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Talk about hype. Brooks was clearly stoked about the release of this shoe, sending out timed locked boxes to reviewers and major influencers to announce the arrival. So here we are ready to dig in to a full Brooks Glycerin Max review!
They say don’t judge a book by its cover, right? Well the same goes for shoes. I know that this shoe looks chunky but once you put it on and take a few steps, you will understand why The Glycerin Max may be the comfiest shoe that Brooks Running has come out with yet.
Let’s be honest, we haven’t been terribly kind to Brooks this year. We were not impressed with the Ghost Max 2 and our testers had mixed feelings about the Hyperion models, so the fact that multiple of us said “OHHH this is good” was huge.
Traditionally, Coach Amanda has liked some of the models, but personally…I’ve never found a Brooks that I just adored. Which has now changed and you can’t pry these shoes away from me.
It’s not flashy, it’s not fast, but if you’re focused on feeling good during and after the run, the Brooks Glycerin Max is a top choice for a great cushioned long run shoe.
Who is it Good For?
Who is the Brooks Glycerin Max a good fit for, let’s break it down by some common categories:
- Wide Feet: They do not offer extra wide but the fit will work for many
- Heavier Runners: Perfect option for cushion and support
- Long Runs: Will feel great on long runs, absorbing impact
- Front of the Pack: Good easy-paced recovery shoe
Middle and back of the pack runners are going get some serious mileage out of these running shoes.
Brooks Glycerin Max Review
Is bigger better? I think in this case that is exactly what Brooks Running was aiming for. When I first pulled the Brooks Glycerin Max out of the box, I was shocked by the size—it’s a bit bulkier than all of the other shoes in my rotation, with a high stack height that immediately stands out.
I mean 45mm is MASSIVE!! The only bigger one we’ve tested was the Puma MagMax Nitro which has a softer feel.
This is one of the biggest stack heights we have seen and for a lot of folks that is going to be an immediate turn off. Particularly because a higher stack height with soft foam can feel unstable, but to our surprise that was not the experience here.
At first glance, it almost seemed like it would be heavy or clunky on the run, especially since I am used to sleeker looking and lighter shoes. But as soon as I laced them up, that impression changed completely.Brooks took cushioning to a new level with this one, and it’s exactly the kind of support that I (and I bet a lot of you) have been looking for. I have added it to my weekly rotation, especially on the days where my legs just need a little extra support.
The Glycerin Max may not be the lightest shoe out there, but for easy runs and recovery days the weight wasn’t something anyone testing noticed when putting in miles.
I’ve taken it on everything from 3-mile recovery runs to double-digit long runs, and the cushioning has kept my feet feeling fresh.
In comparison to other max shoes, like the Saucony Triumph, this feels like you’re walking or running on a supportive cloud. Supportive being the key phrase here. There’s a little bit of firmness but in comparison to the Triumph, the foam in the Glycerin Max really helps absorb the impact with each step.
I’ve run a number of Brooks shoes in the past and they always caused some sort of discomfort in my plantar fasciitis that often lingered for days. The Brooks Glycerin Max are super comfortable and because of the DNA Tuned midsole absorbing a lot of the impact, I barely noticed the different terrains that I was running on.
The shoe has a GlideRoll Rocker that provides an effortless heel-to-toe transition. For someone that runs like a dancer (up on my toes), this has helped me focus on a smoother stride rather than always running on the outer side of my foot.
The Brooks Glycerin Max is one of those shoes that makes running feel gentle on the body—no added stress when running on tired legs, just cushioned, comfortable miles.
It’s not built for speed and yet with the bounce, the forward roll, it just doesn’t feel like it’s weighing you down, but instead helping you out. A massive win for long runs and easy days to give the legs some life.
Brooks Glycerin Max Specs
We beat up a lot on the Ghost Max 2 for looking geriatric, so a win that we all like this one.
I love bright colored shoes but have learned to embrace picking a shoe for how it feels instead of what it looks like. (It’s just an added bonus if the shoe feels AND looks good!).
Some of the maximum cushioned shoes recently have not been super flashy or look “cool”. But I do have to say I think that the midsole with the red coloring makes these shoes kinda fun!
Brooks Glycerin Max Feel
I know seeing that 45mm drop may seem like a lot but the shoes felt super stable throughout the entire run. I think that the DNA Tuned Foam helps take away from some of the extra height.
If you’re looking for maximum comfort, protection, and a smooth ride for your everyday miles, this shoe would be one of my top picks. You have the extra cushioning without feeling like you are walking on marshmallows with every step.
The outsole is nothing super special as it’s not a trail shoe. But you’ll have enough traction for road runs and no issues with rocks getting stuck if you head on to some light grave trails.
Brooks Glycerin Max Fit
Overall these run true to size for Brooks and similar to other brands like Asics.
This was the first time that I went a half size up in a Brooks running shoe and it made a huge difference. There is more than enough room in the toebox and the soft, flexible mesh allows your foot to breathe and move with you.
Wide foot runners will find a decent amount of space in the midfoot, particularly compared to brands like Saucony.
My feet have never felt so good in a Brooks shoe. The padding on the heel and the snug fit makes it a super comfortable shoe while running on the treadmill, roads and even gravel trails.
The tongue is padded and the upper similar to most of your other daily trainers, so it was breathable and felt flexible on the foot. No issues with it feeling to stiff or breaking anywhere.
I don’t use heel lock lacing, so I didn’t have any issue with the length of the laces. But if you traditionally like to lace that way, these are going to be doable, but short.
Similar Shoes to the Brooks Glycerin Max
What’s currently out there to rival this massive cushioned shoe? We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
Glycerin Max vs. Glycerin 21
From just looking at the two shoes you can immediately see that there are going to be big differences between the two models. And you’ll absolutely feel it when you put them on side by side
If you are used to running in the Brooks Glycerin 21 or GTS 21, you are going to notice a big difference with this model, but we believe it’s for the better!
Pictured here are the Brooks Ghost vs Glycerin…how tiny do the stacks look on the left compared to what they’re growing too.
Here are some of the key differences:
- Glycerin Max is heavier (thanks to that big stack)
- Max feels softer, again different foam and more cushion
- Glycerin 21 has a higher heel to toe drop (lower in the Max helps stability)
- Glycerin Max features GlideRoll Rocker
- Both are neutral shoes
What is DNA Tuned Foam?
This is the first shoe that Brook is using nitrogen-infused foaming with a dual-cell technique. Which basically means that the foam used in the heel versus the forefoot of the shoe is going to be different. This will help with the bouncier responsiveness that you feel with each landing and toe off.
This foam is what helps this shoe to have that unbeatable comfort and performance during longer runs. With this shoe, you’re not just running—you’re actually giving your feet the relief they need.
Will this be the first of many super cushioned shoes from Brooks Running? We sure hope so! The Brooks Glycerin Max is one of those shoes that just makes running feel simple and comfortable—no extra effort, no post-run soreness, just cushioned, comfortable miles.
While it may not be for everyone since it’s not a great speed or race day shoe, it’s perfect for high-mileage days, recovery runs, or even long walks when you need to get some extra fresh air.
There you have it! Our Brooks Glycerin Max review with all the pros and cons.
As always, love to hear feedback if you’ve taken the shoe out or if there are other models you’re curious about.
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