I found a way to get the Brooks Glycerin 22 wide sizes to Italy using a freight forwarder
Why the Brooks Glycerin 22 is trending in 2026
I have been tracking the release of the Brooks Glycerin 22 for months now. Since it hit the market in early 2026, the reviews have been glowing, mostly because of that nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning. If you are a neutral runner like me, you know that finding a shoe that balances plushness with responsiveness is the dream. Brooks seems to have nailed the midsole geometry this year, making it feel lighter than the previous versions while still offering that marshmallow-soft landing.
What I love most about the 2026 iteration is the refined upper mesh. It feels like a second skin. However, the hype isn't just about the tech; it is about the specific fits. Brooks is one of the few brands that consistently caters to different foot shapes, but there is a catch if you live outside of North America.
The struggle of finding wide-width sizes in Italy
My experience trying to find these shoes in Rome was frustrating. Most Italian retailers and local boutiques only stock the standard "D" width. If you have a wider foot, you are often left with very few color choices or told to wait for backorders that never arrive. In the US, retailers like Zappos or the official Brooks site have a massive inventory of 2E and 4E widths in every single colorway.
I realized that if I wanted the specific "Grey/Dayglow" colorway in a wide fit, I had to look across the Atlantic. This is where I decided to shop us store sites directly. It is often cheaper and much faster than waiting for local stock to refresh, especially when US retailers run seasonal sales that we don't get here in Europe.
Shipping Estimates and Logistics Analysis
Before I committed to the purchase, I needed to know if the international shipping costs would make the deal sour. Based on my research for the Brooks Glycerin 22, here is a breakdown of what to expect when shipping these to Italy.
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Box Weight | Approx. 1.1 kg (2.4 lbs) including the retail box and outer shipping carton. |
| Box Dimensions | Standard shoe box: Medium (Approx. 35cm x 25cm x 13cm). |
| Volumetric Warning | Shoes are generally dense, so you likely won't be charged for volumetric weight unless the retailer puts a small shoe box inside a massive shipping crate. Most international shipping rates are calculated by actual weight for items like this. |
| Battery Check | This item contains no lithium batteries. You don't need to worry about the specific shipping rules for hazardous materials. |
I always recommend that you estimate shipping cost using a shipping calculator before you click buy. It helps avoid any surprises when the package arrives at the warehouse.
How I used a US freight forwarder to shop American stores
Since the Brooks US store doesn't ship directly to Italy, I used a freight forwarder. My choice was comGateway because they provide a tax-free us address in Oregon. This is a huge win because it means I don't pay any US sales tax on the initial purchase from the retailer.
If you are new to this, here is a quick step-by-step guide on how it works. First, you sign up for an account to get your US address. Then, you shop on your favorite US sites and use that address at checkout. Once your Brooks shoes arrive at the warehouse, you can choose your preferred carrier—I usually go with DHL international shipping for speed or FedEx international shipping if I want to save a few Euros.
You might also like to check our guide on prohibited items to make sure you aren't trying to ship something restricted alongside your sneakers, like certain shoe cleaners that might be flammable.
Dealing with import tax and VAT in Italy
Shipping from the US to Italy means you have to account for import tax and the Italian VAT (IVA), which is currently 22%. When my Brooks Glycerin 22 arrived, the customs office calculated the charges based on the value declared on the invoice.
I found it very helpful to read up on import duties and customs tax before the package hit the border. Sometimes, the freight forwarder allows you to prepay these fees, which can speed up the delivery process significantly once the shoes reach Italy. It is much better than getting a surprise bill at your front door.
Is international shipping actually worth it?
For me, the answer is a resounding yes. I got the exact Brooks Glycerin 22 wide-width model I wanted, in a colorway that isn't even available in the EU yet. By using a package forwarding service, I bypassed the limited local inventory and got a premium product that will last me hundreds of kilometers.
The international shipping process was smoother than I expected. If you are tired of settling for whatever your local store has on the shelf, I highly suggest looking into proxy shopping or simply using a US address. It opens up a whole new world of footwear options that we just don't get in Italy otherwise. If you are worried about the cost, just keep an eye on the international shipping rates and consolidate your packages if you are buying more than one pair!
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