Ultraboost 23 vs Glycerin 22

The Ultraboost 23 is adidas at its most comfortable: a plush, heavy daily running shoe that leans as much into all-day wear as it does into your easy miles. This is not a shoe built to chase pace. At 310g it is one of the heaviest trainers you will run in, and you feel every gram when you try to push. What you get in return is a deeply soft, springy Boost midsole, a hard-wearing Continental rubber outsole with proper grip, and a knit upper that hugs like a slipper. In our view it makes most sense as a cushioned daily training shoe for shorter easy runs, recovery days and walking, where comfort and durability matter more than speed. The 10mm drop suits heel strikers well. The catch is the price: at an RRP of £180 it asks a lot for what is, at heart, a heavy cushioned cruiser. Watch for a discount and it becomes far easier to recommend. If you want something lighter and quicker from adidas, the Supernova Rise 3 is the more natural daily runner.

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.