When I first heard that Brooks was launching the 19th version of the Glycerine I felt equal parts excitement and apprehension.
The Glycerin is my go-to shoe for recovery runs and as shoe companies never seem to follow the “if it’s not broke don’t fix it” mentality, I was worried about what would happen to my mainstay easy run shoe if I didn’t like the new update.
Thankfully, my fears were unfounded.
Brooks took a shoe that was already great and made it even better.
These shoes are soooo soft, so plush, so luxurious. And thanks to the DNA Loft tech that Brooks has been perfecting over the last few years, you get all the comfort without the sinking-into-the-sidewalk feeling. Or feeling like you're being sucked back and slowed down.
Design-wise, not too much has changed on V19, but it is somehow even softer and more comfortable. The upper fits a little snugger, and as with all my Brooks shoes, there is zero need to “break in” the shoes. They are comfortable right out of the box and keep you blissfully blister-free.
Who would love these shoes
1. Anyone with nagging injuries or pain while running/walking, as the cushion really supports your joints and helps you enjoy your movement.
2. Walkers: these would be really great walking shoes (as long as it’s not super rainy) as the cushion will help your feet feel great!
3. Additionally, I am a neutral runner who doesn’t need a shoe with built-in support, but in case you are Brooks has you covered - they have released a GTS version of this shoe that has built-in guide rails to keep you supported in your stride.
Who wouldn’t like this shoe
I think the only way you wouldn’t be a Glycerin fan would be if you were looking for something super responsive and lightweight.
For example, I love these shoes for a long run, but I wouldn’t want to wear them for intense hill repeats or a workout where I was really pushing the pace - such as a tempo or race. Also, these wouldn’t be great if you were doing really gnarly trails where you would want the grip of a trail shoe. In those cases I would recommend the Cascadia instead.
The best advice I can give is to have the staff at Rackets & Runners give you a full fit assessment. There is no replacement for having experts take a look at your feet and gait, and fit you based on your fitness goals.
As always, feel free to ask me any questions! You can find me on Instagram and Twitter at @devanwiebe. Don’t forget to #RunHappy!
