When selecting a new pair of running shoes, there’s a lot to consider to ensure they help you perform at your best and prevent injuries. Everyone has different foot types, builds, natural running strides, and training goals that impact which shoes are right for their needs.
After thoroughly reviewing the top running shoe brands, our team found that the Brooks running shoe line and On Cloud running shoes provide some of the best options in popular training categories.
In this article, we’ll compare several Brooks and On Cloud running shoes head to head to see how they stack up. The categories we’ll cover are:
By the end, you’ll better understand which shoes from each brand best suit your goals and running style. Keep reading to get all the details.
Daily Trainers: On Cloudsurfer 3 vs. Brooks Ghost 18
A great place to start when picking out a pair of shoes is with daily trainers. These shoes are great for beginners or runners who often change their training style.
After analyzing the best On Cloud shoes and the best Brooks shoes, we found that the On Cloudsurfer 3 and Brooks Ghost 18 are the daily trainers that stand out in terms of versatility and performance in these two running shoe lines. Let’s take a closer look at how they stack up.
On Cloudsurfer 3
The On Cloudsurfer 3 is a favorite for runners who like a soft, responsive shoe that adds a little bounce to each step.
A few of the things that stand out about this shoe is its comfortable CloudTec cushioning and Surreal superfoam midsole. Whether you’re doing uptempo runs and want a soft base to offset the impact of harder foot strikes or longer runs where you need a cushioned base that minimizes fatigue, this shoe’s build performs great in either type of training.
The major differences between this shoe and the Brooks Ghost 18 are:
- The heel-to-toe drop is slightly lower at 8 mm, but it still provides enough cushion for runners that heel strike a bit more.
- This shoe feels a bit more responsive on the rebound of each footfall to keep you propelling forward.
- The CloudTec Phase midsole promotes a smooth forward rolling motion compared to the more stable Ghost midsole
Brooks Ghost 18
The Brooks Ghost 18 is a reliable daily trainer that’s a great fit for runners who like more cushion or extra durability.
When you put on this pair of shoes, you’ll immediately feel the plush comfort provided by its DNA Loft v3 midsole. It’s a bit firmer than the On Cloudsurfer and provides more forgiveness if you tend to have harder foot strikes.
Some other key differences between this shoe and the On Cloudsurfer are:
- The heel-to-toe drop is a bit higher at 10 mm, providing extra support for those who tend to heel strike.
- It’s not quite as bouncy and responsive, but the Brooks Ghost 18’s RoadTrack outsole has better traction and is more durable. Therefore, you’ll feel more stable on different terrains and have a dependable shoe that will hold up for a long time.
- The Ghost has less of a rocker profile, so while there’s more stability through each transition, landings can feel a bit flatter with less forward momentum
Final Recommendation on the On Cloudsurfer 3 vs. Brooks Ghost 18
Overall, both these shoes are very comfortable and versatile for different running styles.
Those who prefer a more responsive and lighter shoe focused on smooth forward movement will like the On Cloudsurfer 3.
On the other hand, if you want something a little more traditional that provides lots of support and stability on different terrains, the Brooks Ghost 18 might be a better choice.
Speed Trainers: On Cloudflow 5 vs. Brooks Glycerin Flex
When you need speed-focused shoes, the On Cloudflow 5 and Brooks Glycerin Flex are both designed to help runners push their pace during speed work and tempo runs. While each shoe performs well, they cater to slightly different preferences and running styles.
On Cloudflow 5
The On Cloudflow 5 is a top choice for fast-paced runners who want something bouncy and responsive.
One of the aspects that stands out about this shoe is its CloudTec cushioning system, which compresses with each footfall to provide great energy return on the rebound off the ground. This unique system is paired with responsive Helion HF foam, which helps propel you forward when you’re pushing the pace.
The nylon-blend Speedboard incorporated in the midsole also helps give the Cloudflow 5 its responsive and bouncy feel. However, while this shoe provides great support, some runners don’t like that it’s a little firmer.
Some of the key differences between this shoe and the Brooks Glycerin Flex are:
- The On Cloudflow 5 is a bit heavier, weighing an average of 9.8 oz for men’s shoes and 8.14 oz for women’s shoes.
- It’s narrower in the midfoot, so it’s not as well-suited to runners with wider feet.
- It’s better suited to interval training and fast-paced short runs.
Brooks Glycerin Flex
Those looking for a more cushioned and versatile speed trainer might prefer the Brooks Glycerin Flex.
One aspect that stands out is its nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned midsole. When the foam is infused with nitrogen during production, it becomes lighter while still being very responsive. And this new foam delivers a dual-density design, with soft foam in the heel and springier foam in the toes for responsive toe-offs. This airy and soft feel lends itself better to daily miles than the On Cloudflow 5, making it more versatile.
The shoe is also built to be incredibly light and flexible throughout every aspect, so you can enjoy more freedom of movement and natural strides during any type of workout.
Some other key differences between this shoe and the On Cloudflow 5 are:
- The Brooks Glycerin Flex has a slightly lighter weight, averaging 9.1 oz for men’s shoes and 8 oz for women’s shoes.
- It has a slightly wider, more flexible fit, making it a better choice for any runners who prefer a more spacious and accommodating shoe.
- It’s a bit more versatile for shorter and longer runs.
Final Recommendation on On Cloudflow 5 vs. Brooks Glycerin Flex
Overall, both these shoes perform well for speed training when you want to pick up the pace.
If your main focus is shorter, fast-paced runs, you can’t beat the On Cloudflow 5’s performance in that category.
However, those wanting something more versatile and cushioned could benefit from choosing the Brooks Glycerin Flex instead.
