Brooks Glycerin 22: Tried and tested
This time last year, if you'd have asked me or any of the other Runner's World editors what words we associated with Brooks, you might have got a few responses. Comfy? Sure. Dependable? Definitely. But fun? Debatable. And stylish? I'm afraid not.
But then, last September, Brooks revealed the Glycerin Max, featuring its new DNA Tuned dual-cell cushioning. This nitrogen-infused foam was somewhat of a breakthrough for the brand, allowing for the creation of larger cells in the heel and midfoot area to offer cushioning and softness, and smaller cells in the forefoot for responsiveness and 'pop'. In practice, this meant a lighter and bouncier experience overall and, having tested the shoe, I'd argue that the Glycerin Max is one of the best running shoes from the past six months.
There have been other signs that the tides have been changing for Brooks, particularly in the performance space. Some of the brand's athletes, including Team GB's Josh Kerr, wore prototypes featuring its first 100% Peba cushioning at last year's Olympics. Now, officially revealed as DNA Gold, the foam it set to debut in the Hyperion Elite 4 PB – out this February – and the Hyperion Elite 5 – out on 1 July.
This isn't to say that the brand hasn't enjoyed success until now – far from it. Brooks is one of the world's biggest running brands, having surpassed $1 billion in global revenue last year by September. But it does feel like Brooks is finally shunning its reliable steed reputation for a slightly sexier and more exciting future in running footwear. Sexy and Brooks in the same sentence – who'd have thought it?
This month, the brand even announced that it would be following in the footsteps of New Balance and On by breaking into lifestyle footwear. Nikhil Jain, Footwear Product Line Management & Blue Line Director at Brooks, sees this as an important opportunity to bring in new consumers.
'I think the world of performance and lifestyle has been on the collision course for the last 15 years,' he tells RW. 'We're now in a great position to start branching out a little bit, and if that means someone who is more influenced by lifestyle comes into the sport and then discovers our running shoes, why not?'
Does the brand feel the pressure to innovate with so many other players in the running space? 'I think we've always been innovative,' says Jain. 'But certainly, I think that there's more urgency in terms of exponential innovation and realising that consumers are looking for newness – new experiences, new silhouettes and new technology. But that's the world we live in. It's not just running specific.'
A big focus for Brooks over the coming months is investing in its core franchises, says Jain – something that competitor Nike recently announced it would be focusing on in an effort to better streamline its running shoe line-up . 'As more consumers come into the sport, we realised that we need to have different types of executions [for our running shoes], whether it's from a biomechanical perspective or in terms of experience,' says Jain.
The Glycerin is one example of this. The franchise now includes the Glycerin 22, the Glycerin Max and the Glycerin 22 GTS (go-to support). Likewise, the Ghost line has expanded to include the Ghost Max, with a Ghost Trail set to follow later this year.
'The innovation pipeline is strong,' says Jain. 'I would say that a smarter shoe in general is the next era [for Brooks]. It's going to be a long journey to get there, but DNA Tuned is the first indication of it.'
Brooks Glycerin 22 — tried and tested
Weight: 258g (W), 289g (M)
Stack height: 38mm (heel), 28mm (forefoot)
Drop: 10mm
Brooks Glycerin 22
Now on its 22nd iteration, the Glycerin is a shoe with a rich heritage. Brooks' premium daily trainer, comfort is at the core of its appeal, boasting ample amounts of cushioning. The v22 sees a departure from Brooks' DNA Loft v3 foam in favour of this sexy new supercritical DNA Tuned foam. It worked excellently in the Glycerin Max, but how does it fair in the OG? Let's dive into things.
Style
Dare I say it, in the looks department, it feels like the Glycerin is going in the right direction. We've got a newly sculpted midsole which feels fresher and more modern than its predecessor. What's more, Brooks has finally broken free from its chokehold with primary colours in favour of some paler, more muted colourways. I received my test sample in the White/Limpet Shell/Amparo Blue colourway (seemingly taken from a Dulux chart) and it's genuinely one that I'd choose for myself. The outsole design is a little overboard, but hey – baby steps.
How does the Glycerin 22 fit?
Fit wise, Brooks' shoes have been a little inconsistent for me in the past. I had to go half a size up in the Ghost 16 becauseit ran small. In the Glycerin 22, however, I have no complaints. We've said goodbye to v21's engineered warp knit upper and hello to an engineered double jacquard knit upper. Truthfully, there's not a noticeable amount of difference between the two, but it does wrap snugly around the foot. The lacing system uses a mix of traditional eyelets and what I'd call 'bungee cord eyelets'. The result is an impressive lockdown, with no 'puckering' of the upper and no pressure on the top of the foot, either.
The heel cup feels stable yet mildly flexible and there's ample padding around the heel collar. In fact, it feels pretty reminiscent of the Asics Gel-Nimbus, especially with the new heel tab.
The tongue isn't gusseted, but it stays in place. However, I would argue that it's a touch too padded. If Brooks were looking to make weight savings for the v23, they could start here. That said, no matter your foot type, you should get on well with the Glycerin 22 – although the shoe is available in a wide fit should you require it.
What is the Glycerin 22 like to run in?
As a heel striker, I've been hugely enjoying the Glycerin's DNA Tuned midsole. The larger cells of foam in the heel offer a Goldilocks balance of cushioning that's not too squishy but not too firm. From there, you smoothly transition through your gait onto the forefoot where the smaller cells take effect, promoting a responsive toe-off. To add stability to the shoe, it's built on a slightly wider platform and the dual-cell technology is encased in a slightly firmer carrier foam. It really feels like a shoe that's working with you, gently encouraging you along rather than demanding you to run faster, which I'd argue is bang on what you want from a daily trainer. It's worth noting, however, that if you're a forefoot striker, you might not feel the full benefit of the dual cell technology.
I found the Glycerin 22 worked well for a variety of distances. I've predominately used it for recovery runs (10-12km in length) and longer runs, including a 33km training run on a mix of roads and light trails. While I can't say much about the traction on the trails (in short: this is not a trail shoe), it did offer up a fantastic level of comfort and toward the end of the run, when I was starting to flag, it felt like it was gently easing me on to the finish. I don't think it's a shoe that I'd use for every run, and it probably hasn't got quite got the Novablast 5's level of versatility, but if you want to try some tempo in it, it'll give it a shot. Easy runs and long runs are where it's most at home, though.
RW verdict
No more is the Glycerin a reliable yet dull (sorry diehard Glycerin fans) workhorse. The v22 is an excellent daily trainer that provides a smooth and cushioned ride, with enough excitement to rival the likes of the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 or the On Cloudsurfer. Dare I say it, I've been testing the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 alongside the Glycerin 22 and the Glycerin takes the win for me.
At £165, there's no denying that the shoe sits at the upper end for a daily trainer, but what you're getting for the price is excellent – and that includes plenty of longevity. I'm calling it: Brooks is back. And I'm excited to see more from the brand this year.
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