When it comes to dependable and trusted running shoes, Brooks is one of the top sportswear companies you can find. Dating all the way back to 1914, Brooks has been involved in the design and production of all different types of footwear, from ballet shoes, to football cleats, and even to roller skates.
Brooks finally found its niche in the running shoe game back in 1972, and the rest is history. As the company shifted its focus to running and racing shoes, they quickly earned a place as one of the best running shoe brands in the world.
Brooks aims to provide shoes and running gear that help make every run, workout, or walk better and more comfortable than the last. One of the key ways the brand continues to work towards this goal is by constantly innovating, creating new technology that continues to stack up in the modern running shoe world.
If you’re looking for unmatched comfort and reliability in a running shoe, Brooks has plenty of options for you. And one of the best choices out there is their high-cushion daily trainer, the Brooks Glycerin 22.
Any shoe with over 22 iterations is going to have a loyal fan base, and the Glycerin is no exception. Over the years, Brooks has continued to update the shoe and incorporate new technology, all while maintaining the plush, high-cushion feel that countless runners love about the shoe.
The Glycerin 22 incorporated several bold new changes, including a new type of foam and upgraded upper design. But do these changes and new technologies hold up to the classic and dependable Glycerin that so many people have come to know and love? Keep reading for a full, in-depth review on the Brooks Glycerin 22 to help you decide if this shoe is right for you.
Our Review Process
At Marathon Sports, we learn every running shoe inside and out so you don’t have to go through the overwhelming process of choosing a running shoe on your own.
We’re here for you every step of the way – and that includes knowing exactly how a shoe feels, fits, and performs on all types of runs so we can make the best recommendations for your needs.
Not only do we dive into all the specs and features of a shoe, but we make sure to test them on a variety of different runs and terrains to truly understand where a shoe shines and the areas in which it could use some improvements.
From slow runs on rocky trails to uptempo workouts on pavement, we put the Glycerin 22 to the test. With a better understanding of all the pros and cons of the shoe, we’ll help you decide if this high-cushion workhorse shoe is the right addition to your shoe rotation.
The Brooks Glycerin 22: A Quick Overview
Before we look closer at all the features and technology the Glycerin has to offer, here’s a quick look at all the specs and highlights you can expect with this trainer.
- Advertised as a high-cushion, neutral shoe
- Stack height: 38 mm/28 mm
- Women’s weighs 9.1 oz, men’s weighs 10.2 oz
- Heel-to-toe offset: 10 mm
- Midsole is made of new DNA Tuned cushioning
- Upper is made from engineered double jacquard knit
- Breathable upper also features extra cushioning and padding along the heel, ankle, and tongue
- Strategically-placed rubber outsole aids in traction and durability
- Available in standard and wide width
- Price: $165
A Closer Look at the Glycerin 22
Numbers and specs can be incredibly helpful when comparing shoes, but a deeper dive is always needed to truly understand how each element of a shoe feels and performs on a run.
Keep reading to learn more about some of these key features and what makes the Glycerin 22 stand out against some of the other popular running shoes you can find today.
New DNA Tuned Midsole
Brooks has always been one of the most popular running shoe brands, particularly among casual or beginner runners, due to their reliable, balanced, and no-frills designs. While their shoes are comfortable and supportive, they never felt particularly exciting, bouncy, or energetic.
However, with the Glycerin 22, Brooks completely sidestepped this reputation for simple yet dependable shoes, in part due to its new DNA Tuned midsole foam.
While the Glycerin 21 relied on a more standard DNA Loft v3 EVA foam, the Glycerin 22 boasts a high stack of the brand’s incredible, finely-tuned cushioning for an even better running experience. The Glycerin 22 features 38 mm of this nitrogen-infused foam in the heel and 28 mm in the forefoot, offering a high stack height and plenty of foam to cushion your landings and absorb impact.