Race Day Shoes: On Cloudboom Strike 2 vs. Brooks Hyperion Elite 6
When you need high-performing race-day shoes, the On Cloudboom Strike 2 and Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 are designed for speed and feature cutting-edge technology and construction. However, they cater to slightly different runner preferences, particularly in terms of cushioning, responsiveness, and fit.
On Cloudboom Strike 2
The On Cloudboom Strike 2 is a responsive shoe that performs best in fast-paced races ranging from 5Ks to marathons.
Something that stands out about both of these options is that they feature a carbon fiber plate that creates more bending stiffness in the midsole. Many runners choose carbon plate shoes on race day since they snap back better after bending and provide additional energy return on the rebound of each stride.
The Cloudboom Strike’s carbon fiber Speedboard, paired with premium Helion HF Hyper foam and an ultra-light upper, makes this shoe race-day ready with maximum energy return and comfort.
Some notable differences between these two shoes are:
- The On Cloudboom Strike is slightly lighter at 6.7 oz for unisex shoes
- This pair has a low heel-to-toe drop of 5mm, making it better for midfoot strikers or anyone who prefers their feet in a more natural position during races.
- The energetic foam and CloudTec Sphere midsole design give it a snappy, responsive feel on each stride when you’re picking up the pace.
Brooks Hyperion Elite 6
Those who want something more cushioned and stable for half-marathons and marathons might prefer the Brooks Hyperion Elite 6.
As mentioned, this shoe also features a snappy carbon fiber plate that keeps you propelling forward during race day. However, many runners say this shoe isn’t as snappy and responsive as the On Cloudboom Strike 2. Instead, the Brooks Hyperion Elite provides more cushioning and comfort in the midsole with soft and dynamic PEBA DNA GOLD foam.
Some other notable differences between this shoe and the On Cloudboom Strike are:
- The shoes are a similar weight, with the Hyperion Elite coming in slightly heavier at 6.8 oz. However, many runners say it’s more supportive and is a bit wider to support balance on uneven terrain.
- It has a higher heel-to-toe drop of 7 mm, making it great at absorbing extra impact if you tend to heel strike a bit.
- While it isn’t quite as stiff and snappy to propel you forward at faster paces, this shoe has thicker cushioning to keep your feet feeling fresh at longer distances.
Final Recommendation on the On Cloudboom Strike 2 vs. Brooks Hyperion Elite 6
Overall, both these shoes are excellent race day choices.
When looking to PR in distances from the 5K and marathon, the Cloudboom Strike’s stiffness and responsiveness might be the top choice for your needs.
However, if you’re running half-marathons or marathons and want softer, more stable landings, the Brooks Hyperion Elite 6 provides great support and comfort at long distances.
Max Cushioned Shoes: On Cloudmonster 3 vs. Brooks Glycerin 23
When it comes to max-cushioned running shoes designed for comfort and support, the On Cloudmonster 3 and Brooks Glycerin 23 are two top contenders. Both shoes provide substantial cushioning, but their fit caters to slightly different preferences.
On Cloudmonster 3
The On Cloudmonster 3 is a great choice when you want something a little firmer and more responsive, adding bounce to each stride.
This shoe stands out because it features the springiest CloudTec pods that On has ever put in a pair of shoes. CloudTec Pods are hollow, compressing when your foot hits the ground and springing your foot back up on the rebound. Therefore, with an enhanced triple-layer CloudTec setup, these shoes feel very responsive with each stride and keep you moving forward.
Some other notable differences between this shoe and the Brooks Glycerin 23 are:
- The On Cloudmonster is lighter with a sleeker design than the Glycerin. The men’s Cloudmonster 3 weighs 10.4 oz, and the women’s weighs 8.46.
- It has a lower heel-to-toe drop of 6 mm. This drop height is a bit better for those who want to favor a more natural midfoot or forefoot strike, which can help you perform better when picking up the pace.
- Its midsole features a nylon Speedboard to give you even more support and stability at faster paces, although those who prefer a softer shoe may not like the stiffness that comes with this Speedboard.
Brooks Glycerin 23
The Brooks Glycerin 23 is a more traditional max-cushioned shoe that performs well on recovery runs or slow, longer-distance runs.
This shoe’s DNA Tuned cushioning makes the shoe softer and bulkier than the On Cloudmonster 3. However, that extra comfort is great when running long distances or to reduce impact during recovery runs.
Some other notable differences between this shoe and the On Cloudmonster 3 are:
- The Brooks Glycerin 23 is a bit bulkier, with a heavier weight of 10.6 oz for men’s shoes and 9.5 oz for women’s.
- It has a higher heel-to-toe drop of 8 mm, which provides extra cushion and support if you tend to heel strike more often.
- Its rubber outsole is a bit more durable and provides better traction for high-mileage runners who train on multiple surfaces.
Final Recommendation on the On Cloudmonster 3 vs. Brooks Glycerin 23
Overall, both of these shoes provide great cushioning and comfort for long runs.
The On Cloudmonster 3 is a great choice for a more responsive shoe that performs well when you want to run at a faster pace.
The Brooks Glycerin 23 is a more comfortable option for those who want to run longer distances or wear a low-impact shoe during recovery runs.
Explore and Try on These Brooks and On Cloud Running Shoes at Marathon Sports
You can find more details about these Brooks running shoes and On Cloud shoes at Marathon Sports.
Visit one of our retail locations to try them on before buying, or you can compare specs via our online store and have them conveniently shipped straight to your doorstep.
With a wide selection of running shoes from the top brands in the industry, we’re sure we have something that’ll fit your needs.
