The Brooks Glycerin Max has built a loyal following among runners who want serious stack height without sacrificing stability, and the second version keeps that promise while nudging the shoe in a noticeably different direction. Brooks has reworked the rocker geometry, refined the upper, and made subtle but meaningful changes to how the midsole is structured, and the result is a shoe that leans more deliberately into its max-cushion identity. I’ve been putting the Glycerin Max 2 through easy days, long slow miles, and post-workout shakeouts, and the picture that emerges is one of a highly focused tool, excellent at what it does, but clearer than ever about what it isn’t trying to do. At $200, it sits at the premium end of the max-cushion market, so it’s worth knowing exactly what you’re getting into before you commit.
Technical Specifications
- Weight men’s: 11 oz (312g) / US size 9
- Weight women’s: 10 oz (283g) / US size 8
- Stack height: 45mm heel / 39mm forefoot
- Drop: 6mm
- Upper: Triple jacquard mesh
- Midsole: DNA Tuned dual-density supercritical foam with GlideRoll Rocker
- Outsole: Expanded rubber coverage with ribbed forefoot pattern
- Price: $200
Upper
The triple jacquard mesh upper on the Glycerin Max 2 is one of the more noticeable improvements over the first version, wrapping the foot in a secure, padded feel without tipping into restrictive territory. The tongue has generous cushioning that keeps pressure points from becoming an issue even on longer efforts, and the heel collar is well-padded and holds the foot firmly in place. Fit-wise, this version runs true to size, a welcome correction from the original. Worth noting: the toe box carries a slightly lower volume profile than before, so runners with wider feet or those who like extra room up front may want to try a half size up before pulling the trigger.
Midsole
DNA Tuned is Brooks’ dual-density supercritical foam technology, and in the Glycerin Max 2 it’s configured with larger, softer cells in the heel for impact absorption and smaller, denser cells in the forefoot to give the toe-off a firmer, more structured feel. The GlideRoll Rocker, which is a curved sole geometry designed to guide your foot smoothly through the gait cycle from heel strike to toe-off, is more pronounced here than in the first version, and it does an effective job of smoothing transitions at easy paces. The overall ride character is firmer than you might expect from a shoe with this much foam underfoot, and the springy, energetic rebound quality that defined the original Glycerin Max is notably dialed back here. What you get instead is a stable, composed platform that prioritizes cushioning and control over propulsion.
Outsole
Brooks expanded the rubber coverage on the Glycerin Max 2 outsole compared to the original, and the difference shows up in both grip and longevity. The ribbed rubber pattern in the forefoot handles wet pavement and packed surfaces confidently, making this a shoe you can run in year-round without worrying about traction. The diagonal groove layout replaces the multi-groove configuration from v1, contributing to the torsionally stiffer feel underfoot. Early durability reports are strong, and the outsole appears built to handle serious mileage without showing significant wear.
Performance Review
Where the Glycerin Max 2 earns its keep is on slow, easy, recovery-focused miles where cushioning is the priority and pace is an afterthought. The tall stack and pronounced rocker work together to reduce the load on your legs on days when you’re just trying to move without adding to accumulated fatigue, and I found it particularly effective on long slow days and post-workout shakeouts when my legs were already talking to me. The stability is genuinely impressive for a shoe with this much foam between you and the ground, and runners who deal with impact-related fatigue or who want a little extra structural support will appreciate how grounded and controlled it feels throughout the run. It handles hills and moderate terrain changes without drama, and the upper keeps things comfortable well into the back half of longer efforts.
Where it runs into trouble is anywhere the pace picks up meaningfully. At 11 oz for a men’s size 9, the weight is noticeable, and the foam doesn’t provide enough energy return to offset that during anything faster than a comfortable aerobic effort. Heel strikers will get the most out of what this shoe does well, while midfoot and forefoot strikers may find the rocker geometry creates some awkwardness in transitions, particularly when the cadence rises. It’s also worth knowing that this shoe runs warm, the mesh provides moderate breathability but doesn’t ventilate aggressively, so hot summer days may test your patience with it. For the right runner on the right kind of day, though, the Glycerin Max 2 delivers exactly what it promises.
Overall Conclusion
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a well-built, highly cushioned shoe that delivers on its core promise for easy and recovery running, though it’s a more specialized tool than the first version. Brooks has refined the fit and rocker geometry in ways that improve the overall experience, but the firmer, less energetic midsole means versatility isn’t really in this shoe’s vocabulary. If your training calls for a dedicated easy-day or long-slow-distance shoe that will hold up mile after mile without drama, the Glycerin Max 2 deserves serious consideration. Just go in knowing what it is: a comfortable, stable, durable platform built for one specific job, and it does that job well.
Final Grade: 7/10
A solid max-cushion platform for easy days that loses points for its firmer, less energetic midsole compared to its predecessor, and a price that asks a lot for a single-use shoe.
