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Brooks Launch Vs Ghost, two very similar yet different running shoes.

How do they match up against each other? We will find that out in a short while.

We have gathered as much information as possible so that you can choose the one that is suitable for your needs.

So, without further ado, let’s jump into the detailed comparison of Brooks Launch vs Ghost.

This is our winner

Brooks Ghost 12

Why it is better?

  • More forgiving cushioning.
  • Excellent protection.
  • Truly customized fit.
  • Good for both long and short distance running.
  • Comes in more number of widths.

Brooks Launch Vs Ghost – An Overview

Both Books Launch and Brooks Ghost belong to the same category of running shoes. Both of them are meant for neutral runners.

Then what is the difference?

The simple answer is purpose. 

Although a running shoe, Brooks Launch more focused on speed and not meant for long-distance running. 

Brooks Ghost, however, will help you to run even longer distances.

We will look into the differences in great detail so that you have all the data handy when you want to do your own research. 

So, without further ado, let’s begin…

Brooks Launch Vs Ghost – Features at a glance

Brooks Launch Brooks Ghost
Brooks Mens Launch 7 Running Shoe - Ebony/Black/Gold - 2E - 13 Brooks Womens Ghost 12 Running Shoe - Shark/Violet/Bel Air Blue - B - 7.0
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Price
Type Neutral Neutral
Heel-to-toe Drop 10mm 12mm
Weight 8oz/226.8g 10.4oz/294g
Arch Support Medium, High Medium, High
Midsole Type Speed Cushion
Technology BioMoGo DNA 3D Fit Print, Segmented Crash Pad, DNA LOFT, BioMoGo DNA
Width Normal, Wide D (Women)
Normal, Wide 2E (Men)
Normal, Narrow 2A, Wide D (Women)
Normal, Narrow B, Wide 2E, Extra Wide 2E
Use Speed, Track, Road Running, Cross Training, Treadmill Long Distance, Road Running, Cross Training, Treadmill
Editor’s Rating 4 star rating-92X25-min 4 and a half star-92X25-min
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The main differences between Brooks Launch Vs Brooks Ghost

  • Brooks Launch is a neutral running shoe meant for runners looking to have some speed. Brooks Ghost, on the other hand, is a neutral running shoe and will provide superb cushioning.
  • Along with other types of running, Brooks Launch can also be used on tracks whereas Brooks Ghost is suitable for long distance running but cannot be used on tracks.
  • The latest generation of Brooks Launch is 7 wheres the current version of Ghost is 12.
  • Brooks Launch is around 65 grams (comparing the same sizes) lighter than Brooks Ghost.
  • Brooks Launch uses speed level 1 cushioning. Brooks Ghost on the other hand has cushion level 2 cushioning.
  • Brooks Launch 7 has mid-foot transition zone on the outsole. Brooks Ghost 12, has the segmented crash pad at the forefoot of the outsole.

Meet Brooks Launch and Ghost

Before we go into a more detailed comparison if Brooks Launch Vs Brooks Ghost, we should understand Brooks Launch and Ghost.

This will give us clarity of what exactly these products are and whether it will suit your needs.

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As per USATF certified running coach Chris Knighton of Knighton Runs

The difference between these shoes is simple: Launch = fast and light, Ghost = heavier and more cushioned.

Brooks Launch is his preferred running shoe and he has been using it for years:

Here is what he has to say:

“I run in Brooks Launch and have for years as my regular training shoe. It’s a great low-cost lightweight everyday training shoe. I think of it as my “average” shoe. It’s not too heavy, not too light, not too fast, not too slow. It’s definitely on the faster side of the everyday-trainer spectrum but it’s a great shoe for lighter-weight or faster runners who have that preference.

The Brooks Ghost is an all around heavier and slower version of the Brooks Launch. Other than that they are very similar shoes. Runners who are looking for a more protective and cushioned shoe may prefer Brooks Ghost for their long runs. Runners who run all their mileage on pavement may also benefit from a more highly cushioned shoe like the Brooks Ghost.

Both shoes are in the “everday trainer” category. Neither are race-specific or workout-specific shoes. They are jack-of-all-trades.”

Also, I felt, the flexibility of the Brooks Ghost is better at the fore foot and the heel to toe transition felt more effortless.

Size-wise, Brooks Launch supports sizes 7.0 to 15.0 for men and two width choices (Normal, Wide 2E). For women, Launch’s (or Ariel as Brooks call them) size starts from 5.0 and goes up to 12.0 and also with two width choices of normal, wide D.

For Brooks Ghost, the sizes run from 7.0 to 15.0 and in widths normal, narrow B, wide 2E, and extra-wide 4E. For women, the size runs from 5.0 to 12.0. Available widths are normal, narrow 2A, and wide D.

Both of these running shoes comes with the upgraded look and feel of Brooks with a lot of color choices to suit your taste.

