Brooks Glycerin Max Review: High-Stack Cushioning for Daily Miles
GEAR & SHOE REVIEWS
The Brooks Glycerin Max arrives with a bold claim: maximum cushioning designed to redefine comfort on daily miles. As someone who spends a lot of time in running shoes—testing them, rotating them, and inevitably overanalyzing them—I was curious to see how this model fits into today’s landscape of max-stack trainers.
Before diving in, a quick note: Brooks provided this pair for review, but no one is paying for my opinions. The impressions here are entirely my own.
What the Glycerin Max Is Designed For
The Glycerin Max is built as a road running shoe meant for the bulk of training—easy miles, recovery runs, and long efforts where softness and protection matter more than speed. It’s a tall shoe, a heavy shoe, and unapologetically a comfort-first option. If you’re looking for a workout or tempo partner, this isn’t it. But for logging smooth, unhurried miles? That’s the intention.
Tech Specs: Tall, Cushioned, and Nitrogen-Infused
The Glycerin Max sits on a 45 mm stack height with a 6 mm drop, creating a plush platform that still feels neutral underfoot. Brooks categorizes this as its most cushioned road shoe, yet keeps it aimed at neutral runners—meaning no added stability elements like the brand’s GuideRails system.
Weight:
Listed: 10.5 oz (men), 9.5 oz (women)
My pair (women’s 8.5): 9.9 oz, which is heavy, but typical for max-cushion trainers in this category.
Foam & Ride:
Instead of using a plate, Brooks relies on DNA Loft v3 nitrogen-infused foam, tuned with larger cells in the heel for impact absorption and smaller cells up front for a touch of responsiveness. The shoe also features Glide Roll technology, designed to smooth the transition from heel strike to toe-off.
While this tech aims to give the shoe bounce, it still leans more protective than lively.
Upper & Outsole: Plush Comfort With Some Tradeoffs
The upper is a thick engineered mesh, noticeably more substantial than what you find in lighter daily trainers. The tongue is heavily cushioned, not gusseted, yet stays in place thanks to the lace loop.
The heel collar is padded—very padded—which is great until you accidentally crush it sliding your foot in. I did this on my first try, compressed the cushioning, and have spent a surprising amount of time massaging it back. It’s wearable, but something to be mindful of.
The outsole features a wide, grippy rubber layout with a clear rocker shape. Like many modern shoes, the rubber coverage doesn’t extend to the outermost edges—so some wear appears early. After about 50+ miles, mine shows noticeable scuffing under the usual landing zones, though it hasn’t affected the ride yet.
Price Point
At $200, the Glycerin Max sits in the upper-mid range for daily trainers. With the use of nitrogen-infused foam and a massive stack height, it aligns with current pricing trends. And Brooks shoes tend to last, which helps justify the cost.
First Impressions: Plush, Tall, and Heavier Than It Looks
Out of the box, the Glycerin Max looks clean, structured, and quintessentially Brooks. The visible “foam-within-foam” design is a cool touch, and the tall stack height immediately suggests long-run comfort.
On foot, the shoe felt very cushioned, though not quite as luxuriously soft as I expected. And because of that heel-collar incident, I’ve become extra careful sliding them on.
One thing is certain: this is not a shoe I’d ever wear barefoot—there are too many seams and too much padding.
My Final Take: A Solid Long-Run Workhorse
In my rotation, the Glycerin Max has found its place as a dedicated long-run and recovery shoe. I typically reach for it once a week for relaxed mileage when I want protection and don’t care about pace.
It isn’t my absolute favorite long-run shoe (the Hoka Skyward X still edges it out for rocker feel), but the Glycerin Max is consistent, supportive, and comfortable in a straightforward, traditional Brooks way.
Who I Recommend It For
✔ Runners who want a dedicated long-run trainer
✔ Anyone who prefers a neutral, high-cushion shoe with a stable feel
✔ Heavier runners who may benefit from the generous cushioning
✔ Heel strikers, who will appreciate the larger heel cells and smooth roll forward
Who It’s Not Ideal For
✘ Runners wanting a lively, springy ride
✘ Speed work, tempos, or anything fast
✘ Minimalists or runners sensitive to weight
The Glycerin Max is built for comfort—not pop, not speed, not versatility. And for many runners, that’s exactly what they need in a dependable long-run option.