Our verdict

The Brooks Launch GTS 10 is a mild stability daily trainer that shines as a rarity in the running shoe world with its splendid price of £110 and a hard-to-believe low weight. It offers a fast, agile, and fun ride, but isn't suitable for extreme overpronators. Though not the most breathable, we consider it one of the top choices in the market for those seeking value in a daily stability trainer.

Pros

  • Offers excellent stability with GuideRails technology
  • Priced attractively at only $110
  • Features a durable outsole
  • Incredibly lightweight!
  • Boasts a comfortable upper
  • Provides a fun and responsive ride
  • Suitable for all kind of paces
  • Offers great grip on most surfaces

Cons

  • Suffers from lack of breathability
  • Becomes too stiff in winter

Audience verdict

85
Good!

Who should buy

We suggest checking the Brooks Launch GTS 10 if you:

  • Have been wanting the non-GTS Launch 10 but need stability as overpronators
  • Are looking for a stable daily trainer that's not heavy at all
  • Enjoy fast and agile runs and want the extra support from the GuideRails technology

Brooks Launch GTS 10

Who should NOT buy

If you're a neutral runner, the Brooks Launch 10 might be a better choice for you, as it has a wider upper and an even lower weight. We think that getting the stability-oriented version might not make sense in this case.

Additionally, if you run in extreme climates, you might want to skip this one. The foam becomes too stiff in winter, and the upper isn't breathable enough for summer.

Instead, we recommend the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23, which offers superb ventilation and performs better in cold temperatures with the same—or even better—stability features.

Brooks Launch GTS 10

Breathability

The breathability in the Brooks Launch 10 GTS falls right in the middle. We've given it a 3/5 rating in our test, and our lab-based smoke-pumping test shows that the airflow isn't as good as we hoped.

At first glance, it seemed like the shoe had ventilation holes in the upper.

But our light test revealed that they aren't as effective as those in other shoes like the Saucony Ride 16.

When we looked closer under the microscope, we discovered the real issue. Brooks used an engineered mesh that, upon closer inspection, is thicker than it appears.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 microscope

There isn't much room for heat and humidity to escape, so the shoe's breathability is just average, like we mentioned before. But can we talk about this picture of the upper? Wow, it looks so different and incredible from that close!

Brooks Launch GTS 10 mesh

Test results
Launch GTS 10 3
Average 3.8
Compared to 269 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

Brooks uses an engineered mesh that is thin and comfortable, but this usually means poor durability.

In this case, though, it's not all bad news. We've given it a 2/5 rating, which isn't the lowest possible score. However, it's still not what we'd consider a good performance.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Toebox durability
Test results
Launch GTS 10 2
Average 2.5
Compared to 203 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

The heel padding in the Launch GTS 10 is exceptional, providing both comfort and durability.

As for the fabric Brooks uses in this shoe, it's a standout in the industry. This combination of softness and durability is truly great, and it's something other manufacturers might want to take note of!

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Heel padding durability
Test results
Launch GTS 10 4
Average 3.3
Compared to 199 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Brooks uses the same outsole in this shoe as in the non-stability version, and we've found that it has the exact same hardness level: 81.4 HC.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 outsole

This gives an average result, which seems like Brooks is trying to find the right balance between grip on the road and the durability of the shoe itself.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Outsole hardness
Test results
Launch GTS 10 81.4 HC
Average 80.0 HC
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 320 running shoes
Number of shoes
52.1 HC
Outsole hardness
93.0 HC

Outsole durability

Thanks to the tough and durable rubber, the outsole stands up really well to our last Dremel test. 

We measured an indentation of just 0.67 mm, and that's an absolutely fantastic result! It's proof that this outsole has what it takes to handle some serious wear and tear in the roads.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Outsole durability
Test results
Launch GTS 10 0.7 mm
Average 1.0 mm
Compared to 181 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

The heel counter surprised us. We were expecting another 4 out of 5 result, but Brooks chose to keep the exact same heel from the neutral version (3/5) because it's really comfortable.

We believe this is a smart approach, as the shoe already has enough stability with this one. So why would they make it less comfortable with a heel counter that's too stiff?

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Outsole thickness
Test results
Launch GTS 10 3.2 mm
Average 3.2 mm
Compared to 339 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
6.6 mm

Weight

More foam in the heel and less in the forefoot obviously lead to an even higher heel-to-toe drop. The Launch GTS 10 proves this point, coming in at 12.2 mm.

It's a real treat for heel strikers who are fans of high drops, but probably a bit too much for midfoot and forefoot strikers. If you need a stable ride with less drop, check out the Hoka Arahi 6.

Weight

At 8.50 oz (241g), the shoe has gained a little weight due to its stability features, but only by 0.4 oz (11g).

