The Brooks Glycerin Max takes the fundamentals of the popular Glycerin line and beefs up the midsole with the brand’s newest foam, DNA Tuned.
Made from dual-cell technology, DNA Tuned is a nitrogen-infused foam made up of large cells in the heel to provide soft, comfortable landings with smaller cells in the forefoot to promote a response toe-off.
The MagMax Nitro is a big stack cushioned shoe designed for comfort over easy miles and longer sessions. The thick midsole is made from the brand’s nitrogen-injected Nitrofoam, a balanced foam designed to provide propulsiveness and cushioning.
The upper is made from a soft mesh designed to be comfortable and breathable, along with a deluxe knitted tongue and a cushioned heel.
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00:00 – Intro
00:15 – Stats
00:38 – Design
01:46 – How’s the fit?
04:24 – The Run Test
15:37 – Verdict
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Hey Tommy from the in testers in this Video we are going to be doing a Comparison of two Max cushion shoes the Brooks Glycerin Max and the Puma magmax Nitro let's have a [Music] Look the pummer magmax Nitro costs £170 Or $180 it weighs 298 G or 10.2 o for Men in a size8 and the drop is 8 mm the Brooks Glycerin Max costs £180 or $200 It weighs 313 G or 11 oz for men in a Size 8 and the drop is 6 [Music] Mm the magmax Nitro is a big stack Cushion shoe designed for Comfort over Easy miles and longer sessions the thick Midsole is made from the Brand's Nitrogen injected Nitro foam a balanced Foam that's designed to provide Repulsiveness and cushioning the upper Is made from a soft mesh designed to be Comfortable and breathable along with a Deluxe knitted tongue and a cushioned Heel on the outsole is is a healthy lay Over the Brand's excellent pumer grip Rubber to ensure a high level of Traction as well as protect the beefy Midsole layer the Brooks Glycerin Max Takes the fundamentals of the popular Glycerin line and beefs up the mids Soole with the Brand's Newest Foam DNA Tuned made from cell technology DNA tuned is a nitrogen infused foam Made of large cells in the heel to
Provide soft comfortable Landings with Smaller cells in the forefoot to promote A responsive toe off that midsole Combines with Brooks's noticeable Glide Roll rocker that pushes the foot forward To promote a smooth Heel To Toe Transition there's also a thick rubber Out soole to both protect the midsole Foam and deliver a high level of grip as Well as a plush engineered mesh upper to Ensure plenty of comfort for a variety Of Runs comes to the fit of the two shoes I've got a uk9 in both of these shoes Which is a us10 that's the size I Normally use with both Brooks and puma And both shoes fit me very well in terms Of length I've got enough room in the Toe box but it's not too spacious at all And I've got a good hold around the Midfoot even with quite a narrow foot I Was able to get good lock down with both Of these shoes no concerns really at all With the Brooks all around the fit has Been fine for me the pumer has rubbed my Achilles in an uncomfortable way I found This is one of the shoes that flares up My little aillis tendonitis issue I have Which is basically mostly related to the Heel designs on shoes I think there's a Little bit of cushioning kind of on the Side at the back that just seems to rub My eches the wrong way so that's been a Problem for me with the pumer but don't
Think it's one that's going to be a Really widespread problem I think it Probably is quite particular to the Issue I have at the moment but in terms Of actual length and sizing I would Stick to your normal size fit me very Well in my normal size of both these Brands so in terms of fit these two Shoes I've had a very good experience Overall on both I've got them both in a UK size that is my typical running shoe Size and I would say for most people I Think that's going to be absolutely fine Going through to size they're relatively Broad accommodating shoes I would say Maybe possibly the Puma is slightly more Narrow than the for foot but it's still Both fronts you know very roomy um kind Of in that kind of toe box giving you Kind of ample amount of space there I Think the midfoot hold is very similar As well too level of padding in the hill Collar is very similar there is a slight Difference in terms of the Hill counters You're getting a kind of flatter one on The P magmax Nitro and a more kind of Focused one kind of narrow one on the Gum max if you're the kind of person That maybe prefers something that is Yeah a little bit more accommodating or A little bit wider than the pummer Sho Will give you that I think the pummer Sho in general does play around with That upper a little bit more you got
