Best Daily Cushioned Running Shoes Compared: Brooks, Saucony and New Balance

Introduction

Not every run needs a fast shoe. For easy miles, long comfortable sessions and daily training, a plush cushioned trainer is the workhorse most runners reach for most often. This comparison looks at five options across that category: the Brooks Glycerin 23 and the newer Brooks Glycerin Flex, plus three alternatives worth considering at different price points: the Saucony Ride 19, the New Balance 1080 v15 and the New Balance Ellipse.

The two Brooks shoes are the heart of this comparison, because they cover very similar ground at nearly the same price. The Glycerin 23 costs £165 or $175, weighs 303g (10.7 oz) for men in a size 8, and has an 8mm drop. The Glycerin Flex costs £165 or $170, weighs 264g (9.3 oz) in the same size, and has a 6mm drop. The Saucony Ride 19 undercuts both of them while doing a similar job, and the two New Balance options round out the field at different levels of comfort and price.

Brooks Glycerin 23: The Plush, Stable Daily Trainer

The Glycerin 23 is a neutral road running shoe built for everyday training and long runs. Its dual-cell DNA Tuned midsole uses nitrogen-infused foam tuned separately in the heel and forefoot. Compared with the Glycerin 22, this version adds 2mm of forefoot cushioning, which lowers the drop from 10mm to 8mm. It is a subtle change, but it makes the ride feel smoother and more balanced, with a secure heel structure and a more dynamic forefoot providing inherent stability without any guidance elements.

Fit is a genuine strength. Brooks puts a lot of effort into fit, and the Glycerin 23 is a big, plush, comfortable shoe with generous padding, just the right amount of toe space, and a forgiving midfoot that should suit average-width feet and slightly wider feet as well. The engineered knit upper is soft and breathable, and the outsole is one of the best on any daily trainer: a really thick layer of grippy rubber that holds up fine on gravelly paths and muddy footpaths. It is an expensive shoe, and there is a lot of competition in this category, but the 23 is a clear step forward over recent versions and a superior choice if you simply want a comfortable cushion shoe.

Brooks Glycerin Flex: A More Natural Feel

The Glycerin Flex is designed for the same kind of running: everyday efforts and longer distances at a comfortable pace. The headline feature is Flex Zone technology, a midfoot flex groove paired with a segmented midsole that allows more flexibility than a traditional rigid cushioned shoe. The idea is to support a smoother heel-to-toe transition by adapting to your natural movement pattern.

On the run, it works. The Flex feels noticeably lighter than the Glycerin 23, and occasionally you notice that extra flexibility, such as when turning a corner or stepping off a curb. It does not feel like a radically different shoe, though: the midsole foam is essentially the same, and both shoes feel like big cushion trainers on foot. Neither is versatile enough for faster sessions, and the Flex is not really a faster shoe either. The fit is similar to the Glycerin 23 in the toe box, but the midfoot is less forgiving, the upper is a stiffer, canvasier material with less padding, and the design is a bit leaner overall. It is a stable shoe despite the flexible midsole, but if you do not specifically want that natural flex feel, the Glycerin 23 is the better shoe.

Saucony Ride 19: Strong Value for the Same Job

The Ride 19 earns its place here on price. It is cheaper than both Brooks shoes, yet it does a similar job as a cushioned daily trainer for easy miles and comfortable everyday running. It is not as plush and soft as the Glycerin 23, but it covers the same core use case for less money.

For a runner who wants a dependable daily cushion shoe and does not need the extra plushness of the Brooks lineup, the Ride 19 is a sensible pick. It is a solid, straightforward trainer that does the essentials well.

New Balance 1080 v15: The Best All-Rounder Here

Of all the shoes in this comparison, the 1080 v15 is the superior option. Its foam feels similar to what Brooks uses here, but it is noticeably bouncier and feels more conducive to running faster. It is not an out-and-out fast shoe, but it is more versatile than both Brooks shoes: genuinely comfortable on easy miles while still allowing you to do a bit more when a session calls for it.

If you want a great daily shoe that combines comfort with some versatility, the 1080 v15 is the strongest choice. The trade-off is price, as it sits in the same premium bracket as the Brooks options.

New Balance Ellipse: A Solid, Cheaper Alternative

At the cheaper end of the group sits the New Balance Ellipse. It is a solid daily shoe that is enjoyable to run in, but it is not as plush, soft or comfortable as either Brooks shoe. That is the trade you make at this price: less cushioned luxury, dependable everyday performance.

For runners on a tighter budget who mainly want a shoe to tick off the miles, the Ellipse makes sense. If comfort is your top priority, however, the money spent on the Glycerin 23 or the 1080 v15 buys a visibly better experience.

Overall Buying Advice

Both Brooks shoes are now quite expensive as daily cushion shoes, and neither is the outright best on the market. If you are choosing between the two, the Glycerin 23 is the superior shoe for most runners: more comfortable, more stable thanks to its wide, solid base, and it puts more of the excellent DNA Tuned foam to work. Choose the Glycerin Flex only if you have tried it and genuinely like that more natural, flexible feel; it matters more for runners who are not completely neutral. If budget matters, the Saucony Ride 19 does a similar job for less, the New Balance Ellipse goes even cheaper with less plushness, and the New Balance 1080 v15 is the best overall pick if you can stretch to it.

Conclusion

Every shoe here is built for easy miles and everyday training, so the right choice comes down to comfort, stability and budget. The Brooks Glycerin 23 is the best of the two Brooks options for most people, the Glycerin Flex rewards those who want a more natural midfoot feel, and the Saucony Ride 19, New Balance 1080 v15 and New Balance Ellipse give you credible alternatives at every price point.