I’ve been a runner for the past few years. I crave the freedom it gives me, allowing me to ignore notifications and the stress of everyday life as I lace up my trainers, stick in some headphones and find peace in my local park. I return home feeling mentally refreshed and ready to go again. But regular running can be tough on the body, and I have picked up injuries, from knee pain to sore hips. So, I began my search for the best running trainers.
And over the years, there’s one brand I go back to time and again, thanks to its cushioning and supportive designs: Brooks. I wear its Glycerin, Ghost and Adrenaline ranges for weekly 5k runs and even half-marathon training. They have such a wide variety of styles for every foot type, and I love how comfortable they are straight out of the box.
So, could the brand’s latest shoe, the Brooks Glycerin 23 running trainers, which have hundreds of positive reviews online, help reduce the impact on my body as I build up my runs? I laced them up to find out – here’s my verdict.
The Brooks Glycerin 23 trainers at a glance
The first thing you notice about this trainer is the highly cushioned sole. It’s thanks to the brand’s DNA TUNED cushioning, which is basically nitrogen-infused cells on the bottom of the shoes, which give them a bouncy and responsive feel as you run. This also provides shock absorption, reducing impact as you pound the pavement and putting less stress on your knees and hips.
The latest launch in the Glycerin range differs from its predecessor, the Glycerin 22. It has an extra 2mm of cushioning in the middle of the sole, while they’ve stuck with the same heel height of 38mm. The material wrapped around the top of the shoe is made of three layers of jacquard warp knit, which gives it an open mesh design that’s good for breathability as you run.
What’s so special about Brooks shoes?
From Wicked star Cynthia Erivo to BBC newsreader and long-distance runner Sophie Raworth, Brooks shoes are very popular with the A-list. We spoke to Emma Supple, consultant podiatrist at Supple Feet to find out why. ‘Brooks trainers have earned a strong reputation among podiatrists because they offer a broad range of options for different foot types and clinical needs,’ she explains.
Here are some of the benefits they offer, according to Supple.
- A wide range of cushioning designs, from everyday walking shoes to running shoes.
- Excellent stability for those who need additional support.
- They’re available in multiple widths: narrow, medium, wide and extra wide.
- They’re suitable for both recreational exercisers and serious runners.
- They offer comfort straight out of the box.
How I tested the Brooks trainers
I run two to three times a week, and I wore my new trainers over a six-week period, encompassing speedy 5ks, slow-paced jogs in the park, and some interval training on the treadmill, too. I assessed the trainer’s comfort levels throughout, considering whether the cushioning helped to either reduce my injuries or soften the impact on different terrains, from running tracks to muddy trails and footpaths.
First impressions
I loved the look of these trainers as soon as I took them out of the box. They’re colourful and smart. I tested their white version with bright pink stripes, black finishings and laces, so they go with everything, from bright shorts to my staple black leggings.
Slipping them on was easy, and the laces felt secure enough so there was no rubbing on the ankle, while leaving enough room in the toe box. I’d advise you to go up either half a size or a full size with these, though, as they come up slightly small.
They are pricey at £165, but most running trainers cost between £80 and £180, depending on the brand, technology and what type of running you buy them for. If you’re trying to justify the cost, the typical running trainer lasts between 300 to 500 miles – based on this lifespan, these trainers work out at around 33 to 55p per mile. So, if you’re doing around six miles (10K) a week, they’ll still last you for over a year, and even longer if you’re more of a recreational runner. Not a bad cost per wear!
My honest review of the Brooks Glycerin 23 trainers
Comfort is always one of my biggest priorities when trying new trainers. Having to break them in and deal with rubbing and blisters is a literal pain. My main concern was whether my toes would feel cramped, like they had in previous versions of the trainer. However, I’d gone up by half a size this time, so I had enough room to wiggle my toes, and they didn’t rub as I ran, which was a massive win.
The trainers are designed for runners like me with a neutral gait, meaning that my feet land evenly without rolling inwards or outwards. From the moment I stepped into them, they felt supportive, with the slight arch stabilising my foot well. I mainly ran on flat paths, roads and running tracks, but I would avoid these trainers for uneven terrain. Although the integrated RoadTack rubber tread means the grip is sufficient for running on flat surfaces, the highly cushioned sole can feel unstable on uneven terrain. I’d recommend specific trail running shoes here, as they’ll also support the ankle better.
I was slightly sceptical about how the cushioning could help with shock absorption, but I was keen to see how they could live up to their claims. I’ve been suffering from runners’ knee over the last year, and although I’ve been keeping up with physio exercises, I didn’t want to aggravate my injury. I’ve recently started to notice more pain in my hip joints after longer runs, too. But from the first mile, I could feel how responsive the cushioning was with these shoes. Every step felt like running on a supportive pillow, bouncing back quickly. Compared with another pair of running trainers I’d been wearing, they immediately felt smoother and more flexible.
Most importantly, they helped keep my usual running injuries to a minimum. Normally, as I run, I’m reminded of my knee injury, with bursts of pain as I hit the ground too hard or attempt a sprint, but these trainers seemed to shield the impact. They also took the strain off my hip joints.
The design may not be for everyone. The heel cushioning could take some getting used to, at 38mm high, especially if you prefer more streamlined, minimalist trainers. If you like to feel the ground more as you run, the Brooks Hyperion range has around half the stack height of the Glycerins.
The final verdict
I was already a Brooks fan, but the Brooks Glycerin 23 trainers have won me over even more. They were comfortable as soon as I laced them up, and their cushioned sole helped to reduce the impact on my hip joints and stop my knee injury from worsening. They’re now my go-to running trainers – and I can’t wait to run more miles in them.
Brooks trainers FAQs
What do podiatrists think of Brooks trainers?
‘Brooks has a strong reputation because the company focuses heavily on running injuries, comfort and consistency of fit,’ says Supple. ‘Its shoes tend to offer reliable cushioning, good sizing options and models designed for different gait patterns rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.’
However, she adds that there is no single trainer that will suit everyone. ‘The most appropriate shoe depends on your foot type, activity level, weight and any existing injury,’ she says.
Which foot types suit Brooks?
Supple adds that Brooks produces shoes suitable for a range of foot types, including:
- Neutral feet: Look to ranges such as Glycerin and Ghost.
- Mild to moderate overpronators: Try models such as the Adrenaline GTS.
- Heavier individuals requiring additional support: Try the Beast GTS.
- People recovering from stress injuries who may benefit from greater cushioning: Check out the Glycerin Max style.
Sarah is our wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. She can be regularly found on a yoga mat or training for a run, so she knows what to look for when it comes to the best yoga leggings, hydration vests or running trainers. From fitness trackers to the best supplements, she also has extensive experience writing about the latest products and writing detailed honest reviews.
Prior to joining the GHI, Sarah was a freelance journalist for 10 years, specialising in health, fitness and travel for national newspapers and magazine. During her time at Women’s Health, she interviewed celebrities about their fitness routines, for the Telegraph she investigated the health risks of Lime Bikes and visited Thailand to look at the trend of longevity travel - while for the London Standard she wrote about topics including AI powered PTs and smart ice baths.
When she isn’t testing out the latest smart watches, lifting weights at the gym, or hopping on a flight, Sarah can be found running around South London or devouring the latest trending TV show.
