Last year saw a major upgrade to the Glycerin. A whole new midsole foam was introduced and the shoe changed entirely. As has been a theme with TRE this year, there are minor changes to the Glycerin 23. The main amongst them being the addition of 2mm of DNA tuned in the forefoot. Can such a minor change make a material difference to a shoe?
Upper and Fit of the Brooks Glycerin 23
What works for me
It is no surprise that Brooks make a comfortable shoe. The Glycerin 23 is certainly no exception. The new engineered knit offers a premium plushness which holds the foot well and, as a side benefit, has kept the feet good and warm on days where the temperature has had a feel of -10 with the wind chill. That said, it isn’t an oppressive heat, just the right amount of toastiness to keep the toes from freezing. With some thinner socks, I am sure it will work just as well in the summer months.
Another lovely part of the upper in the Glycerin 23 is the padding around the heel collar. I was testing this at the same time as the TYR Maverick v1. The two uppers couldn’t be more contrasting if they tried. From the rubbing and harshness of the Maverick, I was always happy to slip into the soft comfort of the Glycerin. The raw skin and blisters were instantly salved by the lovely, premium materials which Brooks thankfully chose to use.
Lockdown is easy to achieve with the simple lace chain. Meanwhile the tongue, which is absolutely massive, keeps any lace bite from the top of the foot while holding everything in place. At the rear of the shoe, there is an easy to pull elasticated loop which makes getting the Glycerin on foot a breeze.
Overall, as a premium daily shoe upper, Brooks pretty much nails the brief. It is comfortable, secure and feels high-quality. The fit is true to size and Brooks offer a wider fit version for those who need it.
What doesn’t work for me
In all honesty, there isn’t really anything that doesn’t work for me. The only real question I have is whether or not it will work as well in the heat of the summer.
Midsole and Ride of the Brooks Glycerin 23
What works for me
A small addition of foam to the forefoot has made a rather large difference for me in this shoe. While I enjoyed the previous version and found that I could run from easy to tempo paces in it, I felt that forefoot strikers were missing out on some of the goodness of the heel. However, this time around, the extra in the forefoot has made the softness more apparent and, for me, this has improved the ride.
The softness of landing in the forefoot is markedly improved. Running with a Glycerin 22 on one foot and a 23 on the other, shows that there is a difference in landing. The Glycerin 23 is softer and more forgiving in the forefoot. I’m just very glad it is getting dark early so that people can’t see me jogging up and down the road wearing mismatched shoes.
On the whole, I enjoy the ride in the Glycerin 23. It is forgiving, stable and comfortable. While it does not give huge amounts of pop, it can handle some spicier paces as well as the more gentle miles. I have used it for a progression run from 5:31/km down to 4:00/km and found that it was very capable at those paces. It was also good for strides at the end of the easy run to get the legs used to some more rapid turnover.
The main bulk of my usage of the Glycerin 23 has been easy daily miles and it has excelled at that. The longest run I have taken in them so far is around the 16km mark and I could’ve gone further. The foam protects the legs and while it doesn’t offer a huge amount of energy return, it helps you keep rolling. If you are a heel striker, it will offer you a whole lot more cushion and a very enjoyable roll through the gait cycle too. It is a shoe which will work well for the vast majority of runners.
What doesn’t work for me
Again, these are not really things that don’t work, it is more a case of personal preference. The Glycerin 23 is not the lightest or most nimble shoe on the planet. The plushness can work against it here. Although I have run some faster paces in it, I can’t see myself using it as a dedicated workout shoe. The dampening rather than energy returning DNA Tuned can pick it up but according to my Stryd data, it isn’t the most efficient foam going.
When combined with the weight of the Glycerin 23, this can limit the versatility somewhat. However, this is again personal preference rather than anything technically wrong with the shoe.
Outsole of the Brooks Glycerin 23
Grip and Traction
This was a weakness of the shoe for me last year. Running during December and the sloppy months of January and February, I found that the outsole was rather slippy underfoot. Happily, this year, I can report that a redesigned outsole pattern has improved matters. While it still isn’t as grippy as some compounds out there, I have had less sketchy corners in the Glycerin 23 than I did running in similar conditions last year.
Additionally, recent frost and icy pavements have given me a chance to run in some very sketchy conditions. While the grip is still not perfect, it has been daily surefooted on all but the trickiest of sheet ice.
Durability
Expected durability in the shoe is high. The quality of the materials, build and Brooks’ prior models leads me to believe that these will give you many, many hours of happy running. My Glycerin Max from last year have become my daily walkabout shoes and have probably a couple of thousand kilometres in them now and they still work very well. I can’t imagine the Glycerin 23 are going to be a let down in this area.
Conclusion
Value for Money
While it hasn’t had a price rise from last year, £165 is still in the top end of the daily running shoe market. That said, the quality of materials and expected durability makes this an easier pill to swallow. The lack of real versatility is still probably a mark against it but as fair as daily trainers go, it is a very good choice.
Fitting it into a shoe rotation
The Glycerin 23 is a daily trainer and that’s where it fits in the rotation. It has an element of versatility to it but the weight and width of the platform make it a little limited as far as speedwork goes. However, the cushioning and stability that it offers make it useful for easy efforts and the vast majority of runners and footstrikes.
Final Verdict
The Glycerin 23 adds a little weight along with a bit of cushion. It remains a very good daily trainer which combines comfort, stability and excellent build quality. While it lacks some versatility due to the weight and width of the platform, it is a shoe which should suit the majority of runners who are looking for something to take them through a lot of running in great comfort.
Comparisons Against Similar Shoes
Brooks Glycerin 23 vs. Nike Pegasus 41
The Glycerin 23 probably has the edge on feel of materials. The plushness of both uppers is similar but I think I prefer the feel of the lace chain of the Glycerin 23 due to the thicker tongue taking away some lace pressure. As far as midsole foams, the Glycerin 23 really has the edge over the ReactX and AirZoom pods. The Pegasus probably feels a little more nimble due to the smaller platform. Ride-wise, I would take the Glycerin as being on top.
Brooks Glycerin 23 vs. Brooks Glycerin 22
A little change in the forefoot has made it feel a lot softer for someone with a forefoot strike. Heel strikers will get the best from both shoes. The Glycerin 23 has the edge on the outsole material which has become stickier and more capable in the grimy months.
Brooks Glycerin 23 vs. Brooks Glycerin Max 2
This one is a win for the Glycerin 23 for me. I have run a similar amount of mileage in both shoes and just prefer the ride of the Glycerin 23. While it isn’t a nimble speedster, it feels less stiff and smoother than the Glycerin Max 2 for me. Landing at the forefoot, I don’t feel a huge difference in the cushioning level. Finally, the Glycerin Max 2 seems to have a lower volume toe box which restricts the length of time I can spend in it.
Brooks Glycerin 23 vs. Nike Vomero Plus
As far as comfort goes, there probably isn’t a great deal between the two shoes. Any difference would come down to foot shape and personal preference. When it comes to the ride, I think that the Vomero Plus wins the battle as it offers more versatility than the Glycerin for my running style. Both are very good shoes which will get you through your daily miles.
