Which should you buy?
Choose the Glycerin Max 2 if you find it at a good discount and it already suits you.
Choose the Glycerin Max 3 if you want the latest version and its updates.
The Glycerin Max 2 is 14 g heavier than the Glycerin Max 3.
Side by side
| Spec | Glycerin Max 2Brooks | Glycerin Max 3Brooks |
|---|---|---|
| Review score | 82/100 (2 reviews) | Not enough reviews yet |
| Type | Max cushion | Max cushion |
| Weight (men's UK 8.5) | 311 g | 297 g |
| Heel stack | 45 mm | 45 mm |
| Drop | 6 mm | 6 mm |
| Cushioning | Soft | Soft |
| Bounce | Calm | Calm |
| Plate | No plate | No plate |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Fit | True to size | True to size |
| Widths | standard | standard |
| Waterproof version | No | No |
| UK RRP | £180 | £180 |
Weights are for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. Prices are UK RRPs; shops often sell for less.
What the critics say
The reviews comparedReviewers found both plush, rockered shoes for easy miles, but they split on liveliness. RunRepeat's Carlos Sánchez and Road Trail Run's Sam Winebaum found the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 heavy with little rebound. Northern Runner's reviewer found the Brooks Glycerin Max 3 lively, with quick rebound and a stable base despite its tall stack, though bulky on tight corners with a narrow toe box.
Glycerin Max 2
- Huge, soft cushioning for easy miles
- Smooth rocker transitions
- Grippy outsole
- Heavy, with little rebound
- Upper runs warm and the tongue can slide
Scores from RunRepeat, Road Trail Run.
Glycerin Max 3
- Soft, forgiving cushioning that takes the sting out of easy and recovery miles
- Lively rebound for such a tall shoe, with a rocker that rolls you forward
- Feels stable despite the high stack
- Very little ground feel, which some runners will find too much
- Bulky and clumsy on tight corners and hills
Paraphrased from published reviews.
What's new in each
Brooks Glycerin Max 2: Switches to a much softer DNA Tuned foam with better forefoot shock absorption and adds reflective details, but is heavier than the first Glycerin Max.
Brooks Glycerin Max 3: Brooks swaps DNA Tuned for nitrogen-infused DNA Rise Tuned foam, which it says is softer and lighter; Northern Runner found the midsole softer and slightly more flexible than before, with stack heights unchanged.
About each shoe
About the Glycerin Max 3
Replacing the Glycerin Max 2, the Glycerin Max 3 is the shoe Brooks uses to introduce DNA Rise Tuned, its newest midsole foam. Brooks describes it as an evolution of DNA Tuned: a nitrogen-infused, supercritical foam with two cell sizes, larger for softness and smaller for responsiveness, made without extra layers, plates or glues. The brand claims it is 7% softer, 8% more responsive and 15% lighter than DNA Tuned.
The shoe is designed for maximum cushioning on the road, for daily, long, easy and recovery runs as well as walking. GlideRoll rocker geometry shapes the heel and forefoot, and the upper uses a flat-knit collar and tongue. It keeps a 45 mm heel stack and a 6 mm drop, against 8 mm on the Glycerin 23, and it comes in a standard width only. The Ghost Max 4 is the high-stack alternative built on DNA Loft v3.
Specs and features from brooksrunning.com, fit2run.com and our own spec data. A factual overview, not a review.
Glycerin Max 2 vs Glycerin Max 3
In short
The Brooks Glycerin Max 3 replaced the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 in October 2026. What's new: Brooks swaps DNA Tuned for nitrogen-infused DNA Rise Tuned foam, which it says is softer and lighter; Northern Runner found the midsole softer and slightly more flexible than before, with stack heights unchanged.
- LighterGlycerin Max 3
Get the full story
BrooksEverything on the Glycerin Max 23 video reviews, scores from 2 published reviews, what critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Glycerin Max 2
BrooksEverything on the Glycerin Max 3What critics loved and didn't, fit and sizing advice, full specs and today's prices.Explore the Glycerin Max 3More comparisons
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