That kind of stretchy tongue as opposed To the kind of more traditional padded One on the glycerin Max the glycerin Max Has these spongy laces it's all really Bit about kind of padding and comfort And give you that snugness where I think You know with the pummer shoots about The lacing and tongue giving you that Kind of really good lock down ultimately As well but I think for me yeah as I Said game size has been absolutely fine I do think for most people given the Kind of generally broad fit of these Shoes should be absolutely fine going True to size so I would say the fit for Me and both of these shoes is pretty Similar um I I found them to be quite Roomy in the foref there's plenty of Space before the toe for me in both of These shoes there's a very similar level Of padding in both of these shoes uh the Only difference for me really is Probably a slight narrowness towards the End of the pummer shoe but it didn't Affect me I've got fair Fairly average Width feet but overall I would say that Both of these shoes are very accessible Um very comfortable and there's plenty Of space in both of them so I would stay To my UK size 8 in both of these Shoes so it tells my own experience in These two shoes I'll say first and Foremost these are two shoes I've Enjoyed running in I think they are very
Good matx cushion shoes I think that do That primary job are giving that Comfort Protection you know particularly for Those longer runs but ultimately I do Think there's also a bit of enjoyment a Bit of fun in those kind of rides and Overall experience of running it in These shoes and I think you know for me I've enjoyed them in you know for very Different reasons I think ultimately you Look at the profile of these shoes They're not you know they're Max C shoes They're not going to be super light um The glycerin Max is the heavier of the Two shoes the um kind of drops are Slightly different but the stack Heights The amount of you know foam sitting Between you and the ground are slightly Similar here um and you've got outs here Which offer a good level of rubber tell You these are going to be durable shoes That can handle a lot of mileage But Ultimately also contribute to the kind Of more controlled stable feel that you Get running in these shoes and ensuring They're not too overly wild now on that Wild front I would say you know having Spent more time the P mag Max nitr Having had this shoe on my Fe before the Glycerin Max this definitely has a bit More of a wild factor to it this feels More super blast Max cushion kind of um Shoe for me than the glycerin Max what I Put that down to is I think you know
What you're getting in that mid sole you Know that experience overall I do think There's a bit more of a more rocked ride In the Puma mag Max Nitro compared to Glycerin Max you're getting that kind of Bouncy Lively feel in that mid so from The Nitro foam there's a bit more of a Responsive Edge to it I do think there Is a an effort here and emphas to kind Of get you rolling through a bit quicker From Hill to toe in the magmax Nitro Compared to the glycerin Max which is a Balancy kind of lively shoe as well too Again spread across a pretty broad Platform has a kind of nice rocker ride In there as well too but I don't think It uh is as notable as aggressive as the Um you know as it is in the P magmax Nitro and I think with that and know Kind of you know gently kind of nudging You and want you to run a little bit More kind I think at more moderate Paces In them in the aan max I think UL the Weight counts against it a little bit More for running a little bit quicker Where I whereas I think that you can do That more in the mag Max Nitro that's Kind of been my experience I've been Able to run easy in this shoe but run a Little bit quicker as well I wouldn't Say all out speed but I think definitely More uptempo uh running it's been Absolutely fine for me I so I've tried To do that in the glycin max it's been a
Bit more of a challenge to do that but I Do think overall my experience has been Very good in both of these shoes I do Think as I say there's more versatility For me in the magmax Nitro but I think The glycerin Max is also a solid you as Well definitely offers a lot in terms of Comfort protection and offering some fun There as well too in that kind of LLY Bounce you're getting from that kind of DNA tuned midsole as well and getting That added rocker in there which makes Sure that you know when you're out there And you're trying to kind of you know Tick off those runs that it does feel Very nice to do that and it doesn't feel Like you're kind of is not too flat it's Not you're not laboring during that run As well so yeah two very good Max Cushion shoes but I do think there are Some clear differences in terms of my Experience of them okay so two Max Cushion shoes that on paper and when you Look at them they do look pretty similar There's a lot of Max cushion shoes Coming out now and it's getting really Tricky to decide which ones to get and If you do actually need a a Max cushion Shoe um these are both two Max cushion Shoes that are firmly sit in that world Of daily sessions easy sessions Comfortable sessions where you want a Big stack of foam to really minimize That impact and you want a lovely smooth
