Brooks
Glycerin Max 3
The third Glycerin Max keeps the 45 mm heel stack, 6 mm drop and rocker, and switches to Brooks' nitrogen-infused DNA Rise Tuned foam. Brooks says the new foam is softer, more responsive and lighter than DNA Tuned.
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.
Previous version: Brooks Glycerin Max 2 · Compare old vs new
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.
Video reviews
Watch Brooks Glycerin Max 3 reviewsOpens YouTubeWhat the critics say
The reviews in briefNorthern Runner's reviewer found the Brooks Glycerin Max 3 plush yet lively, with quick rebound, a stable base despite the tall stack and a rocker that rolls you through each stride. The flip side is a bulky feel on tight corners, little ground feel and a narrow, pointed toe box.
- Positive: Soft, forgiving cushioning that takes the sting out of easy and recovery miles
- Positive: Lively rebound for such a tall shoe, with a rocker that rolls you forward
- Positive: Feels stable despite the high stack
- Mixed: Very little ground feel, which some runners will find too much
- Negative: Bulky and clumsy on tight corners and hills
Paraphrased from published reviews. Read them in full:
The numbers
- Max cushion
- Type
- 297 g
- Weight
- 45 mm
- Heel stack
- 6 mm
- Drop
- No plate
- Plate
- Neutral
- Support
Weight for a men's US 9 / UK 8.5. New model: figures are early and get re-checked every month.
What it feels like
Fit
True to size
Northern Runner found a narrow, pointed toe box with no wide option, and length in line with Saucony and Altra.
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On TikTok
Glycerin Max 3 on TikTokShort reviews and wear tests from runnersWhere to buy the Glycerin Max 3
RRP around £180. Tap through for today's price.
Brooks Glycerin Max 3
In short
Worth a look if you want Brooks' tallest cushioning for recovery runs and slow long miles on flat roads. Reviewers found it soft yet lively, but bulky on corners, and the toe box is narrow.
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