Brooks Glycerin 23 vs New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15
John MorrisQuestion: Should you buy the Brooks Glycerin 23 or the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15?
Answer: Buy the Brooks Glycerin 23 if you want a plush daily trainer with a smooth, balanced, premium comfort feel that works especially well for easy runs and everyday mileage. Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 if you want a softer, more relaxed neutral trainer with a more forgiving underfoot feel for running, walking, and all-day comfort.
Brooks Glycerin 23 vs New Balance 1080v15 Quick Verdict
This is a strong comfort-shoe comparison because both models sit in the premium neutral daily trainer category. Both are made for runners who want comfort first, but the feel is not identical.
The Brooks Glycerin 23 feels more balanced and polished. The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 feels softer and a little more relaxed. If you want plush comfort with a more classic premium daily trainer feel, the Glycerin 23 is the better choice. If you want softer and more forgiving comfort, the 1080v15 is the better choice.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
Quick Comparison Table
| Category | Brooks Glycerin 23 | New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Easy runs, daily training, premium comfort | Daily running, walking, soft all-around comfort |
| Ride Feel | Plush, smooth, balanced | Soft, forgiving, relaxed |
| Cushioning Style | Premium plush daily trainer cushioning | Softer neutral comfort cushioning |
| Fit Feel | Secure and refined | Comfort-oriented and accommodating |
| Walking Use | Very good | Excellent |
| Best For Easy Runs | Excellent | Excellent |
Cushioning and Underfoot Feel
The Brooks Glycerin 23 has the more balanced premium feel of the two. It is clearly cushioned, but it does not feel overly soft or sloppy. Instead, it feels polished and smooth in a way that makes it easy to use for a lot of daily mileage.
The New Balance 1080v15 feels softer and more forgiving. It gives more of that easy comfort sensation underfoot, which many runners and walkers really like for daily wear and relaxed mileage. The softness is a big part of the shoe’s appeal.
If you want plush comfort with a more polished feel, choose Glycerin 23. If you want the softer and more relaxed ride, choose 1080v15.
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
Daily Training Performance
Both shoes are built for everyday running, especially when comfort matters more than raw speed.
The Glycerin 23 is the better choice if you want a plush trainer that still feels organized and steady through daily miles. It has the kind of feel that works well for easy runs, moderate mileage, and runners who want a premium daily trainer without too much softness. You can also read our full Brooks Glycerin 23 review.
The 1080v15 is the better choice if you want your daily trainer to feel softer and more relaxed. It works especially well for easy miles, walking, and general everyday comfort. You can also read our full New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 review.
If you want daily comfort with more structure, choose Glycerin 23. If you want daily comfort with more softness, choose 1080v15.
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
Fit and Upper Comfort
Fit is another real difference here.
The Glycerin 23 usually feels a little more refined and secure through the upper. It has that premium Brooks feel that many runners like because it feels dialed in without being harsh.
The 1080v15 usually feels a little more relaxed and comfort-oriented. That can be a major plus for runners and walkers who want a softer, more accommodating feel around the foot.
If you want a more secure premium fit, choose Glycerin 23. If you want a more forgiving comfort-focused fit, choose 1080v15.
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
Walking and All-Day Comfort
Both shoes are very good for walking, but the 1080v15 usually has the edge if walking comfort is your main goal. It feels softer and easiergoing for long casual wear.
The Glycerin 23 still works very well for walking, especially for buyers who want plush comfort without losing that more traditional premium running-shoe feel.
If you want the better pure walking comfort option, choose 1080v15. If you want walking comfort with a more refined daily trainer feel, choose Glycerin 23.
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
Versatility and Use Case
The Glycerin 23 is the better pick if you want a plush shoe that still feels like a premium running tool first. It fits runners who want comfort, but not too much softness.
The 1080v15 is the better pick if you want a more versatile comfort shoe for running, walking, travel, and all-day use. It is the more relaxed of the two, which makes it appealing beyond running alone.
If you want a premium plush running shoe, choose Glycerin 23. If you want a softer do-it-all comfort shoe, choose 1080v15.
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
Who Should Buy the Brooks Glycerin 23?
- Runners who want plush comfort with a more balanced premium feel
- Buyers who like a refined daily trainer
- People who want easy-run comfort without too much softness
- Runners who prefer Brooks fit and feel
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
Who Should Buy the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15?
- Runners who want softer and more forgiving daily comfort
- Walkers who want a plush neutral shoe
- People who want one shoe for running and casual all-day wear
- Buyers who prefer a more relaxed comfort-oriented fit
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
Who Should Buy Something Else?
