After The Revolution: Fall 2012 Running Shoe Review

Brooks Glycerin 10, $140

12.5 oz.; 10.5 oz.

Fit: This is one of those shoes that feels as comfortably appointed inside as it does underfoot. The plush interior foam and wrap-like upper helps create a super-snug fit in the heel and midfoot, while the open mesh upper that covers the toebox offers plenty of wiggle room as your toes splay out from impact to toe-off.

Feel: The Glycerin 10 is more cushy and comfy than a pair of fuzzy bedroom slippers, but not to the point of interfering with performance. Because of its thick layers of cushioning and relatively stout heel-toe differential (12mm), it doesn’t allow a runner to gain much of a proprioceptive connection with the ground. It tips the scales on the heavier side of neutral cushioned trainers, but our testers said it runs considerably lighter than it weighs.

Ride: The ride is soft and absorbing, but not bouncy or overly responsive, either. Given the plush, cushy features of this shoe—including the independent caterpillar-like outsole lugs—it feels buttery smooth no matter where or how hard your foot strikes the ground. Our testers found these shoes best for long runs at a slow to moderate paces and especially beneficial to larger, heavier high-impact runners.