Glycerin GTS 22 vs Guide 18

The Brooks Glycerin GTS 22 is the softest, most cushioned shoe in the Brooks stability line, a plush daily running shoe that adds gentle support to a max-cushion ride. GTS stands for Go To Support, and here it means Brooks GuideRails: no medial post digging into your arch, just guardrails that quietly hold your knees and ankles in line when your form starts to fade. In our view this is the shoe for the runner who wants a premium, cosseting cushion but knows their stride rolls in a little, especially late in a long run. It is not fast and it is not trying to be. It is heavy on comfort and light on correction, which is exactly the point. If you loved the neutral Glycerin 22 but wanted a touch more stability underfoot, this is that shoe. At an RRP of 155 pounds it sits at the top of the daily-trainer market, so it needs to earn its place with sheer plushness and all-day comfort. It mostly does.

The Saucony Guide 18 is a supportive daily training shoe for runners who want a little guidance underfoot without the heavy, corrective feel of old-school stability shoes. This is the everyday workhorse in Saucony's line: a road running shoe built for easy miles, steady runs and marathon training blocks rather than race day. At a 6mm drop and around 269g it sits in the modern mould of gentle, non-intrusive support, so mild overpronators and neutral runners who just like a planted, secure ride will both get on with it. You will not feel a hard medial post shoving your foot around. Instead the Guide 18 keeps you centred and stable through the gait cycle while staying soft enough for long, slow days. If you want a dependable stability shoe that can absorb high weekly mileage, it is an easy one to live with. Runners chasing pace or pop should look elsewhere. The Saucony Ride 18 is the neutral sibling if you do not need the support.