Brooks shoes have a strong reputation in the running community. The general consensus is that you can’t go wrong with any Brooks running shoe...that makes our job pretty easy for this one!

When comparing the Brooks Beast vs. Brooks Glycerin, it is important to understand the qualities these shoes share, but also how they differ.

For example, both shoes are the sturdier options in the Brooks line-up, providing some supportive engineered mesh uppers and BEEFY midsole cushioning.

Conversely, they fit into two separate categories, as the Glycerin is a tried and true neutral running shoe and the Beast is at the absolute pinnacle of stability, which in the shoe business we call “motion control”.

Looking deeper into these qualities and the pros and cons of the Brooks Ghost vs. Brooks Glycerin will help you decide which of these shoes you may be interested in.

For those of you who would like a quick overview of the differences, let’s get going!

Stability

We mentioned this above, but you may find the answer to be fairly simple if you know if you are a neutral runner or over pronator. For those that need a quick breakdown, here we go.

Healthline’s guide to overpronation does a great job at breaking it down here.

“Neutral pronation is when your foot rolls naturally inward, about 15 percent, allowing it to absorb the shock, and keep your ankles and legs properly aligned. This makes you less prone to common injuries of other pronation types”

Whereas Overpronation is “When your foot rolls more than the 15 percent inward or downward, it’s called overpronation. People with this condition colloquially are considered to have ‘flat feet.’ This can cause iliotibial band syndrome, which hurts the outside of the knee”

To be all inclusive here, there is actually a third possibility called Supination, which can be easily described as Underpronation, or when your foot “rolls outward from the ankle and places pressure on the outer toes.

It typically affects someone with higher arches and can cause achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, shin splints, iliotibial band syndrome, and other shock-related injuries”

A final bit that we should note is that none of these biomechanical options are inherently good or bad, but if you notice that it is leading to pain, discomfort or an increased risk of injury then that is a reason to begin seeking out some more specific running shoe options.

As always, check with your doctor before making any big changes.

So now that we understand what these three categories are, and you might have a better idea of where you fit in, we can begin discussing the implications this has on your shoe selections.

The Brooks Beast is a motion control running shoe, which means that it is built specifically to aid those who have severe problems with overpronation and an increased injury risk because of it.

This shoe has a super loyal following, and many runners (and walkers) have been using this as their go-to shoe for many models for its great display of comfort even though it is built to be extremely sturdy.

For the record, many motion control shoes tend to be less comfortable because they are firm and stiff as to really aid in stability, but the Brooks Beast strikes a balance that seems to command loyalty.

We’ll break down more features and details later on, but now onto the Glycerin!

The Brooks Glycerin is the plushest model in Brooks current lineup. It offers a high stack height of DNA Loft midsole foam to provide what is actually an amazing mix of soft, yet bouncy ride.

If you haven’t guessed it already, the Brooks Glycerin is a neutral running shoe. Although having a 10mm heel-to-toe offset and a generally higher stack height with lots of foam makes the shoe more “inherently stable” than other more stripped down shoes on the market, those who need help with an overpronation problem might do best to seek another model (you know...like the Beast).

This newest model of the Glycerin is actually far softer overall than its previous iterations, which many reviews are noting as quite a welcome feeling!

Brooks also just commands a loyal following as a brand in itself because it focuses particularly on running, and runners in general. They make high quality products that provide a great community for new runners and elite athletes alike.

-You may like our article comparing Ghost vs Glycerin. 

Midsole Cushioning and Design

Next we will break down the midsole cushioning and design features that both shoes offer to make them so great. Given the fact that much of the overpronation assistance comes from the midsole, there are some differences to note here.

The Brooks Beast comes equipped with some of the most state of the art motion control technology, its goal with the newest iteration was to make the most helpful shoe without getting in the way too much in the way of comfort.

The body of the midsole is made from the signature BioMoGo DNA foam, which is a material that offers more cushioning than any other Brooks midsole material. It molds to the foot while adapting to changes in pace and environment. This particularly rewards people for wearing the shoe more and more, as it will continuously mold to your foot shape better the more often you wear it.

Although the foam is pretty comfortable, it is definitely a little firmer in the Beast compared to other Brooks shoes, foam just needs to be a little stiffer in order to aid those with severe overpronation problems. However, because it molds to your feet, it should provide more comfort than other motion control shoes on the market.

For the extra stability (or motion control) there is a Guide Rails Holistic Support System to help to protect your feet and ankles from over pronating, which can positively affect knee, hip and back health if properly applied to those in need. This way the motion control element comes into play.

Brooks guide rails can be seen in many of its stability shoe models nowadays to varying levels of effect, but when applied in the Beast it really does help guide your heel-to-toe off in a sensible and effective way. If you need that extra support, then you will definitely be getting it in this one.

-If you were interest in Beast but the price tag might be a little out of your range that you are willing to pay, here are 5 Beast alternatives. 

Finally, the Segmented Crash Pad flexes with the foot, offering customized cushioning and stability for a smooth heel-to-toe transition. This is more of a quality of life feature that enhances general transition from heel-to-toe off. It can be seen in many shoes from neutral to motion control.

The Brooks Glycerin keeps things fairly simple with the midsole design, as it really just focuses on stuffing as much foam that can be sensibly applied into a single shoe.

This midsole features a DNA Loft foam, and tries to provide that plush and luxurious cushioning while maintaining responsiveness and durability. Sure enough, the Glycerin can provide a level of plush cushioning that can compete with the very best out there.

For the amount of cushioning and foam you get, the Glycerin actually provides some solid bouncy back into each stride as well. Furthermore, the weight is too shabby either when you consider the sheer amount of DNA Loft foam you get in return.

So you can still go through your normal range of motion, there are Omega Flex Grooves to enhance midsole flexibility without compromising cushioning.

Of all the amenities the Glycerin provides, it is definitely still created for a neutral runner, which is actually a majority of the running population so it works out well!

If you were interest in Glycerin but the price tag might be a little out of your range that you are willing to pay, here are 5 Glycerin alternatives. 

Conclusion

So we could go on and on about more of the differences between these shoes, but I am certain most of you got everything that you needed from the two sections above.

You now have a better understanding of your gait cycle while running, and how to apply it while looking for the right shoe to fit your needs.

The Brooks Beast and Glycerin actually serve as great examples for what shoes will serve best for runners on different sides of the pronation spectrum.

If you are a neutral runner who just wants some great cushion and comfort on your runs, then the Brooks Glycerin is a great choice. If you struggle with injuries because of overpronation problems, then the Brooks Beast is a great option to try.