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Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide vs Topo Athletic Phantom 4

The Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide is the more cushioned, more stable choice for long road miles and heavier runners who want a plush ride. The Topo Phantom 4 is lighter and more flexible, with a lower 5mm drop that encourages a midfoot strike and a roomy toe box Topo is known for. Reviewers praise the Glycerin's soft-yet-supportive DNA TUNED foam and accommodating wide fit; Phantom 4 owners like its natural feel and light weight but note firmer forefoot cushioning. Pick the Glycerin for max cushion and stability; pick the Phantom 4 for a lighter, lower-drop daily trainer.

  • Choose the Glycerin 23 Wide if you want maximum cushioning, a wide fit and a stable ride for long or everyday road runs.
  • Choose the Phantom 4 if you prefer a lighter shoe, a lower 5mm drop and a wide toe box for daily runs and walking.

Prices

  • Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide: $164.95 at Amazon (last seen Nov 8)
  • Topo Athletic Phantom 4: $96.55 at eBay (last seen Nov 9)
  • Difference: the Topo Athletic Phantom 4 is $68.40 cheaper than the Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide at the latest prices (Nov 8 and Nov 9)
Brooks
Men's Glycerin 23 Wide

Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide

Men's Glycerin 23 Wide

4.7(37 ratings)
$164.95at AmazonChecked Nov 8
See all prices and details
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Pros
  • Plush maximum cushioning for long runs
  • Stable, smooth transitions for a neutral shoe
  • Wide width and accommodating fit
  • Durable rubber outsole and knit upper
Cons
  • Heavier than most daily trainers
  • 8mm drop won't suit low-drop fans
  • Less ground feel
Topo Athletic
Topo Athletic Phantom 4 Road-Running Shoes

Topo Athletic Phantom 4

Topo Athletic Phantom 4 Road-Running Shoes

$96.55at eBayChecked 10 h ago
See all prices and details
Visit eBay

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Pros
  • Light for a cushioned daily trainer
  • Lower 5mm drop promotes midfoot strike
  • Roomy toe box suits wide feet
  • Versatile for running and walking
Cons
  • Firmer forefoot than the Glycerin
  • Less max cushion for very long runs
  • Fewer stability features

What separates them

Brooks Glycerin 23 WideTopo Athletic Phantom 4
CushioningMaximum, plush DNA TUNED dual-cell foamModerate ZipFoam 2.0 with forefoot cushioning
WeightAbout 10.6 oz / 300gAbout 9.3 oz / 264g
Heel-to-toe drop8mm (38mm heel / 30mm forefoot)5mm (35mm heel / 30mm forefoot)
Fit and toe boxAccommodating fit, available in wideRoomy toe box, normal and wide widths
StabilityBalanced support with secure heel and dynamic forefootNeutral stability, more flexible platform
UpperEngineered knit, 58.1% recycled materialsTechnical jacquard mesh with OrthoLite insole
Best useLong runs, everyday road miles, recoveryDaily running and walking, natural stride

Price history

  • Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide: lowest $164.95 on Nov 9 at Amazon.
  • Topo Athletic Phantom 4: lowest $135.11 on Nov 9 at Amazon.

Prices at every store

Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide

  • ScheelsNew

    In stock

    $170.00Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Scheels
  • Pacers RunningNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $174.95Checked 8 h ago
    Visit Pacers Running
  • ASF Sports & OutdoorsNew

    In stockReturn policy

    $174.95Checked 8 h ago
    Visit ASF Sports & Outdoors
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $164.95Free shippingChecked Nov 8
    Visit Amazon

Also available at

  • The Heel Shoe FittersCheck price at The Heel Shoe Fitters
  • Sports BasementCheck price at Sports Basement
All 16 stores and price history →

Topo Athletic Phantom 4

  • PlaymakersNew

    In stock

    $149.95Checked 10 h ago
    Visit Playmakers
  • Zappos.comNew

    In stock

    $149.95Free shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Zappos.com
  • eBayNew

    Availability unknownReturns: Set by the eBay seller; the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers an item that doesn't arrive or isn't as described.

    $96.55Free shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit eBay
  • AmazonNew

    Availability unknown

    As an Amazon Associate, Deal.ai earns from qualifying purchases.

    $135.11Free shippingChecked 10 h ago
    Visit Amazon

Store links may earn us a commission.

All 15 stores and price history →

Specs compared

SpecBrooks Glycerin 23 WideTopo Athletic Phantom 4
Weight272 Grams7.6oz (W7)
WidthD - WideNormal, Wide
MidsoleDNA TUNED Dual-Cell FoamZipFoam™ 2.0
OutsoleRubber outsoleRubber
Stack Height38:30mm35mm (heel) // 30mm (forefoot)
SupportNeutralNEUTRAL STABILITY
Offset8mm Offset (38mm/ 28mm)—
UpperEngineered Knit Upper—
CushioningMaximum—
Heel to Toe Drop—5MM
Upper Material—technical jacquard mesh
Insole—OrthoLite® Insole
Show all 23 specsShow fewer specs
SpecBrooks Glycerin 23 WideTopo Athletic Phantom 4
Gore-Tex—No
Running Style—Neutral
Color—Black
Gender—Male
Drop (mm)—2.0
Size (US)—13, 14, 11, 12, 15, 9.5, 10.5, 8.5, 8, 9, 11.5,…
Weight (oz)—9.3
Fastening—Zipper, Laced
Age Group—Adult
Lining—Polyester

What reviewers say

Brooks Glycerin 23 Wide

  • 4.7 / 537 ratings

Owners rate the Glycerin 23 highly, praising its soft yet lively cushioning and comfortable wide fit for long runs. Complaints center on weight and a ride that feels slow at faster paces.

What people mention
  • CushioningPraisedRunners describe soft landings with enough bounce for everyday miles.
  • FitPraisedThe wide D width and knit upper feel roomy and comfortable.
  • WeightCriticisedSome find the shoe heavy for anything beyond easy paces.
  • StabilityPraisedA secure heel and stable transitions help neutral runners on long runs.

Topo Athletic Phantom 4

Owners of the Phantom line praise the wide toe box and light, balanced ride for daily miles. Most say it works well for easy runs and long walks, while some want softer cushioning and more outsole life.

What people mention
  • Toe boxPraisedOwners say the wide, foot-shaped front gives toes room to spread without rubbing.
  • CushioningMixedSome find the ZipFoam 2.0 ride balanced and responsive; others want a softer, plusher feel.
  • WeightPraisedRunners note it feels light for a shoe with this much stack.
  • Outsole durabilityCriticisedSome high-mileage runners report the outsole wearing sooner than they expected.

Questions and answers

Which is better for long runs?
The Glycerin 23 Wide. Its maximum DNA TUNED cushioning and stable platform hold up better over long distances. The Phantom 4 is lighter but firmer underfoot.
Which suits wide feet better?
Both come in wide widths. The Phantom 4 has Topo's signature roomy toe box, while the Glycerin 23 Wide offers an accommodating knit upper with a secure heel.
Which is lighter?
The Phantom 4, at roughly 9.3 oz versus about 10.6 oz for the Glycerin 23 Wide.
Is the lower drop of the Phantom 4 hard to adjust to?
The 5mm drop is lower than the Glycerin's 8mm. Runners used to higher-drop shoes may feel calf stretch at first; ease in gradually.
Which is more stable?
The Glycerin 23 Wide. Its balanced support, secure heel and dynamic forefoot give more inherent stability than the neutral, flexible Phantom 4.

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Type of Running Shoe
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Road