Whatever Happened to the Brooks Transcend? What Replaced It?

Replacement confidence: Direct replacement. Brooks explicitly says the Transcend became the Glycerin GTS.

Model dates: Introduced in 2014; retired in 2021. Brooks unveiled the Transcend in 2013, but the shoe first went on sale in February 2014. The final Transcend 7 launched in 2020, and Brooks retired the Transcend name when the Glycerin GTS 19 arrived for 2021.

See our running shoe replacements hub for other discontinued models and their current successors.

Still want the old shoe? Check remaining Brooks Transcend 7 inventory if it exists.

What Happened to the Brooks Transcend?

The Brooks Transcend was one of the brand’s plushest support shoes. Brooks unveiled the model in 2013 and put it on sale in February 2014. It combined soft cushioning with GuideRails support and was aimed at runners who wanted more protection and structure than a lighter stability trainer. The final model was the Transcend 7, released in 2020.

Brooks did not abandon the shoe’s role. Instead, the company reorganized several support models around its GTS, or Go-To Support, naming system. Brooks states on its Transcend replacement page that the Transcend became the Glycerin GTS, originally directing Transcend users to the Glycerin GTS 19.

That naming change paired Brooks’ plush neutral Glycerin with a supported GTS version. It also made the lineup easier to understand: Glycerin is the plush neutral shoe, while Glycerin GTS adds GuideRails support for runners who want more structured support.

What Replaced the Brooks Transcend?

The direct replacement was the Brooks Glycerin GTS 19. The current continuation is the Glycerin GTS 23. Brooks describes the current model as a plush road-running shoe with structured support, GuideRails technology and cushioning tuned for soft landings and stronger toe-offs.

For most former Transcend runners, that makes the Glycerin GTS 23 the first shoe to try. It occupies the same basic place in the Brooks lineup: maximum-feeling comfort with added support for daily running and long runs.

Our Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 review covers the current shoe in detail. You can also use our Brooks running shoes comparison guide to see how it differs from the Adrenaline, Ghost and other Brooks models.

Brooks Transcend Replacement Timeline

The model names changed, but the lineage is straightforward. Here is how the Transcend’s plush-support role moved into today’s Brooks lineup:

• Brooks Transcend, 2014-2021: The line debuted for sale in 2014 and was retired as a model name in 2021.
• Brooks Transcend 7, 2020: The final Transcend generation, combining plush cushioning, GuideRails support and a 10 mm drop.
• Brooks Glycerin GTS 19, 2021: The official replacement Brooks directed Transcend runners toward when it retired the Transcend name.
• Brooks Glycerin GTS 23: The current continuation of that plush-support role, with GuideRails, DNA TUNED cushioning and an 8 mm drop.

Brooks Transcend 7 vs. Glycerin GTS 23

The two shoes clearly occupy the same role, but they are not identical. The most obvious specification change is the drop: Transcend 7 used 10 mm, while Glycerin GTS 23 uses 8 mm. The current shoe is also slightly heavier on paper, even though its cushioning and upper have changed substantially since the Transcend era.

For a longtime Transcend wearer, that means the Glycerin GTS 23 should be approached as the current evolution of the concept rather than a clone of the old shoe. Expect the same broad priorities — plush cushioning, structured support and long-run comfort — with a newer geometry and ride.

Is the Glycerin GTS 23 Really the Same Shoe?

No. It is the official replacement line, but Brooks has continued to update the shoe through several generations. The Transcend 7 used the cushioning and construction available at the end of the Transcend era, while the Glycerin GTS 23 uses Brooks’ current plush cushioning package and a modern engineered upper.

The key continuity is support. Both use GuideRails technology, and both are designed for runners who want soft cushioning without giving up structured support. That makes the Glycerin GTS 23 a much closer philosophical match than simply choosing any current stability shoe.

Who Should Buy the Glycerin GTS 23?

Start with the Glycerin GTS 23 if you liked the Transcend because it felt protective, soft and supportive over longer runs. It is particularly well suited to runners who want a plush daily trainer with GuideRails rather than a firmer or lighter stability shoe.

Check men’s Glycerin GTS 23 availability or check women’s Glycerin GTS 23 availability.

If you specifically want the old shoe, check remaining Brooks Transcend 7 inventory. Old-stock availability is unpredictable, and aging foam and adhesives are worth considering if the shoes have been sitting for years.

Three Alternatives if the Glycerin GTS 23 Is Not Right

The Glycerin GTS 23 is the direct Transcend successor, but some former Transcend wearers may prefer a different current stability shoe depending on how much cushioning, structure or weight they want.

• Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25: Choose it if you want Brooks GuideRails support in a more traditional daily trainer with less emphasis on plush cushioning. Read our Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 review or check the latest price.
• HOKA Gaviota 6: Consider it if you want high cushioning and stability in a broad, modern platform. See our HOKA Gaviota 6 review or check the latest price.
• ASICS GEL-Kayano 33: Consider it if you want a highly cushioned stability trainer from another brand. Read our ASICS GEL-Kayano 33 review or check the latest price.

Why Brooks Changed the Transcend Name

The Transcend change was part of Brooks’ larger move toward a simpler GTS naming system. Brooks uses GTS to mean Go-To Support. Instead of giving every supported shoe a completely separate name, the company now makes the supported relationship explicit in names such as Glycerin GTS and Launch GTS.

Brooks explains that runners who liked the plush, supportive Transcend experience can find that role in the Glycerin GTS. The same naming strategy also moved Ravenna runners toward Launch GTS and Bedlam runners toward Levitate GTS.

That simplifies today’s lineup, but it can be confusing for someone trying to replace a shoe they bought years ago. A replacement guide helps connect the old model name to the current family and explains what changed in the process.

Can You Still Buy the Brooks Transcend?

You may still find Transcend 7 pairs through marketplaces, old retail inventory or resale listings, but Brooks no longer treats Transcend as an active model. Brooks’ archived product page lists the Transcend 7 as sold out and explicitly points shoppers toward the Glycerin GTS.

For regular running, a current Glycerin GTS 23 is usually the better place to start. It is easier to replace, covered by the current product line and designed around the same plush-support role.

You can also compare more current options in our guide to the best stability running shoes or return to our running shoe directory.

Frequently Asked Questions