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ROBBE: There was a time, not too long ago, like a whopping six months ago, when I had all but given up on Brooks. I have a soft spot for the brand– my first real workhorse running shoe was the Brooks Launch 5, one of the first shoes I reviewed at Believe in the Run that saw upwards of 400 miles put on it. The Brooks Hyperion Elite was the first shoe we ever truly skewered and charred and it kept me up at night because I felt so bad for their PR person. Suffice it to say, there’s some history.
Most of that history is boring, to be honest. Year after year, the Brooks stable has been stocked with old mares more than wild horses. With each calendar year, another iteration of the same shoe came and went. Aside from the Aurora-BL, the simple and sweet Hyperion Tempo (now the Hyperion), and the forward-thinking trail line, not much hit the spot here at Believe in the Run.
The legendary Aurora-BL
It’s all been a bit humbling, because no matter what our thoughts are on any given shoe, it hasn’t stopped Brooks from steamrolling the run footwear marketplace. Year after year, their quarterly profits seem to keep hockey sticking up and to the right, showing just why the Oracle of Omaha himself– Warren Buffett– owns the brand. Any time a run-curious noob steps foot into a running store, they’re bound to meet a final boss challenge far harder than anything they’ve ever faced in their life– getting out of there without a run retail employee putting a Brooks Ghost or Glycerin on their feet.
Almost without exception, any casual runner is lacing up a Brooks. Which is fine, but it’s mostly just been fine. Nothing more, nothing less.
Until now. In the second half of 2024, Brooks revealed their newest midsole technology: DNA Tuned. This new way of approaching foam took the insights they learned from their nitrogen-infused DNA Flash and applied it to a more modern construction approach.
Using pucks of foam in both the forefoot and heel segment, Brooks injects each one with nitrogen, but tunes each one to its specific use case. So for the heel, you get larger air bubbles for a softer landing, while in the forefoot, you get smaller bubbles for a more responsive toe-off. And then all of that is wrapped in a firmer carrier foam. You can get a better look at the process and the pre-production midsole puck in our 2025 Brooks video preview from The Running Event.
Brooks Glycerin Max, maybe the best Brooks shoe ever made
All that to say, that midsole formula has changed everything. It was brilliant in the Glycerin Max, and as you’ll see– it works just as well in this shoe. As far as weight, it does pick up a bit over last version, coming in at 10.2 oz. (289 g) for a US M9. A new double jacquard knit upper provides a premium and cushioned fit, while a generous amount of outsole rubber ensures plenty of durability. So let’s find out how this thing performed on the run.
ROBBE: I’ll get straight to the point– the midsole is the star of the shoe. As I alluded to in the intro, DNA Tuned is the future of midsole technology and I’m not sure how nobody has attempted something similar to this. Sure, Nike has had the Zoom Air units in the heel and forefoot of the Pegasus, both tuned to different PSI between the men’s and women’s versions. That’s somewhat comparable in terms of utility, but they’re still different.
We first experienced this midsole design in the Glycerin Max; however, that shoe also had an aggressive rocker and a very high stack of foam, which kind of masked the brilliance of the midsole. We loved it, for sure, but weren’t sure how it would translate to other shoes. It translates perfectly, and unlike Shohei Ohtani’s translator, it’s not a gamble– it’s a sure win.
On the run, you really do get that softer landing phase before smoothly transitioning into the forefoot and a really nice– maybe even snappy– toe-off sensation. I mean, that’s all I really want from a daily trainer. It was an enjoyable experience, mile after mile. And really, this shoe is just a lower stack, less rockered version of the Glycerin Max, so it makes sense that if we loved that shoe, the same sentiment will also apply to this one.
Despite a higher stack height, the firmer carrier foam helps keep things pretty stable, so there were no issues there. And despite the weight coming in on the heavier side of things, this shoe runs much lighter than you’d expect. I was honestly surprised when I actually put these on the scale; personally, it runs like other shoes weighing an ounce or so lighter.
I didn’t really find any issues with the upper in terms of fit. The rear pillows in the heel area provide a good heel lockdown, while the thick tongue protects the top of the foot from any lace bite. There’s a lot of comfort in all zones.
Shop the Shoe - Men Shop the Shoe - WomenROBBE: If I had to take points off for this shoe, I’d start with the design. It looks ugly as hell, as you can see from our photos. I guess this is a thing people like, so maybe it’s working for most Americans. But when I think of a Brooks shoe, this is what I think of, and that’s not a good thing.
I don’t mind a comfortable tongue, but this thing is a little overboard. Nobody needs that much tongue girth (don’t make me say that again, ever), so maybe trim it down a bit in the next version. Also, maybe don’t copy the Asics Gel-Nimbus homework word for word when it comes to the heel collar and pull tab.
While a lighter version would be desirable, I’m willing to give it a pass for how good it feels underfoot and how much rubber exists on the outsole, which will give it a good long life in the outdoors. But like, maybe just lose a little bit of weight?
Lastly, the shoe is $165. And it’s a daily trainer. So we’re really pushing the envelope as far as everyday running shoes. However, if there is one that’s worth it, it may be this one.
Shop the Shoe - Men Shop the Shoe - WomenI mean, this upper is just u-g-l-y
ROBBE: I have to say, Brooks is quietly throwing out some really impressive shoes. They keep it up, they just may own the market on all sides of the equation. The Glycerin 22 is a perfect example of how far Brooks has come in the last year and how far they’re willing to go as leaders in the running footwear space. When I think of what I want in a premium daily trainer, the Glycerin 22 has it all– comfort, performance, and longevity all in one package. And yes, it’s $165, but know that you’ll be getting your money’s worth.
Combine this shoe with the Brooks Hyperion and Hyperion Max and their incredible uppers, throw in the max cushion goodness of the Ghost Max 2, wrap it all up with the best Brooks shoe to date in the Glycerin Max, and we can confidently say that Brooks is back and we’re back on board. We’re excited right now, and even more excited to see the rest of 2025 and beyond. That’s a buy signal from Buffett any day the markets are open.
You can pick up the Brooks Glycerin 22 on February 1 for $165 by using the buttons below.
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Robbe is the senior editor of Believe in the Run. He loves going on weird routes through Baltimore, finding trash on the ground, and running with the Faster Bastards. At home in the city, but country at heart. Loves his two boys more than anything. Has the weakest ankles in the game.
More from Robbe
The DNA Tuned midsole piqued my interest…but woof. I looked to see the other color options, and they are all hideous. Robbe is right…this shoe is U-G-L-Y!
I really want the GTS Version as my future daily trainer, but it looks really ugly. Not only the colors but also the whole design.