Brooks Glycerin 22 vs Asics Gel-Cumulus 28:
Which to Choose

Both shoes are built for the same job — protective, high-cushion everyday training for neutral runners who want comfort over snap — and both lean soft enough that quick paces feel vague, so neither is a tempo tool. The clearest split is geometry. The Cumulus 28 sits on a taller platform (roughly 43mm heel / 30mm forefoot) with a steep 13mm heel-to-toe drop, while the Glycerin 22 is lower and more moderate (about 38.5mm heel / 28–29mm forefoot) at a 10mm drop. That gives the Cumulus a taller, more rolling, more heel-biased ride — and its PureGEL heel insert reinforces that, making landings exceptionally gentle for runners who come down hard on the heel. The Glycerin's lower, 10mm setup feels a touch closer to the ground and plays better across heel and midfoot strikes, so it's the more versatile of the two underfoot. Foam character differs too: the Glycerin's nitrogen-infused DNA Tuned foam carries a gentle, moderate spring that keeps the stride a little livelier, whereas the Cumulus's FF Blast Max with the gel insert absorbs and smooths more than it pushes back, prioritizing shock relief over rebound. Both use accommodating engineered mesh uppers and both anchor the ride with a wide, sidewall-supported base rather than a medial post, so stability is comparable and firmly in neutral territory. On weight the Glycerin is the heavier of the two — around 293g versus roughly 275g for the Cumulus — which, combined with the lower drop and slightly springier foam, makes the Brooks feel marginally more willing when you lift the pace, while the Asics stays most at home at relaxed, long-haul effort.