Featuring an updated midsole and new upper design
In the world of running shoes, there aren’t many lines out there that have retained the level of consistent popularity as the Glycerin. Now it’s back again in the shape of the Brook Glycerin 19.
Popular with those runners looking for a high level of cushioning, the Glycerin is a shoe that sits at the top of the list when it comes to comfort, both from the midsole and the soft, plush upper.
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As the shoe has developed over the years it has also become more than just a reliable workhorse, ticking an increasing number of boxes from runners looking for an all-rounder daily shoe.
We’ve tested the Brooks Glycerin 19 out over 80km of training to see if it’s worth picking up as your next training shoe. Let’s take a look and see how it did.
The specs
Price: £140 | Weight: 289g/10.2oz (Men) / 255g/9oz (Women) | Type: Road | Heel to toe drop: 10mm | Sizing: Fits to size | Alternatives: Saucony Endorphin Shift, Hoka One One Clifton 8, New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11, Nike ZoomX Invincible Run
Design
For anyone out there who is already firmly in the Glycerin camp, you’ll be pleased to know that very little has been changed in the latest version of the shoe.
The most prominent upgrade is the addition of more DNA Loft midsole foam for a softer ride. It’s a midsole foam that has been popular in the past due to its balance of softness and responsiveness, making the shoe a more versatile option than many other cushioned shoes available.
In addition, Brooks has modified the upper slightly to make the shoe more comfortable and provide a better fit. When compared to the Glycerin 18 there are few noticeable differences here, however, the midfoot does feel slightly more rigid and reinforced.
Like its predecessors, the Glycerin 19 is also a plush shoe that contains a high level of internal cushioning, especially the lining around the collar. The result is an immediately noticeable level of step-in comfort that makes the shoe a joy to wear on runs.
The outsole features a healthy layer of rubber to protect the DNA Loft midsole, although this doesn’t extend across the whole shoe, leaving some exposed areas of foam.
Other features include an OrthoLite sockliner for added cushioning inside the shoe, a 3d fit print upper for a locked-down fit, and some thick, squishy laces that make the shoe really easy to tie down nicely.
Road testing
Over the course of its long history, the Glycerin line has been synonymous with cushioning and comfort. It’s a shoe that’s popular with runners who want to minimise the impact of running for a soft, enjoyable ride, whether that’s short recovery miles or slow, longer efforts.
If you’ve tried the Glycerin 18, or any of the earlier models, the 19 doesn’t hold any surprises. Like its predecessors, it’s a shoe predominantly built to take the brunt out of running, with the DNA Loft midsole offering a good level of cushioning that minimises impact on the legs.
The addition of more DNA Loft in the midsole does make the shoe slightly softer, but the effect is minimal. Despite the outward appearance, the ride is significantly more responsive than you might expect, with this versatility improving with each release.
We tested the shoe out between short 5km recovery runs and half marathon tempo training efforts and found that it does a competent job in most cases. For us, it’s best suited to those runs where you’re main focus is ticking off the mileage comfortably instead of aiming for speed.
That said, it’s not a shoe that’s confined to slow efforts. The versatility of the DNA Loft midsole means the Glycerin 19 does have a bit of speed in it if you need to pick up the pace slightly. It’s by no means a race or a temp shoe, but it’s a good option for those daily training miles where you want the flexibility to speed up if you need to.
Perhaps the most notable element of the Glycerin 19 is the comfort. From the first time you wear the shoe, it feels incredibly soft and plush – something that the shoe retains for a long time.
Summary
If you’re looking for a heavily cushioned shoe but still want to retain a level of responsiveness, the Glycerin 19 is one of the best options out there. It sits comfortably between extremely soft shoes like the Nike ZoomX Invincible Run and harder cushioned options like the New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v11.
For us, it ticks a lot of boxes for those runners that want cushioning and comfort above all else, but still want a shoe that delivers when the need arises.
