Brooks Glycerin 23 Review

A Plush, Nitrogen-Infused Cruiser for Comfort Seekers

The Brooks Glycerin 23 is the brand’s plush, max-cushion daily trainer, and it leans harder than ever into comfort. Its nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned midsole is tuned in zones, with larger foam cells in the heel for soft landings and smaller cells in the forefoot for a bit more response. Nitrogen infusion simply means the foam is whipped full of tiny gas bubbles, which makes it lighter and softer than plain foam. The 23 adds a couple of extra millimeters of forefoot foam, which makes the ride even smoother.

This is a shoe built for relaxed, comfortable miles rather than speed. It is on the heavier side, and it will not snap at a racer’s pace, but for daily cushioning, long runs and long hours on your feet it is one of the most pleasant shoes you can wear.

Specs

Here are the specifications for the Brooks Glycerin 23:

Best for

Runners who prize plush comfort for relaxed daily miles and long runs, and anyone who wants a cushioned shoe for standing and walking as well as running.

Pros

• Deeply plush, smooth and protective ride
• Extra forefoot foam makes transitions even softer
• Premium triple jacquard knit upper with excellent step-in feel
• Roomier toe box with a secure heel and midfoot
• Stable and durable for a soft daily trainer

Cons

• Heavy, so it is not built for speed
• Soft, cushioned ride lacks pop for uptempo work
• Premium price for a daily trainer, at about $175 at its 2025 launch
• Overpronators need the separate GTS version for support

What’s new in the Brooks Glycerin 23

The 23 keeps the nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned midsole from the previous model and adds around two millimeters of foam in the forefoot, which smooths out the ride and softens toe-off. The triple jacquard knit upper gives a plush, secure step-in, and the fit keeps a wider toe box with a locked-down heel and midfoot. The changes are refinements rather than a rethink, aimed squarely at comfort. If you have run in a recent Glycerin you will feel right at home, just with a slightly softer, smoother forefoot. There is no dramatic new technology to learn, and that is fine, because the Glycerin’s job has always been to make easy miles feel effortless rather than to chase speed.

Who should buy the Brooks Glycerin 23

Buy the Glycerin 23 if comfort is your priority. It is ideal for easy and recovery days, relaxed long runs and runners who want a soft, protective ride that stays smooth mile after mile. It is also a great choice for people who spend long hours on their feet and want one shoe for running, walking and standing, since the cushioning is just as welcome off the run as on it. New runners who value a forgiving, cushioned feel, and experienced runners who want a plush shoe for their easy days alongside something faster, will both get a lot out of it. If a soft landing and a smooth roll matter more to you than weight or speed, this is an easy recommendation.

Who should avoid it

Skip it if you want a light, fast shoe for tempo runs and races. The Glycerin 23 is heavy and tuned for cushioning, not speed, so it feels like a lot of shoe when you try to pick up the pace. Runners who prefer a firm, connected, low-profile ride will find it too soft and too tall, and minimalist fans will want something far lower. Overpronators who need structured support should look at the Glycerin GTS version, which adds a guide rail, rather than this neutral model. And if your budget is tight, there are capable cushioned trainers that cost less, even if few match this level of plushness.

How does the Brooks Glycerin 23 fit?

Here’s info on the fit for this shoe.

Fit and sizing

The Glycerin 23 fits true to size. The heel and midfoot feel snug and secure, while the toe box is on the wider, more accommodating side, which leaves plenty of room up front. Most runners can order their usual size, and the roomy forefoot suits those who like a little extra space on long runs. Brooks also offers wide widths for higher-volume feet.

Upper and step-in comfort

The triple jacquard knit upper is a highlight. It is soft and stretchy where you want comfort and supportive where you want hold, and with the plush, super-cushioned midsole the step-in feel is excellent. This is a shoe that feels good from the first stride, and the padded tongue and secure heel round out a genuinely premium package.

How does the Brooks Glycerin 23 perform?

Here is how it performs.

Midsole and cushioning

The DNA Tuned midsole uses nitrogen infusion with a zonal cell structure: larger cells in the heel soak up landings, and smaller cells in the forefoot add a touch of response, which is the gentle spring you feel as you push off. The result is deep, forgiving cushioning that stays smooth rather than mushy. With the extra forefoot foam on this version, transitions feel especially soft and controlled, and the shoe never bottoms out on longer efforts.

