be doing strides, but during those strides I found the shoe to be somewhat responsive but more firm.

As far as it comes to the feel underfoot, there was really nothing special that stood out or anything if I am being sincere. Whether the pace was easy effort or anaerobic effort the feel underfoot was mostly firm and did not “wow” me.

The outsole is the biggest pro for me with the Launch 11. The shoe uses a road track rubber. The rubber has amazing traction and with more than 50 miles (80km’s) the rubber has no wearing on it. I’ve tested the outsole out on grass, dirt, gravel, concrete, and the treadmill.

Brooks Launch 11 Conclusions

In conclusion, I found the Launch 11 to be very comfortable but not a fun shoe to run in. Even with the updated midsole, the ride itself felt similar to the last model.

Just a shoe that will just get by for those daily miles. I initially thought the shoe would eventually break in and after over 50 miles in the shoe it didn’t.

As I mentioned earlier, it did feel okay during my strides, but the lack of responsiveness was kind of a disappointment.

Would I recommend this to someone looking for a friendly budget shoe, probably not. There are other options out in the market such as the New Balance Rebel or even the Hoka Mach 6. Those two shoes slightly higher in pricing but are worth their price. Both of those shoes can do what the Launch 11 can’t, which is having a more enjoyable experience.

How does the Launch 11 compare?

Hoka One One Mach 6
Brooks Launch 11
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4
Expert score
7
6
9
User score
Best price
Retail price
US$139.95
US$119.95
US$139.95
Weight
8.3 oz
8.3 oz
7.5 oz
Heel Drop
5 mm
8 mm
6 mm
Recommended for
Racing, speedwork, daily training
Speedwork, daily training
Speedwork
Cushioning type
responsive/balanced
responsive/balanced
responsive/balanced
Cushioning amount
Highly cushioned
Medium cushioning
Medium cushioning
Flexibility
medium
medium
flexible
Stability
very stable
some stability
some stability
Sizing
true to size
true to size
true to size

Why you can trust us

As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.
We purchased this pair of Brooks at Running Warehouse  with our own money.

This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Read more about our policy.

Reviewed by Paul

This review was written by Paul Soriano on 03rd February.
Paul Soriano is an avid runner who enjoys racing and meeting fellow runners. Paul started running back in late 2017 as just a hobby that can keep him active and healthy. As he kept running his race times improved. A few years later he would debut in his first marathon and Boston qualify. Paul loves running shoes and is obsessed with finding the best shoes out in the market. He’s tried out a variety of brands from Nike to domestic brands such as Xtep.

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