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Brooks Glycerin 22 max cushion road running shoe

Photo shows one example colourway

Brooks

Glycerin 22

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Plush neutral daily trainer with DNA Loft v3

Best price todayLowest tracked · 90d
£107.25£150.0028%
at Brooks Running · 18% under 30d avg
90D Low£79.20
30D Avg£130.80
RRP£150.00
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Expert review

Our verdict

The Glycerin 22 is Brooks at its most comfortable: a plush, neutral daily training shoe built for soft, no-drama miles rather than speed. The DNA Loft v3 midsole is the star, giving you a deep, forgiving cushion that soaks up impact and stays kind to your legs on longer efforts. With a 37mm heel stack and a traditional 10mm drop, it lands squarely in the max-cushion daily trainer bracket, aimed at runners who value a smooth, protected ride over a snappy one. This is not a shoe that wants to go fast, and Brooks has not pretended otherwise. What you get instead is dependable, everyday comfort at £150, with an upper and fit that suit long runs and easy days. In our view it is one of the safest premium daily trainers you can buy right now. If you want cushioning you can trust for months of steady running, the Glycerin 22 delivers it without fuss.

Key features

  • DNA Loft v3 midsoleGives you a deep, plush cushion that soaks up impact and keeps your legs fresh on long, easy miles
  • 37mm heel stackPuts plenty of soft foam between your heel and the road, ideal for heel-strikers and high-mileage weeks
  • Plush padded collarCradles your ankle and locks the heel in place, so there is no slippage even late in a long run
  • Engineered mesh upperFeels soft and roomy from the first step and breathes well through UK seasons
  • Multiple width optionsComes in 2E and 4E as well as standard, so wide-footers get a proper fit rather than a squeeze

Who it suits

Who should buy it

  • Neutral runners who want maximum comfort for easy and long runs
  • Heel-strikers who need deep, protective cushioning underfoot
  • High-mileage marathon trainees logging plenty of steady volume
  • Wide-footed runners who struggle to find a roomy premium trainer

Who should not buy it

  • You want a light, responsive shoe for tempo runs or racing
  • You are a severe overpronator who needs dedicated stability
  • You are on a tight budget and want a cheaper daily trainer

Best uses

  • easy runs
  • long runs
  • recovery
  • daily miles
  • marathon training
At a glance

Ratings

8.4Greatout of 10
Lightness5.5
Cushioning9.2
Flexibility6.0
Responsive5.0
Stability6.5
Grip7.5

Pros

  • Deep, plush DNA Loft v3 cushioning that protects your legs
  • Excellent heel hold and a premium, comfortable upper
  • Available in wide 2E and 4E fittings
  • Dependable, do-it-all daily trainer for high mileage

Cons

  • Heavy and unremarkable at faster paces
  • No plate or pop, so it feels flat on tempo days
  • Premium £150 price for a neutral daily trainer
Good to know

Extra information

Fit & sizing

The Glycerin 22 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual Brooks size and you should be fine. The toe box is medium width with a rounded shape, giving your toes room to splay on long runs without feeling sloppy. Midfoot lockdown is secure and the padded tongue sits comfortably over the top of your foot. The heel is where this shoe shines: a plush, well-structured collar cradles your ankle and holds it firmly, which suits heel-strikers and anyone who has fought slippage in the past. Wide-footers are well served too, as Brooks offers the Glycerin 22 in 2E and 4E widths, one of the roomier options in this class. If you are between sizes or plan to wear thicker winter socks, staying at your true size still works because the fit is accommodating rather than snug. Runners with narrow feet may want to lace-lock the collar for the best hold.

Performance breakdown

Ride & feel

The Glycerin 22 rides soft and settled rather than lively. The DNA Loft v3 foam absorbs the road and delivers a cushioned, protected landing that feels best at easy and steady paces. Transitions are smooth and predictable, with a gentle roll from heel to toe that never demands anything of you. This is a shoe that rewards switching off and clocking up comfortable miles. Push the pace and you will feel the trade-off. There is no plate and no spring, so quick efforts feel muted and the shoe can drag a little when you try to turn your legs over. That is not a fault, it is the design. If you want a livelier daily trainer, the lighter Brooks Ghost 16 is more willing to pick up the pace. For its intended job, soaking up daily mileage, the Glycerin 22 feels reassuringly composed.

