Brooks Glycerin 22 vs Saucony Triumph 22: Two Premium Cushioned Daily Trainers Compared

Introduction

The Brooks Glycerin 22 and Saucony Triumph 22 are both premium cushioned daily trainers, and after 50k-plus in each shoe across roads, light off-road paths and side-by-side miles, the two turn out to be more alike than their spec sheets suggest. Both are big, comfortable, stable shoes built to eat up easy miles. The difference lies in how each handles the transition from landing to toe-off, and that is where the recommendation splits.

Specs at a Glance

The Brooks Glycerin 22 costs £165 or $165, weighs 297g (10.5oz) for men in a size 8, and has a 10mm drop. The Saucony Triumph 22 costs £170 or $160, weighs 306g (10.8oz) in the same size, and also has a 10mm drop. On paper they are close; in practice, the Glycerin feels lighter on the foot than its weight suggests.

Fit and Comfort

Both shoes fit true to size and suit a wide range of runners. The toe box is roomy in both, with the Triumph 22 offering slightly more volume, while the Glycerin 22 has a touch more structure holding the top of the foot. Heel collars are plush and well padded in both, with a generous, comfortable step-in feel. Internal heel counters are large and fairly rigid, but they did not irritate the Achilles in testing.

These are shoes designed for accessibility and comfort, and neither feels narrow or lean. Runners with average-width feet should be fine in either, and sticking to your normal running shoe size is the safest bet for both.

Midsole and Ride

The Glycerin 22 uses Brooks’ new DNA Tuned foam, the same material found in the Glycerin Max. It combines larger foam cells in the heel for softer landings with smaller cells in the forefoot for more energy at toe-off. The result is a balanced midsole: not especially bouncy, but stable, comfortable, and with a little more life than the previous versions.

The Triumph 22 switches to PWRRUN PB foam, a Pebax-based material replacing the Power Plus in the Triumph 21, also used in the Endorphin Pro 4 and Speed 4. On paper that promises cushioning, energy return and responsiveness, but in practice the foam feels dense and somewhat blocky. The heel-to-toe transition does not roll as smoothly as the Triumph 21 did, and the shoe can feel squidgy and labored rather than lively.

On the Run: How They Compare

At easy paces, both shoes do the job: they protect the legs, absorb impact and keep comfortable miles ticking by. The Triumph 22 has a marginally higher stack, a shade more softness under the heel, and a wider base that adds stability. It is now firmly an easy-day shoe, best for cruising and recovery runs.

The Glycerin 22 feels lower profile, more direct and more agile. It shifts up through the gears more willingly, making it the more versatile option if you want one shoe that can cover easy runs, tempo work and even long races at consistent effort. Fans of a very maximal, pillowy ride like the Glycerin Max may still want more stack, but for a dependable daily trainer it strikes a better comfort-to-responsiveness balance.

Neither shoe is a wow-shoe with huge bounce, and heavier runners may get more out of the dense Triumph midsole, but for most the Glycerin’s ride is the more enjoyable at all paces.

Upper and Stability

Both uppers are plush engineered knit designs. The Glycerin 22 uses a new double-jacquard knit that improves comfort and fit. The Triumph 22’s upper is plusher than its predecessor and pairs with a noticeably wider base across the full length of the shoe, adding stability. Both shoes have big internal heel counters and are genuinely stable platforms, which is a real plus for beginners or anyone who values a secure, balanced ride when legs get tired on long runs.

Outsole, Grip and Durability

Outsoles are excellent on both. Each has a thick, solid layer of rubber with good tread, providing dependable grip on roads, public footpaths and light off-road terrain. Both are clearly built with durability in mind, and neither showed any issues across testing on varied ground.

Which Should You Buy?

If you want one shoe for everything, the Brooks Glycerin 22 is the pick. It is lighter on the foot, more nimble, has a more responsive midsole, and costs slightly less, while giving up little in comfort. If you are all-in on big, wide, stable, cushioned cruisers and want the biggest stack of the two, the Triumph 22 still delivers a protective, comfortable easy-day ride, particularly for heavier runners who can press more energy into that dense foam.

Conclusion

These two shoes can cover largely the same runs, but the Glycerin 22 edges the comparison with a better balance of cushion and energy, a nimbler feel, and a lower price. The Triumph 22 remains a competent comfort-first cruiser, but it has lost some of the versatility that made earlier versions stand out.