Glycerin 21 vs Glycerin GTS 21

The Brooks Glycerin 21 is a max-cushion daily training shoe built for one job: making your everyday miles feel soft, calm and comfortable. This is the plush end of the Brooks range, a neutral running shoe that leans into cushioning rather than speed. At 280g it is not light, and it will not snap you through a fast finish, but that was never the point. What you get is a deep, forgiving underfoot feel that holds up well over long easy runs and recovery days, and a 10mm drop that suits heel and midfoot strikers alike. We rate it as a dependable cruiser for runners who want protection and a smooth, quiet ride over anything sharp or racy. If the £165 price gives you pause, the cheaper Brooks Ghost 16 covers similar daily duty with a touch less plush. But if soft comfort is what you are after, the Glycerin delivers it honestly.

The Glycerin GTS 21 is Brooks' plush daily training shoe with a layer of gentle support built in. GTS stands for Go To Support, so this is the stability sibling of the neutral Glycerin 21: same soft, high-cushion ride, but with guide rails that quietly hold your stride together when your form starts to wobble. At 289g with a 10mm drop, it is a substantial, protective running shoe rather than a light or fast one. That weight is the price of the cushioning, and it is aimed squarely at runners who value comfort and a bit of guidance over speed. We rate it as a soft-riding stability daily trainer for easy miles, long runs and everyday base training. If you overpronate mildly, want a max-comfort shoe that keeps you aligned, and are not chasing pace, it is one of the easiest shoes in this class to just put on and run.