Cushioning

Cushioning is the whole point of the Glycerin 22, and it delivers. The DNA Loft v3 midsole gives you a deep, plush layer of protection underfoot, with a 37mm heel stack that keeps road impact well away from your legs. It leans soft rather than firm, so landings feel forgiving and your legs stay fresher on longer runs and back-to-back training days. The cushioning is balanced rather than mushy, holding enough structure that you do not sink and stall on each step. Heel-strikers in particular will appreciate how well the rear of the shoe manages impact. Over a marathon build with plenty of easy volume, this is exactly the kind of protective, leg-saving ride that keeps you running day after day. It is comfort you can rely on.

Stability

The Glycerin 22 is a neutral shoe, so it offers no medial posting or dedicated support features. That said, the wide base and deep, structured midsole give it a planted, stable feel for a max-cushion trainer, and most neutral runners will find it secure underfoot at easy paces. The soft foam does mean a touch less inherent stability than a firmer trainer, so severe overpronators should look elsewhere. If you want the same plush ride with added support, Brooks makes the stability-focused Glycerin GTS 22, which adds GuideRails to keep your stride aligned. For neutral runners who simply want a soft, dependable daily trainer, the standard Glycerin 22 has enough natural stability for the job.

Upper & comfort

The engineered mesh upper is one of the most comfortable in the daily trainer class. It is soft, gives a little where your foot needs room, and breathes well enough for year-round UK running. The plush, padded collar and tongue add a premium, slipper-like feel around the ankle and instep without creating pressure points. There is no rubbing or hot-spotting to report over long efforts, and the internal fit is smooth against the skin, so thin summer socks are no problem. Break-in is minimal because the shoe feels cosseting from the first run. For a shoe you will wear for hours at a time on long runs, this is exactly the kind of no-fuss, comfort-first upper you want.

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Common questions

FAQ

Yes, the Glycerin 22 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual Brooks size. The toe box is a medium, rounded shape with room for your toes to splay on long runs, and the midfoot and heel hold securely. Brooks also offers 2E and 4E widths, which is good news if you have wider feet or want extra volume for winter socks. Only runners with genuinely narrow feet may want to size down or lace-lock for a tighter hold.

It is a great marathon training shoe, but not a marathon racing shoe. The deep DNA Loft v3 cushioning and comfortable fit make it ideal for the long, easy and steady miles of a marathon build, where protecting your legs matters most. On race day, though, most runners will want something lighter and more responsive. Save the Glycerin 22 for your everyday training and reach for a lighter tempo or carbon shoe when you are chasing a time.

Yes, it is an excellent choice for beginners. The soft, forgiving cushioning is kind to legs that are still adapting to running, and the roomy, comfortable fit is easy to get on with from the first run. It is a neutral shoe, so mild overpronators will be fine, though if you know you need firm support you may prefer a stability model. The one catch is price: at £150 it is a premium option, so budget-conscious beginners might start with something cheaper.

Both are neutral Brooks daily trainers, but they suit different runners. The Glycerin 22 is the plusher, more cushioned option with a deeper, softer ride aimed at long runs and maximum comfort. The Ghost 16 is lighter, firmer and a little more versatile, happier to pick up the pace for the odd faster session. If you prioritise soft cushioning and long-run comfort, choose the Glycerin. If you want a lighter, more all-round daily trainer, the Ghost is the better fit.

The Glycerin 22 is built to last, as you would expect from a premium daily trainer. The DNA Loft v3 midsole holds its cushioning well over high mileage, and the outsole rubber covers the high-wear areas to resist abrasion on road running. Most runners can expect somewhere around 500 to 800 kilometres from a pair, depending on your weight, gait and the surfaces you run on. For a shoe designed to soak up daily training miles, durability is one of its strengths and helps justify the price over time.

The numbers

Specifications

Technical specifications for the Brooks Glycerin 22
CategoryMax Cushion
SurfaceRoad
Drop10mm
Heel Stack37mm
Forefoot Stack27mm
Weight289g
Carbon PlatedNo
StabilityNo
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