The Brooks Glycerin 20 Stealthfit deserves it’s own review. While the midsole and bottom remain the same to the Glycerin 20, the upper is difent and it changes the ride of the entire shoe.
I actually never planned to buy the Brooks Glycerin 20 Stealthfit this early but my regular Glycerin 20 got lost in my move. I still have hope they’ll eventually show up and it will be like a little Christmas present for me. Even 6 weeks later they are nowhere to be found.
Brooks Glycerin 20 Stealthfit Quick Facts:
Heel to Toe Drop: 10 mm
Weight: 9.1 oz
Price: $160
Brooks Glycerin 20 Stealthfit Introduction:
Brooks decided to create two versions of the Glycerin 20. The “regular” and the StealthFit. It’s a good idea because they are never going to sell the entire Glycerin fanbase on just a StealthFit version. Mizuno has done a similiar thing where they make the rider and the waveknit rider. Both have the same ride but similar fits.
The Glycerin Stealthfit version is one of the most anticipated shoes of 2022. I can see why. Brooks uses the DNA Loft v3 in the Glycerin midsole. The DNA Loft v3 is the same nitrogen-infused foam found in one of the craziest-looking shoes: the Aurora-BL. The Aurora-BL was one of the most popular shoes from Brooks!
But what is the Stealthfit? The Stealthfit fits closer to the foot and is designed for someone who likes a closer shoe. We know you don’t want a running shoe to feel tight, but Brooks makes tighter-fitting running shoes without it injuring you.
Brooks Glycerin 20 Stealthfit Fit:
There are a lot of updates for the Brooks Glycerin 20 including the most obvious: the launch of both the Glycerin 20 and the Glycerin 20 Stealthfit.
First, both versions are finally wider. They are 7mm wider in mid-foot than Glycerin 19. That might not seem like a lot, but it is! 7 mm is enormous in the running world. It doesn’t make it a wide shoe, but iwidert more wide than in previous years. Typically the Glycerin has always run narrow. I always say: I wish I could have the Brooks Glycerin ride with the Brooks Ghost’s fit.
That isn’t the case anymore, and the Brooks Glycerin 20 fits true to size. The StealthFit uses a closer fit with stretch and compression to move with the foot. I was concerned the shoe would feet too tight or rub on something I didn’t want it to rub on. It does feel tighter but the seamless design makes it fairly comfortable. If you prefer the tighter or more narrow-fitting versions of the Glycerin, you’ll probably enjoy the Stealthfit more than the regular.
As far as the rest of the shoe, the heel has thinner padding and the tongue is all one piece. I’m not a fan of thin heel counters but Brooks does a good job with this and unlike the Levitiate it doesn’t rub or cause blisters.
How does the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit breathe? It actually breathes well.
Maybe the theme of this review is: Wow I was surprised with how well the StealthFit performs. But even in the Mojave Desert summer, the StealthFit breathes ext,remely well and I don’t have to worry about my feet getting overheated. In inclement weather, it performs well and drains quickly withotootheavy cumfirmly believerm believer the best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet and I am pleasantly surprised that the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit does just that.
Typically, I wear between a size 10-11 wide in running shoes, and in the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit, a size 11 fits well. This is one of the few years of I’m able to wear a regular width!
Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit Ride:
The Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit is like previous versions of the Glycerin in that it is highly cushioned and soft. For me, it’s always been a recovery or easy run shoe. I appreciate the extra cushion. This year, Brooks added the DNA Loft v3, which is the same type of cushion as the Aurora BL.
The Glycerin is softer, less responsive, and bouncy than the Aurora BL. It takes a few miles to feel comfortable with the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit. Unlike the Brooks Ghost, which feels good initially, the Glycerin StealthFit takes a few miles to warm up.
Durability and Traction: Brooks is known for durability and traction, and the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit is no different. I typically get about 400 miles in the Brooks Glycerin, and this version looks about the same. The Glycerin 20 StealthFit has plenty of traction. Even on inclement weather days, I don’t feel like I’m sliding around. I occasionally wear them on the sand dunes, and they don’t feel too terrible.
Typically I’ve used the Brooks Glycerin as an easy daily run shoe, and the Brooks Glycerin StealthFit is perfect for that. It’s not a shoe I feel particularly fast in, but my body always feels more recovered when I run in the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit. Can you pick up the pace in the Glycerin 20 StealthFit? Of course, it’s not a cinderblock shoe, but it has a lot of soft cushion.
What is the difference between the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit and Brooks Glycerin GTS?
They are made for different foot types. You either do well in one or the other, and your foot typically won’t do well in both. They are not interchangeable. I firmly believe Brooks did themselves a disserve by naming their stability shoes the GTS version of their neutral. The GTS has stability, whereas the Glycerin 20 StealthFit is strictly a neutral shoe.
What I the difference between the Brooks Glycerin 20 and the Brooks Glycerin StealthFit?
The Brooks Glycerin StealthFit 20 is for runners who want a close-to-foot fit upper and feel. Do you like your shoes too but know you shouldn’t have tight running shoes? This fit is for you! The Glycerin 20 is the traditional style fit. The Stealthfit and Glycerin 20 both have the same midsole and ride. They just fit differently.
Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit Conclusion:
Is the Glycerin 20 StealthFit a great daily trainer, high cushioned option? Yes. It’s a good shoe that you can trust year after year. I’m happy to see it get a reasonably big update as I believe the Glycerin could use it. Not that anything is wrong with it, but with so many running shoes getting more technologically advanced, it’s nice to see the Glycerin moving forward too.
I am also pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoy the StealthFit version because that is never the case with these close-fitting shoes.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: New Balance 1080v12, Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit, Brooks Launch 9,
Speed Work: Brooks Hyperion Elite 3, Altra Vanish Carbon, 361 Flame, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Reebok Floatride Energy X
Long Runs: Saucony Freedom 4, Hoka Clifton Edge,
Trail Running/Hiking: Saucony Peregrine 12, Hoka Torrent 2, Hoka Zinal Shoe, Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: Nike ZoomX Streakfly, Asics Metaspeed Sky, Hoka One One Rocket X, adidas Adizero Pro, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Nike Next%, Saucony Endorphin Pro 2, Reebok Run fast Pro
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths about running shoes.
Questions for you:
Have you tried the Brooks Glycerin 20 StealthFit?
What is your favorite daily trainer?
Thank you for reviewing both Glycerin 20’s Hollie! I have had several versions of the Glycerins and enjoyed them – you’ve sold me on these too! Def worth trying both on.
It’s the best “new” Brooks shoe in years, saw a final production prototype a while back from the Brooks rep and was like dang, this is it!
I remember seeing the prototype and was like…ok can that come out now.
Thank you! They are both good! I am glad Brooks has gotten its stealthfit fixed because a few of the previous Levitates were not great.
How is the heel counter/collar as compared to new balance 1080v11? Recovering from an Achilles rupture and need the minimalist heel counter/collar to prevent rubbing (scar can’t tolerate the additional padding)…which is why I can’t wear any other glycerine models 🙁
The heel on the Glycerin Stealthfit is a lot thinner and is going to hug the achilles more.