And while previous versions of the shoe felt relatively stiff underfoot, this updated design offers unparalleled softness and responsiveness with each step. The unique, fine-tuned cushioning uses different size cells in the foam for the best running experience possible – large cells in the heel guarantee plush, soft landings, while the smaller cells in the forefoot create lively and responsive toe-offs.
Updated Upper Design
The innovative new cushioning may have been the biggest change in the Glycerin’s 22nd iteration, but the updates and improvements didn’t stop there.
The new and improved double jacquard knit upper effectively and securely wraps the foot, providing a secure lockdown while offering plenty of ventilation and breathability on runs.
Brooks also added lots of soft, flexible cushioning throughout the upper for even more luxurious step-in comfort. This extra cushioning around the heel and ankle helps keep the foot in place so you don’t have to worry about excess movement or discomfort throughout long runs.
The soft and flexible upper is ideal for anyone who prefers a wide toe box or needs an overall more accommodating fit. The heel and tongue is secure around the foot, but the wide, accommodating toe box offers plenty of space for all foot shapes and sizes. The Glycerin 22 is also available in a wide width for anyone in need of more width all-around in their running shoes.
Shoe Geometry and Overall Design
The Glycerin 22 is a neutral daily trainer, meaning there’s no corrective elements to prevent overpronation. Despite this, the shoe incorporates some minor stability elements to ensure sturdy landings and smooth, efficient transitions.
This high-cushion shoe has always had a wide base, but the even broader platform on the Glycerin 22 is designed to stabilize your foot and keep you feeling steady and secure with each landing. As this wide base works to keep you stable, the dual-cell cushioning encourages forward movement, resulting in effortless transitions.
Heel-strikers will likely appreciate the high, 10 mm heel-to-toe offset that the Glycerin offers. This high drop ensures that there’s plenty of soft cushioning underfoot for extra protection from hard heel landings. This high drop can also reduce stress on the lower body, including the calf and achilles, making this a great choice for runners prone to lower leg or foot injuries.
Traction and Durability
At $165, the Glycerin 22 is relatively expensive for a daily driver. However, you can feel confident in your purchase knowing the Glycerin offers lots of durability and versatility.
A rubber outsole is strategically placed along the shoe’s sole, protecting high-wear areas and improving the Glycerin’s longevity. And while the DNA Tuned cushioning is a new addition to Brooks’s technology, we feel confident that this high-quality foam will hold up well after miles and miles.
While there are running shoes out there for nearly every purpose, we know it’s not realistic for every runner to have a variety of different shoe options. If you’re looking for one comfortable, cushioned shoe that can do it all, the Glycerin 22 is a fantastic choice. The high-stack height and plush foam allows the shoe to excel on long runs, but the balanced and energetic underfoot feel means you can easily carry this shoe over to uptempo runs and other workouts.
Road Test
To be completely honest, while Brooks offers some fantastic shoes, we weren’t expecting much of a departure from Brooks’s straightforward, dependable running shoe design.
But when our reviewers hit the road to test out the Glycerin 22, we were thrilled to be proven wrong. The Glycerin 22 diverts from the standard Brooks format, offering a new and exciting high-cushion shoe that nearly any runner can appreciate.
Some of the improvements were immediately noticeable from the second we slid on a pair of Glycerins. The convenient pull-tab made it easy to get on, and the extra cushioning around the heel and ankle resulted in instantaneous comfort right out of the shoe box.
Once we took to the pavement with the Glycerin 22, the new DNA Tuned foam was truly the star of the show. It felt plush yet responsive, offering a perfect balance of cushion and protection under the heel without feeling too soft or spongy. This unique, nitrogen-infused foam kept every step feeling light, snappy, and energetic – a rarity for well-padded, high-cushioned shoes.
This soft yet responsive balance was perfect for long runs and daily workouts, offering unmatched comfort and cushioning without sacrificing efficiency and responsiveness. However, the Glycerin 22 is also one of the most versatile high-cushion daily trainers you can find today.
