Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 review

For us, the ideal runners to enjoy the Glycerin GTS 22 are:

• Those seeking a daily trainer offering superior stability without the bulky feel often found in this category.
• Heel strikers who typically wear down outsoles quickly and want a durable, long-lasting option that justifies the price tag.  
• Anyone dealing with moderate pronation who needs a highly-cushioned platform ready long runs.

We believe the Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 isn’t the best pick for runners who want a soft running experience. Its firm feel could be a deal-breaker for many, and if that’s the case, try the PUMA ForeverRun Nitro or ASICS Gel Kayano 31.

From our perspective, the Glycerin GTS 22 also feels slightly heavy for a daily trainer. After testing, we discovered that its weight could be a drawback for those wanting a lighter ride. In that case, the ASICS GT 2000 13 is a lighter alternative with similar cushioning and price.

At 37.8 mm in the heel area, the maximum stack height of the Glycerin GTS 22 stays nearly identical to the Glycerin GTS 21, which we measured at 37.2 mm in our lab—a tiny bump that's barely noticeable.

From our perspective, the Glycerin GTS is a solid pick for runners seeking strong support with plenty of joint-friendly cushioning. It nearly reaches the 40 mm mark while maintaining a stability-driven ride you can feel each step.

Moving to the forefoot area, we measured a thickness of 27.7 mm—another minor bump from the previous version and a solid result for those training for marathons or tackling long runs. While it doesn’t feel as cushy as the heel, that’s expected in a high-drop shoe like the Glycerin GTS 22.

We just mentioned this is a high-drop shoe, so now it’s time to show the numbers behind it. Brooks states a 10 mm drop, and we discovered 10.1 mm—making it one of the most spot-on results we’ve ever recorded in the lab.

This geometry naturally favours heel strikers. However, we believe it can also work for other runners who enjoy a more steep feel.

With DNA Tuned already making waves in the Brooks lineup, we fully expected it to appear in this model, and here it is!

But wait—what exactly is DNA Tuned? Rather than using a single block of foam, Brooks blends two nitrogen-infused compounds with different softness levels, fused through a glue-free process. However, it’s still EVA-based, so don’t expect explosive energy return just yet.

In the GTS 22, we found that Brooks dialled in a much firmer setup at 24.1 HA compared to the softer 17.3 HA in the neutral version, enhancing the shoe’s stability-focused ride.

Brooks takes again a stability-first approach by using a firmer compound in the heel—ideal for an area with extra foam underfoot. We found that the secondary foam registered a firm 27.6 HA.

DNA Tuned still relies on EVA, so it's no surprise that it delivered an average performance in cold temperatures. After testing, we discovered a 25% decrease in softness.

Brooks used a 4.9 mm insole that adds extra plushness underfoot.

The Glycerin GTS 22 uses the same platform as its non-GTS sibling, so the signature ride remains unchanged—lacking the rockered and intrusive geometry found in many newer shoes.

And we believe that in a market saturated with highly-rockered midsoles, it’s refreshing to run in something that stays a bit more natural, especially in the heel area.

We always begin by measuring the widest area of the toebox, and in this case, we recorded 95.6 mm. That's an average value aimed at accommodating the majority of runners without going ultra-wide or overly snug.

That said, the Glycerin GTS 22 comes in three width options—standard, wide, and extra-wide—which adds a superior level of customization, although availability may vary depending on the region. For instance, in the US, it's very common to find all three widths, while most European stores will offer just one or two versions.

The big toe area measures 73.2 mm, which lands right in the average range, and it's ideal if you’re used to standard daily trainers. However, for toe-splay lovers, a wide-foot-friendly option like the Altra Experience Form might suit better.

In the toebox height department, we discovered a measurement of 26.4 mm.

That's slightly snug but still comfortable enough for most runners. Plus, it feels a bit more forgiving than the non-GTS model!

Brooks’ GTS (Go To Support) versions build on the same foundation as their neutral trainers, but add stability features through multiple techniques like the well-known GuideRails, a firmer medial post, and a stiffer midsole..

From our perspective, this setup works really well for runners needing mild support and even those with more serious stability demands who want to skip oversized, clunky stability shoes like the Hoka Gaviota 5.

