Brooks Glycerin vs On Cloudsurfer
Comparing the current Glycerin 23 and Cloudsurfer 3. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Cloudsurfer 3 stacks 7 mm more foam under the heel than the Glycerin 23. That is a softer, more insulated landing on the Cloudsurfer 3 and more ground feel on the Glycerin 23. They are built for different jobs: the Glycerin 23 is a max cushion, the Cloudsurfer 3 a daily trainer. The Cloudsurfer 3 lists $15 lower.
- Brooks Glycerin 23Men's at AmazonWomen's
- On Cloudsurfer 3Stock unverifiedMen's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Oct 13, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Glycerin 23 | Cloudsurfer 3 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 10.6 oz | 10.1 oz |
| Widths | D, 2E, 4E | D |
| Upper | Triple-jacquard warp knit | Evolved warp-knit engineered mesh with a padded collar and tongue |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 38 mm | 45 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 30 mm | 37 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | DNA Tuned supercritical foam | Surreal superfoam in re-engineered CloudTec Phase geometry |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $175 | $160 |
Which line changes its ride more often?
Both lines rework the ride about as often: the Glycerin has done it 2 times in 6 versions, most recently with the Glycerin 22 in 2025, and the Cloudsurfer has done it 2 times in 3 versions, most recently with the Cloudsurfer 3 in 2026. Neither is the safer long-term rebuy on this record.
Buy the Glycerin 23
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Sep 10, 2026.
Buy the Cloudsurfer 3
Stock unverifiedAvailability last checked Oct 13, 2026.
Chasing a specific older version rather than choosing between the current two? The Brooks Glycerin lineage and the On Cloudsurfer lineage track every version and what changed in each update.
Questions runners ask
- Is the Brooks Glycerin or the On Cloudsurfer lighter?
- The Cloudsurfer 3, by 0.5 oz in a men's US 9 (10.1 oz against 10.6 oz).
- Can I switch from the Brooks Glycerin to the On Cloudsurfer?
- The drop matches at 8 mm, which is the spec that usually forces an adjustment, so most runners move across without one. Check the width and toebox instead.
- Which is more cushioned, the Brooks Glycerin or the On Cloudsurfer?
- The Cloudsurfer 3, on stack height: 45 mm under the heel against 38 mm. Stack is not the whole story, though; the foams differ too.
- Which comes in more widths?
- The Glycerin 23. The Glycerin 23 runs in D, 2E, 4E for men's sizes; the Cloudsurfer 3 runs in D.
- Which costs more, the Brooks Glycerin or the On Cloudsurfer?
- The Glycerin 23, by $15 at list ($175 against $160). That gap narrows once either one gets a successor.
Updated October 13, 2026.