Cushioned ride um and your focus is Comfort really uh I would say that Neither of the shoes is really shoe Designed for versatility um but there Are differences between these two shoes Um when it comes to that so for me let's Start with the Brooks Glycerin Max uh I Really like the Brooks Glycerin Max um I've been a massive fan of Glycerin Range for a very long time um and I Think the Brooks Glycerin Max is a nice Progression of that range uh the brook Glycerin 21 is a solid daily shoe now But with pen cushioning in it I don't Think the Brooks Glycerin Max is a shoe That you're going to be using for Running faster sessions in uh I think For easy runs daily runs long sessions Where you're just running at a Consistent Pace I think it's a really Good shoe it the mids in it is quite Well balanced it's it's softer than I've Come to experience from other Brook Shoes um but it's not the softest Midol Out there it's definitely got a nice Balance in it where it it is accessible To people who maybe don't want the Softest shoes out there um and also it's Got this really wide Bas in it Brooks is Very very focused on always having a Good level of stability in all of its Shoes and the glycerin Max is no Exception it's got a really big stack on It it's got a load of foam in it and
It's a foam that is veering towards the The softer side of foam um but because Of this big wide base on it you do feel Like it's a very secure stable ride in It um I know there's a rocker in the Shield I don't really notice the rocker Very much in this I don't feel like I'm Getting loads out of the rocker I feel Like that when I'm running in the shoe It's really just comfort and really just Hold holding your foot in place with a Nice smooth ride uh I've probably done About 70k in both of these shoes now and I would say that the glycerin Max is a Shoe that I'd firmly pick up for those Comfortable runs those easy runs those Daily sessions where I'm just cocking Along at my comfortable pace which is About 5 minute kilometers um and that's That's pretty much what I would use this Shoe for I have done an interval session In the shoe it definitely wasn't Designed for that it's not a shoe that You're going to pick up the pace in it's Quite a big shoe uh there's not a lot of Bouns Ry return from that midell foam if You're wearing a big heavy shoe you Really do need a lot of uh Bounce from The midell foam to get the benefit of it Which I don't think you get from the Glycerin Max it's by no means a slow Shoe it's not a shoe that real feels Really heavy on the feed it's just not a Shoe that really pick allows you to pick
Up the pace in it um because it it's Quite a big uh stable shoe so um for Easy runs recovery runs longer sessions It's really enjoyable comfortable shoe To wear and I've had no issues with it At all really enjoyed running the shoe The Puma magmax Nitro now when I first Started wearing this I wasn't quite sure What this shoe was designed for it's a Tricky one uh when you looking at the Max shoe world because sometimes the Shoes are designed purely for easy days And comfort sometimes they're designed For bounce and um uh picking up the pace Over longer sessions like the super Blast 2 so when I first started testing The magmax Nitro I thought it might be More in the Realms of the super Blast 2 Um but I think it's it's far more Similar to something like the the Glycerin Max um I think when I first did The review for the magmax Nitro I did Say that I wasn't getting a lot from it Um after doing a lot more kilometers in This shoe I think it's actually I've I've become um more uh I've warmed to it A lot more because it's definitely I Think the Midol phone needed a little Bit of time to um loosen up a little bit And just get a little bit of that bounce Out the shoe so recently over the past Few runs I've really noticed it coming Into its own uh and I think it's a shoot It's a bit more versatile than the uh
Glycerin Max I wouldn't say it's the Bounc issue in the world but it's Definitely got a little bit of a Turnover in it uh and a little bit of Bounce that really helps you with those Longer consistent efforts um over and Above just your standard easy runs and Your recovery runs it's definitely not a Shoe that I would I'd reach for if I was Marathon training and I was doing longer Sessions and I need to do some Tempo s Sections within those um within those Marathon training sessions um because I Just don't think it's got as much speed As I'd want for those but it's Definitely a more versatile shoe than The glycerin Max I think it's got a Little bit more pop to it uh and I think It's got a little bit more turnover in It as well based on my style of running Um so in comparison between these two Shoes I would say that they're very Similar in a lot of ways and for the Most part I would use these for exactly The same reason which would be easy runs Recovery runs and longer sessions where I'm just doing it at a nice consistent Pace I'm not trying to pick up the speed Or anything like that um but I do think That the magmax Nitro has a little bit More to it so if it push came to shove And I had to choose between one of these Two shoes it would really come down to That element of the shoe as opposed to
