The Glycerin is a premium max-cushioned trainer from Brooks. It’s a more premium version of the Brooks Ghost. It was the softest, plushest Brooks trainer for a long time but now there’s a softer, Max version of it. The Glycerin is on its 23rd iteration. It costs $175.
The Nimbus is a premium, max-cushioned trainer from ASICS and is currently the softest, plushest ASICS trainer on the market. It’s on its 28th version so it has been around for longer than the Glycerin. The Nimbus costs $170.
This article will tell you which of these max-cushioned trainers is better for you.
The verdict, in short
Both shoes are premium, maximum-cushion trainers. The Glycerin is the stable, fast (but slightly less soft) shoe while the Nimbus is all about plush cushioning and comfort for slower, longer runs.
Buy if you want a comfortable, cushioned shoe you can take on faster/shorter runs.
Buy if you want a soft ride for recovery or slow runs – or simply want an extremely comfortable, plus running experience.
Weight
10.9 oz
9.6 oz · lighter
Cushioning
Medium cushioning
Highly cushioned
Cushioning type
Balanced
Balanced/plush
Stability
Very stable
Some stability
Flexibility
Flexible
Medium
Sizing
true to size
true to size
Best for
Daily training
Daily training, long distance racing
Retail price
US$174.95
US$169.95
What matters most to you?
Cushioned comfort
Smoother ride
More toe-off pop
Better upper
More durable
Best value
Lighter shoe
Tap a priority above and we’ll point you to the better pick.
Score breakdown: Glycerin 23 vs Gel Nimbus 28
Glycerin 23
Gel Nimbus 28
Where each wins
Glycerin 23Durability
Gel Nimbus 28Lighter
EvenComfort, Sole unit, Upper, Transition, Toe-off
Glycerin 23
VS
Gel Nimbus 28
The midsole of the Glycerin is made of DNA Tuned, a supercritical EVA. It’s dual density which means that it’s softer in the rearfoot and firmer in the forefoot. The firmer forefoot is designed to make it feel faster.
The Glycerin has a very balanced ride which is neither too firm nor too soft. The ride feels more like a versatile daily trainer than a max-cushioned trainer for only slow runs.
The Nimbus midsole is made of FF Blast+, which is an EVA blend foam. It’s a single density midsole but it does have a hidden gel unit situated in its rearfoot.
The Nimbus has a very soft ride. The midsole compresses a lot and your feet sink down into the soft foam. It has a super plush underfoot feeling.
If you like a rockered ride, the Nimbus has a higher toe spring with a more prominent forefoot rocker. This helps to speed up transitions and save you energy. The forefoot of the Nimbus is also stiffer because it’s so thick.
Stability is better in the Glycerin. It has a firmer, more supportive midsole than the Nimbus. It also has a thinner midsole so your feet sit closer to the ground.
On the outsoles, the Glycerin has a lot more rubber coverage than the Nimbus. The Glycerin has a much more durable outsole because almost its entire outsole is protected by rubber.
Glycerin 23
VS
Gel Nimbus 28
Both trainers have plush, luxurious feeling uppers but the Nimbus’ knit material is softer and more comfortable than the mesh of the Glycerin. The Nimbus upper feels warmer than the Glycerin and ventilation isn’t as good in the Nimbus.
The tongue of the Nimbus is thin and gusseted while the tongue of the Glycerin is much thicker and has more padding, however, its tongue is not gusseted.
The Nimbus and the Glycerin are true to size but they both have narrow toe boxes. The interior of the Glycerin is a bit more spacious than the Nimbus.
Glycerin 23
VS
Gel Nimbus 28
If you prefer a firmer ride that can handle faster paces better, the Glycerin is the way to go. The Glycerin has better stability and better durability than the Nimbus but it costs $5 more.
If you’re looking for a softer ride for mainly easy and recovery runs, the Nimbus is the better option. The Nimbus has a much plusher ride that feels like a max cushioned trainer. It has a more prominent forefoot rocker and it has a more comfortable upper.
Gel Nimbus 28
