Brooks is known for its plush, supportive shoes made of good materials with all sorts of options and styles for different types of runners. The Brooks Glycerin 21 checks all of those boxes. The shoe is versatile and perfect for all types of people, whether you walk leisurely and want a comfortable shoe or you’re training extensively at a high level. Retailing at $160, the Glycerin is well worth the price tag.
The Glycerin 21 comes in many different options, with the GTS (Go-To-Support) models providing more support and the stealth fit models offering a more adaptable, sock-like fit. The shoe is very cushioned but also fairly lightweight, weighing only 9.8 ounces. The shoe features a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop, allowing more striking in the midfoot and forefoot. This model makes for a perfect daily trainer for all types of runners. However, if you’re looking specifically for a shoe to wear for tempo workouts or races, this likely wouldn’t be your best pick. It’s not quite responsive enough for high-intensity workouts, but it’s definitely worth throwing into your rotation for easier runs.
The Glycerin is similar to the Hoka Bondi and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus. The positives of the Glycerin, however, would be the various options and styles that Brooks offers that aren’t offered by other brands. The price tags on the other two shoes are quite similar, with the Bondi costing $165 and the Gel-Nimbus costing $160. Considering the price tag and type of shoe, all three of these options are quite similar, but personally, the Glycerin is the best option out of the three. The Glycerin tops all of them in versatility and just has a very smooth, lightweight feel to the shoe. Brooks also offers two different width options with the Glycerin, as they do with most of their other shoes. They offer a regular width (1D) and a wider option (2E), creating even more options with the Glycerin.
As far as running shoes go, the Glycerin has a look for everyone. With a wide variety of color options, most people would agree that it’s one of the better looking running shoes on the market. As it is a more cushioned shoe, it makes for a good high-mileage shoe for people who run frequently. For that same reason, it works really well for people who run on the road or other hard surfaces.
For those who need more support in their shoes, the standard Glycerin isn’t the best choice. However, the GTS style of the Glycerin works for most people with those needs. The GTS style has guide rail support in the shoes, which allows you to keep your natural movement in the shoe but keep it in a safe range so you can feel good while you run. For those who don’t need that extra support, the GTS style is unnecessary and likely will provide no benefit. In this case, the standard Glycerin is your best option.
The shoe is also one of the most comfortable shoes that Brooks has to offer. For that reason, it is functional for all sorts of activities. It’s a great option for people who just need a casual shoe to wear everyday. That extra cushion makes it so that your feet and your entire body feel considerably better. The shoes minimize the impact on your body and allow for a quicker recovery.
If you’re someone who needs a shoe that will make your body feel better no matter what you do, the Brooks Glycerin is a good option for you. The variety of styles offered by Brooks is what sets them apart from their competitors. Its versatility and comfortability make it one of the best shoes on the market, which is why I rate it a 9.5 out of 10. Brooks continues to prove why they are one of the best, if not the best, running shoe brands, and this shoe is a perfect example of that.
