Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 Adds Subtle Stability to Our Favorite Daily Trainer—Without Changing the Plush Ride

The rundown: The Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 deserves your consideration. The neutral Glycerin 23 has topped our charts, but the stability version has the same comfort and high-energy ride. Our testers liked running in the GTS model for its roomy toebox and plush midsole foam.The Brooks Glycerin 23 has topped our lists—including Best Running Shoes, Best Women’s Running Shoes, and Best Men’s Running Shoes—as Best Daily Trainer and Long Run Shoe for the past several months. And it’s not the only iteration that’s won over our staff and testers. We love the Glycerin GTS 23 for the same reasons we love its neutral sibling: 360 comfort, soft but supportive DNA Tuned cushioning, and high-rebound ride.Go-To-Support for Everyday TrainingProsAccommodating fit with ample to roomSoft, responsive DNA Tuned cushioningGuide rails supportConsNot as responsive as TPEE, PEBA foamsTypeStability RoadCushioningHighWeight11 oz (M), 9.1 oz (W)Drop8 mmStack Height38 mmThe differences are subtle, which is a big deal if you think you’re getting the short end of the stick opting to run in a stability trainer. PSA for runners who are still wary of running in a stability shoe: They are not what they used to be. Both our overpronating and neutral testers enjoyed taking the GTS version out on their runs.The devil is in the details that live between the Glycerin 23 and Glycerin GTS 23, but they make a real difference.How the Glycerin 23 and Glycerin GTS 23 Are SimilarThe Glycerin 23 and Glycerin GTS 23 are the second line of shoes in the franchise to have DNA Tuned cushioning. This version of Brooks’s DNA midsole is softer and more responsive than the DNA Loft v3 foam used in earlier models. DNA Tuned is composed of cells that are larger in the heel and smaller in the forefoot. The foam is softer and more responsive than DNA Loft v3 without sacrificing durability. Brooks added 2 mm of DNA Tuned in the forefoot, making the shoes slightly stiffer the first couple of runs. Once the shoes became more flexible, midfoot strikers appreciated the extra cushioning.Both shoes also have a more streamlined upper with an accommodating fit. The breathable engineered knit upper fit securely around the forefoot and ankle area without causing any slippage by the heel or uncomfortable tightness on the instep. The fit is one of the reasons why the Glycerin 23 beat the Ghost 18 this round of testing. Some of our testers, especially those with bunions, reported friction and the platform feeling too narrow on their foot when testing the Ghost 18. We recommend the Glycerin 23, and by extension the Glycerin GTS 23, as a daily trainer for runners who need more toe room or who have wider feet.Winston ZhouThe Glycerin GTS 23 (left) has firm foam on the medial and lateral sides called guide rails to help with stability.“The Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 fits true to size,” said Shelby Brett, a tester with a neutral gait. “My feet are not exactly the same size and I had no issues with the length of the shoe for my bigger foot. I also tend to like ample room in the toebox and this shoe, even though not technically a ‘foot shaped’ shoe as some brands claim, fit well for me. At no point did the Glycerin feel sloppy or too roomy, it was truly just right for me.”Anthony LaBoy also appreciated the Glycerin GTS 23’s fit. “Other shoes, like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, have a tight toebox and can feel crammed for men’s size 12. This shoe doesn’t,” he said.Testers also praised how the fit accommodated swelling. I’ve taken the Glycerin GTS 23 out on long runs in 85-plus-degree weather. Unlike some yet-to-be-named offenders that created blisters on every toe, the Glycerin GTS 23 didn’t rub my feet raw or cause overheating.How the Glycerin 23 and Glycerin GTS 23 DifferUnlike the Saucony Ride and Guide, shoes that complement each other as the neutral and stability version but are vastly different in terms of last shape (the Guide 19 is wider and even more cushioned than its neutral counterpart), the Glycerin 23 and Glycerin GTS 23 only have two small differences: guide rails and weight.The stability tech in the Glycerin GTS 23 is Brooks’s “GuideRails” system; pieces of firm foam on the medial and lateral sides of the heel act as bumpers to help align your knees with your feet when your run is erratic. It works for overpronators because it’s not intrusive guidance like the stability tech of yesteryear, and neutral runners can appreciate the guide rails’ assistance when their form gets sloppy due to exhaustion later in their run.Winston ZhouDNA Tuned provides soft, responsive cushioning.Of course, that extra foam adds some weight to the Glycerin GTS 23. Compared to the Glycerin 23, the GTS model is a smidge heavier. And when I say a smidge, I mean a smidge. I weighed my women’s 6.5 trainers, and the difference was a mere tenth of an ounce (Glycerin 23: 8.8 ounces; Glycerin GTS 23: 8.9 ounces).Running in the shoes, I didn’t notice any difference in the ride. In fact, sometimes I’d look down at my feet midrun, surprised at which pair I had grabbed.Why Choose the Glycerin GTS 23Though the guide rails were unnoticeable by a neutral runner like me, our tester Michelle Garges said the shoes had a hand in correcting her form.“I believe the guide rails feature seems to correct misgivings in my physical makeup and/or running form that could’ve been attributing to minor aches and pains that have been hanging around for awhile,” she said. “Outside knee discomfort on one leg and outside ankle pain on the other foot have completely vanished!”Go with the Glycerin GTS 23 if you’re looking for a daily trainer with a comfy fit and ample toe room. Plus, the stability tech will help keep your form aligned, because don’t we all need a little support in the long run?Shop Men’s at brooksrunning.com | Shop Women’s at brooksrunning.comAmanda Furrer, Editor, Running Reviews, studied journalism at NYU and writing at Emerson College. She has reviewed gear and covered other topics in the running space for almost 10 years. Since 2013, she has consecutively run the Boston Marathon. She also has a master’s degree in gastronomy from Boston University and was formerly a professional baker for two years before hanging up her apron.