Brooks has always had a lot of great cushioned shoes in its line-up, so it says a lot that I rate the original Brooks Glycerin Max as the best the brand has ever produced, with its higher stack and pronounced rocker pushing it ahead of the likes of the Brooks Glycerin 22 and Brooks Ghost 17.
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 mostly sticks to the same blueprint as its predecessor, and so is also a very good cushioned running shoe. It is, however, heavier than the original Glycerin Max and less likely to appear in sales, which makes the older model a better value in my book.
There are also outstanding cushioned options from other brands that come in cheaper than the Glycerin Max, like the Nike Vomero Plus and Asics Novablast 5, both of which I count among the best running shoes available. As a result, while the Glycerin Max 2 is a shoe I enjoyed running in, it’s not one I’d strongly recommend buying right now.
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 review: Price & availability
The Glycerin Max 2 launched in November 2025 and costs $200 / £180, which is the same price as the original Glycerin Max, though the older shoe is now frequently available in sales.
It’s one of the most expensive cushioned shoes out there, and Brooks itself has several cheaper models in its line-up, like the Glycerin 22 and Ghost Max 3.
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 review: Design & fit
The Glycerin Max 2 is currently available in three colors, including the navy and green shoe that I tested. It fit me well in my normal running shoe size, and has a similar fit to other Brooks running shoes I’ve tested, including the original Glycerin Max.
With a stack height of 45mm at the heel and 39mm at the forefoot, the Glycerin Max 2 is truly a max-cushioned shoe. Its 6mm drop is lower than the offset on the standard Glycerin and Ghost shoes, and it also has a more distinct rocker shape than those shoes.
The Glycerin Max 2 weighs 11.7oz in my US men’s size 10, which makes it one of the heftier cushioned shoes I’ve tried, and 0.5oz heavier than the original Glycerin Max in my size.
Upper
Brooks has used a new triple jacquard air mesh material for the upper on the Glycerin Max 2, and it’s a very comfortable upper indeed, with plush padding around the toe and collar of the shoe.
I don’t think the new upper is a noteworthy upgrade on the one from the original Glycerin Max, though, which is also very comfortable.
Midsole
Like the Glycerin Max and Glycerin 22, the Glycerin Max 2 uses Brooks’ DNA Tuned foam in its midsole. This dual-density material is softer at the heel to provide more comfort and protection when landing, then firmer at the forefoot for a more responsive toe-off.
The shoe has a pronounced rocker shape, which Brooks calls GlideRoll. This rocker has been reshaped slightly with the Glycerin Max 2 compared with the original shoe, and does a good job of making what is a large shoe feel smoother and lighter during runs.
Outsole
There is a thick layer of rubber covering most of the bottom of the Glycerin Max 2, and while there is some exposed foam, the key impact areas around the heel and forefoot are well protected and I expect this will be a very durable shoe all around.
I also found that the Glycerin Max 2 gripped well for me on wet sidewalks covered with leaves during autumn and winter runs.
Brooks Glycerin Max 2 review: Running performance
I’m not always the biggest fan of max-cushioned shoes, which can be too heavy for my preferences, but I did like the original Brooks Glycerin Max.
The rockered ride and responsive feel of the foam in its midsole gave the Glycerin Max a smooth and enjoyable ride during my testing, and it worked well for long and easy runs, even if it wasn’t a great option for faster runs.
This remains the case with the Brooks Glycerin Max 2, which feels similar to its predecessor on the run, even with the slight changes to its geometry. It ticks over nicely at easy paces and offers a lot of comfort, especially at the heel, where the DNA Tuned foam is softer.
Even at the heel, it isn’t very soft, though, and you don’t get the same level of squish and bounce as with some shoes, like the Nike Vomero Plus. It has a consistent foam that retains the same feel throughout long runs and offers a combination of comfort and stability.
While I didn’t really notice the extra weight on the Glycerin Max 2 compared with its predecessor, it’s not a welcome change, and I didn’t really feel any benefits to the changes Brooks has made to the shoe on the run.
Should you buy the Brooks Glycerin Max 2?
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a comfortable, cushioned shoe and one I enjoyed testing, but I found the ride feels similar to the original Glycerin Max, and given that the new shoe is a little heavier and less likely to appear in sales, the older shoe is a better buy.
Right now, the original Brooks Glycerin Max is reduced by $50 on Amazon, and I’d not hesitate to make that saving if you’re looking at the two shoes.
Compared to options from other brands, the Glycerin Max and Glycerin Max 2 are among my favorite max-cushioned shoes, but I do prefer the bouncier and lighter Nike Vomero Plus myself, while the Nike Vomero Premium offers an ultra-cushioned option for those seeking as much comfort as possible.
A couple of more affordable cushioned shoes to consider are the Asics Novablast 5 and Hoka Clifton 10. They’re not as cushioned as the Glycerin Max 2, and the foams in their midsoles aren’t as energetic, but they are lighter, more affordable and great options for the same kind of easy daily runs as the Brooks
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