Ride and running performance

On the road, the Glycerin 23 is smooth, consistent and protective. It is a comfortable daily driver best suited to relaxed running, where the soft cushioning shines and the ride never feels harsh. It is not quick, and it will not reward surges, but for logging honest miles in comfort it is excellent. The heavier build is most noticeable when you try to speed up, so the smart move is to let it do what it does best and keep the pace easy.

Stability and support

The standard Glycerin 23 is a neutral shoe, which means it has no built-in feature to slow the way the foot rolls inward. The broad platform and secure upper keep it feeling stable for a soft trainer, but it will not correct overpronation. Runners who need structured support should choose the Glycerin GTS, which adds Brooks’ GuideRails while keeping the same plush ride.

Outsole, grip and durability

Brooks covers the outsole with durable rubber, and the Glycerin is known as a hard-wearing daily trainer that lasts. Plan on the usual 300 to 500 miles of useful life as a broad guideline, with dependable grip on dry and damp roads. This is a road shoe through and through, so it is happiest on pavement and treadmills rather than loose or technical ground.

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Is the Brooks Glycerin 23 good for walking?

Yes, the Glycerin 23 is an excellent walking and standing shoe, and it is one of the first we would suggest for comfort off the run. The plush DNA Tuned cushioning is forgiving for long walks, travel and hours on hard floors, and the roomy toe box and soft knit upper make it comfortable for all-day wear. Its weight matters far less at walking pace than at running pace, so many people happily use it as a do-everything comfort shoe for work, errands and travel. The wide-width options are a bonus for anyone who needs extra room, and the secure heel keeps the foot planted over a long day. If your main goal is cushioned comfort on your feet, this is a shoe that delivers. Check prices and sizes on Amazon.

Brooks Glycerin 23 vs the Glycerin 22

The 23 is the pick for the extra forefoot cushioning and the plush knit upper. The Brooks Glycerin 22 makes sense if you find it discounted and want a very similar core ride for less.

Brooks Glycerin 23 vs the Brooks Glycerin GTS 23

The Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 is essentially the structured-support counterpart to the neutral Glycerin 23. Both use Brooks’ plush DNA TUNED cushioning and have an 8 mm drop, but the GTS adds GuideRails to help limit excessive movement through the foot and lower leg. That extra structure also adds a little weight: the men’s GTS 23 is listed at 11 ounces, compared with 10.6 ounces for the standard Glycerin 23. If you already feel stable in neutral shoes, the regular Glycerin will generally feel less restrictive. If you want the same plush character with additional guidance, the GTS is the better choice. See our full guide to Brooks GTS vs. non-GTS shoes for a deeper explanation.

Brooks Glycerin 23 alternatives

Overpronators who love the Glycerin’s cushioning but need support have a same-family option in the Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 (check price), which adds GuideRails to gently limit inward roll while keeping the plush ride. It is the natural choice for runners who want this exact comfort with a little guidance.

For a firmer, more maximal feel, the Hoka Bondi 9 (check price | read review) stacks even more foam and adds a stronger rocker that rolls you forward, which suits runners who want maximum protection and do not mind a stiffer platform.

Runners after a similar plush daily trainer with a more structured, secure hold tend to compare the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 28 (check price | read review), which matches the Glycerin for soft, protective miles but wraps the foot a little more snugly. The choice comes down to what you want beyond comfort: gentle support from the GTS, more cushion and roll from the Bondi, or a more locked-in fit from the Nimbus.

Price and value

The Glycerin 23 launched at about $175 in 2025, a premium daily-trainer price, and what you get for it is top-tier comfort, a plush upper and a durable, smooth ride. It is fair value if comfort is your main goal and you will use it for daily miles, long runs and time on your feet. Runners who want speed or a lighter shoe will get less from the money. For current pricing, use the button below.

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Final verdict

Best for: runners who want plush, protective comfort for easy daily miles and long runs, and anyone who wants one soft shoe for running, walking and standing.

Avoid if: you want a light, fast shoe for tempo and racing, or you need structured support and should choose the GTS version.

Fit: true to size, with a secure heel and a roomier toe box; wide widths are available.

Verdict: the Brooks Glycerin 23 is one of the most comfortable daily trainers you can buy, with a smooth, plush ride and a lovely upper. It is heavy and slow by design, but for comfort it delivers.

Frequently asked questions about the Brooks Glycerin 23