You may want another shoe if:
- You need true stability support for overpronation
- You want a lightweight speed-focused trainer
- You want a firmer and more traditional daily trainer
- You want a max-cushion shoe that feels more structured than either of these
Pros and Cons
| Shoe | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Brooks Glycerin 23 | Plush, balanced, premium fit and feel, strong daily trainer comfort | Less soft and relaxed than 1080v15, not as casual-comfort focused |
| New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 | Soft, forgiving, excellent for walking and all-day use, relaxed comfort | Less structured and polished-feeling than Glycerin 23 |
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon
FAQ
Which is softer, Brooks Glycerin 23 or New Balance 1080v15?
The New Balance 1080v15 usually feels softer and more forgiving underfoot.
Which is better for walking?
The 1080v15 usually has the edge for walking because it feels more relaxed and comfort-focused.
Which is better for daily running?
Both are good, but Glycerin 23 is better if you want a more refined premium trainer feel, while 1080v15 is better if you want softness first.
Which is better if I only want one shoe for everything?
For many buyers, the 1080v15 is the easier all-around comfort shoe. For runners who care more about premium run feel, the Glycerin 23 is the better choice.
Primary Job
Brooks Glycerin 23 should be judged by the job it is designed to perform, not by the number of features in its description. Define the normal surface, pace, duration and whether running, walking or mixed use occupies most of the week. New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 may solve the same broad need through a different ride, support approach or level of specialization. Write the primary job in one sentence, eliminate any option designed for a different surface or pace, and allow fit to decide when the roles overlap.
Cushioning and Transition
Cushioning is not simply soft versus firm. Foam depth, rebound, geometry, flexibility and rocker design change how Brooks Glycerin 23 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 move from landing to toe-off. A soft first step can become unstable for one runner, while a firmer platform can feel efficient to another. Judge each shoe at the pace where it will be used most. More foam does not guarantee less fatigue, pain relief or better performance, and an energetic sensation is not automatically useful during easy running or walking.
Daily Running
For daily mileage, versatility matters more than novelty. Brooks Glycerin 23 should remain comfortable when pace slows, predictable when fatigue develops and practical on normal surfaces. Compare whether New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 covers more of the week or creates a useful specialist role. A one-shoe rotation usually favors the least specialized option that still meets the main need. A multi-shoe rotation can accept a narrower design because another pair covers easy mileage, speed, trails or walking.
Long Runs and Easy Days
Long outings expose fit and platform differences that can remain hidden during a brief try-on. Pay attention to forefoot pressure, heel security, transition and control as feet swell and form changes. Easy or recovery days require a natural slow-pace experience rather than a shoe that encourages acceleration. Compare Brooks Glycerin 23 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 over the duration that will define their use. High cushioning can be helpful when preferred, but it is not a requirement and should not be framed as medical recovery.
Faster Running
Speed work changes how stiffness, weight distribution and forefoot transition feel. If Brooks Glycerin 23 is not designed primarily for workouts, compare a Hyperion family model before asking a daily trainer to become a specialist. If New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 is performance oriented, its advantage matters only when faster sessions or races appear regularly. A plated or aggressive design is not automatically superior. It earns its place when it works at expected pace without compromising fit, control or late-session comfort.
Walking and Standing
Running shoes often cross into walking, travel and long periods on the feet, but strong running performance does not guarantee the best walking experience. Walking involves slower loading and more ground-contact time. Test whether the rocker or stiffness of Brooks Glycerin 23 feels natural, whether the heel remains secure and whether the outsole suits indoor and outdoor surfaces. Compare New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 through the same lens. Comfort is individual, and no shoe is treatment for occupational or medical discomfort.
Fit and Width
Fit can override every technical advantage. Measure both feet later in the day, use intended socks and leave practical space ahead of the longest toe. The heel should remain secure without extreme lace tension, and the forefoot should not feel compressed. Choose width rather than adding unnecessary length. Extra length can shift the flex point and create heel movement. Brooks Glycerin 23 and New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 can differ in upper volume even when their printed size matches, and width availability changes by generation and seller.
Upper and Heel Hold
A secure upper should hold the midfoot without pressure across the top of the foot. Heel slip is not automatically solved by sizing down; a runner’s-knot pattern can help, but persistent movement can signal an incompatible shape. Walk, jog and change direction indoors when seller terms allow. Check tongue position, collar contact and lace tension. Feet swell during longer use, so a fit that feels barely adequate at first can become restrictive later.
Final Verdict
The Brooks Glycerin 23 is the better choice if you want plush comfort in a more balanced, premium-feeling daily trainer.
The New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 is the better choice if you want a softer, more relaxed neutral shoe for running, walking, and all-day comfort.
If I were recommending one for a runner who wants a polished premium daily trainer, I would choose Glycerin 23. If I were recommending one for softer all-around comfort, I would choose 1080v15.
Brooks Glycerin 23 — Check Price on Amazon
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15 — Check Price on Amazon