Brooks Glycerin 22 Review: Plush, Reliable Daily Trainer

Introduction

The Brooks Glycerin 22 is the latest version of Brooks’ premium neutral cushioned daily trainer, launched recently in the UK at £165. The Glycerin line has been around for a long time, and this new version brings one of the biggest midsole updates in years: a DNA Tuned nitrogen-infused foam setup. After an 8-mile first run straight out of the box, here is how it performed.

Design and Midsole: DNA Tuned Foam

The headline update over the Glycerin 21 is the DNA Tuned nitrogen-infused foam in the midsole. The design uses larger cells in the heel to soak up impact on heavy heel strikes, and smaller cells under the forefoot for an energizing toe-off. The stack height is generous, with 38mm in the heel and 28mm under the forefoot, producing a 10mm heel offset.

In the hand, the foam feels like it should give back good levels of energy return, though on the road it reads as comfortable rather than overly responsive.

Weight, Sizing and Fit Options

A UK 9.5 pair weighs 312g, which is still quite heavy for a cushioned daily trainer in today’s market. Sizing comes up true to size, and Brooks remains one of the more consistent brands when it comes to fit. For runners who struggle with toe-box width, the Glycerin 22 is also available in a wider 2E fitting alongside the standard D width.

Upper Fit and Comfort

The upper is where Brooks’ premium positioning shows. Fabrics feel soft to the touch, the detailing is excellent, and everything is finished to a high standard. The tongue is a standard design rather than a gusseted one, which is a small shame, though it carries enough padding to sit comfortably across the top of the foot. The ankle collar and heel cup are similarly well padded.

There is solid structure at the back of the shoe from a substantial heel cradle, plus overlays around the lace eyelets for durability and a heel pull tab to finish things off.

Outsole and Durability

Flipping the shoe over reveals a good helping of blown rubber across the high-wear areas, with only a small amount of exposed midsole. Outsole durability should be solid, in line with what Brooks shoes typically deliver.

First Run Impressions

Straight out of the box, the Glycerin 22 feels like a comfy pair of slippers. The upper is super plush, with just the right padding in the tongue and around the ankle, and there is a secure lockdown through the midfoot and heel. No break-in period was needed, and the shoe caused zero irritation or discomfort over 8 miles.

On the road, the DNA Tuned midsole felt nicely cushioned and the shoe stayed planted and stable underfoot. It seemed to offer a little more bounce and energy return than other Brooks daily trainers, but the midsole still sits on the firmer side. Compared with foams such as New Balance’s FuelCell, Saucony’s PWRRUN+, ASICS’ FF Blast, or Hoka’s supercritical foams, it is not as responsive or as exciting. The standard tongue also allowed a little slippage, which a gusseted design would have solved.

What Could Be Better

A few things would make this an easier recommendation for more runners. The 10mm heel offset feels quite dominant on the heel, and an 8mm or 6mm option would be welcome, though heel offset is highly personal. A weight reduction of 20-30g would also make a real difference at 312g in a UK 9.5. More broadly, the Glycerin 22 feels very similar to other popular Brooks trainers such as the Ghost and Ghost Max, and none of them deliver that lighter, more performance-driven, fun-to-run feel that would make them the first shoe reached for in a rotation.

Buying Advice

If you want a plush, stable, well-built neutral daily trainer that is comfortable from the first mile and should hold up well to high training mileage, the Glycerin 22 is an easy shoe to like at £165. If you prioritise a lighter weight, a livelier midsole, or a lower heel offset, it is worth comparing other options or waiting to see Brooks’ newer launches before deciding.

Conclusion

The Brooks Glycerin 22 ran well on its first outing: a very plush upper that suits a wide range of foot shapes, a cushioned and stable midsole, and zero issues over 8 miles. It is solid, reliable and very Brooks-like, but it lacks a little of the spark that makes some daily trainers genuinely exciting. Quality-first buyers will be happy; runners chasing pop and speed may want to look elsewhere.