This Podiatrist-Beloved Walking Sneaker Will Be the Best Thing to Happen to You if You’re on Your Feet All Day

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It’s official: The internet loves the new Brooks Glycerin 21, the newest iteration part of the Glycerin road-running series that launched back February. The sneak is said to be even more responsive, cushion-y, and lighter than its predecessor, the Glycerin 20. “I work at a running store; almost everyone who tries it loves it!” says a redditor. “I’m super impressed,” says another. It is 2024 though, and there are near-infinite options for comfortable running shoes. What makes the Brooks Glycerin 21 so special and worthy of everyone’s praise? As someone who tests products (including lots, and lots of sneakers) for a living, I decided to try them out. Here are my brutally honest thoughts.

Brooks Glycerin 21 Specs

Before we get into my Glycerin 21 review, let’s talk specs. Here’s what the shoe features:

Midsole Drop:	10 mm
Weight:	8.8 oz
Colorways:	9
Sizes available:	5-12 (women’s)
Support:	Neutral

My Honest Review of the Brooks Glycerin 21

I’ve been testing the Glycerin 21 for about a week now, but I’ll be updating this review every few months with how I’m feeling — it does take a few weeks to really get acquainted with a sneaker. With that said though, I can attest that I’m already a really big fan of the Gycerin 21 so far. In fact, I love Brooks in general, and give the brand credit for creating a shoe that has made it possible for me to jog without injury (shin splints, blegh).

To be totally transparent, I haven’t ran in the Glycerins yet, because I’m currently pregnant and taking things easy, since it hasn’t been the easiest pregnancy. I used to run-walk about five miles every other day (Brooks Ghost 15 was always my go-to, BTW) , but now I’ve just been going on extra long walks with dogs (about three miles) every day for a low-impact, joyful exercise. The Glycerin 21s have been my sneaker of choice, and after testing them for a week, I can confirm it’ll stay that way.

Why? First: The comfort. This is a cushion-y, supportive sneaker that cradles your feet in all the right places. One major gripe I have with a lot of other sneaker brands is that they often have stiff heels, which creates painful blisters — not the Glycerin 21. It’s like it was designed with clouds in mind, and I truly do feel like I’m “floating” when I wear them. The design also has an extra plush-y tongue, which doesn’t shift mid-stride (flimsy tongues is another one of my sneaker icks).

And when I’m walking, even after mile three, my feet still feel lifted and bouncy — even as I walk through gravel and grass at the park near my house. This responsiveness is thanks to the shoe’s nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 cushioning design (2mm more in the midsole!). And with a 10 mm midsole drop, you still get that rocker bottom design without any feeling of instability

Plus, it has an even more breathable mesh upper than the Glycerin 20, which means less sweaty feet after wearing.

While I haven’t tested the shoe while jogging, I think this would make for an excellent low-impact, long-distance jogging shoe. It’s light enough, while offering enough responsiveness whether you run on the tread or road — it’s definitely built to absorb impact, making it easier on the feet and joints. However, I don’t think it would make for the best sprinting sneak — in other words, this is probably not the shoe that you want to wear if you’re looking to enhance your PR time. It’s a great shoe for long distances and for recovery days, though.

Lastly: The fit and break-in period. I ordered a half-size up, and the sneaker fit seamlessly. But, it did take about 10-15 minutes to fully break in. The Glycerin 21 felt just a little stiff as I made my first lap around the park (I would highly recommend wearing good quality socks — I swear by my Bombas, which have extra padding, fully protecting my heels and toes from any irritation), but after that, the shoe fabric stretched out, and the next day when I went to slip my feet in, I didn’t have to fuss with the laces and fit too much — it molded to my feet quickly.

Honestly? I can’t wait to test these out at my Orange Theory class — I think they’re going to be my new favorites (sorry, Ghosts).

What a Podiatrist Thinks of the Brooks Glycerin 21

While I don’t know what all podiatrists think of Brooks, the podiatrist I spoke with, Priya Parthasarathy DPM, confirmes that she’s a fan. “Brooks are definitely on my list of recommended shoe gear for my patients. They are also industry leaders in research based footwear, most recently with their DNA Loft technology. They have many different styles for different foot types: pronated, neutral or supinated. The company concentrates on running, thus is a favorite amongst runners. However they are great for walking as well.”

In terms of the Glycerin 21, Dr. Parthasarathy believes they’re an excellent neutral running and walking shoe. “The Glycerin is my favorite for neutral runners/walkers (as is the Ghost),” and explains, “The Glycerin has maximal cushioning with a 10 mm drop whereas, the Ghost has moderate cushioning with a 12 mm.”

Who Is the Brooks Glycerin 21 Best For?

After personally testing the Glycerin 21 and speaking with a podiatrist, I’d say the Glycerin 21 is best for people looking for a comfortable, everyday walking and jogging sneaker. And especially if you deal with foot or joint pain, this is such an excellent choice that’ll keep your feet pain-free all day long. Dr. Parthasarathy says, “I would recommend either shoe to a neutral foot type walker or jogger. I would recommend this shoe for people that need additional padding such as those with metatarsalgia or fat pad atrophy and patients with neutral arch type.”

If you’re not sure if the Glycerin (or really, any shoe) is right for you, or you have specific needs, it’s always a good idea to try different pairs from different brands in different sizes until you get that perfect Goldilocks fit.

“It’s important to visit a Podiatrist and find out your foot type and customized shoe recommendations. I have always been a fan of Brooks runners and I especially like the cushion the Glycerin offers,” Dr. Parthasarathy says, adding, “However, it is very person dependent on if you like the 10 mm midsole drop and the max cushioning. I would advise patients to try both the Glycerin and Ghost to see what feel they like better.”

Brooks Glycerin 21 Pros & Cons

The Bottom Line: Should You Buy the Glycerin 21?

At the end of the day, you may be wondering, “This all sounds good, but is it worth the $160?” I can’t make the decision for you, but I will say: Investing in a high-quality running sneaker is always a good idea. A good shoe will help you avoid injuries and can really enhance your performance and development as a runner (and even walker).