Great review! I've only done two runs in my pair so far and I feel the same way. They feel really stiff to me (I'm also a heel striker). They aren't horrible, but not my favorite.
It just shows how individual we all are, I'm a heel striker and I love the way they roll through. I think it's down to the softer heel foam and me being a slightly bigger lad. But I'll happily put in long runs and some hill tempo sessions in them. I'm at 100km and they have absolutely zero signs of wear, which for me is amazing as I can sometimes be a bit harsh on outsole rubber
Yep, there’s a lot of variables that go into shoe preferences. And I’ve been really impressed with the durability, especially the outsole rubber. It’s great
Fully understand your concerns with the stiffness of the Glycerin Max. It’s a great shoe for someone that enjoys running and doesn’t like to be connected to the ground. Brooks now has the New Glycerin 22! This will give you a more grounded and nimble ride for a daily trainer with less stack height.
I’m generally not a Brooks fan & the Glycerin 20s really confirmed that for me. Probably my last Brooks purchase. I did buy the Puma MagMax & really like those. Side note, you’ve mentioned your ankles numerous times on the channel. Have you thought about dropping like $20 on one of those ankle strengthening boards so you could handle a mild ankle turn on a rock or something without injury?
This was my first Brooks shoe, so I’m still willing to give some other ones a try. I worked pretty hard a few years ago to fix my ankle issues with various strengthening exercises (that I still do every once in a whole), and I’m waaay more aware of the terrain I run on nowadays.
Hi thanks for the review, I’m starting to get into running. Would you recommend this or the more foam v5 for long distance zone 2 runs? I’m also looking at the rebel v4 for tempo and all out runs.
@ I’m also confused would a slow run be considered a zone 2 run? And what do you think about the 880v14 vs the more foam v5? I’ve heard that it can be tiring after a longer run as the more foam is heavier and clunkier but it definitely is more cushion
Yeah, Zone 2 isn’t a perfect science, but you need to be running pretty slow to get your heart rate that low, especially if you’re just starting out. Don’t be surprised if you need to walk a little to keep the HR in Zone 2. I haven’t run in the 880, but I prefer more foam in my shoes. I can be more tiring, because they are heavier and you can lose some energy return, but I enjoy the gain in comfort that a mx cushion shoe can deliver
Be curious of the stiff problem has to do with running in cold temperatures and it's effect on the foam. Most of these foams react very differently in warm vs cold temps. Just a thought. Also i think you'll be hard pressed to find a max stack shoe that isn't stiff. The physics of that thick of a slab of foam is almost always going to be hard to bend.
I’ve been running in them since October in some pretty warm temps, so I think it’s just the shoe. It’s a pretty interesting contrast to the New Balance More v5, which is the softest shoe I’ve ever ran in. I’m just looking for a middle ground between the two!
@FreshBrewRunClub yeah the morev5 is too soft for me. I find i have to be extra recovered because its almost harder to run in them being so squishy. Really wish the more v5 had a more pronounced rocker to help with turnover. Have you tried the Puma MagMax Nitro. Heard good things about it being a bit easier to pick up the pace while still being comfortable for long miles. Also Hoka Skyflow was pretty good for daily comfort miles and has a good rocker so might help ya with the slap feeling you're having
Great review, thank you for including price. Some of us do price per mile.., and I think that is a worthy statistic for daily trainers and long, slow, run shoes, relaxed miles you since they’re supposed to go at the distance.
They are worth it. Just crossed 100 miles on mine - did a half marathon, rain runs, snow runs, tempo runs and easy runs. They are buy-em agains for me
Buy Em! Glad they’re working for you!
As a 155 lb forefoot runner.....I approve👍. The rocker is literally identicle to my superblast.
Good stuff! Definitely think these are better for forefoot strikers
Another 100 mile review let's go! 🔥
Thank you!!
Great review! I've only done two runs in my pair so far and I feel the same way. They feel really stiff to me (I'm also a heel striker). They aren't horrible, but not my favorite.
Thanks! I really wanted to like these, but I just can’t quite get there. Agreed, not horrible but I wish they felt a little smoother with my stride
I love these trainers, I think they get better the more miles you get in them just simply class
I’m very curious to see how these feel after 200 miles
It just shows how individual we all are, I'm a heel striker and I love the way they roll through. I think it's down to the softer heel foam and me being a slightly bigger lad. But I'll happily put in long runs and some hill tempo sessions in them.
