Brooks - Launch 10

Brooks Launch(10) just bought my second pair to be my indoor/treadmill shoes until my outdoor shoes(Launch 9? I think)are no good, I think i got the Launch 10 for max $75 at Nordstrom Rack? Weird find, but Ilove them.

Looking to buy a new pair of tennis shoes for a little bit of running and training in the gym. Will probably wear them for everyday walking as well. I transitioned to mostly barefoot shoes years ago and it’s actually wild how much my feet have widened. I wear mostly Vivos, Whitins and sandals like Bedrocks. I cannot tolerate narrow or high platform shoes anymore. However, I can tolerate a slight platform for running purposes, but not to the extent that companies like Hoka and OnClouds have taken their shoes. I like Altras for the wide toe box but they generally have too much cusion for me as well. I’m interested in Flux but have seen some negative reviews. For reference, I do have a pair of old Brooks, I don’t even remember the model but maybe Launch 10, that I like platform wise. Looking for any and all input! Thank you!

You might want to look at hyrox type shoes. Personally I’ve liked the brooks launch for gym + cardio. They’re pretty firm and stable so unless I’m really lifting heavy I don’t have any issues.

Launch has been my daily runner since they stopped doing the PureConnect/PureCadence series. I did try a pair of Hyperion Max but it’s way too soft for me 🫤

I wear Brooks Launch. Pretty good price too

Brooks Launch. Not just cheap (relatively) but legitimately good shoes.

That's just not true. Nike Pegasus and brooks launch are 2 good entry level shoes and you can use them for any style of training or racing

Nb5 is to soft if you overpronate. Not sure about vomero. Would rather try a saucony ride, adizero sl2 or brooks launch (lower stack, more stable)if I were you

The Brooks Launch isn't a support shoe it's a minimally cushioned neutral shoe. The Adrenaline GTS is a supportive version of the Ghost and very different from the Launch. I don't think you really know what you are looking for so it's not really possible to advise. You should visit a store and try loads of stuff on. Arch support is for over pronation, heel support isn't really a thing beyond the amount of cushion, the drop and heel counter. I have no idea what you mean by 'heel compensation'.

Almost all companies, including Hoka, are making what I'd call "normal" running shoes. My perspective on "normal" - I started running in fall 1980 for ski team training in a pair of adidas lowcut basketball shoes. Didn't understand the difference between them and running shoes. My first real running shoes, a year later, were Brooks Vantage Supreme, followed by a pair of Saucony Jazz, then a pair of Brooks Chariots. Amazing how I can remember all that like it was 5 years ago. 2001-2021 I coached a D2 college XC team, we had a Brooks preferred buyer program so I got very familiar with the Brooks line. I also work for a company that produces running races, 2012-2023 our largest race was sponsored by Hoka, so I became very familiar with their line. I gotta say, when we started with Hoka I was extremely skeptical of their designs. I've always liked more minimalistic shoes like the Brooks Burn and Launch - still "normal" shoes but on the lighter and more flexible side of the equation. I remember rolling my eyes at Hoka's original designs and saying to myself, "fine, I'll wear these on raceday to fulfill the sponsorship, but I'm not going to be wearing them for my training." And then I actually ran in them, the Bondi 2. They worked great for me. But I digress... Like I said, lots of "big' shoes these days, but most everybody still makes some "normal" models. For Hokas, check out the Rincon and Mach. I'm not super familiar with their line these days because our sponsorship ended, but I still have a pair of each of those models in my rotation and they're close to normal. For Brooks, check out the Revel, the Stack, the Ghost. The Ghost sole looks thicker than it is because it kind of wraps up, so your foot sits lower than it would appear.

Every company saw Hoka’s success and are copying to try get a piece of the action, much to many people’s chagrin. Some current models that are lower stack than the rest: Brooks Adrenaline, Brooks Ghost, Brooks Launch, Altra Escalante & Experience line, Topo Fli-Lyte, Nike Pegasus, ASICS GT-2000. If you’re okay running in trail shoes, you actually might have some more lower-stack options, like the Hoka Torrent, Nike Terra Kiger, Saucony Peregrine, and some of the Salomon or LaSportiva models. Lower profile, firmer midsole are preferred by more trail runners than road runners, IME. But generally, it’s getting harder and harder to find running shoes that aren’t approaching moon shoes.