Brooks Glycerin GTS 21

Running these analyses costs money. Buy through my links to help keep lights on! I may get a small commission.

Overall

#109 in

Road Running Shoes

according to Reddit Icon Reddit

Sentiment score66% positive
23
6
6

Top Pros

Top Cons

Last updated: May 23, 2026

Reddit Reviews

Reddit Iconalebardamu
about 2 months ago

Hey everyone! I use custom orthotics and I'm struggling to find *the one* for easy/long run days. Here's what I've tried and why nothing stuck: **What worked (partially):** 🟢 **Puma ForeverRun Nitro 2:** Loved the fit: snug midfoot, roomy toe box. But the foam felt dead and heavy underfoot. Shape = 10/10, ride = 4/10. 🟡**Saucony Tempus:** Foam was *incredible*, exactly what I want in terms of responsiveness. But pinky toe was hanging off the edge, toe box too narrow. 🟡 **Brooks Glycerin GTS 20:** Comfortable and stable, but the ride felt flat and uninspiring. Needed more energy return. **What I already own:** Saucony Endorphin Speed for speed work, so I'm covered on that end. **What I'm looking for:** * **Use:** daily trainer / long runs * **Gait:** overpronator (significant), using custom orthotics so even neutral options are ok * **Must have:** wide-ish toe box + snug midfoot lockdown * **Dream foam:** something bouncy and responsive à la Tempus, NOT mushy/dead like the Puma Any suggestions? Topo, New Balance, Asics, Saucony, anything, I'm open. Thanks in advance!

Reddit IconBella_Climbs
5 months ago

I also loved the Glycerin GTS 21, though I did have to size up a whole size and a half(normal shoe size is a 7, I have to get Brooks in an 8.5). My current favorite replacement is the Saucony Hurricane 25s. I also have to go up a size and a half in these. I have narrow, flat feet so I need a supportive shoe and these are great!

Reddit IconBrilliant_Ordinary_4
10 months ago

I have to look to the SB2 (3 already?). I have to see if I need anti pronation shoes. Currently getting bondi 8 sent to me to test a neutral shoe. Store told me I needed anti pronation but I keep getting shin splints with my brooks glycerin gts 21s. Any of you know how these deal with weight, 90kg?

Reddit IconKindly_Cap_2562
5 months ago

I have no advice, but I know how you feel and can commiserate with you. I owned 4 pair of the glycerine gts 21s. I put 300-400 miles on all of them. Got a pair of 22s, and they are trash. They feel really cheap to me. I lost 2 toenails from them just testing them out of shorter runs. I did start tying them with a heel lock and it has helped. I am not happy with them at all, but haven’t really found anything else that’s any better.

Reddit Iconkirkis
8 months ago

Second. I have some brooks with over 400 miles and barely look worn. But Hokas, they’ll look beat up after a few months. I’m on my 5th pair of glycerin GTS 20/21. They lose some cushion toward the end but can still be used as a great walking shoe. I have no experience with NB. Saucony is another great running shoe with longevity. I still wear my first endorphin speed every once in awhile for a fast run.

Reddit IconMustbe7
10 months ago

I just got a pair of $160 Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 running shoes for $90 on The Nordstrom Rack website.

Reddit IconOnly_Hand_307
6 months ago

Hi guys - I'm a heavy over-pronator who does about 25km/week of fairly easy running - about 4:30-5:00km/min. would love your recommendations for a new pair of daily trainers based on what I've run in and enjoyed/not before: * Brooks Glycerin GTS 20 - My least favourite, toe and heel both collapsed after 400km, no fun to run in (heavy, sluggish) and couldn't wait to get to a respectable mileage before binning. * Saucony Guide 15 - didn't get on with these, felt very high and uncushioned and actually not that stable. got them discounted so gave up after 50km. * Saucony Tempus 1 - Loved them at first but found my feet and ankles hurting after running about 3-400km in these shoes - maybe a red herring. * Brooks Adrenaline GTS 21 - Enjoyed at the time as they were my first proper running shoe but think I'd want something more 'fun' to run in nowadays. * ASICS Gel Kayano 28-31 - Keep buying these and they're good, not any fun to run in though and do feel heavy. Ideally I'd love something that is more cushioned than the Guide/Adrenaline, but not as heavy as the Gel Kayano/Glycerin. Is there a sweet spot here and is that sweet spot the Saucony Tempus 2?!

Reddit Iconthejt10000
about 2 months ago

I'm 180lbs and compared the Glycerin 21 and 21GTS on the treadmill trying to choose between them. The guidance on the GTS was not intrusive, which is nice. But that shoe was quite a bit less flexible, which makes sense given that it has plastic rails along the side. I went with the non-GTS version, but I don't think the other was bad in any way.

11 months ago

I've never run longer than 12 or 13 miles, so take this with a grain of salt. I have Glycerin 21s and like them. The Asics Supeblast 2 is better in every way - lighter, faster, more protective, and equally or more stable. The only thing they are "worse" in is that they are almost comically big. But I don't notice that compared to the Glycerins once I start moving. I still use the Glycerins, but for long runs its the SB2s. The SB2s are stiff. I have a shoe with relatively soft plate and they are similar stiffness to those.

8 months ago

Never done a marathon - am aiming for a half in a couple weeks. The shoe I run the most in is a pair of Glycerin 21s. I have been racing in the Asics Yogiri S4+. It's so much lighter and fast feeling than the Glycerins and just as comfortable, though a tiny bit less stable. Lifting extra weight for hours in key events does not make sense to me, so that's why I got them. I also have a pair of Superblast 2s which are lighter than the Glycerins also, but I suspect for someone your size they would feel like bricks. I have not tried the Brooks Hyperion 3s but suspect for someone as light as you they could work great. I have the Hyperion Max 2 and that might also work for you, but might be too firm to feel nice. It is probably protective enough.

about 2 months ago

I'm 180lbs and compared the Glycerin 21 and 21GTS on the treadmill trying to choose between them. The guidance on the GTS was not intrusive, which is nice. But that shoe was quite a bit less flexible, which makes sense given that it has plastic rails along the side. I went with the non-GTS version, but I don't think the other was bad in any way.

Rankings by Use Case

Top recommendations from others in the same boat

Other Reddit Recommendations: