Shoe companies have been developing running shoes for decades now. These shoes are characterized by supporting the natural arch of the feet and having generous cushioning from heel to toe.
When it comes to nicely cushioned shoes, Brooks Glycerin is one of the first names that’ll pop into your head. Stepping into one of these feels like sinking your feet in clouds!
However, if Brooks Glycerin isn’t doing it for you, or you’re looking for a change of air with a new brand, you’re in the right place!
In the following article, we’ll provide you with 5 shoes similar to Brooks Glycerin, so you can enjoy your brand new kicks while keeping your feet supported and bouncy during running!
5 Shoes Similar To Brooks Glycerin
1. Saucony Triumph 17 Running Shoe
2. Mizuno Wave Sky WaveKnit 3 Running Shoe
3. New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v10 Running Shoe
4. HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 6 Running Shoe
5. ASICS Gel-Nimbus 22 Running Shoes
TOP PICK: New Balance Fresh Foam 1080 v10
- Cushioned Running Shoes for Every Runner: Part of the Fresh Foam X collection, these shoes use our latest advancements in data to design to deliver precise plushness exactly where you need it
- Support and Durability: This shoe features a Hypoknit upper designed to provide strategic areas of stretch and support, in addition to a blown rubber outsole for impressive durability
- Perfect Fit: These comfortable running shoes include a bootie upper construction and an Ultra Heel design, both of which hug the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
What Makes Brooks Glycerin Special
Before jumping into our list, let’s have a quick look at what makes Brooks Glycerin a unique running shoe among runners. First off, we all know how popular Brooks is and why they are the superior running shoe brand.
The Glycerin model is one of the most heavily cushioned series on the market. It’s well known for having Brook’s signature DNA LOFT cushioning surrounding every part of your foot.
This type of padding is made of a blend of materials to give the perfect balance between softness and conforming to the runner’s feet.
The shoes are an excellent choice for running and cross-training. They also perform quite well in the gym, especially for fitness training rather than heavy weightlifting.
Another essential feature of the Brooks Glycerin running shoe is the remarkable smooth transition while stepping.
This one allows your steps to feel natural and supported, which is another aspect to consider while looking for an alternative to Brooks Glycerin.
5 Shoes with Comparable Features to Brooks Glycerin
Now that you have an idea of what Brooks Glycerin is all about, it’s time to explore some of the best running shoe alternatives that will give you similar performance while maintaining the same level of cushioning and comfort no matter how long run!
We’ve scoured the market looking for the best options and compiled this list of the best highly cushioned shoes that can give Brooks Glycerin a run for its money.
Let’s have a deeper look at these shoes and see what they’ve got to offer!
Kicking off the list with one of the best running shoes with high cushioning on the market.
In fact, this shoe is one of the most heavily compared models to Brooks Glycerin due to the huge similarities between them in terms of both the looks and the performance!
Similar to Brooks Glycerin, this one also has a similar synthetic fabric and mesh construction. This gives it a great level of breathability and flexibility, which helps you to run for long distances.
As for the cushioning, Saucony added their signature PWRRUN+ padding throughout the shoes.
Despite being super soft, the padding also has a nice springy character that enhances the underfoot responsiveness while running.
Not only that, but the PWRRUN+ in the Triumph is also 28% lighter than all the previous models without affecting its performance. This allows you to run freely without feeling like something is weighing your feet down.
As for the inner plush, the entire shoe interior is cushioned with FORMFIT padding, which is also remarkably lightweight and accommodates your feet nicely.
- PWRRUN+ gives you a springy and responsive underfoot feel that keeps you strong and feeling fresh.
- FORMFIT acts like a luxurious bucket seat for your foot, conforming to you for the perfect fit and providing comfort from every angle.
- Cushioning thats 25% lighter than our previous best, the lightweight comfort of these shoes means you'll never feel like something is holding you back.
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Mizuno’s Wave Sky 3 is another great option that boasts a lot of the comfy quality that you’ll get with the Brooks Glycerin.
The Sky 3 comes with a completely redesigned midsole style that feels much smoother and more comfortable than its predecessors.
The new midsole combines both XPOP polyurethane foam along with Mizuno’s Wave foam. This is a huge step up in terms of softness and bounciness when compared to the classic Pebax plate.
In addition to these 2 types of foam, the shoes also showcase a new form of TPU pellets foam. This one allows for a lighter and better cushioned underfoot feeling with a better and effortless transition.
This shoe features a durable upper that’s designed using Mizuno’s Wave knit technology. This design gives your feet a snug and comfortable fit. A tiny drawback about the knit material is that some users felt like its trapping some heat inside
The Wave 3 has a rubber sole with a well-placed anti-slip marking for the best grip to the ground for running comfortably.
- XPOP PU foam and Mizuno Foam Wave combine to make this favorite neutral running shoe the softest and bounciest yet
- WAVEKNIT upper construction provides a comfortable fit with natural movement and breathability
- In addition to XPOP PU foam and Wave Technology U4icX Midsole provides a lighter, more cushioned ride delivering a softer underfoot feeling for a smooth transition.
- X10 Outsole: Durable carbon rubber that allows for longer wear
- New Premium Sockliner for added comfort
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New Balances Fresh Foam is a highly successful collection that offers some of the best cushioning on the market.
One of the best qualities that make this shoe special is durability. The manufacturers cared greatly for keeping this model sturdy and able to handle long mileage without being torn apart.
The 1080 v10 model comes with New Balance’s Fresh Foam construction, which provides an excellent lift and bounciness for a ridiculously gentle ride.
In addition to the foam cushioning, the shoe also rocks the soft ABZORB midfoot and underfoot cushioning. This one does an amazing job of dampening the step impact through a combination of compression resistance and ample cushioning.
One of the things that make this shoe truly one of a kind is that it comes with a wide variety of designs and size options, so you can pick the one that suits you the most!
- Cushioned Running Shoes for Every Runner: Part of the Fresh Foam X collection, these shoes use our latest advancements in data to design to deliver precise plushness exactly where you need it
- Support and Durability: This shoe features a Hypoknit upper designed to provide strategic areas of stretch and support, in addition to a blown rubber outsole for impressive durability
- Perfect Fit: These comfortable running shoes include a bootie upper construction and an Ultra Heel design, both of which hug the back of the foot for a snug, supportive fit
- Breathable and Lightweight Running Shoes: The supportive engineered knit upper includes synthetic and mesh materials for amazing breathability during runs of any distance
- Keep Your Feet Comfortable: The Ortholite sockliner in these performance running shoes helps keep your feet feeling fresh as you power through your toughest runs
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HOKA ONE ONE has established itself as one of the most generously cushioned brands on the market with some of the best features for supporting a cushy and smooth ride, and the Bondi 6 isn’t an exception to this rule.
The fact that some nurses would buy these shoes for their long hospital shifts says enough about the softness of the shoes!
Since the majority of the foam used in the shoe is made from EVA, the shoes are surprisingly light despite its bulky appearance.
Another good thing about this shoe is that it has a wide profile and a large toe box, which makes it an ideal pick for runners with large toes.
Moreover, the shoe has quite a front spring that’s highly noticeable as you walk. Not only that, but it also doesn’t make those annoying squeaky sounds that cheap EVA foam produces.
All in all, it’s a great choice for those who are looking for the maximum level of cushioning regardless of the bulkiness of their footwear.
You may like: Hoka Bondi Alternatives.
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Ending on a high note. ASICS is a highly reputable manufacturer with a number of best selling running shoes under its belt.
While the Gel-Nimbus series is characterized by its ample cushioning, the updated version Gel Nimbus 22 has slightly more cushioning than the previous editions.
This shoe utilizes the premium-grade Flytefoam Propel Technology, which is novel nanofiber elastomers that provide your feet with a nice bounce.
For a boost of comfort, ASICS also applied a 45-degree SpEVA foam and gel cushioning to the combination of nanofibers. This helps in maintaining a pillowy feel and support foot transition and natural gait.
Additionally, it has a Trusstic System technology, which helps in reducing the weight of the sole unit without affecting its structural integrity.
Despite being one of the comfiest running shoes on the market, it’s also surprisingly durable. Some of the users claimed that they’ve run a total of over 750 miles and the shoes are still going strong!
- Rearfoot and Forefoot GEL Technology Cushioning System - Attenuates shock during impact and toe-off phases, and allows movement in multiple planes as the foot transitions through the gait cycle.
- FlyteFoam Propel Technology - ASICS energetic foam formulation that provides supreme bounce thanks to a unique elastomer compound.
- EVA Sockliner - Removable sockliner that provides cushioning performance.
- Guidance Line Midsole Technology - Vertical flex groove decouples the tooling along the line of progression for enhanced gait efficiency.
- Trusstic System technology - Reduces the weight of the sole unit while retaining the structural integrity of the shoe.
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5 Shoes Similar To Brooks Glycerin: Wrap Up
With that said, you now have 5 shoes similar to Brooks Glycerin that you can try and enjoy their excellent cushioning while running!
If you’re looking for a highly similar alternative to the Brooks Glycerin with generous cushioning and springy takeoffs, consider the Saucony Triumph 17 Running Shoe.
However, if you’re looking for running shoes with the highest possible amount of padding and cushioning, you should opt for the HOKA ONE ONE Bondi 6 Running Shoe.
Thanks to its full EVA midsole design, these shoes will deliver a consistent and balanced ride for all distances all the while staying highly breathable and comfortable to wear!
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Last update on 2023-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API