Unlike catching sight of Bigfoot, finding a quality running shoe for $120 or less isn’t an impossible endeavor. The Brooks Revel 7 and Launch 11 prove you don’t have to shell out $140 to $160. Though they aren’t of the same caliber as the brand’s pricier models, we still found they met all of our standards when it came to comfort, cushioning, and performance.
Pros
- The Secret Behind Super Shoe Speed
- Comfy fit
- Moderate cushioning
Cons
- Not much energy return
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 9.2 oz (M), 7.4 oz (W) |
| Drop | 10 mm |
| Heel Height | 32 mm |
| Forefoot Height | 22 mm |
Brooks Revel 7
- Why Run in This Shoe: The Revel 7 is a solid daily trainer with moderate cushioning and a cozy fit.
- Preceded By: Revel 6
- For Runners Who Like: Shoes & Gear
- Midsole Foam: DNA
- Key Tech: Updated heel collar
Pros
- I’ve been a fan of the Launch since its
- Lightweight
Cons
- Narrow fit
- Stiff
| Type | Road |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.7 oz (M), 7 oz (W) |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Heel Height | 35.5 mm |
| Forefoot Height | 27.5 mm |
Brooks Launch 11
- Why Run in This Shoe: The Launch 11 is a more affordable option for tempo runs and speedwork.
- Preceded By: Launch 10
- For Runners Who Like: Buy Women’s at
- Midsole Foam: DNA Flash, DNA Flash v2
- Key Tech: The Revel 7 is a solid daily trainer with moderate cushioning and a cozy fit
About the Brooks Revel 7
How the Brooks Revel 7 Fits
The Best Running Shoes for Men Brooks in high school, the most notable feature that registered in my adolescent mind was that these running shoes are actually comfy. With its cozy, bootie-like fit, the Revel 7 is just like the rest of Brooks’s shoes. Testers liked the light and sleek knit material over their feet, saying the shoes fit snuggly.
“I really liked the fit, specifically the lower height of the heel collar. I also really liked the tongue and lacing system,” said Chris Garges, an overpronator and heel striker. “I have bonier feet, particularly in my ankle area, and the heel collar’s height was nice and low so I did not experience any rubbing. The tongue was just the right thickness, with some cleverly placed padding to hold your laces in place and lock in your foot.”
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How the Brooks Revel 7 Feels
The midsole is Brooks DNA, which is an EVA-based material. It doesn’t pack as much punch as the flashier super foams we see in most shoes today, but testers noted how they still felt supported.
“The shoe was definitely low in the cushioning department, which is fine if you’re not using it for marathon training,” said Garges. “I thought it actually gave you a nice feel for the surface below your feet. This definitely gives the shoe a faster feel—I could see racing a 5K or 10K in these.”
Other testers shared similar feedback, describing the Revel 7’s cushioning as “very ordinary, yet solid for what you pay.”
Said shoe tester Justin Christein, “The midsole is suitable for daily training because it’s comfortable and soft enough to treat your feet right. It won’t spring you forward or make you feel like you’re gliding, like some carbon-plated shoes do. But it’s perfectly fine and serviceable if you’re not looking for something fancy and expensive.”
How the Brooks Revel 7 Rides
Though testers wished for more energy return—including Jonathan Durand who asked “Where’s the kaboom?” quoting Marvin the Martian—they were still satisfied with what the Revel 7 had to offer: comfort and support on daily runs for just a Benjamin.
“I ran a lot in these over several 40-mile weeks and really enjoyed them,” said Caroline Lennon, whose average pace is 8:30. “They were best suited for low-intensity runs an hour in length. I wore them in a 5K race and didn’t feel like the energy return was great, and I also didn’t find them particularly comfortable over longer distances. I think they have really great traction though.”
During my own Revel 7 testing, I’d contemplate potential routes as I stood doing heel raises outside my apartment’s door. Maybe I’d go for a jaunt at 8:00 pace, running three miles around my usual loop. Or maybe I’d cut through a side street onto the rail trail (I agree with Lennon’s assessment on the tackiness of the outsole). Sometimes I’d go for a short two-mile speed session, straight out and back. For a bargain shoe, the Revel 7 is quite versatile when you’re a runner without a game plan.
“This shoe is the epitome of the everyday trainer,” said Christein. “Everything about it is solid, yet nothing is flashy or exceptional. At its price point, it is a breath of fresh air as there aren’t many quality shoes on the market for $100 at this time. It compares well to the Brooks Ghost or the Nike Pegasus; it’s not the most exciting but it’s comfortable, durable, and versatile enough for three or 13 miles.”
Why Choose the Revel 7 Over the Launch 11
The Revel 7 has a comfier fit (our testers didn’t complain about the shoe’s narrowness like they did with the Launch 11) and costs $20 less. It’s also not as stiff as the Launch 11, and is more versatile due to its flexibility and cushioning. Some testers wanted even more cushioning for long runs, but others—like Christein—could run double-digit mileage without their legs and feet feeling sore.
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About the Brooks Launch 11
How the Brooks Launch 11 Fits
I’ve been a fan of the Launch since its sixth iteration, which was released in 2019. Until now, the shoe has been consistent across its features with some slight updates. The Launch 11 was a massive makeover. The most noteworthy change is the switch in midsole foams, from BioMoGo DNA to DNA Flash (discussed in the next section). Another significant change: the narrow fit of the upper.
Even though I’m wide-footed, this is the first time I put on the Launch and felt they were just a little too snug around the midfoot.
Tester Corey Mullins experienced constriction around his midfoot area as well, and commented how caused discomfort during runs. Another tester, Stephanie Gambone, had the same experience as myself and Mullins. Fortunately for Gambone, the upper stretched out to provide a less snug yet still secure fit.
How the Brooks Launch 11 Feels
For the first time, the Launch has both Brooks’s DNA Flash and DNA Flash v2 foams. DNA Flash is the original nitrogen-infused super foam used in Brooks’s earlier speed models, beginning with the Hyperion Tempo (now called Hyperion). DNA Flash v2—a lighter, softer, and more responsive version of DNA Flash—was introduced in the Hyperion 2 Races - Places.
The new midsole construction is full-length DNA Flash and DNA Flash v2 in the forefoot to promote propulsion.
Some testers found the Launch 11’s cushioning adequate for their efforts. Others, however, wanted more support. All of our testers found the shoe a little stiff.
How the Brooks Launch 11 Rides
Because of the shoe’s light weight and moderate cushioning, we found the Launch 11 shines during speed workouts. The mix of DNA Flash foams in the midsole provided a nice bounce for running in the fast lane.
“[The Launch 11] felt fast and it disappeared on my foot. It’s a really nice option for uptempos or workouts on the road or track,” said Mullins, whose average training pace is 6:45.
Best New Balance Shoes RW for over 10 years, said she warmed up to the shoe as the testing cycle wore on. She thinks the Launch 11 needs a break-in period, but says it’s worth the wait.
Why Choose the Launch 11 Over the Revel 7
You can’t beat that midsole cocktail of DNA Flash and DNA Flash v2. The Launch 11 is a more affordable option in Brooks’s speed collection, which includes models costing up to $250. There is a break-in period due to its stiffness and the constrictive nature of the upper. After a couple of runs in the Launch 11, the upper will have more give and the midsole will have more flexion—without losing its snap.
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Amanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.
