Brooks Glycerin 22 Review: Fine-Tuned for Comfort?

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

The Brooks Glycerin has long been synonymous with top-tier luxury, thanks to its positioning as the brand’s most cushioned shoe. But now that new, max-cushion models like the Brooks Ghost Max and Brooks Glycerin Max have overtaken that position, the Glycerin needs to redefine its purpose in a world where, let’s face it, shoes just keep getting cushier and cushier.

The Glycerin 22, available February 1, has been updated with DNA Tuned cushioning, the same midsole foam used in the Glycerin Max. It also offers a completely redesigned upper made with double jacquard air mesh. Will these new updates be enough to reestablish the Glycerin’s role in the Brooks line up? Or will it fade away amongst the max-cushioned monsters? Read on to find out.

Brooks’ DNA Tuned midsole foam replaces the DNA Loft v3 foam used in the previous version of the Glycerin. While I really enjoyed the Glycerin 21, I never felt like it lived up to my expectations of a plush, premium trainer…but all of that changed with the Glycerin 22.

Both DNA Tuned and DNA Loft v3 foams are infused with nitrogen, meaning you’re running on millions of little air cells. The main difference between the two foams is that Brooks designers are better able to fine-tune the cells in DNA Tuned, allowing them to create different zones of cushioning.

“The large cells have bigger surface areas, which feel softer underfoot. The small cells are closer together and feel more responsive,” Brooks Footwear Product Line Manager Brittany Gleaton explained to us when interviewing her about the Glycerin Max.

The large cells are placed in the heel for soft landings and the small cells are in the forefoot for responsive toe-offs. The result is a wonderfully balanced ride from start to finish.

“I’m really digging this DNA Tuned midsole from Brooks,” says Tom. “It just looks downright cool, and it does a good job of balancing soft landings with firmer toe-offs so I don’t feel like I’m fighting against the cushioning. I enjoyed this shoe during some easy runs and daily dog walks. The cushioning kept me comfortable and protected throughout. And because of its “soft, but not too soft” feel, it gives me the impression that this will be a durable shoe.”

“The cushion isn’t super squishy, but it’s not too firm, either,” Kate agrees. “I wore the Glycerin for two consecutive recovery days after a 20-mile training run. I was really tired, but the Glycerin 22 felt comfortable, protective and steady for my 6-mile recovery day. I felt a little peppier for the following 8-mile recovery day and the Glycerin came in clutch to help me get my legs going again.”

I, too, enjoyed the soft-but-not-too-soft feel. I took these shoes on a 4-mile easy run with some strides, and my feet felt very happy. The thick bed of midsole foam cushioned each stride from the harsh pavement and the soft-to-firm ratio felt perfect.

Brooks also touts the Glycerin 22 as having a wide, stable base for landings and toe-offs. Brandon agreed.

“Overall, this shoe has a great ride. It’s smooth, soft, and has some nice pop to it,” he says. “The stability of the shoe is all there, I had no issues with cornering and felt like I could pick up the pace nicely.”

The updates to the Brooks Glycerin 22 continue up top with a redesigned double-jacquard mesh upper, replacing the warp-knit upper used in the previous model.

Reviewers agreed that the new upper adds a luxury feel that just wasn’t present in the 21.

“The upper seems more premium than before,” Kate says. “The heel collar has really been enhanced with a big, thick cushion around the heel to lock you into place, and a stretchy heel tab makes it easy to pull on the shoes.”

While I definitely agree that the upper feels upgraded, I actually prefer the old upper. The new one has a sock-like, bootie construction with different layers around the heel and ankle. While it’s certainly comfortable, it feels like a bit too much shoe.

I also noticed that the upper felt a tad roomy on my low-volume feet (low volume feet are feet that don’t take up a lot of space within the shoe). When I cinched up the laces, the material around the toe box buckled ever-so-slightly. It wasn’t enough for anyone else to notice aesthetically, but when I was running I felt like there was a tiny bit of excessive room. When I wear these shoes again, I’ll be sure to wear a pair of thicker socks (like my Balega Blister Resist No Show Socks) to take up some more space within the shoe.

Tom disagreed, saying that the toe box felt too narrow.

“My one gripe is that the toe box starts to taper in a little bit too early and I noticed my big toe starting to rub up against the sides of the shoe towards the end of my runs,” he says. “Other than that, the upper fit true-to-size and I liked the soft padding just inside the heel collar that locked my heel in place–no lacing adjustments needed. The tongue was well padded well, maybe even a little too padded, but I think that’s what you’re looking for if you’re buying the Glycerin—it’s like a luxury SUV with plush seats.”

The Glycerin 22 is available in wide sizing (D for women, 2E for men) for those who need some extra width in the toe box. If you aren’t sure about the width of your feet, your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.

The main updates to the Glycerin 22 are the DNA Tuned midsole foam and the double jacquard mesh upper. Reviewers agreed that these upgrades make the latest version of the Glycerin the plush, premium trainer we always knew it could be.

For a long time, I was told the Glycerin is Brooks’ “max-cushion” shoe that’s comparable to other brands’ max-cushion models, but it just never felt like it was at the same level in terms of the cushioning. But now, I think this shoe has finally earned its top-tier, premium status.

“I think the Glycerin 22 feels more lively than the previous versions,” says Kate. “I like the feeling of the midsole foam better than past iterations. It feels more peppy and protective and it’s got the perfect soft-to-firm blend.”

We took a look at some similar models to see how they stack up against the Brooks Glycerin 22. Here’s what we found.

The Brooks Glycerin 22, the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26 and the New Balance 1080 v14 have long been considered their respective brands’ max-cushion, top-of-the-line neutral trainers way before crazy tall shoes like the ASICS Superblast, New Balance SuperTrainer or Brooks Glycerin Max entered the conversation. Consider the Glycerin, Nimbus and 1080 v14 the “OG” max-cushion styles.

All three shoes are relatively similar in weight and stack height, while the Glycerin has the highest heel-to-toe drop of the three. The Glycerin’s new upper bears a striking resemblance to the upper of the ASICS GEL-Nimbus 26, thanks to the multi-layered heel collar and stretchy tongue.

Thanks to a generous bed of plush DNA Tuned cushioning, the Glycerin 22 is a perfect choice for runners seeking soft landings and responsive toe-offs. While this shoe won’t win any awards in the speed category, it feels peppy enough to keep you moving during easy miles and long runs.

“I recommend the Glycerin 22 to runners who prioritize comfort over everything else,” Tom says. “It’s not a fast shoe, it’s not a lightweight shoe, but no matter how far you're going, the cushioning and fit are going to keep you comfortable. Reach for the Glycerin when you want to set the cruise control and take in the scenery. I think walkers, runners or anyone who stands on their feet for long periods of time will enjoy the reliability of the Glycerin 22.”