On Cloud 5 vs Brooks Glycerin vs New Balance — Men's Running Shoes Compared
Three shoes at similar prices built on completely different ideas about cushioning. Only one is a genuine distance trainer.
By Azaz Khan · Published August 4, 2026
Quick answer
For genuine distance running, the Brooks Glycerin is the strongest of these three, as it is the only one designed specifically for long, slow miles. The New Balance is the choice if you need wide fittings. The On Cloud 5 is best treated as a walking and travel shoe that can handle occasional short runs.
Key takeaways
- The Brooks Glycerin is a maximum-cushion neutral trainer built for long easy miles, not speed.
- New Balance offers 2E and 4E fittings more consistently than any other major running brand.
- The On Cloud 5 has minimal cushioning and most runners notice it past about 5k.
- Width matters more than cushioning: a shoe in the wrong width causes pain regardless of midsole quality.
- Buying a running shoe on brand visibility rather than intended use is the most common mistake in this category.
Last reviewed
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | cushioning | type | best use | surface | midsole | widths | closure | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooks Glycerin 23 Brooks | long, easy miles | Maximum / plush | Neutral daily trainer | Long easy miles | Road | — | — | — | — | Check price |
| New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14 New Balance | wide feet | — | Neutral daily trainer | — | Road | Fresh Foam X | Narrow to 4E | — | — | Check price |
| On Cloud 5 On | occasional runs, walking and travel | Light | — | Short runs, walking, travel | Road | — | — | Speed lace | — | Check price |
These three sit at roughly the same price in the same Amazon search results, and they are built on three completely different ideas about what a running shoe should do.
That’s the useful thing to understand before you buy — not which is “best”, but which philosophy matches how you actually run.
The short version
| If you… | Buy |
|---|---|
| Run 10k+ or train for distance | Brooks Glycerin |
| Have wide feet | New Balance |
| Run occasionally, walk a lot, travel | On Cloud 5 |
| Want one shoe for everything | On Cloud 5 (with caveats) |
Three different answers to the same question
Brooks Glycerin — maximum cushioning. This is Brooks’ plushest neutral trainer. The whole design goal is to keep your legs fresh over long, slow miles. It’s heavy and it’s not quick, but that isn’t what it’s for. If your weekly long run is the reason you’re buying shoes, this is the one.
New Balance — fit first. New Balance’s real advantage isn’t the foam, it’s the fitting range. Genuine 2E and 4E widths are easy to find, which no other major brand manages consistently. If your feet are wide, this matters more than any midsole technology.
On Cloud 5 — light and versatile. The lightest of the three and the most wearable off a run. But the cushioning is minimal by modern standards, and most runners start to notice past about 5k. It’s an excellent travel and walking shoe that can handle a run, rather than a running shoe you can also walk in.
The mistake to avoid
Buying the On Cloud 5 as your main training shoe because it’s the one you’ve seen most.
On has enormous brand presence right now, and the Cloud 5 is their most visible model. It’s a genuinely good shoe — for walking, travel, gym and easy short runs. If you’re building weekly mileage, you’ll outgrow it fast, and the shoe that looked like a bargain becomes the one you stop reaching for.
On width
This is the most under-discussed thing in running shoe buying. A correctly fitted shoe in the wrong width will cause more problems than a cheap shoe in the right one.
If you don’t know your width, measure it before you spend anything — here’s how to do it at home in five minutes.
The picks in detail
#1 · Best for long, easy miles
Brooks Glycerin 23
Brooks
What we liked
- + The plushest cushioning of the three by a clear margin
- + Neutral ride that suits most foot types
- + Brooks midsoles hold their shape longer than most
What we didn't
- − Heavy — you feel it if you try to run fast
- − Premium price
#2 · Best for wide feet
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080 v14
New Balance
What we liked
- + Width options nobody else matches — 2E and 4E are easy to find
- + Fresh Foam is a genuine daily-training midsole
What we didn't
- − The 1080 is neutral — if you overpronate you want the 860 instead
#3 · Best for occasional runs, walking and travel
On Cloud 5
On
What we liked
- + Lightest of the three
- + Speed lacing — quick on and off
- + Looks normal enough to wear all day
What we didn't
- − Minimal cushioning — most runners feel it past 5k
- − Debris lodges in the CloudTec pods
Our verdict
If you're running real distance, the Brooks Glycerin 23 is the shoe here — it's the only one of the three designed from the ground up for long, slow miles. The On Cloud 5 is the better buy if running is occasional and you want one shoe that also handles travel and walking. The New Balance 1080 v14 is the answer if width is your problem; nobody else offers the same fitting range. All three are neutral shoes, so none of them addresses overpronation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the On Cloud 5 good for running?
For short, easy runs it is adequate. For building weekly mileage it is not, because the cushioning is minimal by modern standards. Most runners find it uncomfortable past roughly 5k and it is better suited to walking, travel and gym use.
What is the difference between the Brooks Glycerin and the Brooks Ghost?
The Glycerin is Brooks' plusher, more heavily cushioned neutral trainer, aimed at long slow miles. The Ghost is the lighter, more versatile everyday option. Both are neutral shoes, so neither addresses overpronation.
Which running shoe brand is best for wide feet?
New Balance, by a clear margin. It offers 2E and 4E fittings across far more models than competitors. Brooks is the next best option. Note that width letters are not standardised between brands, so check each brand's own chart.
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