Brooks Glycerin Max vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Brooks Glycerin Max
ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 31, 2025 01:12 PM

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Brooks

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Oct 27, 2025 06:23 PM

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Asics.com

Our Verdict

Brooks Glycerin Max

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

The Brooks Glycerin Max and ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27 are two popular max-cushioned daily trainers on the market, each built to deliver a plush and protective ride. Both are similarly soft underfoot and close in weight, offering maximum comfort for easy miles or long days on your feet. The Brooks shoe has a slightly higher overall stack, and absorbs impact better. The Brooks also benefits from a more pronounced rocker geometry, making transitions feel smoother and more rolling, especially for heel strikers who want a bit of help moving forward. In contrast, the ASICS feels more traditional in its underfoot feel, prioritizing softness and impact absorption over forward momentum.

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Variants

  • Glycerin Max (Almond Peach/London Fog/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Aurora Black/Ebony - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Black/Ebony/Winter Sky - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Black/Orchid Ice/Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Country Blue/Sky/Orange - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Falcon/Green/London Fog - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Grey/Black/Nightlife - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Peacoat/Blue Ribbon/Hot Coral - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Pearlized White/Bay - (Women - US 7))
  • Glycerin Max (White/Black/Diva Pink - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Amber/Neutral Pink - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Cold Moss - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Birch/Indigo Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Breeze - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Graphite Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Lake Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Black/Lake Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Carbon/Mojave - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Cream/Mineral Beige - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Grand Shark/Pure Aqua - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Illusion Blue/Indigo Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Indigo Fog/Denim Blue - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Light Ube/Dark Ube - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Lite-show/Light Orange - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Nature Bathing/Guava - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Nature Bathing/Lime Green - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Pure Aqua/White - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Pure Aqua/White - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Wave Teal/Illuminate Mint - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (Wave Teal/Saxon Green - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Glacier Grey - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Glacier Grey - (Women - US 7))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Huddle Yellow - (Men - US 9))
  • GEL-NIMBUS 27 (White/Light Ube - (Women - US 7))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

5.4
5.6

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.1
2.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.2
4.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

Weight 
 

304.9 g (10.75 oz)
301.7 g (10.64 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

Heel Stack Height 
 

47.4 mm
45.0 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

42.1 mm
35.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.3 mm
9.8 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Outsole Heel Width 
 

88 mm (3.5")
94 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

85 mm (3.3")
84 mm (3.3")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

114 mm (4.5")
116 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

1.86
2.09

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.71
3.30
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Internal Length 
 

275 mm (10.8")
278 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
66 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
Yes

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Fully-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.7
2.1

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details
See details

Heel Energy Return 
 

67.1%
68.0%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.1
2.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details
See details

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

68.1%
69.2%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.2
7.8

Heel Cushioning Picture  

Heel Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.29 J
3.38 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

10.39 J
9.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

18.78 J
16.82 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

9.1
8.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

5.21 J
5.22 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

10.40 J
9.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

16.39 J
14.18 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

4.2
5.3

Heel Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 550N 
 

45.7 N/mm
53.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

91.3 N/mm
105.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

178.3 N/mm
210.4 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

5.8
7.0

Forefoot Firmness  

See details
See details

Firmness At 800N 
 

74.8 N/mm
87.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

138.2 N/mm
175.1 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

257.3 N/mm
323.4 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

8.5
8.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

See details
See details

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

9.68 J
8.84 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

9.41 J
8.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

9.25 J
8.54 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

9.14 J
8.51 J

Brooks Glycerin Max

ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27

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Brooks Glycerin Max vs ASICS GEL-NIMBUS 27: Main Discussion

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