Brooks Glycerin 23 vs Saucony Paramount Max
We haven't tested Brooks Glycerin 23 or Saucony Paramount Max yet, so their role suitability is estimated from published specs.
Brooks
Glycerin 23
Check priceReview Pulse · Mostly positive · 69/100
Reviewers praise the cushioning and upper and split on the ride and value.
Saucony
Paramount Max
Check priceReview Pulse · Mostly positive · 80/100
Reviewers praise the ride and cushioning, criticise the grip and split on the upper and stability.
The differences that matter
- Saucony Paramount Max is 31 g lighter.
- Saucony Paramount Max has 5 mm more foam under the heel.
- Brooks Glycerin 23 has the higher drop (8 mm vs 6 mm).
- Brooks Glycerin 23 costs $25 less at list price.
What reviewers say
Ride
Brooks Glycerin 23
Divisive
Plush and smooth at easy paces, but reviewers split on whether the extra forefoot foam makes it more modern or just heavier and flat, with little help when the pace lifts.
Saucony Paramount Max
Praised
A very soft, springy ride makes easy and long runs its strong suit, but the tall shoe feels less nimble when pace changes.
Cushioning
Brooks Glycerin 23
Praised
A soft heel and noticeably more forefoot foam than the Glycerin 22 give protective, balanced cushioning that holds up on long runs.
Saucony Paramount Max
Praised
Reviewers agree the deep, responsive foam offers substantial protection and rebound for long mileage.
Upper
Brooks Glycerin 23
Praised
Premium, padded and comfortable with a roomy toe box, though the thick knit runs warm and the fit suits lower-volume feet unless you choose a wide.
Saucony Paramount Max
Divisive
The padded mesh and broad fit feel comfortable to many, but reviewers also report low toe volume, heel movement, a minimally padded collar and heat retention.
Durability
Brooks Glycerin 23
Praised
Full-coverage rubber, a tough knit upper and little lab wear point to a long life, which is the shoe's strongest argument at this price.
Saucony Paramount Max
Divisive
Lab and retailer assessments are optimistic about outsole life, while one runner noticed early wear in exposed midsole foam.
Grip
Brooks Glycerin 23
Praised
Reliable on wet and dry roads, with lab traction well above average and enough coverage for light paths.
Saucony Paramount Max
Criticised
Grip is average on roads and can be unreliable on loose gravel, so it is best kept to smooth surfaces.
Stability
Brooks Glycerin 23
Praised
The broad platform and firm forefoot make it one of the more planted neutral trainers, though it is not a support shoe.
Saucony Paramount Max
Divisive
A very broad base and sidewalls help some runners feel stable, but the soft, bouncy platform feels unpredictable to others.
Value
Brooks Glycerin 23
Divisive
The durability partly justifies $175, but several reviewers say it is too expensive for a heavy, plateless trainer and point to the cheaper Ghost or Glycerin Flex.
Saucony Paramount Max
Divisive
The $200 price is steep, though reviewers see a case for it in the unusual foam, protection and orthotic accommodation.
Which one to choose
Choose Brooks Glycerin 23 if…
- you prefer to feel closer to the ground
- you like a higher drop
- price matters
- its upper is what you care about most
Reviewers recommend it for
- Easy runs, recovery days and long runs
- Heel strikers who want a plush landing
- Walkers and people on their feet all day
Choose Saucony Paramount Max if…
- you want the lighter shoe
- you want more foam under you
- you like a lower drop
- its ride is what you care about most
Reviewers recommend it for
- Easy and recovery runs
- Long runs and high-mileage weeks
- Runners seeking very soft, bouncy cushioning
Specifications
- Category
- Max-cushion trainer
- Max-cushion trainer
- Price
- $175$25 less
- $200
- Weight
- 303 g
- 272 g31 g lighter
- Drop
- 8 mm
- 6 mm2 mm lower drop
- Stack
- 38 / 30 mm
- 43 / 37 mm5 mm more stack
- Plate
- Not reported
- Not reported
- Stability
- Neutral
- Neutral
- Foam
- DNA TUNED
- incrediRUN
Role suitability
DAILY
RECOVERY
LONG RUN
TEMPO
RACE