The search was on for a comfortable well made, well cushioned shoe and one I could stand for hours! And it has been a search with quite a few returns along the way. I tried brands that were go to brands, but had changed and no longer met the criteria or were just not comfortable.
I decided to start with the Best of Lists by independent reputable sources and of course reviewers. The Brooks line was on every list; the only difference was the model of the shoe. I decided to try the Glycerin 22 and with the small exception of exchanging for a larger size (see below) it was a positive purchase. The Glycerin is described as a running shoe with a neutral fit. Note this purchase was not to run, but to be an everyday shoe which could also provide comfort when standing long hours.
Feel
The cushioning is apparent immediately and is very comfortable. A lighter weight shoe which enhances the comfort.
Toe Drop
If you've noticed athletic shoes can have quite a toe drop and the toe drop can differ dramatically between brands and models within the brand. I didn't find the toe drop to be noticeable one way or the other which I'd consider a positive.
Sizing
It has been well documented by reviewers and particularly those reviewers who are repeat purchasers of the Glycerin that the shoe runs small. I can indeed verify the shoe runs about a 1/2 size small.
Narrow
One of the attractions of this shoe was its' tendency to run narrow and again, I can confirm the shoe does run narrow. Narrow feet typically also have narrow heels which can be difficult to fit as well. The Glycerin does run narrow and has the two ankle holes instead of one for lacing which is always a help to make a medium shoe more friendly for narrow feet.
Reviewers
Currently the Glycerin 23 has been released so fans of the 22 will find a nice discount.
Happy to hear you have found a pair of comfortable shoes that meets all your criteria. I remember spending quite a few hours in my last search for such a shoe myself! In my opinion, the key word is comfort. Thanks for letting me know about the Glycerin running shoes.
ReplyDeleteGood shoes are so hard to find these days, especially walking & standing shoes. I have had brands I have depended on for years, change and I hate it. Buying, testing, returning, etc takes a lot of time and often a good bit of money just to find the right fit and balance. Thank you for the recommendation!
ReplyDeleteI’m so glad you found a brand and model that work for you! I was ready to order these right up until I read that you and others find this model narrow (I’m an extra-wide width in shoes). Thanks for a great recommendation that should help many others, even if your pick is too narrow for me!
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