Brooks Launch 5 vs Ghost 10…Which Shoe is Right for Me??

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Happy Wednesday!! Let me start this post off with a disclaimer…I am in no way, shape or form a shoe expert. I just know what feels right for me and my feet and these are my opinions only. This post is also NOT sponsored by Brooks, they have no idea who I am I just tried and fell in love with their shoes so today when I compare and contrast the Brooks Launch 5 and the Brooks Ghost 10 it is based solely on my opinion!

That being said let’s talk about my feet because as we all know, every shoe fits every person different and that’s because we all have different kinds of feet. Don’t worry, I won’t show you any photos of my feet (sorry to all those with a foot fetish, not today!) I’m not that weird but let’s talk about them!

I have always said I have weird feet. I wear a size 9 in most women’s shoes, I have super high arches and I like my shoes to have wide toe box because I like to spread my toes out. I also walk on the outside of my feet a lot (I am an under-pronator for all you feet lingo people) and that causes me to roll my ankles a lot (I have spent a lot of time in physical therapy for that, don’t even ask. LOL!). Walking on the sides of my feet has also caused me to get calluses between my last two toes on both feet and so comfy shoes/shoes that support my weird feet are a MUST.

Now that all of that foot talk is out of the way let’s get into today’s post!! When I started working out again at the beginning of the year I just hopped into the same shoes I use for everything…big mistake! I have certain shoes I work in, casual shoes and gym shoes. I am a self-proclaimed shopaholic so I have plenty of work and casual shoes but I have been using the same shoes to work out in for the past couple of years. Needless to say that after a few weeks my feet hurt!!

As much as I am on my feet (f0r work and at home) having pain when I walk is not something I can just deal with, I need to be able to get around and sometimes I need to get around fast. Let me start by telling you that I’m a Nike girl. I have bought nothing but Nikes for the past 5+ years and I love them but I was looking to switch it up and try something new. So with the help of a guy friend who knows way more about working out and shoes than I ever will I purchased my first two pairs of Brooks shoes. That’s right, I purchased two pair because let’s be real, I got one pair because they were super cute and the other because that’s the pair the Brooks website recommended to me.

If you have ever wanted to try Brooks shoes (and you don’t have to be a runner to wear them!!) and don’t know where to start when looking for your perfect pair, you should go online and use their Shoe Finder. That will help you get started in the right direction!

The two pairs of Brooks shoes I purchased were the Launch 5 and the Ghost 10. In all honesty I purchased the Launch 5 because they were cute and the Ghost 10 because they were recommended to me via the Shoe Finder. HA! First, let’s talk about the Launch 5.

Brooks Launch 5 is a road running shoe. It has neutral support and is recommended for anyone with a mid to high arch. It is also part of the “energize”experience. The Launch 5 has Brooks exclusive BioMoGo DNA midsole cushioning that creates a springy underfoot making it great for running. It is also super lightweight and is on the low-end cost-wise for Brooks shoes. I am also obsessed with the pink and blue colors of these shoes, they are so bright and FUN!!

Next, I tried the Brooks Ghost 10 shoes. Brooks Ghost 10 is also a road running shoe. It has neutral support and is recommended for anyone with a mid to high arch. It is also part of the “cushion”experience. The Ghost 10 has Brooks exclusive BioMoGo DNA midsole cushioning that adapts to your stride making it great for running. It also has a the Segmented Crash Pad that adapts to each foot fall so that no matter how your foot lands it will be cushy!! The Ghost 10 also has Omega Foot Grooves to optimize forefoot flexibility. Cost-wise the Ghost 10 is about middle range for Brooks shoes and I think they are super comfy!!!

Now let’s compare the two! I took side by side photos of the shoes because sometimes seeing them side by side helps, especially if you are a visual person like I am! I think I forget to mention earlier that when I purchased the shoes I got the Launch 5 in a regular width and the Ghost 10 in a wide width. I didn’t realize that when I purchased them but I think that helped influence the shoes that I ultimately wound up keeping. Another great thing about Brooks shoes? If you purchase from the website you get a 90 day trial run to get out and really try the shoes before you commit to keeping them and I don’t know about you but I love that!!

The first shoe I tried was the Launch 5 because if I’m being totally serious with you (and I am!) they were the cutest. I liked the way they felt at first and was pumped to take them for a test walk/jog. The first thing I noticed about them was that they felt really good on my feet. My walk was definitely springier and I liked the width just fine. However, about 30 minutes into my walk I noticed that I had some pain in my arch and by the time I was finished with my walk/jog (3 miles) I could hardly walk in them. In fact, I had to take them off ignorer to drive home. I don’t know if they were just too narrow for me or didn’t have enough arch support but I was not a fan. And that’s too bad because I freaking love the colors!!! And the price!!

Next I tried the Ghost 10 and as much as I didn’t want to like these shoes (they weren’t as cute as the Launch 5 and a co-worker of mine had just purchased a pair and I didn’t want to be all matchy-matchy with her) I freaking loved them!! These shoes seriously feel like you are walking on air!! There is so much room in the toe box and there is no feeling of “I will give them a few times to break them in”. I’m sorry, but I am just NOT one of those people who thinks you need to break a pair of shoes in. I walked the same 3 mile track as I did in the Launches and have never looked back. The Brooks Ghost 10 has amazing arch support, feels super cushiony and comfy and I will not be going back to Nikes any time soon!!

So, in my opinion, if you like a comfy shoe, need good arch support and don’t mind spending money on a good shoe, then the Brooks Ghost 10 is the shoe for you!! If you in it for looks alone then definitely get the Brooks Launch 5!! LOL!!

Never in my life did I think I would write this long a post about running shoes but there you have it, there truly is a first time for everything! HA!!

Like this pos? Check out my Brooks Ghost 10 and Ghost 11 comparison!

Do you run/jog/walk??
Have you tried Brooks shoes before??