Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Multi Tester Review: 8 Comparisons

Article by Courtney Kelly, Sam Winebaum, Ben David, and Sally Reiley 

Brooks Glycerin Max 2 ($200)

Introduction

The Glycerin Max is Brooks entry within the tremendous max cushioned coach class. At an enormous 45 mm heel and 39mm forefoot, it’s stacked with DNA Tuned twin density nitrogen infused supercritical foam, has a supportive higher and loads of rubber for lengthy put on. 

Sam: For its 2nd model it sees a change within the entrance rocker geometry to enhance transitions ( transfer), and a brand new higher.

Unplated and competing with sneakers resembling Nike’s Vomero Plus and Premium and Hoka’s Bondi 9,  New Stability Extra v6, the Max 2 clearly appears to lean in direction of these simpler runs the place plush consolation is the order of the day, and velocity shouldn’t be the precedence and much more so right here, as its already substantial weight will increase to about 11.35 oz / 321g in a US M9.

Ben: The Glycerin Max 2 picks up the place its predecessor left off. That is Brooks’ premium Tremendous Max, super-cushioned every day coach. Each iterations of the shoe problem the longstanding Brooks id as perpetually protected (re: boring) and never overly flashy. 

For me, the primary model of the Glycerin Max was a sensational every day coach. It was gentle, responsive, protecting and plenty of enjoyable to run in at most paces. I picked it as my total shoe of the 12 months in 2024. As with all sequel, the priority was that it couldn’t probably stay as much as the unique (see additionally: Star Wars, Rocky, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, The Hangover, and many others). 

There’s excellent news and dangerous information right here: The dangerous: This isn’t the identical shoe as the primary model. As Sam factors out, it’s heavier, runs heavier, and lacks a few of the earlier responsiveness. The great: That is nonetheless going to be an awesome possibility for lots of people because it nonetheless provides an awesome outsole, plush higher and even an upgraded rocker. 

Execs:

Excessive cushioned and tender (additionally a Con): Sam

Supremely comfy and safe higher with a number of assist: __, Courtney/Sam/Sally/Ben

Rocker geometry improved: Courtney/Sam/Ben

Factors for type! This shoe appears nice: Courtney/Sam/Sally

Straightforward to lace up and get out the door -Courtney/Sam

Glorious selection for plush health strolling and in your ft all day: Sam/Sally

Cons:

Over stuffed/stacked upfront at 39mm makes them considerably awkward and stiff: Courtney/Sam/Sally

6mm drop and no flex counting on the rocker: greater drop decrease forefoot so as right here: Sam/Sally

Tender foam and a lot of it make them considerably unstable and mushy driving, not advisable for runners gentle in weight: Sam/Sally

Heavy and good points weight on v1, unsure how Courtney/Sam/Sally/Ben

Nonetheless very a lot a slower, heavier shoe: Courtney/Sam/Sally

Restricted versatility and dear: Ghost Max, Glycerin and Hyperion Max higher selections for me: Sam/Sally

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s  11.35 oz / 321g US9 girls’s  10.5oz / 296g US8

 Pattern Weights: 

     males’s  11.1oz / 314g US8.5 (up from v1:10.6 oz / 301g US8.5)

     girls’s: 9.8 oz / 280 g (US W8)   (up from V1:  9.2 oz / 261g US W8)

Stack Top:  45 mm heel /  39 mm forefoot (confirming)

Platform Width: 

V2:  90 mm heel /  85mm midfoot  / 115 mm forefoot US M8.5

V1:  90 mm heel / 90 mm midfoot  / 115 mm forefoot US M8.5

Most comparable sneakers 

Nike Vomero Premium and Plus) -Sally/Sam/Ben

New Stability Contemporary Foam Extra – Sally/Sam/Ben

Hoka Bondi 9-Sam

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Courtney: The Glycerin Max 2 arrived a 12 months after the launch of V1. The Glycerin Max 1 was a shoe that fell beneath my expectations, so I used to be trying ahead to attempting the GM 2 to see if Brooks made some enhancements. 

The shoe maintains its distinctive and enticing look, and its clear this shoe continues to be a Glycerin Max with its towering stack of DNA Tuned foam. The cyber pink foam is seen via the translucent oyster/argyle coloured foam within the midsole. 

The higher is made from a jacquard mesh with breathable slit-like areas that echo the design components within the foam. The result’s a breathable and comfy higher. 

Including to the consolation of the shoe is the effectively padded tongue and simple lacing system. There was little or no fussing with the laces to get match. The laces grip effectively to the eyelets and discovering the good lockdown of the shoe is simple, and among the finest I’ve examined. 

