Salomon Aero Blaze 2 vs Brooks Launch 12:
Which to Choose

The spec sheets nearly overlap. Both sit at an 8mm drop, both are neutral with moderate (3/6) cushioning and comparable stability, and their stack heights are within a millimeter of each other — 32mm heel / 24mm forefoot on the Aero Blaze 2 against 33mm / 25mm on the Launch 12 — so neither offers meaningfully more underfoot protection than the other. Weight is close too, with the Aero Blaze 2 a touch lighter at roughly 229g (men's) versus 244g for the Launch 12; both read as genuinely light, firm-riding trainers rather than cushioned cruisers. The real divergence is the midsole. Salomon uses a single-density Energy Surge EVA that is resilient and peppy but gets its pop from geometry and foam alone, giving an honest, connected ride that can feel slightly flat at slow, plodding paces. Brooks uses nitrogen-infused DNA Flash — softer v1 in the heel for smoother landings, snappier v2 in the forefoot for toe-off — which is why the Launch 12 rates a notch higher on responsiveness (4/6 vs 3/6) and delivers more obvious snap and rebound through the front of the shoe when you accelerate. The other decisive difference is fit: the Aero Blaze 2 uses Salomon's secure, low-volume last that hugs the midfoot and can feel snug or tight for wider feet, while the Launch 12's airy engineered mesh is more accommodating and forgiving across the forefoot. Both transition naturally, both reward a quick cadence, and both ask more of your legs beyond the half.