Brooks Glycerin 18, Men’s race Running Shoe

Product Information

It's a speedy shoe that will do just that with its super thick DNA LOFT midsole and internal stability structures. The Ghost and the Glycerin are two shoes known for their high levels of stability and the Ghost and Glycerin continue the trend. The midsole is made of DNA Loft, a soft midsole compound that mixes rubber, EVA foam, and air to deliver a comfy underfoot feel.

That feel transfers perfectly to the ride, offering one of the most enjoyable shoe experiences you're likely to find during training sessions. The tongue, like the rest of the shoe, delivers a padded feel that holds the foot in an almost cosy position – not a phrase we normally use to describe a running shoe. Testers raved about the 17’s softness and how comfortable the Glycerin felt on their run—so comfortable that they’d keep wearing the trainers long after they’d homed in that last mile.The outsole is split between the forefoot and heel – with blown rubber outsole for the forefoot and HPR plus rubber at the back of the shoe for extra durability for heel strikers. Stability running shoes such as these are ideal for runners with overpronation, who need more ankle support and a less flexible sole. Despite the weird looks, Brooks regained the absolute plush comfort in the 16th, 17th, and now the 18th iteration. And, although that soft midsole offers a high level of protection against impact, it doesn't feel slow or sluggish like many heavily cushioned shoes can be. With these factors, the shoe is moderately flexible to improve comfort and not restrict the foot’s natural movement, despite the thick cushioning.

Personally, I like my running shoes to have a little more support on my longer runs, which is why my go-to Brooks easy shoe is the Ghost 12, which have slightly more stability. However, its cushioning is not particularly responsive, so it may not be the best option if you plan to run fast during your race. The only concern is with the outsole, as it features less rubber, making it more prone to premature wear. Also, this shoe is great for most runs, but although they are responsive, they do not work as well as other shoes on the market that will respond better to the high pace. This did not influence the outcome of this review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.At the toe, you'll find a hard structure that helps protect your toes from serious stubs and protects your upper from stabs and tears. The midsole of the shoe still uses Brooks’ patented the DNA Loft foam, which incorporates air and rubber to their previous foam formula of DNA foam. The Glycerin 19—available in both GTS (go-to-support)—is no exception and embodies Brooks’s DNA perfectly.

The upper is light and breathable, preventing hotspots and blisters, while still providing protection. Outsole durability is also below average so it’s not a durable workhorse that can do over 1000 kilometres.

An issue with the traction is that the Glycerin has small grooves in the outsole which collect small pebbles. Brooks has had one of the most successful lines with the Glycerins, and in the new 18s they decided to not mess with a good thing and they didn’t change too much in this year’s update. Notable accomplishments include winning several 5ks and winning his age group in the Leadville 50 by an hour and forty minutes. The laces add to that by being possibly the most cushioned shoelaces we've ever seen on a running shoe, something that also makes them extremely easy to tie up. The Brooks Glycerin provides an adaptive midsole for exceptional top of the line cushioning and a 3D Fit Print upper for a deluxe fit.

It will stick to wet roads without an issue, and all of the power from your push-off will be transferred into forward propulsion.You'll be pleased that your strides don't get eaten up in cushion, but neither do your bones crack every time you land.