Puma Velocity Nitro 5 vs Brooks Launch 12
Two shoes people weigh up against each other constantly. Here is what actually separates them, taken from the same database that drives the Shoe Finder quiz, with nothing added by hand. The short version: they are closely matched on paper, so fit and feel will decide it.
Side by side
| Puma Velocity Nitro 5 | Brooks Launch 12 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £110 RRP | £110 RRP |
| Type | Everyday trainer | Everyday trainer |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Weight | 244g | 249g |
| Heel drop | 8mm | 8mm |
| Heel stack | 33mm | 33mm |
| Widths | Standard only | Standard only |
| Plate | None | None |
What the differences mean
Weight
There is almost nothing in it, 244g against 249g. Weight is not the deciding factor between these two.
Heel drop
Both sit at around 8mm, so neither will feel unfamiliar if you are coming from the other. Nothing to choose here.
Feel underfoot
The Brooks Launch 12 is the firmer, more connected ride. The other sits in the middle.
How long they last
The Puma Velocity Nitro 5 is built to take more mileage. If one pair is doing all your running, that is worth more than it sounds, because cost per mile matters more than the price on the box.
Price
Effectively the same price at full price, so this is not the thing to decide on. Whichever happens to be discounted on the day is the better buy.
Which should you buy?
Neither, until you have tried both on. Fit decides more than any specification on this page, and the two shoes above are close enough that a foot shape will separate them faster than a spreadsheet will.
Puma Velocity Nitro 5
Brilliant value all rounder that does easy runs and faster days without fuss.
Brooks Launch 12
The cheapest sensible Brooks. Firmer and lighter, and fine for a first pair.
Or let the quiz decide
This page compares two shoes. The shoe finder compares all 104 of them against your width, your weight, where you run, your budget and any recurring niggles, then gives you three and tells you why each one made it. It takes about a minute.