Anything else I think equally Comfortable I think they're equ equally Stable on the Run um and I think they're Very similar in the ride over most runs The outside on the shoe uh I think it's Fantastic on both of these shoes the uh Glycerin Max really solid layer of outso Rubber on here had no issues at all um Running out on the wet and on Bridal Ways and things like that in this shoe It's a really good layer of of rubber on On on the shoe uh very impressive uh pum Magat Nitro it's pumer it has a really Really nice layer of outso rubber on it And pummer shoes always do uh it's Really solid um and definitely I'm I've Been running on Bridal WS put foot pass In both of these shoes and they've both Done a fantastic job um I had no issues With grip I had no issues with um any Slippage or anything on the wet Conditions and I have been running a lot Of wet conditions recently so yeah both Of them really really solid outsoles Onto run test I've done a little bit of A mix of runs in both of these shoes and I would say both of them have definitely Felt best for easy stuff for me like They are very high price shoes with you Know lots of talk about the great Foams In the midsole and all that but I do Think they're not the most vers shoes I Think if you're looking in this kind of Very high stack super trainer category
That have special Foams in I think the Ax super Blast 2 is certainly much more Versy shoe than both of these but they Are shoes that you can use for lots of Mileage they're good easy Run shoes and They've got quite different rides I Would say though so the pummer I didn't Really click with very much at all like I think it is quite a bounce issue I can Feel a bit of bounce when I'm running in It but I don't get that much bounce from It and it probably that I think is down To my gate pattern and the fact I'm Quite a shuffly runner very high Cadence Don't necessarily put loads of force Into the shoe so I think I'm not really Making the most of this massive stack of Midsole and the result for me is that I End up with a quite big and heavy shoe On my foot that just doesn't really turn Over that well for me and I don't really Feel like I'm unlocking any bounce so Doesn't really feel versatile to me the Pummer and even at easy Paces just don't Really get into a Groove when I'm Running in the shoe I'm always very Aware of it on the foot and on easy runs I like a shoe that it disappears a bit More on the foot obv these two the Brooks does do that I would say like It's still a very big shoe and it's Exactly the same weight as the pummer But it does feel lighter to me on the Foot and I think the rocker works with
My gate a little bit more it's still Quite a strange rocker I find and it Feel on the run like it's not got a very Long tapered rocker at the front there It's all condensed right into the front Of the forfeit there so it can feel a Little bit blocky on the run I would say But I do feel like the Brooks is an easy Is Sho to run easy in and I think it's Also one that I'm happier to pick up the Pace in than the pummer I did do quite a Long easy to steady run in the Brooks You know doing the last 10K at a Reasonable pace and could do that in the Shoe it wasn't the kind of shoe I'd Prefer to do it in like I said I don't Think it's that verstile but I prefer Doing it in the Brooks than the pummer So I think it's got a slightly firmer Feeling on the foot you get pushed onto That forefoot you get a little bit more Response there whereas you might get That if you are feeling it as a really Bouncy shoe maybe if you're sinking in a Bit more and getting more response but I Didn't really get that from the shoe When I was running in it and those Differences were kind of borne out when I ran in both shoes at the same time Brooks felt lighter on the foot even Though like I said they're pretty much Equal in weight the people might even be Very slightly lighter turned over a bit Better it's a shoe that I could just get
On with a bit more at any kind of pace Pummer is just one that I just don't Really move very well in and that just Makes it you know hard to really enjoy The Run experience just too aware of the Shoe on the Run okay so my verdict on these two Shoes is a really hard one because They're very similar in in most ways uh I basically pick both of these shoes up If I was going for a nice comfortable Easy run wanted a lot of padding On The Run wanted a really comfortable Enjoyable run um and I'm not necessarily Picking up the pace or anything like That I have done interval sessions in Both of these shoes I wouldn't put you Them down for being versatile for for Picking up the pace to a point where I'm Running at like my 5K or 10K Pace um but I think if I was marathon training or if I well I am marathon training but if I Was to pick a shoe out of these for the Harder efforts so tomorrow I've got a Two and a half hour session which will Be about an hour and a half at Comfortable pace which should be about 5 Minute 20 km for me and then the rest of It will be at my marathon pace so I'll Be picking up the pace quite a bit to About 405 minute kilometers if it came Down to those sorts of runs I'd go for The magmax Nitro just because I think There's more to the shoe uh for those
