Brooks Hyperion 3 vs Launch 12

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Hyperion 3
Brooks Launch 12

Tested using Methodology v0.12

Updated Jun 30, 2026 04:00 PM

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Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Jun 09, 2026 12:52 PM

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Brooks Hyperion 3 Picture

Track

Brooks Launch 12 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

Brooks Hyperion 3

Brooks Launch 12

The Brooks Hyperion 3 and Brooks Launch 12 are two trainers whose earlier versions used to feel lighter and more stripped down, but both have gradually shifted toward a more comfort-oriented identity and now sit in a similar weight range. The Hyperion 3 is the more protective trainer, with a slightly higher stack, a marginally wider platform, and a touch more inherent stability that helps it feel more capable overall. The Launch 12 feels firmer and more connected to the ground, with a bit more forefoot liveliness that gives it a snappier sensation despite offering less protection. If you want the more balanced and comfortable option for daily training, the Hyperion 3 makes more sense, but if you prefer a firmer ride with more ground feel and a slightly punchier forefoot, the Launch 12 is the better fit.

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Variants

  • Hyperion 3 (Atomizer/Black/Pink Clay - (Men - US 9))
  • Hyperion 3 (Black/Grey/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Launch 12 (Black/Cyber Yellow/Oyster - (Men - US 9))
  • Launch 12 (Black/Grey/White - (Men - US 9))
Read more

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

6.2
5.6

Plate 
 

None
None

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.8 mm
34.3 mm

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.7
6.7

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

242.4 g (8.55 oz)
243.9 g (8.60 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

36.8 mm
34.3 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

26.2 mm
26.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.6 mm
8.1 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Brooks Hyperion 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Brooks Launch 12 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

86 mm (3.4")
85 mm (3.3")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

70 mm (2.8")
67 mm (2.7")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

112 mm (4.4")
111 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.34
2.48

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.27
4.24

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Brooks Hyperion 3 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Brooks Launch 12 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

281 mm (11.1")
281 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
65 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

92 mm (3.6")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.5
9.8

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.9 mm (0.076")
1.7 mm (0.067")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-1.2 mm (-0.048")
0.5 mm (0.020")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

4.7
4.5

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-6.2 mm (-0.246")
-6.5 mm (-0.255")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.9
9.7

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

1.3 mm (0.052")
-0.9 mm (-0.034")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

5.3

Heel Rocker Photo  

Brooks Hyperion 3 Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

13 mm (0.5")

Heel Apex Position 
 

15.7%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

15.5°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

5.9

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

41 mm (1.6")

Toe Apex Position 
 

63.2%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

20.4°

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

4.9
4.5

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Launch 12 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

71.8%
71.3%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

6.2
6.5

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

73.8%
74.5%

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.2
6.9

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Launch 12 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.13 J
2.92 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.96 J
8.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

15.57 J
15.20 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.5
5.8

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.03 J
3.61 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.06 J
6.17 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

10.25 J
9.14 J

Heel Firmness 
 

8.7
5.7

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Launch 12 Heel Firmness

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

50.6 N/mm
53.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

60.3 N/mm
114.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

83.3 N/mm
238.7 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

9.2
8.9

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Firmness

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

69.1 N/mm
143.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

89.4 N/mm
281.2 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

124 N/mm
525.0 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.8
5.1

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.47 J
5.68 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.26 J
5.49 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.13 J
5.38 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.02 J
5.29 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

5.1

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

44 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

5.4

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

58.2%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

6.3

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
Brooks Hyperion 3 Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

6.4 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

307 N

Brooks Hyperion 3

Brooks Launch 12

Comments

  1. Comparison

Brooks Hyperion 3 vs Brooks Launch 12: Main Discussion

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