- Weight: 278g
- Stack height: 28mm (heel), 18mm (forefoot)
- Heel-to-toe drop: 10mm
- Type: Road
The shoe
'I think it’s the best Glycerin we’ve ever made.'
Speaking just after the shoe’s launch in February, Brice Newton, Director of Global Footwear Merchandising at Brooks Running, talks only in superlatives about the Glycerin 21, the latest iteration of Brooks’ Glycerin range. Newton is bound to say this, of course, but do others agree?
Designed to make running feel like floating, the Glycerin 21 aims to deliver a comfort-driven experience where support and stability take precedence over speed. Thanks to a fresh new midsole made from the latest nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT Barcel (more on that in a moment), the Glycerin 21 is also lighter, plusher and more responsive than the Glycerins that came before.
Sneakers 'Adidas Originals Prophere'.
Moulded from insights
Let’s first consider the shoe’s conception.
Brooks prides itself as a running footwear manufacturer that genuinely listens and responds to the opinions, ideas and indeed biomechanics of runners themselves. 'What we do really well at Brooks is that we mine runners’ insights,' says Newton, who also notes that Brooks has a whole team dedicated to having conversations with runners and researching the market, the results of which help to determine future shoe briefs.
'We are speaking to runners more than any other brand – not just elites, but everyday runners,' continues Nikhil Jain, Director of Footwear Product Line Management at Brooks Running. Jain also heads the BlueLine Lab, where Brooks scientists ideate and create innovative footwear technologies and prototypes based on runners’ feedback.
But does the Glycerin 21 reflect these lab-based developments and resonate with runners? Jain believes so, deeming it a premium cushioned shoe with popular appeal. 'It’s great when you get to a stage where you have so much heritage in a shoe and have a fan following,' he says, nodding also to the fact that the Glycerin 22 has already been signed off.
Nitrogen-infused midsole Barcel
From my outings in this shoe, I can see why it would be a popular choice for many runners looking to rack up some comfortable miles in a no-frills manner. And for such an average-looking running shoe (let’s face it), the Glycerin 21 does contain some nifty new technology – particularly the DNA LOFT v3 Barcel used for the midsole, which has been infused with nitrogen to make it as lightweight as possible.
This Barcel is one of four used by Brooks for its various Lifestyle shoes’ midsoles, and by far the softest and most shock-absorbent. As such, in the Glycerin 21, I found the ride to be slower but not sluggish, with the bouncy midsole acting like armour and ein chunky Sneaker and joints from the impact of each footstep on the road. The stack height of the Glycerin 21 is 2mm higher than that of the 20, and while this doesn’t sound like much in theory, it does in practice deliver a more cushioned running experience that I quite enjoyed.
On the road for recovery
I often struggle with recovery runs and find myself moving too quickly in a bid to get the miles banked. But, when wearing this shoe for recent recovery runs as part of a marathon training block, I’ve felt comfortably grounded and more able to stick to a slower pace. This has meant that I’ve been able to approach harder, faster sessions feeling a bit fresher, which is a big tick.
It's worth being clear, though, that I pilgrimage’t worn the Glycerin 21 for any speed sessions. Why? Because this shoe simply isn’t built to deliver rapid results. When running in the Glycerin 21, only you put in any kind of effort – the shoe is there to come along for the ride. It is, as such, a pleasantly passive shoe that supports rather than dictates your run. If you’d rather have a zapatillas de running ASICS trail constitución media talla 35 grises and work hard with you, then you’d need to look elsewhere.
Predictable appearance
As touched on earlier, the Glycerin 21’s aesthetic doesn’t really turn heads or break the norm. While some of the bright colourways do catch your eye – particularly the 'blue/nightlife/black' combo in the men’s range (think Dory from Finding Nemo) – Slip into an elegant and beautiful style with the ® Kapps 9X93 slip on heeled mule shoe.
While you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, you can tell by appearance that this shoe is not a record-breaker but a safe bet for slower running – and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. And what is quite cool is the use of colour to highlight the landing zone, mid-zone and toe-off sections of the midsole.
How does the Glycerin 21 fit?
My narrow foot felt snug but not squashed in this shoe, which fits true to size. The light, cushioned midsole adds an immediate sense of comfort, to the point where I even chose to wear this shoe for a Boots TIMBERLAND Killington Chukka TB0A10EM019 Navy Nubuck around a city. The forefoot is also nice and flexible – more so than previous editions of the Glycerin – and the material of the upper is extremely soft and breathable. I didn’t get a blister or feel any discomfort in this shoe, and it’s unlikely that many other people would, either.
RW verdict
The Glycerin 21’s specialism is recovery runs on the road. In other words, those low-key but no less important easy efforts where you could run with someone else and have a good chat along the way, or where you’re keeping the legs ticking over before and after a hard session or race.
If you’re looking for a running shoe that looks fashionable and super sophisticated, the Glycerin 21 may not be the one for you. But, when it comes to comfort, appearance means nothing – and if top-tier cushioning, support and stability are high on your list of running footwear needs, this shoe could be your ideal match.
