I’ve had the same pair of running shoes for the past five years. And they weren’t just for running. I mean, that was the original plan, but after a while, it just didn’t seem practical to wear them for only one purpose. They were comfy, stylish, and let’s be honest—who doesn’t love adding a solid pair of kicks to their everyday wardrobe?

As much as I loved those shoes, I finally decided it was time for an upgrade. But where to even begin? On one hand, I didn’t want to spend a fortune; on the other, you get what you pay for, right? Cutting corners on shoe quality didn’t seem like the best idea, especially when my aging body would be the one paying the price. I’d worn my fair share of budget-friendly sneakers from Payless growing up, and while they got the job done back then, I knew my feet—and my knees—deserved better now. Plus, I figured investing in a good pair might actually motivate me to stick with running. Maybe even—dare I say—look forward to it.

So, I did what any indecisive shopper would do: I turned to Google. I’d had Nike before—my Shox from the 2010s were an all-time favorite. I ran in them so much that you could flip the shoe over and see exactly where my foot hit the pavement the hardest. Asics were another go-to, but they always felt a little too heavy on days when I was already struggling to get out the door. Most recently, I’d been running in a pair of light purple Sauconys. No complaints there—the memory foam insole made me feel like I was running on a cloud.

But I’d never owned a pair of Brooks. And with all the hype surrounding them, I figured it was finally time to see what the fuss was about.

After reading countless reviews and watching more YouTube videos than I care to admit, I finally landed on the Brooks Glycerin 22. The general consensus? Plush. Supportive. A dream for long runs and everyday wear alike.
Like most things I consider buying for myself, I found myself caught in the familiar internal debate—do I really need these, and are they even worth the hype? Admittedly, I’m a little embarrassed to say that I went to the store just to try them on, casually strolling down the tennis shoe aisle before stopping in front of a mirror. That’s when the doubt crept in—were they actually… kind of ugly?

I’d always had wide feet growing up, but these shoes were especially broad in the toe area. Looking down at them, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they made my feet look a little clownish. And yet… they were so comfortable. My feet, long accustomed to being cramped, practically sighed with relief as I paced around the store. This is the kind of room we need, lady! they practically begged, urging me toward an impulsive purchase.

But in the end, I walked out of the store shoeless. I needed more time to overthink it. I couldn’t bring myself to buy something that was borderline ugly—especially when I imagined showing up to all these 5Ks in shoes that might turn heads for the wrong reasons.

Fast forward a month later and I had finally talked myself into it. Soon I would be the proud new owner of a pair of Brooks running shoes.

The moment they arrived, I wasted no time lacing them up. Slipping my feet in, I felt an immediate difference—the cushioning was next-level, almost like my feet were getting a personalized welcome hug. I took a few steps around the house, testing them out on hardwood, carpet, even a quick jog outside just to see how they felt on pavement. Yeah, these were it.

My first real run in them was nothing short of magical. The bounce, the support, the way they cradled my feet with every step—it made me wonder why I’d waited so long to replace my old pair. And, true to my habits, they’ve already started working overtime. A quick run in the morning? Check. A casual coffee run? Check. A trip to the grocery store where I definitely didn’t just pop in for one thing? Check.

So, five years later, I finally upgraded. And if my past tendencies are anything to go by, these Brooks might just be sticking around for the long haul.