Brooks Glycerin Max 2 vs Glycerin Flex

The Brooks Glycerin Flex and Brooks Glycerin Max 2 sit in the same extended Glycerin family, and both use versions of Brooks' DNA Tuned midsole, but they deliver two completely different rides. The Glycerin Max 2 is built around an ultra-high stack and lower drop with a much softer, more cushioned ride and a pronounced rocker that keeps transitions rolling forward, making it a great option for easy days. The Brooks Glycerin Flex takes a very different approach: it weighs less, with a higher drop and a decoupled midsole design that uses a diagonal groove and multiple articulating pods in the forefoot to create a noticeably more flexible, free-moving ride. It’s still cushioned, but not to the same degree as the Max 2, and that more grounded, segmented platform tends to feel naturally more stable despite not relying on explicit guidance features.