Brooks Glycerin 20 vs On Cloudmonster: Which Max Cushion Trainer Deserves a Spot in Your Rotation?

Introduction

If you are shopping for a max cushion trainer for easy miles, two of the most obvious candidates right now are the Brooks Glycerin 20 and the On Cloudmonster. Both are priced at £150, with the Cloudmonster also listing at $169.99, and both sit in that same space: big, comfortable shoes built for daily training and easy-day mileage rather than race-day fireworks.

They go about it differently, though. The Glycerin 20 is the twentieth take on one of the most established cushioning lines in running, while the Cloudmonster represents On’s first serious attempt at a genuinely plush easy-day shoe. We have put both through everyday running to see which one earns a place in your rotation.

Brooks Glycerin 20: Big Cushioning With a Bouncier Edge

The Glycerin line has long been a favorite for runners looking for comfort and cushioning over easy day miles, and the Glycerin 20 brings one of the biggest changes to the shoe’s design in years. The new nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 midsole aims to be lighter, softer, and more responsive than previous versions, and it pairs with a widened midsole and outsole platform for smoother transitions. The shoe weighs 298g (10.5 oz) for men in a size 8 with a 10mm drop.

The upper is an engineered mesh built for breathability and a secure fit, with plenty of padding around the ankle collar and tongue to cradle the foot. On fit, both testers agreed it runs completely true to size, with just the right amount of toe box room and a comfortable, secure hold through the midfoot and heel. It is a plush, well-balanced upper that hits a strong balance of cushioning and warmth.

On the run, the Glycerin 20 has picked up a touch of versatility that past versions lacked. It is slightly bouncier than earlier editions, and while it no longer offers the immediate plush step-in comfort of previous models, it is still very comfortable and the ride stays consistent throughout a run. The bounce becomes more apparent as you tire, and neither tester felt heavy-legged in the shoe even on longer efforts, which is impressive given how big and heavy it is.

One tester even raced just under 19km (11.7 miles) in the Glycerin 20 and set a personal best for that distance, finding the shoe helped rather than hindered in the later miles. On a progressive long run, it comfortably handled pace pickups down to around 3:30 to 3:40 per kilometre by the end. Do not expect an explosive feel, but there is genuine pop here toward the end of runs, and the big outsole and extra foam mean it should last a good long time as an easy-day option.

On Cloudmonster: Softest On Yet, Still Firm at Heart

The On Cloudmonster is a max cushion shoe built around a thick helping of Helion superfoam, combined with a full-length speedboard and CloudTec design to produce rebound and minimize impact over easy sessions. It weighs 278g (9.8 oz) for men in a size 8 with a 6mm drop, which makes it remarkably light for the category.

The mesh upper offers a stretchy fit with reinforced sections for support, plus ample cushioning around the ankle collar and a leaner tongue design. It fits true to size, feels very breathable and lightweight for such a plushly cushioned shoe, and the upper is arguably among the best On has made, though the tongue is thinner than the Glycerin’s and some runners may prefer more padding there.

This is the softest On shoe tested to date, but it is still not an all-out pillow of a shoe. On shoes have always run firmer, and the Cloudmonster keeps a bit of that firmness, which helps with stability. The extra volume of Helion foam does make it feel bouncier than typical On shoes, and the speedboard adds a bit of snap if you push the pace, though one tester did not notice a dramatic rocker effect.

In practice, it works much like the Glycerin for progression runs and eating up easy miles, with a comfortable, protective, traditional ride. One tester even found it worked surprisingly well for a fast track session of 100m repeats, since what you want there is light weight rather than foam bounce. Where it falls short is top-end steady running with intent, where it feels a bit big and heavy; a lighter option like the On Cloudflow handles that better. It is, however, a genuinely good daily trainer that opens up a new market for On: runners who find other On shoes too firm but want to keep some of that character.

View more details for On Cloudmonster

Which One Should You Buy?

Both testers came down firmly on the side of the Glycerin 20 as their personal pick for a rotation. Both of these shoes really belong as easy-day options in a multi-shoe rotation, and for that purpose the Brooks is the more comfortable choice, particularly on long runs. If you are doing high mileage, it is the shoe both testers would reach for almost every time because of how good it feels when fatigue sets in.

The Cloudmonster, however, has a genuine edge if you want one shoe for everything. If you are newer to running, run mostly for health, or want something that works for walking around town as well as running, it is arguably the more versatile and cost-effective option. It is a good-looking shoe that balances performance and lifestyle in a way the Glycerin simply does not, and it is a strong choice if you already love On’s firmer feel but want the edge taken off. Neither shoe feels like stepping into pillowy softness the way some true max cushion rivals do; both carry a bit of firmness that helps with stability.

Conclusion

The Brooks Glycerin 20 takes the win as the better pure running shoe: more comfortable on long runs, slightly bouncier, and more forgiving when the miles stack up. The On Cloudmonster is the smarter buy for runners who want one shoe to cover running and everyday wear, and it marks a real step forward for On in the easy-day cushioning space. Pick the Glycerin for your rotation, pick the Cloudmonster for your lifestyle.