This increase is so minimal that we believe you won't even notice it.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Weight
Test results
Launch GTS 10 8.50 oz (241g)
Average 9.35 oz (265g)
Compared to 340 running shoes
Number of shoes
5.26 oz (149g)
Weight
12.56 oz (356g)

Cushioning

Heel stack

In comparison to its neutral counterpart, the stack height in the heel has increased by 1.6 mm, as we measured it at 35.4 mm. This extra cushioning is a welcome feature without adding much bulk.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Heel stack
Test results
Launch GTS 10 35.4 mm
Average 34.0 mm
Compared to 339 running shoes
Number of shoes
7.6 mm
Heel stack
46.3 mm

Forefoot stack

The forefoot stack measures 23.2 mm, which is a bit less than what's found in the neutral version.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Forefoot stack
Test results
Launch GTS 10 23.2 mm
Average 25.4 mm
Compared to 339 running shoes
Number of shoes
7.6 mm
Forefoot stack
37.1 mm

Drop

More foam in the heel and less in the forefoot obviously lead to an even higher heel-to-toe drop. The Launch GTS 10 proves this point, coming in at 12.2 mm.

It's a real treat for heel strikers who are fans of high drops, but probably a bit too much for midfoot and forefoot strikers. If you need a stable ride with less drop, check out the Hoka Arahi 6.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Drop
Test results
Launch GTS 10 12.2 mm
Average 8.6 mm
Compared to 339 running shoes
Number of shoes
-0.8 mm
Drop
16.1 mm

Insole thickness

To enhance comfort, Brooks has chosen a really plush insole for the Launch GTS 10. We measured it at 6.4 mm, a thickness that adds to the shoe's comfort.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Insole thickness
Test results
Launch GTS 10 6.4 mm
Average 4.5 mm
Compared to 335 running shoes
Number of shoes
1.5 mm
Insole thickness
7.3 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

When we move to the midsole, we find the exact same DNA foam as in the neutral version, so there's no difference between the two models in this regard.

This balanced compound aims to provide comfort without becoming excessively plush. The measurement of 19.6 HA, confirms this.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Midsole softness
Test results
Launch GTS 10 19.6 HA
Average 21.0 HA
We use an average of four tests. The photo shows one of those tests.
Compared to 267 running shoes
Number of shoes
8.5 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
41.5 HA

Difference in midsole softness in cold

When we exposed the foam to cold temperatures by placing it in the freezer for 20 minutes, it got firmer, and we measured it at 25.8 HA on the hardness scale. Despite this change, it still feels great.

The increase of 31.4% is close to the average for running shoes, and this finding aligns with our expectations.

The DNA foam in this shoe, made from EVA, is known to have less-than-stellar performance under cold temperatures.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Midsole softness in cold
Test results
Launch GTS 10 31.4%
Average 25.2%
Compared to 266 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in midsole softness in cold
100%

Stability

Being a shoe created to be as light as possible—a goal it achieves—one of the trade-offs is the width of the midsole. That's why we find ourselves with a shoe that, despite being focused on stability, is not excessively wide, measuring at 113.8 mm.

Lateral stability test

The GTS acronym in Brooks represents "Go-To-Stability," and it's an area where this shoe truly excels. We found the shoe to be impressively stable, instilling confidence in us with every stride. 

Brooks Launch GTS 10 guiderails
GuideRails, featuring multiple vertical white stripes.

The impressive stability in this shoe is made possible by the Brooks GuideRails technology. It consists of two specially designed plastic pieces that work to correct overpronation.

Torsional rigidity

If you try to make a shoe more stable, one of the simplest methods is to make it less flexible from a torsional standpoint. That's exactly what Brooks has done with the Launch GTS 10.

When we gently twisted the shoe, we found it to have a rating of 4 out of 5 in this test.

Test results
Launch GTS 10 4
Average 3.3
Compared to 318 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter surprised us. We were expecting another 4 out of 5 result, but Brooks chose to keep the exact same heel from the neutral version (3/5) because it's really comfortable.

We believe this is a smart approach, as the shoe already has enough stability with this one. So why would they make it less comfortable with a heel counter that's too stiff?

Test results
Launch GTS 10 3
Average 2.8
Compared to 302 running shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

Midsole width in the forefoot

Being a shoe created to be as light as possible—a goal it achieves—one of the trade-offs is the width of the midsole. That's why we find ourselves with a shoe that, despite being focused on stability, is not excessively wide, measuring at 113.8 mm.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Midsole width in the forefoot
Test results
Launch GTS 10 113.8 mm
Average 114.0 mm
Compared to 340 running shoes
Number of shoes
100.5 mm
Midsole width in the forefoot
127.9 mm

Midsole width in the heel

The heel of the shoe is narrower than most others, but we noticed that it's still 3.6 mm wider than its neutral non-GTS counterpart (86.8 mm).

