Brooks Glycerin Max 2 Review: A Step Backward You Should Probably Skip
- FORDY RUNS
- Nov 20
- 3 min read
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 arrives as the follow-up to what was, for Brooks, a breakthrough shoe. Over the last few years the brand has made major strides, and the original Glycerin Max represented a huge leap in design, technology, and overall quality compared with what the company had been releasing five years prior. Unfortunately, version 2 doesn’t continue that upward trend. In fact, it’s a shoe most runners should avoid—at least for now.
What’s New?
At £180 and weighing in at 361 g in a UK 9.5, the Glycerin Max 2 has gone up in weight from the already chunky V1 (333 g). It retains the DNA Loft v3 tuned midsole, with larger “cells” in the heel and smaller ones in the forefoot, and still features the Glide Roll rocker. Stack height remains 45/39 mm for a 6 mm drop.
Other updates include:
A new, thicker engineered upper
A geometry tweak with added midsole cutouts
A very durable and grippy rubber outsole
Unchanged lacing and heel lockdown
A visually improved overall design
On paper, these sound like positive refinements. In reality, they introduce new issues without improving the ride.
Ride & Performance
The midsole setup—DNA tuned foam plus the rocker—still delivers a comfortable, cushioned, easy-pace ride, very similar to the first version. It’s soft, stable, and pleasant for cruising. However, as soon as you try to pick up the pace, the Glycerin Max 2 feels like steering a tanker ship: heavy, sluggish, and resistant to any kind of turnover. It simply isn’t built for speed, which is fine—but the extra weight only makes it more cumbersome. Whether the new outsole slots or geometry tweaks contribute anything meaningful is questionable. The ride is good, yes, but unchanged from V1… and significantly heavier.
Comfort—With a Big Asterisk
While the underfoot comfort remains excellent, the upper is a major problem.
Brooks has made it too thick—much too thick. Regardless of whether it’s 10°C or 8°C outside, the shoe runs hot. Even switching to thinner socks doesn’t help. After four miles, the heat buildup becomes very noticeable. For a daily trainer designed for longer runs, this is a significant flaw.
Price Problem
Here’s where the Glycerin Max 2 really falls apart: at £180, it is outclassed by cheaper, better-performing shoes.
Stronger Alternatives
Nike Vomero (ZoomX) – £155 retail, often cheaper with discount codesLighter, cooler, more fun to run in, more responsive, just as comfortable and stable.
Puma Magmax –More propulsive, easier to pick up the pace, lighter on foot, and simply more enjoyable to run in.
Both of these options outperform the Glycerin Max 2 at a lower price point while avoiding the heat and weight issues that hold Brooks back.
The Real Issue
Brooks had something truly promising with the Glycerin Max V1. Instead of building on that success, V2:
Gets heavier
Introduces a problematic upper
Offers no meaningful improvement to the ride
Costs more than better alternatives
It’s difficult to understand why Brooks made these decisions, given the excellent direction the brand had been heading in.
Final Verdict: Skip It
The Brooks Glycerin Max 2 is a disappointing miss. It looks fantastic, the underfoot cushioning is still lovely, and the outsole is superb—but the weight gain and overly hot upper sink the entire shoe. Brooks is reportedly working on a much-improved V3, and based on their recent innovation streak, it may well be worth waiting for.
Until then:
If you loved V1, buy it discounted while it’s still available.
If you need a new max-cushioned trainer now, choose the Vomero or the Puma Magmax instead.
But the Glycerin Max 2? Avoid it.
