Aero Glide 4 vs Triumph 23

The Salomon Aero Glide 4 is the brand's big-cushion road running shoe, built for soaking up easy miles and long runs without asking your legs for anything back. With a tall 43.2mm heel stack and no carbon plate, this is a comfort-first daily training shoe rather than a racer. What sets it apart from most max-cushion rivals is the tall 11.7mm drop, which rolls you forward off a generous heel and suits runners who land heel-first. It is not the lightest shoe in the class at 250g, and it is not trying to be snappy. What you get instead is a soft, planted, protective ride that stays comfortable when the miles pile up. If you loved the Aero Glide 3, this is a familiar, refined take on the same idea. We rate it as a dependable cushioned trainer for steady runners who value comfort over pace.

The Saucony Triumph 23 is the brand's premium max-cushion daily training shoe, built to soak up big weekly mileage in comfort rather than chase a fast time. It sits at the plush end of the neutral daily trainer market, with a tall 42.3mm heel stack and a soft, protective ride that rewards easy runs and long steady efforts. This is not a shoe you buy for speed. At 272g it is on the heavier side, and the 10mm drop plus generous cushioning steer it firmly towards comfort miles. What you get in return is a running shoe that stays kind to your legs at the end of a marathon block, when tired joints want padding more than pop. In our view it is one of the more dependable premium cushioned trainers you can buy, and a natural home for runners who log most of their week at conversational pace. If you already run the Triumph 22, the 23 is a familiar, refined step on.