Glycerin 23

The ride is soft, smooth and unbothered. Step in and the DNA Tuned foam gives immediately underfoot, cushioning each landing so your legs feel fresher deep into a run. It is a protective, cruising ride rather than a springy one, so do not expect pop or snap when you push the pace. Hold an easy or steady effort and it flows nicely, the tall stack smoothing out road buzz and rolling you through the gait without drama. Pick up the pace toward tempo and the shoe starts to feel like the weight it is, dragging slightly where a firmer trainer would come alive. That is the trade-off Brooks made, and it is the right one for the job. For soft, relaxed miles the Glycerin 23 is exactly as comfortable as you want it to be.

Cushioning is the whole point of this shoe, and Brooks delivers. The DNA Tuned midsole sits deep at 38mm in the heel and 30mm up front, giving you generous, plush protection that absorbs impact and keeps your legs feeling looked after over long distances. It leans soft rather than firm, so heavier runners and those who value comfort over ground feel will love it, while runners who like to feel connected to the road may find it a touch muted. The cushioning holds up well as the miles stack, staying consistent rather than bottoming out late in a long run. If your priority is a soft landing on easy and recovery days, this is one of the more comfortable max-cushion daily trainers you can buy, and it protects your legs without feeling unstable.

The Glycerin 23 is a neutral shoe with no medial post or guide rails, so it does not actively correct overpronation. That said, the wide, well shaped platform and the way the DNA Tuned foam cradles your foot give it a settled, planted feel for a max-cushion trainer. Neutral runners and mild pronators will find it stable enough for daily miles. If you know you need proper support, or you have run in stability shoes before and missed them, the Glycerin GTS 22 is the same shoe with Brooks GuideRails added and is the smarter buy. On tight corners or uneven pavement the tall stack can feel a little tippy, which is the usual compromise for this much foam, so factor that in if you run technical or cambered routes.

The upper is where the Glycerin earns its plush reputation. The engineered mesh is soft and pliable, wrapping your foot without hot spots, and the collar and tongue are generously padded for a pillowy, wrap-around feel around the ankle. There is no break-in period to speak of, so it feels ready from the first run. Breathability is decent for a cushioned trainer, though the plush build runs a touch warm in high summer heat. Lockdown through the midfoot is secure without the lacing needing to be cranked tight, and the heel hold is excellent thanks to that padded rear. For easy and long runs where comfort matters more than a locked-down race fit, this upper is exactly what you want on your foot.