Brooks Glycerin Max Review

The Brooks Glycerin Max is a daily trainer with an insanely cushioned ride, comfortable and supportive upper, and (somehow) manages to maintain a good level of responsiveness, considering its high stack height. You can thank the new DNA Tuned foam for that characteristic; I’ll explain what I mean by that within this Brooks Glycerin Max review.

With an obvious focus on maximum plush cushioning, energy return, and durability on the outsole, it’s built for those who prioritize comfort over speed. At $200, it’s a premium investment, and by the end of this review, you’ll know exactly whether that price is worth paying for you and your running requirements.

Buckle up buttercup, it’s review time!

Key Specifications

• Price: $200 at brooksrunning.com / £180 at Sportsshoes.com (for my UK readers)
• Weight: 10.9oz (309g) for a size US(M)9
• Drop: 6mm
• Support: Neutral
• Upper: Super soft and padded, breathable engineered mesh
• Midsole: DNA Tuned nitrogen-infused foam with dual-cell technology
• Outsole: Durable rubber compound

How They Fit and Feel

The Brooks Glycerin Max fits true to size with a medium width but there’s a good amount of volume in there too, offering a roomy forefoot and padded collar for an incredibly comfortable step-in experience.

Quick note, there’s not a wide version available yet unfortunately but if you have wide feet and want a similar max cushioned ride from the Brooks lineup, you should check out the Ghost Max 2 instead – there are wide versions available in that model.

The high-volume design provides ample space but might feel loose for narrower feet without tighter lacing.

What’s Good

The star-of-the-show feature for me is Brooks’ new DNA Tuned midsole, a nitrogen-infused foam that’s both soft and has a responsive ride.

DNA Tuned foam is a next-gen nitrogen-infused cushioning featuring a dual-cell design. Large cells in the heel ensure plush landings, while small cells in the forefoot deliver responsive toe-offs – and the difference between the forefoot and heel is very obvious. This setup means slower runners or those who tend to heel strike more will benefit more from this.

This dynamic cushioning is further enhanced by the GlideRoll Rocker geometry, which makes heel-to-toe transitions even smoother – again, this is going to be much more noticeable when moving at slower to medium pace or for those landing more towards their heels. In short, it’s a real win for longer runs or recovery runs when efficiency and comfort matter most.

Comfort is another high point for me – from the padded tongue to the supportive engineered mesh upper collars and heel counter, every detail seems tailored to cradle your foot as you can see from my photo above. The ride feels forgiving without sacrificing responsiveness, whether you’re logging slow, steady miles or cruising through long-distance runs – and that sweet spot is exactly where the Glycerin Max takes the gold for me.

Aesthetically, the Glycerin Max looks nice and playful, although some may find it has a bit of a bulky look – even though it doesn’t feel that way on the run. The modern colorways available and design align well with its premium positioning, breaking away from Brooks’ traditionally functional (but sometimes a little less exciting) look.

Durability on the outsole is an improvement over some of Brooks’ other models, with far more protruded, and zoned rubber compound sections. The beefy rubber outsole will handle high-mileage training well, resisting wear while contributing to smooth transitions.

Room for improvement

The Glycerin Max might be one of the most comfortable, cushioned performers I have ever tested but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t find a couple of features that could be tweaked to make the Glycerin Max 2 that much better.

At 10.9oz (309g), it’s a touch on the heavy side in the daily trainer category, including the other Brooks max cushioned daily trainer, the Ghost Max 2, which weighs in at 10.5oz. This weight may become noticeable to very lightweight runners, over long distances.

Then there’s the price; to me $200 seems a little steep all things considered. Yes, the midsole foam is innovative and performs exceptionally well but there isn’t a carbon plate, and it doesn’t feature any Pebax foam.

For runners who aren’t fully sold on max-cushioned trainers, it might feel like an overinvestment but for those who love a plush responsive ride for logging daily miles – holy cloud, it’s hard to beat the Glycerin Max right now.

The shoe’s overall volume might also pose a challenge for some. While the spacious upper is a great comfort feature for most, I can see how runners with very narrow feet may feel like they’re lacking the required lockdown for a shoe of this weight – but to be fair this is only going to affect a small minority – lightweight runners with very narrow feet.

My Verdict

The Brooks Glycerin Max is an excellent choice for runners prioritizing cushioning, comfort and durability for long or easy-paced miles. It’s a running shoe that shines brightest when you’re not in a hurry, providing a smooth, stable ride that makes high-mileage days a pleasure – and dare I say it, feel easy! So, yes in my opinion this one is definitely worth $200 for the right runner.

That said, the weight and price might deter runners seeking a more versatile running shoe that also allows for some speed training too. If max cushioning is your thing and that premium price tag doesn’t make your eyes water, the Glycerin Max delivers on its promises.

➡ What do you think? Are you a fan of max-cushioned trainers like the Glycerin Max? Let me know your thoughts in the comments—and don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter and YouTube channel for more running shoe and gear reviews!