The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a running shoe designed for maximum cushioning and comfort. It's ideal for runners seeking a relaxed daily experience, especially those with heavier builds who want a lot of foam and premium upper comfort. However, it may not be the best choice for those looking for a lighter, more versatile max-cushion trainer. The shoe feels notably bulky and lacks the lively bounce expected at its premium price point, with a DNA Tuned foam that doesn't perform as well as other options like the ASICS Superblast 3 or Adidas Hyperboost Edge.
One of the standout features of the Glycerin Max 2 is its cushioning. The shock absorption is impressive, with a slightly lower heel cushioning at 137 SA compared to the forefoot at 128 SA. This creates an ultra-cushioned ride in the front, making it a great choice for heel strikers who need extra stability. The shoe also has a towering 45.4 mm heel stack height, fully earning its place in the maximalist running shoe category.
In terms of energy return, the DNA Tuned foam falls short, with only 49.1% energy return in the heel and 51.3% in the forefoot. This is a bit disappointing, especially for a $200 shoe, and it's something that could be improved in future versions.
The Glycerin Max 2 also features a highly-rockered running experience, with an aggressive curvature in both the forefoot and heel. This helps offset the stiffness caused by the towering stack height and creates a strong forward-rolling sensation. The shoe has a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop, which is slightly higher than claimed, but it doesn't significantly change the ride.
Comfort was clearly a priority for Brooks, and the Glycerin Max 2 delivers in that regard. The midsole is much softer than the first-generation model, with a measurement of 30.9 AC, making it a more comfortable ride for those who found the previous version too firm. The secondary foam piece in the heel is also slightly firmer, helping to improve stability.
The shoe has a standard width and a measured width of 96.5 mm, which feels slightly roomier than the average running shoe. The toebox width is 73.4 mm, which is not the roomiest but should accommodate most foot shapes comfortably. However, the upper above the toes has only 24.0 mm of toebox height, which may be restrictive for those who prefer extra vertical room.
In terms of traction, the Glycerin Max 2 performs well, with a solid 0.61 result, including on wet surfaces. The outsole uses a mostly exposed foam layout with strategically placed rubber coverage in key impact and toe-off zones, but it could have more rubber coverage given the shoe's weight.
The Glycerin Max 2 is a heavy shoe, weighing 11.2 oz or 318g, which is even heavier than the previous version. This makes it less versatile and less appealing for daily training, and it's something that needs to be addressed in future versions.
The upper is made of classic engineered mesh construction, which performs well with a strong 4/5 ventilation score. The material quality is good, but it's not especially remarkable for the premium price. The padding, however, is impressive, with two enormous foam pillows around the heel collar creating a plush and exaggerated step-in feel.
The shoe has high torsional rigidity, making it extremely stable and resistant to twisting. The heel counter is also ultra-stiff, which helps to increase stability around the heel area. The midsole width in the forefoot and heel is broad, guiding landings and providing a controlled ride.
In terms of durability, the Glycerin Max 2 performs well, with a solid 3/5 toebox durability score and a strong 4/5 heel padding durability score. The outsole wear depth is 1.1 mm, which is reassuring and avoids major long-term concerns.
The shoe comes with an average insole thickness of 4.7 mm, which can be removed and replaced with a thicker one for an even more cushioned experience. However, the DNA Tuned foam relies on an EVA-based compound, which becomes a weak point in cold weather, losing 22% of its softness after 20 minutes in a freezer.
Overall, the Glycerin Max 2 is a comfortable shoe with impressive cushioning, but it may not be the best choice for those looking for a lighter, more versatile max-cushion trainer. It excels in comfort and stability but falls short in overall performance compared to rivals in the premium category.