Launch has BioMoGo DNA in midsole while Ghost has BioMoGo DNA and DNA LOFT in their midsole, both of them will adapt to your entire stride.

Also, both of shoes are very comfortable to wear as daily trainers.

Now that we have a decent introduction of both Brooks Ghost and Brooks Launch, let’s look at the core specifications and the technologies used in building these running shoes.

Core Specifications: Brooks Launch Vs Ghost

In this sections of Brooks Ghost vs Lauch, we will take a look at the technologies that are being used to build these shoes.

First we will look at Brooks Lauch and then we will understand Ghost in more detail.

Brooks Launch Specifications

The Brooks Launch 7 is a very elegant looking shoe which is perfect for your daily runs.

This is the 7th generation of Launch and it has been adapted to have a more premium and elegant look.

The main component that Brooks Launch flaunts as technology is its midsole.

It’s midsole is made from BioMoGo DNA which is what we will discuss in this section.

What is BioMoGo DNA?

The main midsole material of Brooks Launch’s midsole is BioMoGo DNA.

BioMoGo DNA is an adaptive midsole material from Brooks and it blends BioMoGo and Brooks Super DNA to create a very dyanmic cushioning. This material adapts itself according to runner’s unique stride, weight, and speed.

This creats a forgiving cushioning which protects your feet in every run.

Also, it is an environment-friendly material which contains a non-toxic additive. This additive encourages anearobic microbes to chew away this material 50 times faster, once it hits active, enclosed landfills.

Now that we have seen the main technological focus of Brooks Launch, let’s check what is there in Brooks Ghost.

Brooks Ghost Specifications

Now that we have seen the specifications for Brooks Launch 7, let’s take a look at Brooks Ghost 12.

Brooks Ghost has a much softer sole and boasts of use of some additional materials which enhances the cushioning.

If you look at Lauch and Ghost, this is their primary difference. 

While Lauch uses the cushioning of type ‘Speed’, Ghost uses cushioning type ‘Cushion’.

If I’ve a choice, I will use Ghost for long-distance running only due to the fact that it is a cushier.

Here are the technologies that are being used by Brooks Ghost 12 to provide you with a more premium running experience:

  • 3D Fit Print
  • Segmented Crash Pad
  • DNA LOFT
  • BioMoGo DNA

We have already described BioMoGo DNA above and we will not repeat it here.

We will take a closer look at Books Ghost 12‘s 3D Fit Print, Segmented Crash Pad, and DNA LOFT technologies and how it will keep you comfortable.

3D Fit Print

The upper of Brooks Ghost’s is made with screen printing technology.

This technology creates an engineered mesh which is also known as 3D Fit Print.

The seamless constriction of these shoes will keep your feet very comfortable and irritation free.

Also, it will provide you with a more customized fit, so that you remian comfortable throughout your run. 

DNA LOFT

To make running shoes shock absorbing and well-cushioned, most of their midsoles are made with EVA foam.

However, this foam although shock-absorbing, doesn’t provide you with a soft and plush feel.

So, Brooks came up with a new technology called DNA LOFT.

This is the upgraded version of Super DNA and is plusher in feel.

Why DNA LOFT provides you with such softness?

DNA LOFT is a blend of EVA foam, rubber, and air.

The usage of rubber in the blend makes it durable whereas the other two components make this midsole very soft.

This makes this sole withstand your weight and it doesn’t pack out and makes it more durable.

You will only find this in Brooks Ghost and not in Revel.

Segmented Crash Pad

This is presented in the forefoot area of Brooks Ghost 12. Here there is a layer of segmented blown rubber under the segmented midsole.

This makes these shoes bend and stretch when needed.

Forefoot flexibility of Brooks Ghost comes from this area and also this helps in your heel to toe transition.

Now that you understand better the core technological differences of these two shoes, let’s look into the subtleties more.

Let’s have a showdown between these two running shoes.

Brooks Launch Vs. Ghost – A head to head comparison

We have covered all the broad differences between Brooks Ghost and Brooks Launch.

These are more subtler differences and you will get to know a lot of more differences of Brooks Ghost 12 vs Brooks Lauch 7.

This will be a long read, so if you are already bored, refer to the above picture.

If not, let’s read on…

Outsole

Both Brooks Ghost 12 and Brooks Launch 7 has HPR Plus and blown rubber at the high impact zones.

For Brooks Ghost 12 this rubber is present at the edge of the heels and the forefoot segmented crash pad.

However, for Brooks Launch 7, this rubber is present on almost the entire sole, forming an ‘X’ at the midfoot. This is called the midfoot transition zone.

This helps you to have an easier heel-to-toe transition. Also, this HPR plus and blown rubber extends to an segmented area of the forefoot and provides flexibility to the forefoot.

However, some of the runners mentioned that, Launch’s sole is not very good on wetter surfaces.

