Brooks
Glycerin Max 2 Running Shoe - Women's
$199.95
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The Grivet Take
The Glycerin Max 2 keeps the Glycerin Max's 45mm cushion stack but tightens up the ride. The new GlideRoll Rocker is more aggressive, the upper lockdown is more secure, and the foam reads firmer than v1's pillowy character. Best for high-mileage easy runners, walkers, and customers who liked v1's stack but found it too soft. Skip it for race day, tempo work, runners wanting plush float, or wide-footed customers who needed v1's roomier toe box. v1 fans who specifically loved the soft, fun ride should know v2 is more stable and less playful by design.
Fit & Feel snapshot
Fit
LengthHow the shoe fits compared with true-to-size expectations.
True to size
Toe box widthHow much side-to-side room the shoe has across the front of the foot.2 of 5
NarrowWide
Toe box volumeHow much vertical room the shoe has above the toes.2 of 5
LowHigh
MidfootHow snug or roomy the shoe feels through the arch and laces.3 of 5
SnugRoomy
Heel holdHow securely the back of the shoe holds the heel.4 of 5
LooseLocked
Ride
CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.5 of 5
MinimalMaximal
SoftnessHow soft or firm the cushioning feels underfoot.3 of 5
FirmPlush
RockerHow much the shoe's shape rolls you forward through the step.5 of 5
FlatAggressive
ResponsivenessHow much pop or energy return the shoe feels like it gives back.2 of 5
DeadBouncy
Support
Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
Neutral
Stability
Motion Control
Neutral shoe with a wider, steadier base
PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
Very wide base
How it fits
Fits true to size but with a snugger forefoot than v1. The lower-volume toe box and tighter upper lockdown improve stability for many customers but can feel constraining for wider feet or runners who liked v1's roomier fit. Heel hold is solid; midfoot is normal volume. Standard (B) width only. Customers with wider feet who need 2E should look at the Brooks Ghost Max 3 instead.
How it feels
Stable, rocker-driven, and grounded. DNA Tuned foam still delivers max cushion at 45mm, but the v2 reads firmer underfoot than v1's softer character. The new GlideRoll Rocker is more aggressive, rolling the foot forward through toe-off with real momentum once the cadence picks up. Flexibility is intentionally low; the rocker does the work. Ground feel is minimal by design. Customers who want pillowy float on slow days should look at the original Glycerin Max; v2 is the more capable, more confidence-inspiring shoe for runners who found v1 squirrely.
Quick specs
- Category
- Long run trainer
- Surface
- Pavement · Treadmill
- Heel stackHow much shoe sits between your foot and the ground.
- 45.0 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 39.0 mm
- DropThe difference between heel height and forefoot height, measured in millimeters.
- 6.0 mm
- Weight (women's 8)
- 9.7 oz · 275 g
- CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.
- 5 / 5
- Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
- Neutral
- PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
- Very wide base
- Midsole
- DNA Tuned (nitrogen-infused)
- Outsole
- rubber
- PlateA stiff layer, usually carbon, nylon, or TPU, built into some shoes to add structure, snap, or propulsion.
- No
- WidthsThe width options this shoe is made in. Actual availability depends on current inventory.
- B
Tech, translated
DNA Tuned (nitrogen-infused) midsole: Brooks's top-tier max-cushion foam, nitrogen-injected for energy return at slow paces. v2 keeps the same compound as v1 but tunes it firmer for more stability.
Enhanced GlideRoll Rocker: the v2's biggest differentiator. The rocker geometry is more aggressive than v1's, creating a sharper forward roll through toe-off. Combined with the high stack, the result is a low-effort feel at easy paces with more momentum than v1.
Triple jacquard air mesh upper: the v2 upper construction. Three layers of mesh provide breathability and structured lockdown without weight penalty. Trade-off: the lower-volume toe box is snugger than v1's roomier fit.
What changed from the previous version
The Glycerin Max 2 trades some of the v1's pillowy fun for stability. Weight goes up to 11.2 oz (vs v1's 10.9 oz at men's 9), the rocker is sharper, the foam reads firmer, and the upper lockdown is more secure with a lower-volume toe box. Net feel is a more grounded, capable max-cushion daily trainer that better suits walking, easy runs, and customers who found v1 too soft or unstable. v1 fans who specifically liked the softness and float should know v2 is a different ride.