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Midsole width in the heel
Test results
Launch GTS 10 86.8 mm
Average 90.7 mm
Compared to 340 running shoes
Number of shoes
74.9 mm
Midsole width in the heel
106.6 mm

Flexibility

Stiffness

Even though this is a stability shoe, it's meant to be a lightweight daily trainer that focuses on comfort, so it shouldn't feel stiff at all.

We found that to be true, as we only had to use 19.1N to move it to bend it to the measurement point.

Test results
Launch GTS 10 19.1N
Average 28.8N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 322 running shoes
Number of shoes
2.2N
Stiffness
94.4N

Difference in stiffness in cold

Under cold temperatures, the shoe doesn't perform as well as we'd like. We had to use nearly double the force, at 33.2N, to move it to the 90-degree measurement point.

The 73.7% increase is a disappointing figure, resulting in a subpar performance that greatly changes how the shoe feels when the weather gets cold.

Test results
Launch GTS 10 73.7%
Average 34.6%
Compared to 322 running shoes
Number of shoes
0%
Difference in stiffness in cold
148%

Size and fit

Internal length

Brooks' size chart says the inside of this shoe should measure 270 mm, but when we measured it, we found it to be 267.2 mm.

If you have wide feet, you might think about going up half-size up or choosing a wide size if available. However, for most runners, we think the shoe is true to size.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Internal length
Test results
Launch GTS 10 267.2 mm

Toebox width at the widest part

Manufacturers have secret tricks to make their shoes more stable, and we're here in the lab to reveal one to you. They often play around with the upper and midsole of the shoe, and the Launch GTS 10 is a perfect example to show this.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 toebox

At its widest part, the upper of the Launch GTS 10 measures 98.9 mm, less than the 100.5 mm in the neutral counterpart. Why is that? If the upper is made narrower, it creates more space on both sides of the shoe, which helps with stability.

While 1.6 mm might not seem like much, when it's combined with the GuideRails, it makes a big difference. However, because of this, the shoe fits more tightly compared to the non-GTS version.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Toebox width at the widest part
Test results
Launch GTS 10 98.9 mm
Average 98.4 mm
Compared to 340 running shoes
Number of shoes
89.5 mm
Toebox width at the widest part
109.1 mm

Toebox width at the big toe

In the area of the big toe, we measured the upper part of the shoe at 78.8 mm. This width is generous enough to accommodate most feet comfortably.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Toebox width at the big toe
Test results
Launch GTS 10 78.8 mm
Average 78.3 mm
Compared to 214 running shoes
Number of shoes
60.4 mm
Toebox width at the big toe
92.5 mm

Heel feel

On the positive side, the insole in this shoe is removable, so we were able to easily fit our own orthotics without any issue.

Tongue: gusset type

The shoe comes with a semi-gusseted tongue, a feature that enhances the lockdown. It's surprising to find this feature in a shoe that costs only £110, as it usually doesn't appear in shoes at this price range.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Tongue: gusset type
Test results
Launch GTS 10 Both sides (semi)

Comfort

The breathability in the Brooks Launch 10 GTS falls right in the middle. We've given it a 3/5 rating in our test, and our lab-based smoke-pumping test shows that the airflow isn't as good as we hoped.

At first glance, it seemed like the shoe had ventilation holes in the upper.

But our light test revealed that they aren't as effective as those in other shoes like the Saucony Ride 16.

When we looked closer under the microscope, we discovered the real issue. Brooks used an engineered mesh that, upon closer inspection, is thicker than it appears.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 microscope

There isn't much room for heat and humidity to escape, so the shoe's breathability is just average, like we mentioned before. But can we talk about this picture of the upper? Wow, it looks so different and incredible from that close!

Brooks Launch GTS 10 mesh

Tongue padding

Another great feature of the Launch GTS 10 is the padded tongue. Measuring 7.2 mm, it's plusher than most shoes on the market!

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Tongue padding
Test results
Launch GTS 10 7.2 mm
Average 5.7 mm
Compared to 337 running shoes
Number of shoes
0.5 mm
Tongue padding
14.2 mm

Heel tab

Brooks has done the same thing they often do, leaving heel the tab off the Launch GTS 10.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Heel tab
Test results
Launch GTS 10 None

Removable insole

On the positive side, the insole in this shoe is removable, so we were able to easily fit our own orthotics without any issue.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Removable insole
Test results
Launch GTS 10 Yes

Misc

Reflective elements

Unfortunately, as we feared, the upper of the shoe doesn't include any reflective elements. This is an area where Brooks has fallen short, and we hope they make improvements in the next update.

Brooks Launch GTS 10 Reflective elements
Test results
Launch GTS 10 No