Brooks Glycerin 23 Review: A Plush Daily Trainer That Gets the Details Right

Introduction

The Brooks Glycerin 23 feels like the true successor to the original Glycerin Max. The DNA tuned midsole material here is implemented far closer to that first version than to the softer V2 that followed it, and the result is one of the most comfortable daily trainers we have tested this year. It is a shoe built around protection and forgiveness rather than speed, and it does that job extremely well.

Specs and Sizing

Our sample pair came in just under the expected sample weight, and at a UK 11 or US 12 the shoe measured about 356g or 12.6 oz. Stack height sits at roughly 41mm in the heel and 33mm in the forefoot, giving an 8mm drop. That slightly lower drop is a welcome change for a Brooks offering and it stays out of the way of the foot strike a little more than previous versions.

Sizing runs true to standard running shoe lengths. A usual Brooks size fits spot on, and the fit works well even for narrower feet.

Upper Fit and Comfort

The upper is a more traditional, breathable construction with good reinforcement around the eyelets. The tongue is nicely padded, with two loops on either side near the top of the eyelet chain that keep it in place, preventing any slide toward the front or sides of the shoe. Ankle padding is generous, and the heel area uses a sock-like booty construction that gives the shoe a very plush, easy-to-wear feel.

The toe box is structured and notably voluminous, so runners with slightly wider feet should be fine in the standard version rather than needing the available wide option. The included rope-style laces are slightly thicker than usual, making it easy to get a really secure lockdown over the top of the foot without constantly re-tightening. Reflective elements are built in for low-light use, and the design carries the midsole aesthetic up onto the upper with a dual-layer mesh that reveals a green underlayer. Fit and comfort are among the best of the year so far.

Midsole: A Plush Impact Protector

This is where the Glycerin 23 earns its place. The DNA tuned foam is a plush impact protector with lots of lovely compression, similar to the original Glycerin Max. There is a quick-to-compress feel that suits recovery runs and daily miles, and under pressure the foot genuinely feels cushioned and cared for.

The outer frame of the midsole measures Shore A 25, which is very soft, while the inner section appears even more compressive. The shoe likes a quick turnover despite its weight, and shorter strides at recovery effort feel fantastic. The foam’s soft center is forgiving and well suited to easier sessions, and it works nicely across a range of paces when recovery matters.

Brooks added 2mm of extra stack in both the forefoot and the heel over the last version. With many max cushion shoes now reaching 45mm or more, this feels about as much stack as most runners would realistically want. Energy return is not wild, but if the goal is protecting the knees from harsh road surfaces, this is one of the best options available right now. It also has potential as a long-run shoe, and could be a great choice for marathon training where hours on your feet matter.

Outsole and Grip

Grip is really strong on dry surfaces. The rubber is soft, which complements the midsole nicely, and it flexes more through the midfoot and forefoot than previous Glycerin Max versions, giving the shoe a slightly more malleable, free feel. Thick ridges run across the outsole, with some rubber removed for a trampoline-like effect, though very little midsole is exposed.

On wet, smooth surfaces the grip was a little squirrely, which is worth knowing if you run in rainy conditions. Smaller stones and grit can catch in the ridges, but they are easy to remove with a brush. The rubber is quite deep for a road shoe, which should help durability, at the cost of a little extra weight.

Value and Buying Advice

The Glycerin 23 sits a little above the Ghost Max 3 in price and is similar in weight to the Ghost 17, but it is much softer than both while still feeling predictable underfoot rather than unstable. At around 150 in typical online pricing, it delivers max-cushion protection without the larger price tag some max cushion options carry. It is probably the most enjoyable daily Brooks option we have tried since the original Glycerin Max, with excellent build quality, no glue marks, and well-aligned parts.

For heavier-built runners who want something to absorb the pounding of the road, this is a top pick right now. It also suits people who spend all day on their feet, such as retail or medical workers. In a rotation it covers recovery runs, easy pace running, and long runs, and the decoupled rubber sections genuinely improve the transition from heel to forefoot. The main wish is that it were slightly lighter; trimming some of the upper materials, such as the heel cuff, would be an interesting step for a future version.

Conclusion

The Brooks Glycerin 23 is a plush, forgiving daily trainer that prioritizes protection and comfort without feeling unstable or overly heavy for what it is. With an 8mm drop, a roomy and well-executed upper, and a DNA tuned midsole closer in feel to the original Glycerin Max, it stands out as one of the most comfortable shoes of the year. Strong on dry roads, slightly weaker in the wet, and modest on energy return, it remains an easy recommendation for easy days, long runs, and anyone who wants the road feel taken out of the equation.