I'm at 100km and they have absolutely zero signs of wear, which for me is amazing as I can sometimes be a bit harsh on outsole rubber
Yep, there’s a lot of variables that go into shoe preferences. And I’ve been really impressed with the durability, especially the outsole rubber. It’s great
@FreshBrewRunClub 100% agree with you on the more v4 being a great shoe too! Your review was what convinced me to try them!
Glizzy Max has the best toe off (glide roll) shoe i’ve had in my max cushion inventory, it’s foam is firm and responsive, best used for easy runs
Best daily shoe I own. So comfortable. Actually versatile too.150 miles in and my go to shoes
Glad they’re working for you!
Fully understand your concerns with the stiffness of the Glycerin Max. It’s a great shoe for someone that enjoys running and doesn’t like to be connected to the ground. Brooks now has the New Glycerin 22! This will give you a more grounded and nimble ride for a daily trainer with less stack height.
“Doesn’t like to be connected to the ground” is a great way to describe these. I’ll look into the Glycerin 22!
I think it must be better ride for big guys like me. At 220lb they are bouncy and responsive not stiff.
Interesting, that’s good perspective. You’re not the first person to mention this!
I’m generally not a Brooks fan & the Glycerin 20s really confirmed that for me. Probably my last Brooks purchase. I did buy the Puma MagMax & really like those.
Side note, you’ve mentioned your ankles numerous times on the channel. Have you thought about dropping like $20 on one of those ankle strengthening boards so you could handle a mild ankle turn on a rock or something without injury?
This was my first Brooks shoe, so I’m still willing to give some other ones a try.
I worked pretty hard a few years ago to fix my ankle issues with various strengthening exercises (that I still do every once in a whole), and I’m waaay more aware of the terrain I run on nowadays.
Hi thanks for the review, I’m starting to get into running. Would you recommend this or the more foam v5 for long distance zone 2 runs? I’m also looking at the rebel v4 for tempo and all out runs.
I think it depends if you prefer a soft shoe (More V5) or a stiffer shoe (Glycerin Max). For my slow runs, the More V5 is more comfortable for me.
@ I’m also confused would a slow run be considered a zone 2 run? And what do you think about the 880v14 vs the more foam v5? I’ve heard that it can be tiring after a longer run as the more foam is heavier and clunkier but it definitely is more cushion
Yeah, Zone 2 isn’t a perfect science, but you need to be running pretty slow to get your heart rate that low, especially if you’re just starting out. Don’t be surprised if you need to walk a little to keep the HR in Zone 2.
I haven’t run in the 880, but I prefer more foam in my shoes. I can be more tiring, because they are heavier and you can lose some energy return, but I enjoy the gain in comfort that a mx cushion shoe can deliver
@ got it thanks. Any suggestions on a budget heart rate monitor?
Be curious of the stiff problem has to do with running in cold temperatures and it's effect on the foam. Most of these foams react very differently in warm vs cold temps. Just a thought. Also i think you'll be hard pressed to find a max stack shoe that isn't stiff. The physics of that thick of a slab of foam is almost always going to be hard to bend.
I’ve been running in them since October in some pretty warm temps, so I think it’s just the shoe. It’s a pretty interesting contrast to the New Balance More v5, which is the softest shoe I’ve ever ran in. I’m just looking for a middle ground between the two!
@FreshBrewRunClub yeah the morev5 is too soft for me. I find i have to be extra recovered because its almost harder to run in them being so squishy. Really wish the more v5 had a more pronounced rocker to help with turnover. Have you tried the Puma MagMax Nitro. Heard good things about it being a bit easier to pick up the pace while still being comfortable for long miles. Also Hoka Skyflow was pretty good for daily comfort miles and has a good rocker so might help ya with the slap feeling you're having
Wish these worked for my feet but they gave me pain at the ball of my right foot. Loved the rocker
Sorry to hear that!
Great review, thank you for including price. Some of us do price per mile.., and I think that is a worthy statistic for daily trainers and long, slow, run shoes, relaxed miles you since they’re supposed to go at the distance.
Thanks! I’m going to incorporate price more in the future, since it’s a big factor and can impact my perception of a shoe
Never would have guessed the price was that crazy… Wow
Yep, pretty pricey!