Glycerin 21 vs More 5

The Brooks Glycerin 21 is a max-cushion daily training shoe built for one job: making your everyday miles feel soft, calm and comfortable. This is the plush end of the Brooks range, a neutral running shoe that leans into cushioning rather than speed. At 280g it is not light, and it will not snap you through a fast finish, but that was never the point. What you get is a deep, forgiving underfoot feel that holds up well over long easy runs and recovery days, and a 10mm drop that suits heel and midfoot strikers alike. We rate it as a dependable cruiser for runners who want protection and a smooth, quiet ride over anything sharp or racy. If the £165 price gives you pause, the cheaper Brooks Ghost 16 covers similar daily duty with a touch less plush. But if soft comfort is what you are after, the Glycerin delivers it honestly.

The New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 is a max-cushion running shoe built for one job: soaking up the miles with as much soft, protective foam under your feet as New Balance can sensibly stack. This is not a speed shoe. At 309g it is a proper heavyweight, and the payoff is a tall, plush platform that keeps your legs fresh on easy days and long runs. With a low 4mm drop and a rockered shape, it rolls you forward smoothly once you settle into an easy rhythm. We rate it as one of the more genuinely comfortable daily training shoes on the market, and a strong pick if your priority is cushioning and leg protection over pace. If you want a plush max-cushion trainer for high-mileage weeks and recovery running, the More v5 is squarely aimed at you. Just go in knowing it trades away lightness and pop to get there. The lighter Fresh Foam X 1080v13 is the more versatile stablemate if you want a bit more range.