Brooks Glycerin vs Hoka Clifton – What Is the Running Shoe for You?
Pick the Hoka Clifton if you want a lighter, more nimble daily trainer that runs true to size. Pick the Brooks Glycerin if you want the plushest, most cushioned ride Brooks makes and don’t mind sizing up. Both are neutral road shoes built for everyday miles, and the right one comes down to how much shoe you want on your foot.
This guide breaks down the weight, drop, cushioning, and sizing differences so you can choose with confidence.
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Glycerin vs Clifton at a glance
- Pick the Glycerin if: you want Brooks’ most cushioned shoe and a deeper 10mm drop for short to moderate runs.
- Pick the Glycerin if: you’re fine going up half a size or more for a roomier fit.
- Pick the Clifton if: you want a lighter shoe with a lower 5mm drop for long-distance comfort.
- Pick the Clifton if: you’d rather not guess at sizing. It runs true to size for most runners.
Glycerin vs Clifton: the head to head
Brooks built the Glycerin as its softest, most cushioned daily trainer. The men’s version weighs about 10.2oz with a 10mm drop, and Brooks doesn’t publish an exact cushion volume, just that it’s their plushest model.
Hoka built the Clifton lighter and more responsive. The men’s version weighs about 8.8oz to 8.9oz with a 5mm drop, and Hoka lists a cushion volume of 655 cubic centimeters. That lower drop gives it a flatter, more natural-feeling stride.
Sizing is the real deciding factor. The Glycerin runs small with a narrower toe box, so most runners size up half a size to a full size. The Clifton runs true to size for most feet, with enough toe box room that sizing up is optional rather than necessary.
For use case, the Glycerin’s heavier, deeper-drop build suits shorter runs and runners who want maximum cushion underfoot. The Clifton’s lighter weight and true-to-size fit make it the better choice for long-distance training, where every extra ounce and every sizing guess adds up.
| Shoe | Brooks Glycerin | Hoka Clifton |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (men’s/women’s) | 10.2oz / 9oz | 8.8oz / 7.5oz |
| Stability | Neutral | Neutral |
| Cushion | Brooks’ most cushioned model | Balanced, 655cm³ |
| Drop | 10mm | 5mm |
| Sizing | Runs small, size up | True to size |
| Width options | Medium, wide | Regular, wide |
Deciding between Hoka models instead? Our Hoka Clifton vs Bondi comparison covers the tradeoff between the Clifton’s lighter feel and the Bondi’s extra cushion. And if you like the Clifton’s ride but want something softer, see how it compares in Hoka Rincon vs Clifton.
Glycerin vs Glycerin GTS
Brooks also sells a Glycerin GTS, which stands for Go-To-Support. It uses the same cushioning as the standard Glycerin but adds GuideRails, supportive sidewalls that guide your stride if you overpronate.
The regular Glycerin is a neutral shoe with no added support structure. If you don’t overpronate, stick with the standard version. If you need extra stability without losing the plush feel, the GTS is the better fit.
You can read more in our neutral vs. stability running shoes guide.
The bottom line
Both shoes are well-built neutral trainers, but they serve different runners. The Glycerin is heavier and plusher, with a steep 10mm drop and a smaller toe box that usually means sizing up.
The Clifton is lighter, lower to the ground, and runs true to size, which makes it the more dependable choice for long-distance training. If you want maximum cushion and don’t mind adjusting your size, you can check the Brooks Glycerin on Amazon. If you’d rather have a lighter shoe that fits as expected out of the box, you can see the Hoka Clifton on Amazon.
