APRIL KIT NEW RELEASE SHOES

Putting your next trainers through their paces

Brooks Glycerin 21 £165|brooksrunning.com|Tester Sarah

Every year, the release of the new raft of Brooks shoes is highly-anticipated. Brooks are a huge player in the run shoe market and the Glycerin is its everyday training model; a favourite among many women.

The fit

Brooks shoes seem to be consistently good on sizing – for the last 20 years I have worn 7.5UK – I am usual shoe size 7 – and the fit is superb. I find that the extra half size allows room for hot feet and less squash! The knitted upper allows breathability while staying soft and snug against my foot, the toe box is good and roomy, and my heel stays put while running.

The comfort

Akin to having a mattress on your foot, these Glycerin 21s have more cushioning than the previous iteration and are a pleasure to put on. The padded tongue and heel gave me my first ‘wow’ moment and then, when I got going, I felt like I was walking/running on clouds. The knitted upper was the perfect tightness too. A real 10/10 for comfort.

Who is this shoe for?

The Glycerins are perfect for neutral road runners who are pounding out miles and want superior cushioning and a bouncy feel. It’s a real balance between comfort and performance.

On the run

With a 10mm midsole drop, these are comfy on the roads. I have run up to 10K in them with no problems. The extra cushioning has made them chunkier in design and personally, I prefer the appearance of previous models. That said, they do exactly what I want them to; they are extremely comfortable, I don’t get the ‘rocker’ effect some cushioned shoes give (which I dislike), and I feel stable when running in them. Despite their appearance, they are light in weight too. I have used them for speed work sessions, and they were comfortable and surprisingly responsive. I do overpronate slightly, but these shoes suited me; my foot felt secure and I felt no discomfort on the run or afterwards.

Should you buy them?

Yes! Another great shoe from Brooks and another option for runners who like ultra-cushioned trainers. They could be prettier (in my opinion) but there is a wide range of colours available (as well as a wide fit option), and they’re also perfect for walking and for those who spend hours on their feet daily.

|| Perfect for neutral road runners who are pounding out miles and want superior cushioning and a bouncy feel ||