Whatever Happened to the Brooks Ricochet? What Replaced It?

Replacement confidence: Closest current equivalent. Brooks does not appear to have renamed the Ricochet or officially designated another model as its successor.

Model dates: The original Brooks Ricochet launched in 2018. Ricochet 3 arrived in late 2020 and was the final production version. Brooks continued selling remaining inventory afterward, but no Ricochet 4 entered the regular Brooks lineup.

See our running shoe replacements hub for other discontinued models and their current equivalents, including the Ravenna, Transcend and Dyad.

Still want the old shoe? Check remaining Brooks Ricochet 3 inventory. (Old stock was showing in Sept 2026,)

What Happened to the Brooks Ricochet?

The Brooks Ricochet arrived in 2018 as part of the brand’s Energize collection. It sat below the Levitate as a lighter, less expensive way to get Brooks’ springy DNA AMP cushioning. The shoe was neutral, relatively firm and built for runners who wanted more energy return than a traditional daily trainer without moving into a racing shoe.

That positioning made the Ricochet unusual. It was not as soft as the Ghost, not as light as the Launch and not as performance-focused as the Hyperion family. Instead, it blended BioMoGo DNA cushioning with DNA AMP to create a responsive everyday shoe. The Ricochet 3 refined that formula with a lighter build, an 8 mm drop and a knit upper, while keeping the line’s springy character.

Ricochet 3 was the final version. Brooks still lists it through its ReStart resale program, but the current road-running lineup no longer includes the Ricochet family. Unlike the Ravenna-to-Launch GTS or Transcend-to-Glycerin GTS transitions, Brooks did not announce a direct rename. The role simply faded as the Launch, Hyperion and other newer models covered the same territory more efficiently.

What Replaced the Brooks Ricochet?

There is no official replacement. For most former Ricochet runners, however, the Brooks Launch 12 is the closest current match. Brooks describes the Launch 12 as a lightweight, responsive daily trainer for road running, everyday runs, faster runs and gym workouts. That is very close to the job the Ricochet performed in the older lineup.

The similarities are unusually strong. Both shoes use an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop. The men’s Ricochet 3 weighed about 9.2 ounces, while the men’s Launch 12 weighs 8.9 ounces. Both are neutral road shoes designed to feel lighter and livelier than Brooks’ more cushioned daily trainers. The big difference is the cushioning technology. Ricochet 3 combined BioMoGo DNA with DNA AMP, while Launch 12 uses nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH with DNA FLASH v2 in the forefoot.

That means the Launch 12 should not be described as a Ricochet 4 under another name. It is its own long-running family. But if you are trying to replace what the Ricochet did — lightweight daily miles, occasional faster running and a responsive ride — Launch 12 is the most logical place to start. Check Brooks Launch 12 availability.

Brooks Ricochet Replacement Timeline

The Ricochet had a short life compared with Brooks stalwarts such as the Ghost, Adrenaline and Launch. Its three-generation run also overlapped with a period when Brooks was rapidly reorganizing its cushioning technologies and shoe families. That helps explain why its function survived even though the name did not.

• 2018: Brooks introduces the original Ricochet as a new Energize-category road shoe using DNA AMP and BioMoGo DNA.
• 2019: Ricochet 2 continues the lightweight, energy-return concept.
• Late 2020: Ricochet 3 launches with a lighter build, Fit Knit upper and an 8 mm drop.
• After Ricochet 3: The line disappears from the regular Brooks range without a Ricochet 4 or an official named successor.
• Current closest equivalent: Launch 12, a lightweight 8 mm neutral trainer built for everyday and faster runs.

The missing direct handoff matters. We label the Launch 12 a closest current equivalent rather than a direct replacement because the Launch line existed before, during and after the Ricochet. The connection is functional, not genealogical. That is the same distinction we use throughout our replacement database when brands retire a shoe without formally transferring its name or lineage.

Brooks Ricochet 3 vs. Launch 12

On paper, the Ricochet 3 and Launch 12 are surprisingly close. The Launch is slightly lighter and uses a newer cushioning system, but the basic geometry and intended use line up well. Former Ricochet runners should expect the Launch to feel quicker and less dense underfoot rather than identical.

The Launch 12 also fits Brooks’ current lineup more cleanly. It is lighter and more performance-oriented than the Revel 9 but less specialized than the Hyperion. That makes it a useful bridge between everyday training and faster running — almost exactly the space the Ricochet once tried to occupy. If you liked the Ricochet because it felt compact and responsive rather than plush, the Launch 12 should be a more natural transition than a Ghost or Glycerin.

Who Should Try the Launch 12?

The Launch 12 is the best starting point if you used the Ricochet as a versatile road shoe rather than as a dedicated speed trainer. It works for everyday miles, shorter tempo efforts and gym sessions, and Brooks still gives it the same 8 mm drop that Ricochet users are accustomed to. The men’s version is also slightly lighter than Ricochet 3, which helps preserve the nimble feel that made the Ricochet attractive in the first place.

The biggest difference is cushioning character. DNA AMP had a dense, springy feel that some runners loved and others found firm. Launch 12’s DNA FLASH setup is lighter and more modern, with a quicker toe-off and less of that compact polyurethane sensation. If DNA AMP itself was the reason you loved the Ricochet, there is no exact current Brooks substitute.

Check men’s Brooks Launch 12 availability or check women’s Brooks Launch 12 availability.

Three Alternatives for Former Ricochet Runners

The Launch 12 is the closest overall match, but not every Ricochet runner used the shoe the same way. If speed, everyday comfort or price mattered more than matching the old shoe’s exact role, these alternatives may make more sense.

• Brooks Hyperion 3: Choose the Hyperion if you mainly used the Ricochet for faster workouts. It is the more performance-focused option in the current Brooks lineup and is designed around speed training rather than general daily use. Check the latest price.
• Brooks Revel 9: Choose the Revel if you want a straightforward, versatile daily shoe at a lower price point. It is less speed-focused than the Launch but works well for daily runs and everyday wear. Read our Brooks Revel 9 review or check the latest price.
• Saucony Kinvara: Consider the Kinvara family if what you miss most is a light, flexible trainer with a more stripped-down feel. It uses a lower drop than the Ricochet, so it is not a direct geometry match. Check current Kinvara options.

If you would rather stay entirely within Brooks, compare the current lineup in our Brooks running shoes comparison guide. You can also browse the broader running shoe directory if you are open to switching brands.

Can You Still Buy the Brooks Ricochet 3?

Yes, but mostly as old stock or resale inventory. Brooks currently lists Ricochet 3 through its ReStart resale program, and marketplace listings still appear. That confirms the shoe remains available in some sizes even though it is no longer part of the current Brooks production lineup.

Be cautious with very old new-in-box inventory. Ricochet 3 launched in 2020, so an unworn pair may still be several years old. Brooks notes that running shoes have a shelf life and that adhesives and materials can deteriorate over time even when the shoes are not being used. For regular running, buying a current model is generally the more practical choice unless you specifically want the Ricochet’s fit and ride.

If you do find a pair, compare the price with a current Launch 12 before buying. The Launch gives you current materials, easier replacement availability and a role in Brooks’ active lineup. Check remaining Ricochet 3 listings.

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