Brooks is known for their Ghost running shoes. When I first started running, that’s what I was told to get. They were known as the best starting point for new runners.
They were supposed to be solid, comfortable shoes, whether you were a beginner or a professional.
I never experience those things with a Ghost running shoe. But you know which ones I do? The Launch 11s.
Daily Comfort
I’ve tried a couple pairs of Ghosts, and every time they give me problems with their 10 mm heel-to-top and comparatively tight toe box. Those two things lead to consistent discomfort, which $150 shoes shouldn’t do.
The Launch 11s though, I can run in these every day and not get tired of them.
Don’t get me wrong, if you run 5+ miles every day you’re going to get tired… and go a little insane. But these miraculously don’t hurt my feet, even with a smaller toe box compared to Altras and barefoot running shoes.
The upper material of the Launch 11s is a good, affordable blend of traditional and modern fabrics. While Brooks still use a basic cotton-like fabric, they’ve implemented an intricate weave around the toes and insides that create space for air to move freely.
Making them breath really well.
The Drop
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows though. The Launch 11s still have a high 8 mm heel-to-toe-drop.
For the first couple weeks I didn’t have any notes on this, even on longer 8+ mile runs. Eventually though, discomfort and pain started to come into play after a month.
I’ve ran over 70 miles in these shoes so far. By mile 50, my right knee got more and more tender.
It’s totally fine when I run six miles or less, but anytime I run more than that my it starts to throw a fit. The longer I run, the more my knee starts to feel super tight. Even if I stretch, twist, or raise my knee higher than I usually do, then a tender pinch forms.
To help find a solution, I’ve mixed up my runs throughout the week. Such as running slower, faster, raising my knees a little higher, emphasizing how my feet land and follow through, and dedicating short training sessions to strides.
None of these have remedied the knee pain.
I even tried running on gravel roads to see if the different terrain would shake things up enough and help. It didn’t. (Although these “road-specific” shoes did a good enough job on the loose and rocky environment.)
The only thing that gets close to beating the knee pain is running shorter distances. (Something I’m not able to do for every run.)
The Recap
If you’re starting to run more, and you’re looking for a solid affordable shoe from an established brand, then the Brooks Launch 11s are one of the best recommendations I can give. (Unless you want a more modern shoe in design and materials that can do 25+ miles/week, then I would go for the Hoka Cielo Roads.)
The shoes do an exceptional job balancing comfort and speed, while adding modern touches to a traditional build. Instead of buying a past generation Ghost shoe, I would grab these for the same or less amount of money.
In the shadow of Brooks’ Ghost line of shoes, the Launch 11s are their best kept secret.