Brooks Glycerin 19 Review
Softness and Comfort are in its DNA
Likes
- Smooth ride
- Soft cushioning
- Comfortable upper
Dislikes
- Not very responsive
- Some Achilles irritation
- Slightly narrow forefoot
What's New
The Brooks Glycerin 19 is packed with super-soft DNA LOFT foam for a truly premium underfoot feel that promises comfort regardless of the type of run. Updates to the design of the upper further reinforce Brooks' emphasis on comfort, as the 3D Fit Print overlays provide a secure lockdown minus any irritation. Add the Glycerin's durability into the equation, and you have a winning combination that embodies Brooks' "Run Happy" motto.
The Bottom Line
Running happy is exactly what runners will be doing when they lace up the Brooks Glycerin 19. The DNA LOFT midsole is plush and delivers continuous comfort and smooth heel-to-toe transitions for cruising through lengthy runs. The Glycerin 19 will not dazzle when it comes to the energy return of the midsole, and it is better suited to protecting legs over long runs than speeding towards personal bests. The enhanced upper design is a major upgrade from previous iterations of the shoe and is super comfortable thanks to the padded heel collar and tongue construction. The form-fitting wrap is also very adaptable and can accommodate a variety of needs, although breathability is still somewhat of a concern as our testers found the upper material to be a bit warm in hotter conditions. These workhorse daily trainers also have top-end durability with a blown-rubber outsole that can stand the test of time. Overall, the Glycerin 19 is a groovy daily trainer for slower training days or recovery runs.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to narrow | Height: Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium to high |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.9 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.5 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 36 mm (Heel), 26 mm (Forefoot) |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
The Glycerin 19 is fairly soft underfoot but still retains a slightly firm feel when running on the roads. Compared to other shoes in the daily training category such as the Saucony Ride or ASICS Cumulus, the Glycerin's DNA LOFT midsole provides softer landings and a more protective ride but may not be quite as fast. Nevertheless, comfort is a guarantee when wearing the Glycerin 19.
Kaleb: "With its DNA LOFT cushioning, the Glycerin 19 was very soft but by no means too squishy. I felt an immediate give from the midsole when I first tried on the Glycerin 19 and was impressed with how comfortable it was during my runs."
David: "While the cushioning may feel a touch softer than the previous version, the Glycerin 19 still sits slightly on the firmer side once you get running. This isn't a bad thing, but they do feel soft and padded when walking around and become responsive as you start moving."
Ride/Energy Returni
Running in the Glycerin 19 is like meandering through town with the top down on a beautiful summer day. It just brings a smile to your face. If you are looking for more of a Ferrari speeding down the German Autobahn, then the Glycerin 19 is not the shoe for you. Save these daily trainers for slow or recovery runs, and they will not let you down.
Kaleb: "There is a small yet noticeable spring in the DNA LOFT midsole. The energy return is not as explosive as other daily training shoes, but given the level of comfort and smooth transitions, I was more than pleased with the ride of the Glycerin. I was able to use these shoes for a variety of runs, but given the lower energy return, I would recommend them for longer or recovery runs."
David: "With a high heel-toe drop, and squishy foam, the Glycerin delivers a smooth ride at cruising paces. The shoe performed well on a variety of runs, but I thought they were best for my long, slow days or daily runs due to their lack of energy return."
Underfoot Protectioni
The soft DNA LOFT midsole serves up no-nonsense protection in the Glycerin 19. Although it may not be the perfect marathon racing shoe, the Glycerin will keep runners comfortable throughout just about any training run, which makes these shoes a versatile choice perfect for beginner runners or those seeking a soft shoe for easy daily kilometres.
Kaleb: "DNA LOFT foam is in full supply in the Glycerin 19. I wore the Glycerin on a variety of runs, including long runs, recovery runs, tempo runs, as well as fartlek training, and thought they provided great protection in every scenario. I did notice some minor discomfort in my knees when pushing distances greater than 16 kilometres. Given my current fitness level, 16 to 19 kilometres is usually the farthest I can run comfortably, so this discomfort was probably more a result of my current threshold rather than a lack of protection from the shoes."
David: "With 31mm in the heel and 21mm in the forefoot, there is plenty of underfoot cushioning in the Glycerin 19. The DNA Loft midsole kept me protected from the road without feeling disconnected from it."
Flexibilityi
The Glycerin maintains a great balance between flexible and rigid, delivering a smooth ride that any runner would enjoy. Again, the flexibility does not create a propulsive running experience, but it contributes to a fun ride nonetheless.
Kaleb: "The Glycerin 19 is moderately flexible and delivers a smooth ride as I progress through my gait cycle. Also, I found that there was a small but noticeable snap at toe-off. I always looked forward to running in these shoes."
David: "There is a little bit of flex at toe-off to propel you into your next step, but I didn't notice any downside to this shoe feeling less bendable."
Upper Supporti
Brooks hit the mark with the Glycerin 19's new upper design. Soft and padded, the 3D Fit Print design accommodates a variety of foot shapes and will be appreciated by runners regardless of their unique needs. Although, the forefoot might be a little narrow for those with wider feet.
Kaleb: "This is my first pair of Glycerin shoes, and I have been impressed with the upper so far. The 3D Fit Print design provided a secure wrap that was very adaptable to my foot shape. I also appreciated the room in the forefoot, which allowed for toe splay. I did experience some Achilles irritation from the heel collar, but this problem dissipated after a short break-in period. I also found the upper to be on the warmer side when I was running in hotter conditions."
David: "The new upper was a big improvement on this version of the Glycerin. The heel collar and tongue are padded and soft, and the tongue offers a gusseted design to keep it from shifting around. The midfoot is supportive, and the forefoot fits slightly narrow, but the upper material is more adaptable and breathable than before."
Men's Brooks Glycerin Running Shoes
Women's Brooks Glycerin Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Brooks Glycerin 19 has quickly become one of my favourite pairs of shoes and my go-to for easy runs. I have also enjoyed wearing the Glycerin 19 around the office or while coaching at the track. I thoroughly appreciated all the soft cushioning from the DNA LOFT midsole and 3D Fit Print upper. The Glycerin was designed for comfort rather than speed, so they are not my top choice for fast paces, but that said, the ride is smooth and great for leisurely cruising on recovery runs. I should note that I did experience some Achilles irritation at first, but this was not an issue after a short break-in period. Also, the upper mesh design is not the most breathable, but overall, I have been very impressed with the Glycerin 19.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Glycerin has always been a highly cushioned shoe with a premium upper and smooth ride, and version 19 is no different in that respect. It's a solid update with an improved upper that is more breathable and adaptable. There is a comfortable amount of padding around the heel and tongue, and although I found the forefoot to fit a touch narrow, my feet felt secure without any slipping.
As for performance, this shoe excels as a daily trainer or on long, slow runs due to its smooth transition and comfortable underfoot cushioning, but it lacks the responsiveness for anything at a quicker pace. The DNA Loft midsole feels soft and cushioned upon first step-in and firms up a bit as you get moving. The midsole contributed to this shoe's smooth stride, but I would have preferred a little more softness.
Overall, I think the Glycerin 19 is a solid daily training shoe that can tackle long distances with ease. The new upper is a big improvement that enhances the experience and fit while running. I would highly recommend the Glycerin 19 for the runner who wants a cushioned shoe with a premium upper that can handle daily training runs and longer distances.