Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
Glycerin 23
Model timeline
Cushioned lightweight running shoes
More about it ↓Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI panel · Reviewers — each opened up in full further down ↓
Best on Perplexity (avg #10.0), weakest on ChatGPT (#12.7)
The Glycerin 23 keeps the same soft, plush formula longtime fans expect, with a slightly smoother forefoot transition, though it remains a heavy, heel-biased trainer rather than an exciting one.
Every side lands high — Holds up.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
About
What it is.
Glycerin 23 sits within Brooks' cushioned neutral running family, built for daily-mileage road running rather than racing. This particular version, the Untamed edition, pairs the model's DNA TUNED midsole with an animal-print upper and marbled outsole, giving the plush ride a distinct visual identity via a triple jacquard knit construction.
It's aimed at runners who want an established, low-risk shoe from a brand with broad consensus behind it, but who also care about a shoe looking distinctive rather than purely performing well underfoot. Within Brooks' lineup, it functions as a flagship-level cushioned trainer for everyday runs.
The verdict
The Glycerin 23 earns strong buyer confidence (4.6/5 stars) for its comfort and lightweight construction, though fit inconsistencies—particularly a narrow toe box—frustrate some owners, and cushioning reductions versus earlier versions disappoint loyal fans. It suits runners prioritizing proven reliability from an established brand over cutting-edge innovation.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
Best on Perplexity (avg #10.0), weakest on ChatGPT (#12.7) Averaging across the AI panel, Glycerin 23 sits around #11.3 this snapshot.
Perplexity
#10.0
3 appearances · best #2
GPT
#12.7
3 appearances · best #10
Gemini
—
Didn’t rank Glycerin 23 this snapshot.
Grok
—
Didn’t rank Glycerin 23 this snapshot.
AI Mode
—
Didn’t rank Glycerin 23 this snapshot.
Claude
Didn’t rank Glycerin 23 this snapshot.
Footprint?
Every intent it shows up in.
sorted by current rank · weakest: Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#14 of 30)
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 Jul 2026
The Glycerin 23 keeps the same soft, plush formula longtime fans expect, with a slightly smoother forefoot transition, though it remains a heavy, heel-biased trainer rather than an exciting one.
What they praise
- Very soft, plush step-in comfort with heavy padding around collar and tongue
- Comfortable, secure fit true to size, with wide options available
- Durable, grippy outsole with generous rubber coverage
- Smoother heel-to-toe transition thanks to added forefoot cushioning
What they knock
- Heavier than many rivals in its category, and even heavier than the previous version
- Thick upper and padded tongue trap heat and limit breathability
- Ride stays heel-biased and unexciting, not suited for faster paces
- Tongue is not gusseted, which some reviewers find annoying
In their own words
“The Glycerin 23 feels like a glycerin.”
— kofuzi
“It's probably it has to be one of the thickest tongues of a shoe I've ever seen.”
— Believe in the Run
“Still Not A Cushioned Daily Trainer I Reach For”
— Alastair Running
Synthesised from: kofuzi · Believe in the Run · Hes Kicks · The Run Testers · Alastair Running
Brooks Glycerin 23
kofuzi
Brooks Glycerin 23 | Full Review
Believe in the Run
Brooks Glycerin 23 Review – Way More Comfortable Than the 22?
Hes Kicks
Brooks Glycerin 23 Full Review | A nice upgrade to the brand's reliable favourite
The Run Testers
Brooks Glycerin 23 Review: Still Not A Cushioned Daily Trainer I Reach For
Alastair Running
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #2 pick in Running Shoes. Critics back it at 3.8 / 5.
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 proven, low-risk running shoe from a mature brand with broad consensus.
Nearly 1,000 ratings show strong consensus, Brooks is established and trusted, and the Glycerin is a settled, mature product line with consistent performance.
You love running shoes that feel and look exceptional, not just perform on paper.
High marks for comfort and design aesthetics, plus a passionate 4.6/5 following, suggest sensory appeal beyond specs—though not a cult-status innovator.
You value Brooks as an established running brand and want a flagship shoe with prestige.
Brooks is a recognized heritage brand with strong design appeal, and the Glycerin line is a flagship model, though not their absolute top-tier offering.
You need a running shoe that works immediately without fuss or special setup.
Cushioned running shoes are inherently straightforward; high comfort marks suggest an intuitive fit, though mid-tier fit/sizing data hints at occasional adjustment needs.
You seek a top-tier running shoe with proven comfort and minimal weak points.
High buyer rating and strong comfort/design marks, but mid-tier durability and consistency ratings prevent it from reaching best-in-class status.
You want a trusted cushioned running shoe without overpaying for brand prestige.
Mid-range price with strong 4.6/5 rating and solid comfort/cushioning, but cheaper rivals like the Triumph 22 or 860v12 cover basics adequately for less.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 20.
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- Paradigm 7AltraBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Paradigm 8AltraBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Triumph 23SauconyBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 shared$135–$170Read
- Phantom 3Topo AthleticBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Cloudmonster 3OnBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Cloudmonster 2OnBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Fresh Foam X More v6New BalanceBrooks leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
Alternatives by price · Same field?
Same field, less money.
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
Is the Glycerin 23 really that comfortable, or is it just hype?
Reviewers confirm it delivers the soft, plush step-in comfort longtime fans expect, with heavy padding around the collar and tongue. The shoe fits true to size with wide options available, though some buyers report a narrow toe box.
What's the main downside of the Glycerin 23?
It's heavier than many rivals in its category and even heavier than the previous version. The thick upper and padded tongue also trap heat and limit breathability, and the ride stays heel-biased rather than feeling bouncy or fast.
Who should buy the Glycerin 23, and who should skip it?
It's best for heel strikers, heavier runners, and anyone wanting a plush, protective shoe for easy and long runs. Skip it if you're a forefoot or midfoot striker looking for a bouncy, fast-feeling daily trainer.
Did the Glycerin 23 improve on the previous version?
It added smoother forefoot cushioning to improve the heel-to-toe transition, which reviewers note as a refinement. However, loyal fans report that overall cushioning was reduced compared to earlier versions, and the shoe got heavier.
Will the Glycerin 23 help with knee pain?
The shoe ranks among the top picks for runners seeking knee comfort, thanks to its soft landing and maximum cushioning. It suits long runs and easy-paced workouts where protection matters more than speed.
How breathable is the Glycerin 23?
Reviewers note that the thick upper and padded tongue trap heat and limit breathability compared to lighter trainers. It's better suited for cooler conditions or runners who don't prioritize airflow.
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #2 across 3 intents tracked (slipped 8 this week).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#2). Weakest in Best Running Shoes for Beginners (#14).
- TraitsMost often described as “soft cushioning” (2 mentions).
- Closest rivalParadigm 7 (3–0 across 3 shared intents).
- MakerBy Brooks — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
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