Brooks Glycerin vs On Cloudsurfer
Comparing the current Glycerin 23 and Cloudsurfer 2. Specs are men's US 9.
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THE SHORT ANSWER
The Cloudsurfer 2 is the lighter shoe by 1.4 oz in a men's US 9, and the drop is within 1 mm (8 mm on the Glycerin 23, 9 mm on the Cloudsurfer 2), so it is the one that feels quicker without asking your stride to change. They are built for different jobs: the Glycerin 23 is a max cushion, the Cloudsurfer 2 a daily trainer. The Cloudsurfer 2 lists $15 lower.
- Brooks Glycerin 23Men's at AmazonWomen's
- On Cloudsurfer 2Men's at AmazonWomen's
Availability last checked Aug 5, 2026. Prices and stock change without notice.
Every spec, side by side
| Spec | Glycerin 23 | Cloudsurfer 2 |
|---|---|---|
| FIT AND WEIGHT | ||
| Weight | 10.6 oz | 9.2 oz |
| Widths | D, 2E, 4E | D |
| Upper | Triple-jacquard warp knit | Breathable engineered mesh with TPU eyelet reinforcements and an ungusseted tongue |
| CUSHIONING GEOMETRY | ||
| Heel stack | 38 mm | 32 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 30 mm | 23 mm |
| Drop | 8 mm | 9 mm |
| MATERIALS | ||
| Midsole | DNA Tuned supercritical foam | Firmer Helion superfoam in an evolved CloudTec Phase geometry |
| VALUE | ||
| List price at launch | $175 | $160 |
Which line changes its ride more 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 once in 2 versions, most recently with the Cloudsurfer 2 in 2025. If you want a shoe you can rebuy without reading a review first, the Cloudsurfer has the steadier record.
Buy the Glycerin 23
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Aug 3, 2026.
Buy the Cloudsurfer 2
Stocked at AmazonAvailability last checked Aug 5, 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 2, by 1.4 oz in a men's US 9 (9.2 oz against 10.6 oz).
- Can I switch from the Brooks Glycerin to the On Cloudsurfer?
- Yes, but ease into it. The drop moves 1 mm (8 mm on the Glycerin 23, 9 mm on the Cloudsurfer 2), which changes where your foot loads at landing. Give it two weeks of easy running before a hard session.
- Which is more cushioned, the Brooks Glycerin or the On Cloudsurfer?
- The Glycerin 23, on stack height: 38 mm under the heel against 32 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 2 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 August 5, 2026.