Both Brooks Ghost and Brooks Launch are road running shoes and can work on treadmill and concrete. Brooks Launch can also work on treadmills.

However, they will not work on rough terrains and trails. They will get eroded very fast and will lose their overall life span.

Midsole

Midsole is where a lot of tricks happen for both of these shoes.

The midsole of these shoes are made from BioMoGo DNA. Brooks Ghost also have DNA LOFT which makes Ghost cushier.

However, this also makes Brooks Ghost heavier. Due to this, Brooks Ghost is great for your long distance running, however, if you need to work on your speed, Brooks Launch may be a better option for you.

There is a minor difference of heel-to-toe drop of these two running shoes.

Brooks Launch 7 has a drop of almost 10 mm whereas Brooks Ghost 12 has a midsole drop of around 12 mm.

Also, since Brooks Ghost is softer than Brooks Launch, it is less responsive than Brooks Launch.

The cushion level of Brooks Launch is also minimal and stands at 1 whereas it is 2 in case of Brooks Ghost, 3 being the highest in any of the 4 categories of cushioning from Brooks.

Durability wise also, these two running shoes are almost at par and follows the standard as laid out by Brooks.

According to Brooks, any of its running shoes last for around 300 to 500 miles or for 3 to 6 months.

However, this depends on the amount of usage of these shoes.

Upper

The upper of Brooks Ghost uses 3D fit print and that of Brooks Launch is engineered mesh and has an underlying soft bootie construction.

Both of them will provide you with a comfortable fit and will not make you uncomfortable in any way.

These running shoes are both sufficiently padded at the heels and the collars to keep your feet stable.

Also, since these running shoes comes with a traditional lacing system, it provides a very secured fit at the mid-foot.

The front of both the shoes are sufficiently perforated and will keep these shoes breathable.

However, due to the same reason these shoes are not water proof.

Once big difference between these two shoes is the number of widths that are present. Brooks Ghost 12 has one more width in both men’s and women’s category.

This makes it more comfortable for a much wider range of runners.

Hwoever, arch-support wise, both of these shoea are the same. They will support medium to high arches. Any less than that, you will have to deal with severe pain during running.

Look-wise, both of these shoes are very pleasant with Ghost having a more jazzier appeance. Brooks Launch flaunts a more elegant look and may be a favorite for runners above 30 years.

Breathability of these shoes are also very good. However, I found here also, Brooks Ghost is a bit better than Brooks Launch. It is much more airy and you will not feel hot inside this shoe at all.

Brooks Launch on the other hand, will not make you feel hot, but will its not as comfortable as Brooks Ghost.

Weight

Brooks Ghost is a bit heavier than Brooks Launch.

Brooks Ghost weighs around 10.4oz/294g and Brooks Launch weighs around 8oz/226.8g.

Why is this difference?

Our best guess is the difference of materials.

To add plushness to Brooks Ghost, DNA LOFT had to be used. This makes these running shoes cushier.

However, probably this is the reason of additional weight of these shoes.

Price

Price wise, Brooks Launch is cheaper than Brooks Ghost.

Currently, Brooks Ghost 12 and Brooks Launch 7 are currently the latest models and may cost you somewhere around $130 and $100 respectively.

Since there is always more demand for the latest versions, prices are generally kept high.

For the reverse reason, prices go down on the previous models. Also, for stock clearance, just before/after the new launch, there are also heavy discounts given.

So, if you don’t like to spend top dollars and is fine with previous models, you will get a very good running shoe at a very low price.

For example, look at Brooks Ghost 11 or Brooks Launch 6. Their prices have come down by at least 10%.

That’s all with the differences and similarities between Brooks Ghost 12 and Brooks Launch 7.

If you want to look at some alternatives to both the shoes, then read on…

Similar Shoes

Running Shoes Similar To Brooks Launch 7

A lot of running shoes can serve as a good alternative to Launch.

We are still working on the list of similar shoes to Brooks Launch 7. Once done we will update this section and will inform you of the same.

Running Shoes Similar to Brooks Ghost 12

Brooks Ghost 12 also have some very good alternatives. Some are cheaper but have at par quality of Brooks Ghost 12.

You can find all the running shoes similar to Brooks Ghost 12 in this list.

Conclusion

We have tried to provide you all the required details in this comprehensive “Brooks Launch Vs Ghost review”.

We are confident that you will be able to find the perfect match for yourself now.

However, the data comparison of both the shoes has tilted the scale in the direction of one shoe by a small margin.

Based on the comfort that it provides we liked Brooks Ghost better.

Let us know if you have any further questions.

Madhusree Basu

Madhusree Basu

Author, Admin

Blogger and a fitness enthusiast. She loves running and Yoga and everything in between. She started running to manage her weight and to eat to her heart’s content. A true foodie at heart she shares whatever knowledge she has gained throughout the years about weight management and fitness.

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