Frequently asked
Does the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 run true to size?
Yes, the Glycerin Max 2 fits true to size for most runners. The toe box is lower-volume than v1's roomy fit, with a snugger upper that improves lockdown but feels constraining for wider feet. Customers who liked v1's roomy forefoot should expect a tighter v2 fit. Standard (B) width only, so wide-foot customers should look at the Brooks Ghost Max 3 (B and 2E available) instead.
What changed from the Brooks Glycerin Max?
The Glycerin Max 2 trades some of v1's pillowy softness for stability. The foam reads firmer (same DNA Tuned compound, tighter tuning), the rocker geometry is sharper through the GlideRoll redesign, and the upper has a lower-volume toe box for better lockdown. Weight goes up to 9.7 oz (vs v1's 10.0 oz at women's 8). v1 fans who liked the soft, fun, roomy ride may find v2 firmer and snugger; v1 fans who found the original too squirrely should find v2 better.
How does the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 compare to the Hoka Bondi 9?
Both are ultra-cushion daily trainers built for high-mileage easy running and walking. The Glycerin Max 2 uses nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned foam with the aggressive GlideRoll Rocker; the ride is firmer-stable with strong forward roll. The Bondi 9 uses Hoka's CMEVA in a softer, more pillowy construction with classic Hoka rocker geometry. Choose the Glycerin Max 2 for stable max-cushion with meaningful rocker assist. Choose the Bondi 9 for Hoka's signature pillowy underfoot feel.
Is the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 firm or soft underfoot?
Medium-firm for the max-cushion category, and firmer than v1. DNA Tuned foam still delivers genuine max cushion at 45mm stack, but v2's tuning prioritizes stability over the floaty softness that defined the original Glycerin Max. The result is a more grounded ride that holds up better on slower paces and walking. Customers wanting pillowy soft float should look at v1 if available, the Hoka Bondi 9, or the Saucony Triumph line.
Is the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 good for walking?
Yes, this is one of the best walking-and-running max-cushion shoes in the Brooks lineup. The firmer v2 tuning makes the shoe more stable for walking pace than v1's softer character, and the GlideRoll Rocker keeps the stride smooth without forcing a runner's cadence. Many customers buy this specifically for high-mileage walking, all-day-on-feet wear, and travel. The 45mm cushion stack absorbs impact through long walking sessions where firmer trainers feel beat-up.
Is the Brooks Glycerin Max 2 good for treadmill running?
Yes, it's a strong treadmill choice. The rubber outsole holds up to belt wear, the DNA Tuned cushion handles repeated foot strikes comfortably, and the GlideRoll Rocker keeps the stride smooth at the steady-state pace typical of treadmill running. The high stack absorbs impact especially well during long treadmill sessions where lighter trainers fatigue the legs.
Compare it toSimilar shoes or common alternatives, with the key fit and ride differences called out.
Brooks Glycerin Max
Choose the Glycerin Max 2 for a firmer, more stable, more rockered ride. Choose the original Glycerin Max for the softer, pillowy, fun-leaning v1 ride.
Compare Brooks Glycerin Max →
Brooks Ghost Max 3
Choose the Glycerin Max 2 for the higher 45mm cushion stack and DNA Tuned foam. Choose the Ghost Max 3 for a 2E width option and slightly more grounded daily-trainer feel.
Compare Brooks Ghost Max 3 →
Hoka Bondi 9
Choose the Glycerin Max 2 for nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned cushion and aggressive GlideRoll Rocker. Choose the Bondi 9 for Hoka's signature pillowy CMEVA ride.
Compare Hoka Bondi 9 →
Saucony Triumph 22
Choose the Glycerin Max 2 for higher stack and more aggressive rocker. Choose the Triumph 22 for Saucony's PWRRUN+ daily-trainer character at moderate stack.
Compare Saucony Triumph 22 →
Buyer's guide
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A clear framework for picking running shoes by surface, cushion, drop, stability, and fit.
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