This year, there’s no major shift here—we found the same 4/5 score in torsional rigidity as the neutral version. However, it's slightly more rigid due to the midsole sidewalls, though not stiff enough to hit a 5.

The heel counter matches the neutral version at 3/5, reinforcing that this isn’t a max-support model but a neutral-like shoe with subtle stability tweaks. We think that’s an important yet often overlooked nuance.

The forefoot midsole is nearly identical to the standard version, as our digital callipers measured 119.1 mm.

That’s a generous width creating a stable landing platform, though the ride feels exactly like the regular Glycerin 22 when landing with the midfoot or forefoot.

However, the heel shows a noticeable difference. While the Glycerin 22 measured 89.7 mm, we found 97.1 mm in the Glycerin GTS 22. That’s a welcome boost for rearfoot strikers needing a bonus of extra support.

Just like in every other GTS model, the GuideRails are still present, extending along both sides to elevate the midsole into a support-boosting cradle that keeps the foot centred and limits excessive lateral movement.

We discovered that the Glycerin GTS 22 doesn’t lose flexibility despite its stability-driven design. The 26.0N result we recorded in our lab was actually a touch below its neutral sibling!

In the lab, we usually spot noticeable weight bumps when stability features are added—but not this time.

Brooks did a solid job, as the Glycerin GTS 22 weighs 10.75 oz or 305g, just 0.15 oz or 12g more than the regular version. That’s a reasonable trade-off for the extra-wide heel and those nice GuideRails.

Ventilation is one area where the Glycerin GTS 22 truly stands out—we awarded it a 5/5 in our smoke test after seeing how well smoke got out of the shoe.

This may not jump out at first because the colorway hides a bit the holes in the toebox. But when we sliced the shoe in half and shone a light across the upper, we uncovered a network of ultra-breathable openings stretching from the toebox into the midfoot.

The engineered mesh instantly caught our eye, so we zoomed in using a microscope. 

We found a dual-layer setup—a black rugged upper mesh combined with a secondary blue lining for added comfort and durability.

We then did a hands-on inspection, pressing across the upper to check for rough spots and padding consistency. Everything felt on point—Brooks sticks with its comfort-driven formula, packing generous padding and high-quality finishing.

The Glycerin GTS 22 held its ground in our Dremel test despite its ventilation holes, scoring a solid 3/5. That's a respectable outcome for such a breathable upper.

We also discovered a strong result in heel padding with a 4 out of 5. From our perspective, ensures top durability and minimises the chance of developing holes in this high-friction zone.

After two encouraging results in our durability tests, we shifted focus to the outsole—an essential element for stability-seeking runners. We discovered a firm reading of 85.0 HC, which is common in daily trainers where grip is slightly sacrificed for long-lasting wear.

Instead of redesigning the outsole for the stability version, Brooks kept the same pattern of the neutral model. That choice made sense to us given the nearly identical weights. Plus, the outsole already received a fresh update this year with a reinforced medial zone, making any extra support layers unnecessary.

In our last Dremel test, we discovered that the outsole of the Glycerin GTS 22 showed barely any damage with just 0.5 mm of wear. That’s quite impressive!

And with 3.4 mm of super-durable rubber, we have zero concerns about early outsole wear.

Whether you’re a heavy heel striker or a high-pronation runner, the GTS 22 has your back... or at least your feet!

The slight price bump over the last version isn’t thrilling—but the new DNA Tuned foam delivers a smoother, more cushioned ride, and in our view, that’s a fair trade for just five bucks.

Even if they’re just on the rear, we were glad to check the box in our reflective-elements test.

Brooks went with a hybrid lacing setup that mixes classic punched eyelets and four loops. In our view, it delivers a modern-looking finish, but we recommend to be as gentle as possible—those wire loops aren’t exactly ultra-durable based on our experience.

Regarding the tongue, fans of the cloud-cushioned feel will be more than satisfied. Brooks used a super-plush foam layer that reaches up to 11.5 mm in thickness!

We found that the tongue isn’t gusseted—something that left us slightly underwhelmed during testing.

The Glycerin GTS 22 sticks to the same design language as its sibling, the standard Glycerin 22—so yes, the easy-grab, reinforced heel tab is still here.

If you need a third-party insole to boost your stability-focused ride, the stock one comes out easily with no fuss.