Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
Glycerin 20
Model timeline
Neutral cushioned road running shoes
Budget · bottom third of running shoes
Quick take
In short: what each side says
Reviewers · Buyers — each opened up in full further down ↓
The Glycerin 20 delivers improved bounce and responsiveness through its DNA Loft v3 foam, but remains heavy and pedestrian compared to lighter, more engaging daily trainers at similar or lower cost.
Owners love the cushioning, comfort, and supportive fit for daily wear and casual running, but durability concerns and weight trade-offs divide some buyers.
All sides but one land high — Holds up — with one check: One reviewer suffered blisters from excess forefoot room while others found the roomier fit an improvement.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
The verdict
What the panel makes of it.
The Glycerin 20 ranks third for comfort among men's sneakers and excels for steady-mileage runners seeking cushioning and durability, but its weight and deadened responsiveness make it a sluggish choice against lighter daily trainers at comparable prices.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Jun 2026
The Glycerin 20 delivers improved bounce and responsiveness through its DNA Loft v3 foam, but remains heavy and pedestrian compared to lighter, more engaging daily trainers at similar or lower cost.
What they praise
- DNA Loft v3 foam is noticeably more responsive and lively than previous glycerin versions
- Exceptionally durable rubber outsole that withstands high mileage with minimal wear
- Comfortable step-in feel with generous padding around collar and tongue
- Fit runs roomier and wider than the previous version, with better toe-box space
- Stable platform suitable for easy runs and long distances
What they knock
- Heavy for a daily trainer at around eleven ounces for men, over eight for women
- Extensive rubber coverage deadens the foam and reduces the bouncy feel
- Foam feels medium-firm rather than truly soft despite cushioning claims
- Not nimble or snappy enough for tempo work or faster paces
- Design looks dated and unchanged from earlier iterations
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
Synthesised from: Believe in the Run · Rob On The Run · The Run Testers · Run Moore · FORDY RUNS
Brooks Glycerin 20 | FULL REVIEW | DNA Loft v3 Is Here
Believe in the Run
Brooks Glycerin 20 (Review after 1500km) | Durable workhorse
Rob On The Run
Brooks Glycerin 20 Multi-Tester Review: The best Glycerin ever?
The Run Testers
Brooks Glycerin & Glycerin GTS 20 Review by Run Moore | July 2022
Run Moore
Brooks Glycerin 20 Review - Still The Same?
FORDY RUNS
What buyers say?
What Google knows about it.
Beyond the video critics, Google pools 1,396 buyer ratings of the Glycerin 20 from across retailers — a far wider, if blunter, jury. Here’s the shape of that opinion.
1,396 ratings · 7 written
across 5 retailers
What owners single out
Buyers' weakest aspect—weight and responsiveness—aligns with critics' knock that the shoe feels heavy for a daily trainer and lacks snappiness for faster paces.
In their words
“Took these boys for a 6 mile spin and wow! They are well cushioned yet firm. They didn’t feel heavy. I'm normally a 10.5 in most brands but went with a size 10 and it's a perfect fit. Toe box is roomy. Style is a 10 out of 10 in my opinion. I'll be buying more of these in the future.”
NGLM · verified purchase · hibbett.com
“I’ve only wore these twice for short periods, both times casually, and some of the emblems are falling off. Doesn’t affect the wear of the shoe but for the price I’d expect better.”
Ryancmetzler · verified purchase · dsw.com
as of July 17 · 1396 buyer ratings?
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
You want a shoe that works straight out of the box with no fuss or learning curve.
Generous padding, roomy fit, and stable platform make it immediately comfortable; no special setup or technique required.
You trust established brands and proven products with broad consensus and minimal risk.
Brooks is a mature, trusted brand; Glycerin is a settled, long-running line with consistent reviews and durable construction.
You demand top-tier performance with no meaningful compromises in any area.
Improved foam is praised, but weight, medium-firm feel, and lack of versatility for faster paces represent clear quality gaps. Consider Fresh Foam X 1080v13.
You want solid cushioning for easy runs without overspending on premium features.
Heavy weight and dated design undercut the value proposition when lighter, more modern trainers cost the same or less. Consider Clifton 10.
You seek shoes that excite you with modern design, responsive feel, or a passionate community.
Reviewers call the design dated and unchanged; extensive rubber coverage deadens the foam feel despite improved responsiveness.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jun 30.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What is Brooks Glycerin 20 good for?
The Glycerin 20 is built for easy runs, long distances, and all-day comfort. Reviewers say it excels when cushioning and stability matter more than speed or weight.
Who should buy the Glycerin 20?
Runners with wide feet benefit from the roomier fit and reduced impact pain. It suits anyone prioritizing maximum cushioning and durability over a lighter, more responsive ride.
What are the main drawbacks?
The shoe is heavy for a daily trainer. Reviewers note the extensive rubber coverage mutes the foam's bounce, and the shoe is not nimble enough for tempo work or faster paces. The design looks dated.
How comfortable is the Glycerin 20?
Reviewers praise the generous padding around the collar and tongue, and the roomier fit gives better toe-box space. One reviewer experienced blisters from the extra forefoot room, so fit varies by individual.
How durable is the Glycerin 20?
Reviewers highlight the exceptionally durable rubber outsole that withstands high mileage with minimal wear. Some reviewers see this durability as justifying the cost.
Does the new foam make a real difference?
Reviewers say the DNA Loft v3 foam is noticeably more responsive than earlier versions, but opinion splits on whether it delivers enough liveliness. The foam feels medium-firm rather than truly soft despite cushioning claims.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- MakerBy Brooks — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.