Brooks is one of the most popular running-shoe brands, and three of its best-known daily trainers are the Glycerin 23, Glycerin GTS 23, and Adrenaline GTS 25.
All three are cushioned road shoes built for everyday mileage, long runs, and walking. The main difference is how much support they provide and how plush they feel when you step in.
The Glycerin 23 is the neutral option. It uses Brooks’ premium DNA TUNED cushioning but does not add a formal stability system.
The Glycerin GTS 23 uses essentially the same plush Glycerin platform but adds Brooks GuideRails technology for structured support.
The Adrenaline GTS 25 also uses GuideRails, but it is firmer, a little less plush, and less expensive. It remains Brooks’ classic everyday stability trainer.
In short: choose the Glycerin 23 for plush neutral cushioning, the Glycerin GTS 23 for plush cushioning plus support, and the Adrenaline GTS 25 for a more traditional and slightly firmer stability ride.
Brooks Glycerin vs Glycerin GTS vs Adrenaline: Quick Comparison
| Feature | Brooks Glycerin 23 | Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 | Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support | Neutral / balanced | Structured support with GuideRails | Structured support with GuideRails |
| Cushioning | Plush DNA TUNED | Plush DNA TUNED | Balanced DNA LOFT v3 |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 10 mm |
| Men’s listed weight | 10.6 oz / 300.5 g | 11.0 oz / 311.8 g | 10.6 oz / 300.5 g |
| Best for | Neutral runners wanting maximum softness | Runners wanting maximum softness plus support | Runners wanting dependable everyday stability |
| Brooks MSRP at update | $175 | $180 | $155 |
Upper
Brooks Glycerin 23
The Glycerin 23 uses a streamlined engineered-knit upper that feels soft and accommodating without being loose. The knit provides enough stretch for comfort while still wrapping the midfoot securely.
The heel is well padded and the rearfoot structure keeps the foot centered. Brooks describes the shoe as having a secure heel with a more dynamic forefoot, which contributes to its inherent stability even though it remains a neutral model.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
The Glycerin GTS 23 uses the same modern engineered-knit concept as the neutral Glycerin 23. It is soft, breathable, and designed to accommodate the foot without sacrificing lockdown.
The biggest difference is not in the upper itself, but in how the upper works with the GuideRails system and broader support structure underneath. The fit remains premium and plush rather than feeling like a traditional corrective stability shoe.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
The Adrenaline GTS 25 uses a breathable mesh upper with a slightly more structured feel than either Glycerin model. It is designed to work with the GuideRails system and the shoe’s broader, more supportive platform.
The tongue and heel collar are comfortably padded, while the structured rearfoot provides the secure fit runners expect from the Adrenaline line. The Adrenaline also remains one of Brooks’ better options for hard-to-fit feet because it is offered in multiple widths.
Midsole
Brooks Glycerin 23
The Glycerin 23 uses Brooks’ dual-cell DNA TUNED cushioning. Larger cells in the heel are tuned for softer landings, while smaller cells in the forefoot are designed to provide a more energetic toe-off.
This is the softest-feeling neutral shoe of the three. The broad base keeps the cushioning from feeling overly unstable, making it a strong choice for steady daily mileage and long runs.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
The Glycerin GTS 23 uses the same plush DNA TUNED cushioning concept, including the additional 2 mm of forefoot cushioning introduced for this generation.
The difference is GuideRails. These support elements are designed to help keep excess movement in check without forcing every runner against a traditional medial post. That gives the GTS version much of the same plush feel as the standard Glycerin while adding structured support.
If you like the cushioning of the Glycerin but know you are more comfortable in stability shoes, the Glycerin GTS is the most direct answer.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
The Adrenaline GTS 25 uses nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning. It feels soft enough for daily running but more controlled and slightly firmer than either Glycerin model.
GuideRails are also the defining support feature here. Compared with the Glycerin GTS, however, the Adrenaline feels more like a conventional stability workhorse and less like a premium max-cushion shoe.
