The Brooks Glycerin 22 was one of our favorite daily trainers back this past year, and with the success of the Hyperion Max 3 and Ghost Max 3, Brooks proved they know how to build some solid, max-cushioned “chunky boys.” Now, those two worlds collide with the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 — and this marks our first run in the model, since we missed the inaugural version.
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Looks:
The Glycerin Max 2 launches in three colorways — a bold, fiery orange alongside more understated white and black options. The design itself is clean and minimal, featuring simple Brooks logos (a large one on one side and a smaller one on the other).
Beyond the colors, it’s still visually a deceptive shoe. The massive stack height makes it look a bit unstable, especially where the midsole and outsole meet. It almost makes it look like you could roll an ankle even trying to put your feet inside. In reality, though, your foot sits deeper within the cushioning than it appears, creating a much more stable ride than the design suggests. I think this is at least partially due to a wide forefoot base.
Construction:
When it comes to construction, Brooks didn’t stray far from the original — which is usually a good thing. Instead of a full overhaul, the Glycerin Max 2 gets a few smart refinements: a cleaner design and tighter execution. The stack height remains the same, though the weight was increased.
Specs:
- Stack height: 45mm (heel) / 39mm (forefoot)
- Drop: 6mm
- Weight: 13.1 oz (men’s 12)
The cushioning setup features larger nitrogen-infused cells in the heel (called DNA Tuned) for plush landings and smaller cells in the forefoot for more responsive toe-offs. In turn, I didn’t feel quite as heavy on the foot as I expected.
As seen in the picture above, there is a little creasing on the upper, but I don’t think it affects performance at all.
Fit & Feel:
The fit is instantly welcoming — plush, soft, and surprisingly stable, as mentioned above. It fits true to size, wrapping the foot comfortably without feeling sloppy. Of course, this isn’t a sleek, tempo-ready trainer — it’s a chunky, max-cushion shoe that knows exactly what it is and doesn’t try to be anything else.
As someone who really enjoyed the ride of the Glycerin 22, experiencing that same DNA in a max-cushion package was a pleasant surprise. That said, the weight is noticeable once you lace them up — and runners should go in knowing that this isn’t the shoe you’ll be pushing the pace in (not that anyone should be shocked by that). I personally felt that heft a bit, especially on longer or quicker efforts, so keep expectations aligned with its max-cushion mission.
The upper is plush and comfortable, delivering a secure, locked-in feel from the first step. Nearly every part of it leans toward thickness — a padded tongue, substantial heel cushioning, and a soft, plush mesh throughout. Despite all that, breathability stays solid, and the small cutouts add both airflow and a bit of visual interest.
Brooks uses thinner overlays than in the original version, which makes the slight bump in weight a bit surprising. The likely culprit is the generous padding built into the upper. Still, it’s a well-constructed, max-cushion-ready design — built for long, comfortable miles.
Midsole:
The Glycerin line of Brooks, is more well known for its softer, more luxurious cushioning than – say – the Ghost line. This shoe specifically offers decent energy return, though nothing particularly explosive — it’s more about comfort than bounce. The rocker does give it some added propulsion however Brooks reportedly gave the shoe a slightly wider base, adding to its already stable platform.
The sidewalls are redesigned and feature vertical slices cut into the foam. I don’t think this affects the feel at all luckily. For heavier runners (like me, around 200 pounds or more), the extra cushioning is a huge plus, though i still noticed the weight even with the rocker. Despite that fact, this shoe almost feels purpose-built for runners like me — those who appreciate a plush, protected ride for steady, cruising miles.
Outsole:
The outsole gets a slight pattern update, though the overall rubber coverage and contact points remain nearly identical to the previous version. Traction is solid — the grip performs well even if most runners won’t be taking tight, slippery turns in a shoe like this. I found it to be dependable underfoot and does exactly what I’d expect for a daily, max-cushioned trainer.
Overall:
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 delivers reliable comfort, stability, and protection for everyday miles. It’s not built for speed, but it shines as a soft, steady cruiser that soaks up impact mile after mile. At $200, it’s definitely an investment—but if this becomes your go-to daily trainer, the durability and cushioning could make it worth the cost.
