Supernova Prima 1 vs Glycerin 22

The Supernova Prima is adidas leaning all the way into soft, protective cushioning: a deeply padded max-cushion running shoe built for easy miles and long, gentle recovery days rather than speed. It sits above the daily Supernova Rise in the range, trading a little snap for a plusher, more forgiving ride underfoot. At 290g it is on the heavier side of the category, and with no plate and an 8mm drop this is a comfort trainer first and foremost, not a tempo tool. What you get for the £160 RRP is a smooth, cushioned road shoe that soaks up the pounding on higher-mileage weeks and keeps your legs feeling fresh. We rate it as a specialist rather than an all-rounder. If you want one shoe to do easy days and workouts, look elsewhere. If you want a dedicated cruiser for long, relaxed miles, it makes a strong case.

The Glycerin 22 is Brooks at its most comfortable: a plush, neutral daily training shoe built for soft, no-drama miles rather than speed. The DNA Loft v3 midsole is the star, giving you a deep, forgiving cushion that soaks up impact and stays kind to your legs on longer efforts. With a 37mm heel stack and a traditional 10mm drop, it lands squarely in the max-cushion daily trainer bracket, aimed at runners who value a smooth, protected ride over a snappy one. This is not a shoe that wants to go fast, and Brooks has not pretended otherwise. What you get instead is dependable, everyday comfort at £150, with an upper and fit that suit long runs and easy days. In our view it is one of the safest premium daily trainers you can buy right now. If you want cushioning you can trust for months of steady running, the Glycerin 22 delivers it without fuss.