The RW Takeaway: Designed for all footstrikes, the responsive yet generously cushioned Glycerin Stealthfit GTS transcends the comfort and versatility of most stability shoes.
- Soft and stretchy Fit Knit upper
- Holistic guide rails system in the midsole provides support.
- DNA Loft v3 foam delivers high rebound.
Type: Road
Price: $160
Weight: 9.7 oz (M), 8.7 oz (W)
Drop: 10 mm
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Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit GTS 20
Brooks Glycerin Stealthfit GTS 20
Pros
- New plush and responsive DNA Loft v3 midsole
- Stretchy and breathable knit upper
Cons
- Toebox too wide for narrow feet
The Glycerin, Brooks’s most cushioned shoe, is not just some colossus reserved for slow and steady runs. Today’s model is more dynamic, more streamlined, and more responsive. The Stealthfit GTS 20 features elements from the brand’s other models, but this Glycerin is more of a monster on the road than Frankenstein’s experiment. Like it did with the Levitate 5, Brooks has released two versions of the Glycerin and Glycerin GTS 20 (the GTS is the stability version), giving runners a choice between a traditional engineered mesh upper and a knit version dubbed “Stealthfit Fit.”
Brooks’s knit uppers have come a long way since 2018’s Levitate. When I tested the first Levitate, my feet overheated and the ribbed collar gave me some nasty blisters on my heels. The Glycerin GTS 20’s new Stealthfit upper is thin and stretchy and adapts to your foot’s shape; I no longer have to wear thick crew socks to shield my heels from rubbing.
The Glycerin GTS 20’s midsole is another feature we’ve seen before. Last year, the Aurora-BL introduced DNA Loft v3, a bouncier version of Brooks’s nitrogen-infused foam that’s found in the brand’s racing shoes like the Hyperion Elite and Hyperion Tempo. This switch from DNA Loft to v3 offers more energy return and rebound on an even softer platform. Even with that high-powered foam, it’s unlikely you’re going to reach for either Glycerin for intervals or races, but it’s performed admirably on easy runs that turn into spirited dashes back home.
“The cushioning is the shoe’s highlight,” said one tester who previously liked zippy neutral shoes like the Mizuno Wave Rider 25 and Asics Magic Speed 2. “It’s soft and cozy, and easy to forget on long runs. When running quicker intervals and speedwork on the track, it definitely felt too soft, too cushiony, and slow upon push-off.”
Wear-Tester Feedback
Lorenzo M., Easton, PA
Arch: High | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Forefoot
“The ride of the Glycerin GTS is what I enjoyed the most. It did take a few miles to break in and for my body to adjust to the shoe. Previously, I was wearing my New Balance Fresh Foam X Vongo v5 that provided more stability for my longer runs. At first, the Glycerin GTS had a mushy, wobbly feel to it and left me feeling like my feet and ankles were a little more tired than usual. I now love this shoe on my long runs. It is well-cushioned at the forefoot and makes going up hills really comfortable—I don’t feel as much pounding on the steep inclines. On slow and easy runs, the ride is just as good. It’s comfortable and responsive without feeling like I’m losing energy or bounce.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.
