2024 was a huge year for Brooks, in our opinion. Brooks has always is one of the OG’s, and one of them that specializes in running – period. We have always loved checking out their pride-inspired options and seasonal collections (Run Merry and Run Lucky). But 2024 really saw them bring their A-game.
See all our posts on Brooks here!
The Caldera 7 and Catamount 7 powered one of us through trails like the Siuslaw Dunes, while the Ghost Max 2 and Hyperion Max 2 gave us some cushion and speed. It really was a solid year. We also reviewed the Glycerin 21 – a shoe that remains in Matt’s regular rotation to this day.
See all our posts on the Brooks Glycerin here!
We are excited to kick off the new year with the newest launch – the Glycerin 22. Matt reviewed this last year, and Nikki has been wearing Glycerin’s since 2020, so read on for their perspectives.
Looks:
As you’d expect from a shoe that’s been refined over 22 iterations, the Brooks Glycerin line sticks to a familiar formula—and that’s a good thing. When you find a shoe you love, you don’t want it to be completely overhauled year after year. Small tweaks are welcome, but consistency is usually key (unless something drastically misses the mark in a given release).
While we will highlight some pretty big changes to the Glycerin 22 (read on!), the visuals remain pretty straightforward and true to its lineage. The women’s review version was a crisp white (soon to be gray) with blue accents, while the men’s was primarily black. While there are sure to be a variety of colors available, it doesn’t try to be flashy in the looks department. Instead, it leans into the reliability that fans of the Glycerin series appreciate. While it may not stand out visually, it looks exactly as you’d expect a Brooks Glycerin shoe to look—and that’s not a bad thing.
There is, however, a noticeable slimming in the profile compared to the Glycerin 21. While it doesn’t affect the fit, the 21 had a visibly thicker (or perhaps thiqqer) design – especially in the heel – that’s been refined in this updated version.
Fit & Construction:
Anyone familiar with previous versions of the Glycerin won’t be terribly surprised by the fit of the newest version. There’s a reason why this model has been a fan favorite, and they slide on comfortably from the very first step. I feel confident enough about these shoes that I can take them out of the box, put them on my feet, and leave for a long run without worrying about breaking them in first. They feel bouncy without feeling heavy, which is quite a feat for a running shoe.
Specs:
- Stack: 38mm/28mm
- Drop: 10mm
- Weight: 10.2oz (men’s 9)
While consistency is key, as highlighted above, the Glycerin 22 introduces some relatively significant updates (all things considered). Rest assured, the core ethos of the Glycerin remains intact—but read on to learn about the changes.
Upper:
The slight updates to the upper really make an already comfortable shoe (the 21) even a little better. It feels more secure and stable with a little more padding in the heel, coupled with a little thicker tongue and added elastic heel collar.
There is a lot of padding surrounding heel, as well as that stretchy heel collar which offers a lot of support through the ankle. The tongue on the Glycerin is also pretty cushy but adds to the supportive hug the shoe offers. The tab on the heel is also a feature I love on a shoe, as it aids tugging the shoe on in one quick motion without crushing your fingers on the inside.
The construction of the outsole is light and breathable but the ventilation appears safe from places where the rain would creep in. I wore these for the first time on a rainy AM 6 mile run and my feet stayed dry and warm. I can’t confirm (YET!) how they’d do on a double digit run, but I think they will be great for a typical Pacific Northwest non-fairweather runner.
Midsole:
Here’s where the big update happens: the classic DNA Loft foam (around since 2017—long before RO started reviewing Glycerins) is swapped out for the new DNA Tuned foam. If you’ve owned a Glycerin Max, this will feel pretty familiar.
The dual-density supercritical foam features two types of cells: larger ones for softness and cushioning, and smaller ones for responsiveness and energy return. Forefoot runners might not get the full experience, but if you land on your heel or midfoot, we think you’ll really enjoy this upgrade.
The new DNA Tuned foam delivers a comfortable ride from toe off through foot strike. The construction of the Glycerin offers some significant energy return when your feet are tired and they never feel heavy on your feet, whether you’re at mile 1 or mile 13. This allows it to handle more than a typical daily trainer, making it solid for picking up the pace when you need to.
Outsole:
Overall:
The Glycerin 22 represents a major overhaul, particularly with the midsole update—a change that’s no small feat. We see this as a positive step forward. The previous midsole had a solid five-year run, but the switch to the new DNA Tuned foam feels like the right move. As technology advances, so should running shoes, and this upgrade strikes a great balance. It stays true to the essence of the Glycerin line while potentially bringing even more fans into the fold.
Brooks Glycerin 22 $165
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Thank you to Brooks for providing us with sample pairS. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
