When one of your favorite shoes of the year releases a limited-edition version, you’ve got to give it a whirl, right? That’s exactly how we felt when we saw the Brooks Glycerin 22 SE Limited Edition drop. The original Glycerin 22 surprised us as a comfortable and functional daily trainer—it fits great, runs well, and delivers top-tier comfort. So, when Brooks released this special edition, we jumped at the chance to check it out.
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Looks:
Right away, the Glycerin 22 SE sets itself apart visually. It comes in two understated colorways and leans more toward a modern lifestyle sneaker vibe—dare we say, even Yeezy-like—rather than your typical Glycerin model.
This design might divide people. You’re either going to love its unique aesthetic or feel unsure about it. Personally, I’m in the love-it camp. It’s got a stylish, versatile look that makes it easy to double as a casual shoe. You could wear these to the office on casual Friday, sneak in a run at lunch, and then head straight to happy hour at a brewery—without needing to swap shoes.
Specs:
- Stack: 38mm/28mm
- Drop: 10mm
- Weight: 10.2oz (men’s 9)
See all our posts on the Brooks Glycerin here!
Upper:
The biggest functional change? No laces. Instead, the Glycerin 22 SE features a flat-knit upper that provides a snug fit without the need for traditional lockdown. It’s comfortable, but it also has some limitations.
At moderate paces, the fit feels great. But when pushing the pace (for me, dipping into the low-7s per mile), I started to feel like the lockdown maxed out. I’d say it holds up well for easy and moderate efforts—but if you’re looking for something to handle speed work, you’ll probably want to stick with the standard Glycerin 22.
Midsole:
No surprises here—the best part of the Glycerin 22 SE is the midsole. It uses the same DNA LOFT v3 cushioning as the standard version, which means it’s super soft, bouncy, and comfortable. If you loved the ride of the original, you’ll love this too.
Outsole:
Given that I don’t see this as a speed-focused shoe, the outsole works just fine. If this were meant for fast efforts, I’d be a little more concerned about cornering and wet conditions, but since it’s really designed for easy and moderate running, it does the job well.
Overall:
I’m weirdly obsessed with this shoe. The design alone won me over (when did Brooks get so stylish?!), but the plush midsole really seals the deal.
Will this be my go-to running shoe? Probably not—I don’t see myself logging serious training miles in these. But as a walking, casual wear, and light running option? Absolutely. For anyone looking for something comfortable, unique, and versatile, the Glycerin 22 SE is worth checking out.