Single knot solely on these sneakers and run out the door! 

The heel is generously padded on the collar and the heel maintain is great.

Sam: Not a lot so as to add to Courtney’s tackle the look and higher: a fantastically styled and becoming higher of the extra supportive kind with an enormous heel but comfy heel counter.

Very comparable in match to the primary model, it’s completely true to dimension for my slim to medium ft. I did notice throughout an A/B take a look at run with v1 that there’s a contact extra toe field peak in v2 with about the identical width. General, it is a very good higher for the shoe’s function.

Sally: I’m completely in settlement with Sam and Courtney’s tackle this good trying and nice becoming higher that holds my barely slim foot securely and comfortably. FIts true to dimension and similar to V1. Laces for me are excessively lengthy as soon as I comfortable them down; the thick cushioning of the tongue and heel collar, although comfy, are additionally a bit extreme and should contribute to the shoe’s heaviness.

Ben: As my fellow reviewers famous, this can be a true-to-size, very plush every day coach. As was the case with V1, my dimension 9 felt good. I discovered the higher nearly too cushioned and struggled a bit to get nice lockdown, although nothing egregious or problematic. This shoe is basically comfy upon step-in and can work not just for runners, however these on their ft for longer durations of time. 

Midsole & Platform

Courtney: As with model 1, Brooks has used their DNA TUNED foam compound to specify areas of excessive cushion and areas with extra firmness within the midsole. On the heel, there are bigger cells for absorbing essentially the most affect and smaller cells on the forefoot for a firmer toe off. 

Brooks has swapped out the a number of grooves within the midsole for one deeper groove operating down the size of the shoe. I imagine this created extra compression on the rear of the shoe leading to what seems like a fair decrease drop than the 6mm. With the addition of the firmer forefoot, the shoe feels oddly unbalanced. 

The Glycerin V2’s medial sidewall has been lowered, which may be a regarding space for stability.

Brooks has widened the medial sole flare all through the heel to the forefoot making a hefty platform (90mm heel /85mm mid/1115mm forefoot). 

That stated, Sam measures the platform at 5mm narrower on the midfoot than v1 so successfully it has a barely narrower platform at midfoot..

The revisions to the rocker design are a step in the suitable route. The heel bevel is designed at a steeper angle selling a quicker heel to toe transition and I seen that the roll via the stride is significantly simpler than V1. 

This being stated, the Glycerin has created some soreness up the kinetic chain for me, particularly within the hips. I additionally seen my floor contact time was considerably greater (252 common vs. 230s. typical) which could possibly be because of the softness on the heel creating some instability I’m attempting to compensate for. 

Sam: Tender and massively cushioned the Max 2 for positive is plush underfoot on attempt on helped by the very good higher. At 45mm heel / 39mm forefoot and a 6mm drop the forefoot is notably excessive and the drop at 6mm clearly a design problem by way of transitions. They have been unwieldy at slower paces which for my part is the intent of the shoe makes use of given the stack peak and appreciable weight. 

Brooks has tuned the earlier abrupt rocker with what seems like a barely longer ramp and thru some neat trying cuts into the midfoot sidewalls enable the foot to sink ahead extra simply than earlier than.  Throughout a short A/B take a look at run with v1 on the opposite foot on drained legs these enhancements was clearly felt.

The DNA Tuned twin density foams are molded collectively with out glue. This may increasingly assist scale back weight however I don’t really feel the added response referred to as out for the smaller entrance (inexperienced beneath) cells that a lot.  I do really feel an excessive amount of rear softness within the much less dense rear foam and a pillowy unstable really feel regardless of the large heel counter. 

As with Kelly I used to be extra sore in my admittedly dangerous knee after than common after quick runs in them. At 160 lbs I felt the identical softness as my significantly lighter colleagues. Would a heavier runner get a extra decisive rebound?

Is the central rear groove too deep, the narrower platform too slim for the stack peak? Unsure however as with Courtney, Sally and I discovered the midsole and platform surprisingly unstable at straightforward paces (for me 10:30 per mile or slower paces and tending to heel strike ) as I nonetheless struggled to get ahead and toe off easily because the shoe is inflexible and this regardless of the clearly improved entrance rocker. I feel a decrease forefoot stack peak, extra flex and extra drop are so as. 

Sally: Sam and Courtney do an awesome job going deep into the intricacies of this midsole, as we’re seemingly attempting to puzzle out why this shoe shouldn’t be working for our operating kinds. I got here to a faster conclusion that this nitrogen infused DNA tuned foam (identical as V1) is solely not as a lot enjoyable because the newer peppier and lighter foams obtainable right now. 

