REASONS TO BUY
Protective landings
Comfortable fit
Planted feel
REASONS TO AVOID
Struggles with pace changes
Heavy
Bad forefoot transitions
Brooks Glycerin 22 Review
A decent shoe for easy running that is comfortable, but lacking in value and versatility
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ May 21, 2025
RELATED: The Best Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Brooks Glycerin 22 is comfortable at relaxed paces, protective, and pretty stable for a well-cushioned shoe. Thanks to the DNA Tuned midsole, landings have a little energy without sacrificing the stability that Brooks shoes are known for. On the other hand, the Glycerin has poor transitions at the forefoot, especially at faster paces. The 10 mm measured drop will be great for some runners, but when combined with the geometry of this shoe, makes the Glycerin less-than-ideal for mid/forefoot strikers. Even though the midsole has some bounce, it's not a fast shoe. And while landings are protective, they don't have the truly soft feel of most modern, well-cushioned, easy day shoes. Overall, this is a shoe that is optimized for heel-strikers who want a relaxed and supportive ride, and aren't interested in pace changes.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Brooks Glycerin 22 is a great shoe for folks who land on their heels and just want a reliable shoe to log miles at an easy pace.
Slicing into the DNA Tuned midsole of the Glycerin 22. Where the white foam fades away, I noticed a change in my transitions.
Cushioning
The midsole of the Glycerin 22 is a big win for Brooks. Compared to previous versions, the DNA Tuned foam offers a more energetic and protective ride that is far more competitive with offerings from other brands. The shoe isn't soft, but I did enjoy the cushioning when running at relaxed paces.
On the other hand, the transitions at the forefoot of the shoe are pretty poor. Some of that is likely due to the geometry of the 10 mm drop. There is 39 mm of foam at the heel, tapering down to 29 mm at the forefoot. While I do tend to land farther forward on my foot, I do still enjoy shoes with a higher drop (like the 11 mm Nike Vomero 18 and Puma Velocity Nitro 3). The issue with the Glycerin 22 is related to the choppiness of the geometry. Typically, a higher drop shoe benefits from a smooth rolling transition at the forefoot, or a rocker geometry. The Glycerin has neither of those. Instead, it feels like the shoe wants to flex at a thin point just behind the ball of my foot rather than roll through the transition. That becomes especially noticeable at faster paces, when the shoe begins to feel awkward and rough at the forefoot.
At relaxed paces, I do enjoy the landings on this shoe. The DNA Tuned midsole is a little less energetic and soft than most competitors, but it's still comfy.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
That results in a shoe that is comfortable at relaxed paces (although it still lacks the smooth landings and transitions that key competitors have), but loses comfort the faster you go. As a result, this isn't a shoe I would recommend to runners who want to use it for any type of faster running. It's a great option for runners who want a protective ride for easy mileage on the roads.
The Glycerin 22 is decent for easy running, but has limited versatility and a value that is outclassed by competitors.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Upper Comfort
The upper of the Glycerin 22 is pretty comfortable. It's made of high-quality materials, breaths reasonably well, and does a good job of preventing heel slippage. It's worth noting that the junction between the sockliner and the upper is a little rough, particularly on the inside of the foot. While it didn't cause any blisters for me, it did cause a little chafing after about 55 minutes of running in a thin sock. Wearing a thicker sock seemed to solve that issue.
I appreciate the high-quality materials and stretch-knit fit around the ankle.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability
If there is one area that Brooks shoes consistently stand out in, it's stability. And the Glycerin is no exception. The shoe feels planted. And while the midsole does compress well, it doesn't compress so much that the shoe feels wobbly or unsupportive. The Glycerin also benefits from a pretty wide forefoot base, which aids in the planted feel.
The Glycerin does a good job of providing a supportive base.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Responsiveness
I already mentioned the poor transitions that make this shoe feel choppy at faster paces. And while the DNA Tuned midsole is a step in the right direction for Brooks, it doesn't have the same responsiveness that similar shoes from other brands have. It feels very subdued comparatively.
