Saucony Triumph 23 vs Brooks Glycerin 22: Two Cushioned Daily Trainers Compared

Introduction

The cushioned daily trainer category is crowded, but few comparisons come as close as this one. The Saucony Triumph 23 and the Brooks Glycerin 22 sit within a few dollars of each other, weigh nearly the same, and share a 10mm heel-to-toe drop. Both are designed for the same core job: comfortable, cushioned miles you can repeat every day.

After extended testing across easy runs, longer sessions, and a side-by-side mile wearing one shoe on each foot, the differences turn out to be real but subtle. This breakdown covers where each shoe wins and which one suits your running style.

Specs at a Glance

The Saucony Triumph 23 costs £170 or $170, weighs 278g (9.8 oz) for men in a size 8, and has a 10mm drop. The Brooks Glycerin 22 costs £165 or $165, weighs 297g (10.5 oz) for men in a size 8, and also runs a 10mm drop.

On paper, then, these are near twins. The Triumph 23 is lighter and slightly more expensive; the Glycerin 22 carries a touch more weight at a slightly lower price. Both compete in the same space as dependable, cushion-heavy workhorse trainers.

Design and Updates

The Triumph line has seen a number of changes over its lifetime with a mixed response to certain iterations. The Triumph 23 is a noticeable deviation from the bulkier 22, focusing on changes that make the shoe lighter and give it a smoother heel-to-toe transition. The PWRRUN PB foam aims to be lighter and softer than the previous version, which is especially welcome over longer training sessions. That focus is mirrored in a redesigned rubber outsole that works alongside the foam for a more fluid, natural ride, and a lightweight engineered mesh upper with a thick padded gusseted tongue.

The Glycerin line has long been a go-to for runners after a good balance of comfort, cushioning, and stability. The Glycerin 22 continues that formula, but its biggest update is a new midsole built on Brooks’ DNA Tuned foam, the same used in the Glycerin Max. It combines larger foam cells in the heel for softer landings and smaller cells in the forefoot for increased energy at toe-off. The shoe also gains an engineered double jacquard knit upper for comfort and fit, plus a thick layer of outsole rubber for grip and durability.

Fit and Feel

Both testers ran their regular running shoe size in each model, going true to size with no problems. Both uppers feel natural on the foot: slip in, and the shoe feels nicely secure but airy, with good midfoot lockdown, plush padded tongues, and well-padded heel collars.

The Saucony Triumph 23 stands out for its generous forefoot space. There is good wiggle room above the toes, the toe knuckles are held securely without restriction, and the overall forefoot and midfoot feel wide enough for splaying toes naturally. It suits average to slightly wider feet very well.

The Brooks Glycerin 22 runs a bit narrower and straighter, with less curve around the outer edge into the little toe. Everything feels marginally more snug, though clearance at the end is still just about adequate and midfoot lockdown is excellent without feeling restrictive. Runners with slightly wider feet may prefer the roomier Triumph, while those who like a more contained hold may favour the Brooks.

Ride and Midsole Comparison

This is where the real difference lives, and it is a minor one. The Triumph 23 feels a little softer on the feet and more comfortable over easier efforts. Its ride leans firm-and-snappy under the softness, so you feel a bit more of the road coming up and work slightly harder to roll through from touchdown to toe-off. It is also worth noting the wide forefoot base, which offers a lot of stability and reliability underfoot, though at times the shoe can edge toward the bulky side.

The Glycerin 22’s DNA Tuned midsole gives it more life. It goes down, but springs back quickly: not sinky-soft, rather soft with a bit of punch. In a side-by-side mile with one shoe on each foot, the Brooks felt livelier, punchier, and smoother, delivering more cushioning and more energy without sacrificing ground feel and connection.

Heel-to-toe transition is very similar in both shoes. Both are solid daily cushion trainers that tick a lot of boxes rather than excelling in any single area, and the Glycerin 22 just edges the Triumph when it comes to versatility thanks to a slightly more responsive midsole.

Outsole and Durability

The Glycerin 22’s outsole is fantastic: really good thick rubber protects the midsole foam, and it is very grippy, holding up well on wet footpaths and gravel paths. The Triumph 23’s redesigned outsole is absolutely fine too, not quite on the Brooks’ level, but still grippy with no real issues. Testing covered 50k-plus in the Glycerin 22 and around 25 miles in the Triumph 23, across a good range of paces on the roads plus light off-road river paths.

Which One Should You Buy?

This is a genuinely tough call, with just a few dollars between them and very similar capabilities. There is not much to choose on comfort. If you prefer a roomier forefoot and a firmer, snappier ride, the Triumph 23 will suit you better. If you want a bit more pop, smoothness, and versatility from the midsole, the Glycerin 22 delivers more energy without giving up ground feel, which gives it a slight edge in upper-pace potential and, for many, better value at the same price.

A practical note: neither shoe is exceptional in a category full of strong options, but both are solid, accessible, and very comfortable. If either lands in a sale significantly cheaper, that is likely the one to pick, because the gap between them is small.

Conclusion

The Saucony Triumph 23 and Brooks Glycerin 22 are near-equals: plush uppers, similar fit security, similar stability, and rides that serve the same kinds of runs. The Triumph 23 counters with a lighter build, a wider forefoot, and a return to form over its blockier predecessor. The Glycerin 22 answers with a livelier, smoother DNA Tuned midsole and superb outsole grip. Choose by fit preference and midsole feel, and grab whichever comes up cheaper.