Outsole
Brooks Glycerin 23
The Glycerin 23 uses extensive rubber coverage to protect the soft midsole and provide dependable road traction. Flex and separation through the outsole allow the shoe to transition smoothly rather than feeling like one rigid slab of foam.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
The Glycerin GTS 23 uses a similar broad outsole platform, but the GuideRails add more control around the rearfoot and midfoot. The generous rubber coverage makes it suitable for daily road mileage and walking.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
The Adrenaline GTS 25 also uses substantial outsole rubber, which makes it well suited to high-mileage training and walking. The outsole works with the GuideRails and broad platform to keep the ride stable without making the forefoot excessively stiff.
Other Features
Heel-to-Toe Drop
Brooks Glycerin 23
The Glycerin 23 has an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop, down from 10 mm in the Glycerin 22.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
The Glycerin GTS 23 also has an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop. The previous Glycerin GTS 22 used a 10 mm drop, so the current GTS now shares the same lower offset as the neutral Glycerin.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
The Adrenaline GTS 25 has a 10 mm heel-to-toe drop, down from 12 mm in the Adrenaline GTS 24.
That means all three shoes now have more similar geometry than they did in previous generations: 8 mm for both Glycerins and 10 mm for the Adrenaline.
Weight
Brooks Glycerin 23
Brooks lists the men’s Glycerin 23 at 10.6 ounces (300.5 grams).
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23
The men’s Glycerin GTS 23 is the heaviest of the three at 11.0 ounces (311.8 grams). The GuideRails support system adds about 0.4 ounces compared with the neutral Glycerin.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25
The men’s Adrenaline GTS 25 is listed at 10.6 ounces (300.5 grams), matching the neutral Glycerin 23 despite its GuideRails support.
Price
At the time of this update, Brooks lists the Glycerin 23 at $175, the Glycerin GTS 23 at $180, and the Adrenaline GTS 25 at $155. Retail and Amazon prices can vary by size, width, color, and sale.
The Glycerin GTS carries only a small premium over the neutral Glycerin. The Adrenaline remains the best value if you want Brooks stability support and do not need the Glycerin’s plusher cushioning.
What’s New?
Brooks Glycerin 23 vs Glycerin 22
- The heel-to-toe drop decreases from 10 mm to 8 mm.
- Brooks adds 2 mm more DNA TUNED cushioning under the forefoot.
- The men’s listed weight increases from 10.2 ounces to 10.6 ounces.
- A new engineered-knit upper replaces the Glycerin 22’s double-jacquard knit.
- The broad, inherently stable neutral platform remains.
Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 vs Glycerin GTS 22
- The heel-to-toe drop decreases from 10 mm to 8 mm.
- Brooks adds 2 mm more DNA TUNED cushioning under the forefoot.
- The men’s listed weight increases from 10.7 ounces to 11.0 ounces.
- A streamlined engineered-knit upper replaces the previous double-jacquard knit.
- GuideRails structured support remains the key difference from the neutral Glycerin.
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 vs Adrenaline GTS 24
- The heel-to-toe drop decreases from 12 mm to 10 mm.
- Brooks adds more cushioning under both the heel and forefoot.
- The men’s listed weight increases from 10.0 ounces to 10.6 ounces.
- The breathable mesh upper is updated while GuideRails support remains.
- The overall ride is softer, but the Adrenaline remains the more structured-feeling shoe.
Which Brooks Shoe Should You Choose?
Choose the Brooks Glycerin 23 if…
You have a neutral gait and want the softest, most premium-feeling daily trainer without a formal support system. It is the lightest-feeling option in terms of support structure and works especially well for easy runs and long mileage.
Choose the Brooks Glycerin GTS 23 if…
You want the plush ride of the Glycerin but prefer or need structured support. It gives you DNA TUNED cushioning, the same 8 mm drop as the neutral Glycerin, and GuideRails to help keep excess motion in check.
Choose the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 25 if…
You want stability support but prefer a firmer, more traditional daily-trainer feel—or want to spend less. It is the least expensive shoe of the three and still provides GuideRails, durable cushioning, and multiple width options.
Summary
The Glycerin GTS fills an important gap between the other two shoes.
The Glycerin 23 is the plush neutral option. The Glycerin GTS 23 is essentially the plush-support option: similar cushioning and geometry, but with GuideRails. The Adrenaline GTS 25 is the classic stability workhorse—less plush, slightly higher-drop, and considerably less expensive.
For most runners, the decision comes down to two questions: Do you want structured support? And if so, do you want maximum plushness or a more traditional stability-shoe ride?
