Brooks Hyperion 3 vs Launch 12

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Hyperion 3
Brooks Launch 12

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 03, 2025 03:26 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Feb 20, 2026 07:13 PM

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Amazon.com

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 help 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, lower-feeling 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
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

6.0
5.6

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)
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.8

Forefoot Width Photo  

Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

1.7 mm (0.067")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

0.5 mm (0.020")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

4.5

Forefoot Height Photo  

Brooks Launch 12 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-6.5 mm (-0.255")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.7

Arch Fit Photo  

Brooks Launch 12 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-0.9 mm (-0.034")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

Brooks Launch 12 Toe Clearance Photo

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 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%
Show Text 

Forefoot 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%
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.5
5.7

Heel Firmness  

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

Firmness At 550N 
 

51.0 N/mm
53.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

113.3 N/mm
114.6 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

243.0 N/mm
238.7 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.6
8.9

Forefoot Firmness  

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

Firmness At 800N 
 

118.0 N/mm
143.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

248.1 N/mm
281.2 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

521.6 N/mm
525.0 N/mm
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Brooks Hyperion 3

Brooks Launch 12

Comments

  1. Comparison

Brooks Hyperion 3 vs Brooks Launch 12: Main Discussion

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