Types of runs um but if I just wanted a Pure easy day shoe and I had No intention of using them for fast Faster runs or picking up the pace I Think that the glycerin Max is a more Enjoyable and comfortable and slightly More stable shoe uh so really it comes Down to what you want to use these two Shoes for there's not a lot in the price Difference between these two shoes uh so I think if you if you want a little bit More versatility and you want something That can maybe be used for those longer Sessions that and you want to pick up The pace a little bit I go for the Magmax Nitro if you just want pure Comfort easy days solid accessible Running then I'd go for the BLS glycerin Max so for me I would be using these Shoes for the exact same thing I think There are better shoes out there that That are Max stack something like the Super Blast 2 is a far superior shoe When it comes to running at a faster Pace uh so I'd get that definitely above The mag max if I was looking at doing Training at faster Pace over longer Distance is um but between these two Shoes i' I'd be looking at purely the Best for easy days in comfort and that Would be the Brooks Glycerin Max other Shoes I'd look at instead of this would Be something like the new band morv 5 Which I would pick over both of these
Shoes for easy days it's definitely not As versatile as the magmax but I think It's a more comfortable and better Easyday shoe so if you're looking for an Easyday shoe that's got Max stack in it I think the war V5 is the best option Out of all of these um but the Brooks Glycerin Max is a pretty close Runner to It so it comes to the verdict I'd say I'm not exactly in love with either of These shoes and I think given the high Price here you maybe have a right to Expect a little bit more but they are You know very cushioned trainers they Will do a lot of mileage you've got Slightly different ride Fields here if You do find the Puma bouncy then you Know that's going to be a great fun shoe Potentially if you're a bit heavier than Me and maybe getting a bit more spring Out of it it might be really fun but I Prefer the Brooks of these two I think I Get on with it better at any kind of Pace it rolls through more smoothly at Easy Paces has a bit more versatility For me so yeah even though it is a Little bit more expensive than the Magmax I would go for the Brooks myself Because I do think it's just a better Daily trainer for me it's got a bit more About it but it is a little bit tricky For me to give a very definitive verdict On the magmax cuz it's just a shoe that I really haven't been able to click with
And that just happens sometimes as a Runner that's why we have multitester Reviews so Mike and Tom might have a Very different opinion to me or around But yeah like I say I just didn't really Feel like I was moving well in it and That's the joy of running is when you're Moving well and not really thinking About your Footwear and of these two Shoes I think the Brooks Glycerin Max Gives me that feeling a little bit more So my vote on whether you should go for The Puma magmax Nitro or the Brooks Glycerin Max now the way I look at it is It really depends what you want want for A Max cushion shoe if you want a Do-it All shoe that can work for easy runs Recovery runs long runs and slightly More at Tempo ones for me it's the pum Magmax nitrate that can deliver that I Think if you are looking for a Max shoe That really prioritizes comfort and Protection is a better shoe ultimately For those easy runs has a nice level of Bounce and also has a ride that really Helps you tick off those kind of miles In a really enjoyable way and that's What the glycerin Max is going to get You now you're going to have to pay a Little bit more to get get that from the Glycerin Max where you're paying a Little bit less to get that with the Puma magmax Nitro now if it was my money I would be going for the Puma magmax
Nitro purely for that versatility point Of view purely from the value and the Experience I've had in this shoe Compared to the glycerin Max as I said That doesn't mean this is a bad shoe but I think ultimately the shoe that I would Look to go for I'll spend more time in It would be the pum Max Nitro so yeah my Pick would be the pum mag Max Nitro over The Brooks Glycerin Max that's it from Us on this versus thanks a lot for Watching don't forget to like subscribe Click that little bell and if you go Into the catch below you can find link To our podcast which comes out a couple Of times each month thanks a lot for Watching catch you next time [Music]