The heel is tender and but in no way responsive for me, and although there’s a pretty aggressive rocker geometry, my foot didn’t roll easily to toe-off. Maybe Sam is right in that this shoe works finest for a heavier runner? At 105 kilos with a light-on-my ft stride, I discover this shoe flat: disappointingly agency with no bounce or power return.

Ben: The midsole is the story of the shoe in additional methods than one. Despite an awesome foam, the shoe runs considerably cumbersome and agency (to me). I agree that it’s simply not as a lot enjoyable as V1. I had bother getting the froth to compress (at 150lbs), which solely offered itself as an issue when attempting to choose up the tempo. When ‘cruising,’ I discovered it to be … wonderful, although definitely not energetic or filled with pep. The difficulty for me is that the shoe appears quick, and even feels quick when first placed on, however the total weight of the shoe, mixed with the tough firmness of its trip, leaves it feeling something however quick.

Outsole

Courtney: The outsole of V2 has been improved with extra rubber protection whereas nonetheless offering lateral grooves for flex and traction. General flex is minimal due to the very thick and stiff forefoot. The diagonal grooves within the rubber lose a few of the raised areas of V1, permitting higher engagement with the bottom. I discovered V2 gripped effectively on a number of surfaces and dealt with turns effectively.

Sam: A superbly wonderful outsole with nice grip and applicable protection. 

I do suppose modifying the entrance design to present the only real extra flex is so as, probably with grooves throughout the entrance.

Sally: The outsole on this shoe works nice and has a pleasant sticky grip even on moist surfaces. It’s comparatively quiet on the roads, and as an added bonus has no deep grooves to catch gravel. 

Ben: I agree with others that the outsole is likely one of the successes of the shoe. It has nice protection and provides dependable grip. 

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Courtney: Though there are some clear revisions, Brooks has maintained the important elements that make a Glycerin Max a Glycerin Max. The elevated firmness of the shoe has assisted in much less sinking-in in comparison with V1, however I nonetheless want for extra responsiveness total. 

My most pleasurable runs within the Glycerin have been my quick 3 to 4 mile runs, whereas a 7.5 mile run felt more durable than it ought to have at a gradual tempo (8:05 common). 

It’s potential that somebody of bigger stature could be higher suited to this shoe because the compression and response of the froth may get higher. I do suppose this shoe gives safety for brief distance runs and is an effective strolling shoe that appears fairly cool. It’s onerous for me to advocate longer runs on this shoe, as even mid-distance runs felt taxing.  

General 8.03/10

Experience: 7/10 power return was missing within the Max principally because of the heaviness of the shoe. Cushion is firmer and roll ahead improved over V1

Match: 9.5/10 Glorious first first and lockdown, loads of padding

Worth 8/10 -Costly for a shoe I solely can see for shorter distance straightforward operating

Type 9.5/10 -Brooks is doing an awesome job with the type of their sneakers. 

😊😊😊

Sam: Large, tender and plush the Max 2 sees some minor midsole geometry revisions to enhance its transitions which have been clearly felt throughout my A/B run with v1. The higher is great and a close to 10/10 in my ebook for the shoe’s supposed makes use of.

The trip is kind of tender, and nice however missing in decisive return and considerably mushy and isn’t significantly rear steady given the stack peak. Whereas the rocker is improved, the transitions are nonetheless considerably ponderous and the toe off, whereas improved with a barely longer rocker, nonetheless not responsive or clean sufficient for me. The burden is for positive additionally a contributing issue to the considerably ponderous trip as it’s means up there at over 11 oz in a US9 resulting in a heavy feeling trip.

I personally see restricted run makes use of for the shoe as it’s considerably unstable and onerous to show over ponderous at gradual restoration paces and fairly heavy for extra normal every day coaching paces. At $200, pricing is up there so worth shouldn’t be one of the best.  That stated, if you’re a heavier runner with good impartial kind, you might discover it possibility. 

All shouldn’t be misplaced although as for positive it’s about as plush and protecting a strolling and standing in your ft all day shoe as one can discover with the very good higher solely including to its total consolation.

Sam’s Rating: 8.27 /10

Experience (50%): 7.5 Match (30%): 9.7 Worth (15%): 7.5  Type (5%): 9.7

 😊😊😊 Smiles for Match and Type, much less so for Experience

Sally: I didn’t love the Glycerin Max 1 however I had excessive expectations for V2 in gentle of a few of the incredible new Brooks sneakers of late (The Hyperion Elite 5 is considered one of my favourite race sneakers of 2025). My mom taught me that when you don’t have something good to say, don’t say something in any respect;  if I adopted Mother’s recommendation on a regular basis I’d be a fairly dangerous shoe reviewer. 