While many high-cushioned shoes feel too soft and bulky for uptempo runs, the Glycerin’s sleek design, lightweight and bouncy foam, and rubber outsole tread mean this shoe can tackle any type of run, on nearly any terrain.
Despite all these improvements, however, the Glycerin 22 isn’t without its drawbacks. While the nitrogen-infused cushioning itself is lightweight, the extra cushioning in the upper results in a slightly heavier shoe compared to the previous iteration of the Glycerin. Runners who prefer a more lightweight, airy feel may struggle with the extra padding throughout the newest version of the shoe.
Runners who have a midfoot or forefoot strike may also want to consider other options. The Glycerin’s high, 10 mm drop encourages a heel-strike, providing extra cushioning under the heel to absorb impact with each stride. This can be beneficial for runners prone to lower leg injuries or anyone accustomed to high drop shoes. However, some runners may find this high drop to encourage an unnatural or uncomfortable gait, and may want to consider a mid or lower drop shoe.
Brooks Glycerin 22: Pros and Cons
As much as we all wish there was one perfect running shoe out there, every model comes with its own benefits and drawbacks. Here are a few pros and cons to consider if you’re thinking of adding the Glycerin 22 to your shoe rotation.
Pros:
- New DNA Tuned foam is fantastic – It feels plush and luxurious underfoot while maintaining responsiveness and energy return
- The soft upper and wide toe box accommodates all different foot shapes and sizes
- Good all-around, versatile shoe for runners looking for a single running shoe model that can do it all
- Rubber outsole makes the shoe even more versatile and helps expand the lifespan
- Broad platform helps the shoe feel stable and grounded, even with the high stack height
Cons:
- Slightly heavier than previous iteration due to increased cushioning around the heel, tongue, and ankle
- 10 mm drop may feel excessive for forefoot or midfoot strikers
How Does the Glycerin 22 Compare to the Competition?
It’s impressive that even after 22 iterations, the Glycerin continues to incorporate new technology and improve upon its reliable and well-loved design. But with all these new updates, how does the Glycerin 22 stack up against similar shoes in today’s running shoe market?
It’s impossible to discuss plush, high-cushion shoes without bringing Hoka into the equation. The brand itself is most well-known for its maximalist, high-cushion designs, so it’s no surprise that the Bondi 9 is a top contender in the neutral, high-cushion shoe category.
The Bondi 9 features slightly more cushioning than the Glycerin 22 (42 mm/37 mm for women’s and 43 mm/38 mm for men’s), along with a low 5 mm heel-to-toe drop. The Bondi’s massive stack height makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a specific shoe for long runs or walks, but the Glycerin’s lightweight design and dynamic cushioning makes it a more versatile option.
And while the Glycerin 22’s broad platform offers a touch of stability, this neutral shoe isn’t ideal for runners who overpronate, meaning their arches and ankles roll inward when they run. The Glycerin GTS 22 features everything there is to love about the Glycerin 22, but adds a GuideRails support system for extra support and correction.
Try the New Glycerin 22 at Your Local Marathon Sports
The Glycerin 22 took a huge leap in showcasing some of Brooks’ latest and greatest technology. Between the new and improved upper, streamlined design, and the incredible new DNA Tuned foam, the Glycerin 22 makes it evident why Brooks continues to stay at the top of the game in the running shoe world.
By combining their reliable fit and designs with new technology, Brooks gave us a fantastic shoe update that everyone can enjoy, from beginner runners looking for a versatile shoe to elite athletes who want some extra cushioning on their long runs.
Hopefully, this review gives you an idea of whether the Glycerin 22 could work for you and helps you understand exactly what you can expect when you put on these shoes for the first time. But the best way to truly know if a shoe is right for you is to try it out for yourself at your local Marathon Sports.
Stop by your nearest store today to try on the Glycerin 22, compare different running shoe options, and browse everything else you need along the way. And whether you’re looking at shoes, apparel, nutrition, recovery tools, and more, the dedicated Marathon Sports staff will make sure you have everything you need to reach all your running goals in comfort.
