Brooks Men’s Glycerin 22 Neutral Running Shoe - Black/Grey/White - 11.5 Medium

Why it's worth it

The Glycerin 22 is Brooks's softest neutral trainer, and its DNA Tuned midsole puts larger foam cells in the heel for cushioned landings. It feels plush without the tall, rockered sensation of a Hoka, which some runners simply prefer.

The heel is where Brooks put the effort, and that's exactly where you need it. DNA Tuned uses bigger cells under the heel for soft landings and smaller cells in the forefoot for a quicker toe-off. In practice, you get a landing that absorbs the hit and a push-off that doesn't feel mushy. Owners who've run in the Glycerin line for years describe the 22 as a clear step up from the previous version, with noticeably plusher heel strikes.

Choose this over the Bondi if tall, rockered shoes make you nervous. Not everyone likes standing on a lot of foam. The Glycerin's platform is broad and stable, but it rides lower and more conventionally than a max-stack Hoka. If you've tried a rocker shoe and felt like you were being tipped forward, this gives you comparable softness with a ride that feels more like a normal running shoe.

From our review of 8 running shoes for plantar fasciitis, by Eleanor Vance, Health & Beauty Editor

What we like

• +The heel is where Brooks put the effort, and that's exactly where you need it
• +Choose this over the Bondi if tall, rockered shoes make you nervous
• +The upper is a double jacquard knit that stretches and accommodates rather than constricting
• +There's a stability option if you need more

What to know

• –It's heavy. Listed weight for a men's 11.5 is about 1.32 pounds, which is well above the Bondi despite the Bondi looking bulkier
• –This is also one of the more expensive shoes here, and the plushness is the whole point — if you want a firmer, more responsive…