The trip of the Glycerin Max 2 for me was flat, overly agency, no pop, no enjoyable. Sam reviews transitions nonetheless considerably ponderous however I discover them downright clumsy and awkward and gradual. 

The heel is tender however for me has no power return or bounce. I’m usually a midfoot striker however discovered myself again on my heels on this shoe. 

Now we have all hypothesized that runners of bigger stature may be higher suited to this shoe because the compression and response of the froth may be higher; there are a number of different sneakers that I’ve discovered don’t work effectively for my flyweight. This shoe additionally suggestions the scales as one of many heavier trainers however sadly for me it feels even heavier on my ft. However it’s certainly a wonderful well-cushioned and first rate trying strolling shoe! At $200, would you purchase it for this? I’m sorry however I’ve to confess I’m sadly upset. 

Sally’s Rating: 7.86  /10

Experience (50%): 6.5 (lowest rating I’ve given shortly however the trip was completely bleh for me)

    Match (30%): 10  (wonderful well-fitting and supportive higher)

   Worth (15%): 7.5  ($200 is loads for such a restricted use shoe) 

   Type (5%): 9.5   (good trying, finest suited to cushioned walks)

 😊😊1/2 Smiles for Match,  frowns for Experience

Ben:I imagine there will probably be a subset of people that will take effectively to the Glycerin Max V2. Whereas its predecessor labored for thus many people, this has turn into extra of a distinct segment shoe, maybe for bigger runners or these not on the lookout for an excessively plush trip. It provides an enormous stack, good toe-off and many safety. The issue is that we need to evaluate it to its predecessor (as we must always), nevertheless it’s simply not the identical shoe, neither is it practically as stellar. It’s not practically as enjoyable or energetic, despite its modifications. I didn’t adore it and, in a really crowded market, is not going to be reaching for it often.

Ben’s Rating  7.6/10

😊😊😊

8 Comparisons

Brooks Glycerin (RTR Assessment)

Sam: Increased drop at 10mm, 1 oz lighter and nonetheless considerably stacked with near the identical forgiving foam really feel however in a single density extra reactively tuned, the common and less complicated Glycerin is a greater throughout coach with a wider tempo vary and at $165 is a greater worth.

Sally: Each true to dimension in W8 and each function Brooks’ profitable uppers, however the Glycerin 22 is a way more versatile and lighter every day coach that rides extra easily and picks up the paces higher. Save your cash and skip the Max.

Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (RTR Assessment)

Sam: An oz. lighter at  about the identical stack peak and quicker in its intentions, the Hyperion Max 3 for positive leans tempo paces with its mixture of fairly aggressive plastic plate and DNA Gold PEBA foam. Its higher is extra efficiency oriented and fewer plush. If strolling is your use clearly the Glycerin Max. If quicker coaching clearly the Hyperion Max. Each are priced the identical at $200. 

Brooks Ghost Max 3 (RTR Assessment)

Sam; At a stack peak of 39mm heel / 33mm forefoot and priced at $160 the Ghost is a extra moderately priced and versatile plush coach. Its higher shouldn’t be fairly the deluxe plush of the Glycerin however it’s a simple decide for me over the Max.

Ben: The Ghost Max 3 shouldn’t be as outrageous because the Glycerin Max 2 in most classes: stack, cushion, worth… however it’s a strong every day coach, very dependable and succesful. I actually favored it and located it surprisingly keen to run at most paces. Issue within the higher pricetag and I’d in all probability go together with the Ghost Max 3.

Nike Vomero Premium (RTR Assessment)

Sam: By some means Nike managed to stack the Premium to 55 mm on the heel / 45mm on the forefoot so 10mm greater than the Max. But this big is a much more run-able, enjoyable, broader tempo vary tremendous tremendous max coach, even when its weight is barely greater but. 

How do they do it? Mild reactive Zoom X foam plus back and front Air Zoom items for response and stability (every backed by a plastic body), by some means a more practical entrance rocker, together with a fuller protection outsole I feel are the keys. 

The uppers are each wonderful and match very equally however I’ll lean to the smoother becoming Max’s.  

Whereas $30 greater than the Max, if an excellent plush efficient trip is your want, the Nike.

Sally: Fingers down the Nike Vomero Premium! Each true to dimension in W8 for me, each excessive stack and max cushion however very totally different rides. The Nike is lighter and bouncier and extra responsive and faster and extra versatile and extra FUN. It would look gimmicky however it’s extremely runnable, whereas the Brooks appears conventional however it’s difficult for me to get transferring.

