Brooks Glycerin v23 vs Nike Vomero Plus
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
| Brooks Glycerin v23 | Nike Vomero Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 39.0 / 31.0 mm | 43.0 / 33.0 mm |
| Drop | 8.0 mm | 10.0 mm |
| Weight (men's 9) | 10.9 oz (309g) | 9.9 oz (281g) |
| Midsole | DNA TUNED (nitrogen-infused EVA, dual-size cells) | ZoomX (PEBA) |
| Plate | none | none |
| Upper | Engineered triple jacquard knit | Mono-blended engineered mesh |
| MSRP | $175.00 | $180.00 |
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
Brooks Glycerin v23
A plush, stable daily trainer built on the DNA Tuned midsole and extra forefoot cushioning that most testers praise for comfort on easy and long runs, though some flag its weight and non-breathable upper as drawbacks at the $175 price point.
Nike Vomero Plus
A bouncy, full-length ZoomX max-cushion daily trainer that recaptures the liveliness of the original Invincible while adding stability and durability; versatile enough for easy miles through tempo work, though some find it heavy and prefer firmer alternatives.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Only $5 more but much bouncier and more fun despite also being heavy
Vomero Plus is cheaper in the UK and feels like a step up on midsole performance
Vomero Plus is more nimble and bouncy; Glycerin Max is more stable, denser and has a better outsole
Nike is lighter, bouncier and more fun; Brooks is firmer, more stable and more rockered but less lively off the toes.
Softer, bouncier, lighter, and smoother rocker than the firmer, more stable Glycerin Max
Vomero Plus beats it hands down on price
Brooks Glycerin v23 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , neutral stability .
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A slight but meaningful improvement over prior Glycerins with more forefoot cushion and a nicer 8mm drop; the more comfortable, more stable of the two Glycerins and the better pick for most runners.
Ride:Plush, stable, comfortable ride with a smoother feel than the previous version thanks to 2mm more forefoot cushioning and an 8mm drop; thick, grippy outsole.
Fit:Fits true to size with a forgiving midfoot that accommodates average to slightly wider feet; soft, comfortable upper with good toe space.
In their words: "smoother ride to this shoe" · "It's very stable still"
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An average premium daily trainer that suffers from excessive weight and a non-breathable upper. At $175, both reviewers gave it a C across design, value, performance, and overall, noting there are better options like the Glycerin Flex, Nike Vomero Plus, or Saucony Ride at similar or lower price points.
Ride:DNA Tuned midsole with softer heel and firmer forefoot for zonal energy. Ride is smooth through the stride but feels slightly firmer than the previous version. Added 2mm of forefoot cushioning compared to version 22. The major issue is weight at 11.7 oz in size 10.5, making it feel heavy on longer runs.
Fit:True to size. One reviewer went half size down and found it too tight in the toes. Lockdown is good. Tongue is very thick and not gusseted. Upper uses triple jacquard mesh which is not very breathable despite many perforations. Lots of cushioning in heel collar area.
In their words: "premium cushion daily trainer" · "a little heavy for a running shoe" · "smooth ride going through your stride"
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The reviewer considers the Glycerin 23 one of the most comfortable shoes of the year and the most enjoyable daily Brooks option since the original Glycerin Max, praising its plush cushioning and impact protection while noting it lacks energy return and could be slightly lighter.
Ride:Very plush and compressive midsole with quick-to-compress feel. DNA Tuned foam is soft and forgiving, closer to the original Glycerin Max than V2. Lacks high energy return but excels as an impact protector. Flexible outsole complements the soft midsole well. 2mm additional stack over previous version in both heel and forefoot.
Fit:True to standard running shoe sizing. Voluminous toe box with lots of room, wide-footed runners likely fine without needing wide version. Thick rope-like laces provide excellent lockdown. Plush padding around ankle with elf-like booty construction at heel.
In their words: "plush impact protector" · "smashing long run shoe" · "Perfect for those easier sessions"
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A premium, plush, versatile mile-eater well suited for first half or full marathon training; comfortable and responsive with the new DNA Tuned midsole.
In their words: "premium plusher daily trainer" · "This thing will eat miles" · "Locks down well"
Nike Vomero Plus — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , soft_plush feel , low energy return , neutral stability .
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Honorable cushion daily trainer mention — the middle member of the Vomero family with a big stack of ZoomX foam offering comfort, bounce and versatility across paces.
In their words: "from easy runs to faster ones" · "big stack of Nike's bouncy Zumx foam"
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#4 long-run shoe — slid down from where the Invincible 3 sat. Less peppy than predecessor, slightly heavier, overly padded tongue/heel.
In their words: "a little less peppy" · "a little heavier overall" · "unnecessary foam padding in the tongue"
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#10. Best Nike shoe of 2025. Plush comfortable upper, reasonable weight and price, widely available. Great for easy recovery efforts and giving legs a break.
In their words: "Easy recovery vibes" · "the better max cushion shoes" · "best Nike shoe that they've released"
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What they hoped the Vomero would be. Effort is showing in Nike's trainers, not just racers.
Ride:Toned-down Vomero Premium in a more manageable package at ~45mm stack. Neutral and decently stable despite all the ZoomX and Air Zoom. Matt's #5. David's #3. Great versatility — can pick up pace when needed. Durability crushed at 100mi — basically no outsole wear.
In their words: "more manageable package" · "magnificent price point" · "nice and still feel plush"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the Brooks Glycerin v23 if
- A do-it-all workhorse daily trainer for newer runners or those building toward a first half marathon. — Run Moore
- Comfortable easy-paced daily miles and long runs for neutral runners who want a plush, stable cushioned shoe. — The Run Testers
- Easy runs, recovery runs, and long runs at easy pace for neutral runners who value comfort and reliability — The Run Testers
- Comfortable easy runs, long runs, and marathons run at a relaxed pace — The Run Testers
- Easy runs, recovery runs, and long runs at a comfortable pace. Can handle some tempo work but not a speed shoe. — The Run Testers
- Plush daily training and long runs, including picking up the pace to sub-5 min/km. — FORDY RUNS
Consider the Nike Vomero Plus if
- High-mileage daily training, easy runs, long runs, and recovery for runners who want max cushion with more energy and bounce than typical comfort-focused shoes — The Run Testers
- A high-stack do-it-all daily shoe for runners who are not racking up the longest long runs. — Ben Parkes
- Everyday runners who want a great long-run shoe at a lower price and don't want the softness of the Superblast 3 or the narrow fit of the Megablast. — FORDY RUNS
- Runners wanting a max-cushioned daily trainer that can also handle long runs with an uptempo finish, and Invincible fans looking for a replacement. — Ben Is Running
- Runners looking for the spiritual successor to the Nike Invincible 1/2 — a fun, plush, do-it-all daily shoe with enough versatility to race in. — Ben Parkes
- Easy days, recovery runs, and lifestyle/walking use — EDDBUD