While the shoe is comfortable at easy paces, it struggles with faster efforts, feeling choppy.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
If you're looking for a reliable and no-nonsense shoe, then that's great. But it does mean that the Glycerin isn't equipped with the tools to be a versatile shoe. Plus, the wider base and chunky feel make this shoe feel pretty unpleasant at faster paces.
I would not recommend this shoe for faster running. It's heavy, doesn't have much energy or helpful geometry, and feels rough at pace.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Weight
The Glycerin 22 weighs in at 11.04 ounces in a US Men's 10.5. Honestly, it needs to shed some weight. For the amount of cushioning that this shoe offers, it is just way too chunky. And while weight isn't nearly as important in an easy day shoe, a lighter shoe is almost always a more enjoyable shoe.
Heavy, heavy, heavy.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
While there's nothing exciting about the traction that this shoe offers, it's consistent and reliable. I had no issues on a range of surfaces, regardless of temperature. Plus, the rubber outsole should be highly durable.
Traction is helpful, with no issues noticed on any surfaces.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Brooks Glycerin 22?
The Glycerin 22 has a very specific niche. It's a protective and cushioned shoe that doesn't feel super-soft, but is very supportive. It also has very little versatility. It's a safe shoe that feels a little dated, even with the addition of a more modern midsole. It could be a good option for beginning runners or runners who want a stable shoe for easy running, but its lack of versatility makes it tough to recommend to a larger audience.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
When it comes to stable cushioning, my first recommendation would be the Asics Gel-Kayano 31, which offers improved comfort, cushioning, and responsiveness. If you want a well-cushioned shoe that also offers a touch of versatility, the Nike Vomero 18 stands out thanks to a midsole that includes highly resilient ZoomX foam and a smooth ride. Finally, the Saucony Ride 18 is a very similar shoe, but one that offers significantly better value and versatility.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Brooks Glycerin 22 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall | Best for Uptempo Training |  Best Under $100 | ||
| Price | $165.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $150.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | Check Price at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $135 List $134.95 at Amazon | $120 List $92.88 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A consistent and reliable shoe that doesn’t do well with pace changes | A versatile and comfortable option we think most runners will love | A nearly perfect blend of performance and comfort makes this shoe one of the best we’ve tested | A daily trainer that blends comfort and versatility at a reasonable price | Plush cushioning and a bit of pace in a budget shoe |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Glycerin 22 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Cushioning (35.0%) | |||||
| Upper Comfort (25.0%) | |||||
| Stability (20.0%) | |||||
| Responsiveness (10.0%) | |||||
| Weight (5.0%) | |||||
| Traction (5.0%) | |||||
| Specifications | Brooks Glycerin 22 | Asics Novablast 5 | Adidas Adizero Evo SL | Puma Velocity Nitro 3 | New Balance FuelCel... |
| Sizes Available | 7 - 15 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide | 6-15 US, regular & wide | 6.5-16 US, regular | 7 - 14 US, regular | 7-18 US, regular & wide |
| Style | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer | Daily Trainer |
| Best Use | Relaxed running | Relaxed running, versatile for variable paces | Versatile for variable paces | Relaxed running, versatile for variable paces | Relaxed running |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 39 mm | 41 mm | 39 mm | 38 mm | 38 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 10 mm | 5 mm | 9 mm | 11 mm | 7 mm |
| Plate Type | None | None | None | None | Full-length plastic |
| Rocker Angle | 25.0 deg | 25.0 deg | 23.5 deg | 18.0 deg | 19.0 deg |
| Rocker Apex Location | 72.0% | 56.0% | 52.0% | 66.7% | 68.3% |
| Measured Weight | 11.04 oz | 9.50 oz | 8.73 oz | 10.07 oz | 10.52 oz |
| Upper | Engineered double jacquard knit | Engineered jacquard mesh | Engineered mesh | Engineered knit | Engineered mesh |
| Midsole | DNA Tuned | FF Blast Max | Lightstrike Pro | Profoam | FuelCell |
| Outsole | Rubber | AHAR LO | Continental rubber | PumaGrip | Rubber |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | Finger loop | None | None | None |
—Nathaniel Bailey
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