I’ve use the Brooks Launch for the last 3 months and love the shoe. I’m thinking of purchasing a pair of Brooks T6 racers to race in and was wondering if anyone had any feedback? I historically have used the Asics DS Training and the Mizuno Wave Elixir fro racing; both great shoes, but I like the Brooks even more. Also, I am 6"0-6"1" and weigh about 172 if that means anything.
I’d like to give these a glowing review but I just haven’t had enough time in them over longer distances (only 2 x sprints so far)…maybe in a few months. They’ve been out for a few years now and so someone will chime in with more experience, but of the limited selection of race shoes* I’ve tried over the past 4 years (Adistar Comp, Puma Complete RR I & III) these are by far my faves. Based on the runs above I have no hesitation wearing them sockless in my HIMs this season. Definitely take the usual advice to buy half a size larger…I use a 9.5 in all Mizunos, and easily a 10 in these…they’re a narrow shoe. They’re more minimal, more flexy and less supportive than those shoes you’ve mentioned so a bit of a change for you…enough cushion for me though (surprisingly plush, actually) but I’m a bit lighter at low 14x lbs. Note that they’re about to be superseded by a T7…I believe they’re trying to make this model more “tri-specific” ((sigh)), starting to look very Saucony Type Ax.
*edit: I really wanted to like a pair of Saucony Type A2s but they were awful for me…so much so I forgot about them in the original post.
You’re going from two shoes with a fair amount of stability (DS Trainer and Elixir) to two shoes that are pure neutral in every sense of the word. I’m good with the T6 (and soon T7) up to half mary distance, but I would never try the marathon in it, unless I drop about 30 lbs and become elite (so never gonna happen).
Launch is 9.1 oz
T6 is 6.4 oz (size 9’s, per runningwarehouse)
oh, and like show pony (and everyone else) said…DEFINITELY GO A HALF SIZE UP!
Another for half a size up here.
The shoes are very narrow and not for everyone - they work for me, I had such good experience in my first 5k and a 10k with them that I ordered another pair. Very light, very fast.
I have been running in the T series shoes since T3. One word describes them and that is awesome. They are hands down the best shoe I have ever ran in. I do all my running in them and I typically run 30-40 miles per week, but have hit 70mpw a couple of times. They are insanely light and last forever. I put between 700-900 miles on a pair.
They are awesome shoes, I just can’t get them quite big enough. The 13 runs small, and I need a true 13. I ran through a pair of T5s, and two pair of T6s before my pinky toes said “enough”. I’ve raced up to a half marathon in them, fwiw.
I’m currently running in Brooks Mach 11 spikeless, b/c they come in larger sizes. That’s a great shoe, too. I’ve also used the Asics SP2, but prefer both the Brooks T6 and Mach 11 over the SP2.
Interesting about the size. I wear an 11 and have a size 11 in the launch and its perfect.
Interesting about the size. I wear an 11 and have a size 11 in the launch and its perfect.
I wear a 9.5 in just about every shoe I have ever ran in and that is the size I have in the T6. They are very tight fitting shoes, so I could see why some people go up a half of a size but I love the tight fit.
Not to hijack lulu’s thread, but I thought I’d ask here since my question relates to two shoes mentioned. Asics DS Trainers and the Brooks Launch. I had been using the DS Trainer 15’s last year with no problems. I was kind of inbetween a stability and neutral shoe. So ordering new shoes this year I picked up a pair of DS Trainer 16’s and Asics Sky Speeds from running warehouse just to try out the different types and send back the ones that didn’t work in exchange for sometng simlilar that did work. I’ve been running with both shoes for the past 5 weeks and neither really feel 100%. The DS 16’s seem to cause some knee pain on the outside of my right knee. The Sky Speed seem to cause a bit of numbness on the inside of my right foot but of the two they seem to “feel” a bit better. Would the Brooks Launch be worth looking at?
Can’t comment on the st 6 so I may be no help to you…but I recently purchased the st 4s and they are the bomb. Extremely comfortable and light. Feel great on MY feet. The forefoot seems just a little undercushioned to me or maybe a bit too flexible but still love them so far (only short term ownership).
It is my plan to train in them and use them for a spring marathon.
I like em.
I started wearing Brooks for the first time last jan and began with the Launch. Loved 'em. Next moved to the ST Racer 4, even better. Made the Launch feel bulky almost. Then to the Green Silence. Incredible shoes. I still run in all 3; Launch, ST Racer 4 and Green Silence. I did buy a pair of T6 and while I haven’t done any real distance in them, they are comfortable and very narrow. While not much lighter than the green silence, it feels really light when you are wearing them. I wouldn’t go right from Launch to T6 without easing into, try the ST Racer or GS first.
Can’t comment on the st 6 so I may be no help to you…but I recently purchased the st 4s and they are the bomb. Extremely comfortable and light. Feel great on MY feet. The forefoot seems just a little undercushioned to me or maybe a bit too flexible but still love them so far (only short term ownership).
It is my plan to train in them and use them for a spring marathon.
I like em.
The T6 and the ST4 are two different shoes.