Nike Vomero Plus (RTR Assessment)

Sam: Nike’s different massive new max coach checks in on the identical 45 mm on the heel however has a welcome 10mm drop and fairly low but nonetheless extremely cushioned forefoot at 35mm, so 4mm decrease than the Max’s. This geometry interprets to smoother transitions in any respect paces than the Max. With its all ZoomX supercritical comparatively tender however not mushy PEBA midsole, and fuller and extra in depth outsole, we get a real max every day coach for every little thing besides intervals or quick quick tempos for me. And it’s 42g / 1.48 oz lighter than the Max and $20 much less. No actual contest right here. 

Sally: Nike wins! No contest.

Hoka Bondi 9 (RTR Assessment)

Sam: Greater than an oz. lighter on a barely decrease stack peak, the Bondi for the primary time will get a supercritical foam midsole and a energetic one. A much more versatile shoe, it manages to not be ponderous regardless of its massive stack peak and has a broader vary of potential coaching paces for me than the Max from straightforward restoration to reasonable tempo every day coaching. The higher is beneficiant in match and true to dimension with wides additionally obtainable, not like the Max.

UA x Speedland Infinite Mega (RTR Assessment)

Sam: Whereas we’re on tender and plush, the Mega with its BOA dial “open” heel handles straightforward paces extra easily and might actually double as a slipper! It matches actually all foot shapes securely because of the two dial BOA Match System with its heel space a pointy distinction to the Max’s massive and heavy heel counter.  Barely lighter, it’s a extra versatile possibility however a significantly costlier one at $250. 

Skechers Aero Burst (RTR Assessment)

Courtney: The Aero Burst is a equally max stacked coach made for straightforward every day miles. The midsole HYPERburst twin mixture foam is tender and considerably responsive however at 10.0 ounces this shoe continues to be hefty.. It’s barely lighter than the Glycerin and that is noticeable on foot. Chances are you’ll suppose at $150 you might be getting a deal, however you might be sacrificing consolation and that good dialed-in match that the Glycerin does so effectively. 

Ben: I’m with Courtney. Whereas the Aero Burst can also be not a light-weight every day coach, it’s nonetheless lighter than the Glycerin Max V2. It additionally provides a stabilizing plate which helps hold the big stack beneath management. It’s additionally a lot cheaper and, a minimum of for me, was refreshing and enjoyable to run in. I’d go together with the Skechers (one thing I don’t usually say)!!

Index to all RTR critiques: HERE

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Tester Profiles

Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a university lacrosse participant turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA along with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and eight. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, profitable second place in a time of 1:26. She determined to take operating a bit extra significantly, becoming a member of Depraved Working Membership and attempting some coaching plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. As well as, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She appears ahead to getting some extra power and velocity beneath her belt this subsequent season, earlier than taking a crack on the marathon once more. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mom to her ladies. 

Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A most cancers survivor, he has run 23 marathons. He holds PRs of three:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he nonetheless enjoys pushing himself and mixing his operating with supporting quite a lot of causes. Observe him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA 

Sally is a lifelong runner and mom of 5 who agreed in opposition to her higher judgment to run her first marathon at age 54; she has since run the previous twelve Boston Marathons, three NYC Marathons, two Chicagos, and one London with the WMM Six Star Medal now in her sights (Berlin in 2025, Tokyo 2026). With a Boston PR of three:25:55 in 2022 and three consecutive 2nd place in Age Group awards in NYC, together with 2nd at Berlin in 2025. She has competed in a number of Abbott WMM Age Group World Championships and positioned sixth on the earth in W 60-64 when she ran an all-time PR of three:24:02 at age 63 on the 2022 London Marathon and 3d in her age group at 2025 NYC Abbott World Championships.  She additionally competes in USATF races of all distances with the Larger Lowell Highway Runners workforce. So as to add that means to her Boston Marathon races she runs with Crew Eye and Ear and has raised over $350,000 for Massachusetts Eye and Ear Hospital. Sally stands tall at 5’2’’ and 105 kilos, and lives in Marblehead, MA the place she trains outdoor 12 months spherical. She blames her love of snowboarding out West for any and all Boston Marathon coaching challenges.

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Highway Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th 12 months of operating roads and trails. He has a many years outdated 2:28 marathon PR. Today he runs halves within the simply sub 1:43 vary.  if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Park Metropolis, Utah be it on the run, mountain climbing or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he isn’t having fun with too many wonderful New England IPA’s.

Samples have been supplied at no cost for evaluate functions. No compensation was supplied by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are completely the authors’.

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