Products
HOKA Skyward X
Brooks Glycerin Max
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Oct 29, 2025 06:55 PM
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Hoka.com
Tested using Methodology v0.9
Updated Oct 31, 2025 01:12 PM
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Brooks
Weight
306.9 g (10.82 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.8 mm
Plate
Carbon Fiber
Weight
304.9 g (10.75 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.3 mm
Plate
None
Our Verdict
HOKA Skyward X
Brooks Glycerin Max
The HOKA Skyward X and the Brooks Glycerin Max are both ultra-high-stack, max-cushioned trainers, but they take different approaches to achieving comfort and performance. The HOKA is the more cushioned of the two, offering an even softer and more protective ride while providing significantly more energy return, which is something the Brooks shoe lacks entirely. The Brooks, while slightly lighter, is a straightforward, no-fuss max-cushioned trainer that excels at one thing: providing soft, consistent comfort for easy runs. Also, while both shoes have substantial stack heights, the Brooks' stack is less exaggerated, making it feel a bit more traditional.
Variants
- Skyward X (Black/Electric Aqua - (Men - US 9))
- Skyward X (Blanc De Blanc/Swim Day - (Women - US 7))
- Skyward X (Blanc De Blanc/Virtual Blue - (Men - US 9))
- Skyward X (Cosmic Grey/Rose Gold - (Women - US 7))
- Skyward X (Cosmic Grey/Silver - (Men - US 9))
- Skyward X (Frost/Lupine - (Men - US 9))
- Skyward X (Frost/Lupine - (Women - US 7))
- Skyward X (Lettuce/Cloudless - (Men - US 9))
- Skyward X (Lettuce/Cloudless - (Women - US 7))
- Skyward X (Luna Moth/Black - (Men - US 9))
- Skyward X (Mint Fluorite /Blue Spark - (Women - US 7))
- Glycerin Max (Almond Peach/London Fog/White - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Aurora Black/Ebony - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Black/Ebony/Winter Sky - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Black/Orchid Ice/Grey - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Country Blue/Sky/Orange - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Falcon/Green/London Fog - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Grey/Black/Nightlife - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Peacoat/Blue Ribbon/Hot Coral - (Men - US 9))
- Glycerin Max (Pearlized White/Bay - (Women - US 7))
- Glycerin Max (White/Black/Diva Pink - (Women - US 7))
Main Differences for
Marathon Racing
Marathon Racing
Threshold
Marathon Racing
7.3
5.4
Forefoot Energy Return
7.7
2.1
Heel Energy Return
7.5
1.7
Plate
Carbon Fiber
None
Full Comparison
Design
Weight
4.1
4.2
Right Shoe Weight Photo
Left Shoe Weight Photo
Weight
306.9 g (10.82 oz)
304.9 g (10.75 oz)
Stack Heights
Stack Height Photo
Heel Stack Height
50.4 mm
47.4 mm
Forefoot Stack Height
43.6 mm
42.1 mm
Heel-To-Toe Drop
6.8 mm
5.3 mm
Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.0 mm
6.0 mm
External Shape
3D Model Full Shoe
Outsole Heel Width
95 mm (3.7")
88 mm (3.5")
Outsole Arch Width
82 mm (3.2")
85 mm (3.3")
Outsole Forefoot Width
119 mm (4.7")
114 mm (4.5")
Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio
1.88
1.86
Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio
2.73
2.71
Internal Shape
3D Model Internal
Internal Length
274 mm (10.8")
275 mm (10.8")
Internal Heel Width
60 mm (2.4")
66 mm (2.6")
Internal Forefoot Width
91 mm (3.6")
94 mm (3.7")
Wide Sizing Available
No
No
Other Features
Other Features Photo
Tongue Gusset Type
Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted
Plate
Carbon Fiber
None
Performance
Heel Energy Return
7.5
1.7
Heel Compression Video
Heel Energy Return
Heel Energy Return
78.1%
67.1%
Forefoot Energy Return
7.7
2.1
Forefoot Compression Video
Forefoot Energy Return
Forefoot Energy Return
79.2%
68.1%
Heel Cushioning
8.8
8.2
Heel Cushioning Picture
Heel Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 550N
3.56 J
3.29 J
Energy Absorbed At 1100N
11.41 J
10.39 J
Energy Absorbed At 1900N
21.08 J
18.78 J
Forefoot Cushioning
9.6
9.1
Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Forefoot Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 800N
6.19 J
5.21 J
Energy Absorbed At 1300N
11.79 J
10.40 J
Energy Absorbed At 2050N
18.34 J
16.39 J
Heel Firmness
3.7
4.2
Heel Firmness
Firmness At 550N
42.8 N/mm
45.7 N/mm
Firmness At 1100N
79.0 N/mm
91.3 N/mm
Firmness At 1900N
169.4 N/mm
178.3 N/mm
Forefoot Firmness
5.3
5.8
Forefoot Firmness
Firmness At 800N
66.2 N/mm
74.8 N/mm
Firmness At 1300N
128.1 N/mm
138.2 N/mm
Firmness At 2050N
250.9 N/mm
257.3 N/mm
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
9.0
8.5
Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
Energy Absorbed At 10km
10.59 J
9.68 J
Energy Absorbed At 20km
10.34 J
9.41 J
Energy Absorbed At 30km
10.19 J
9.25 J
Energy Absorbed At 40km
10.08 J
9.14 J
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HOKA Skyward X
Brooks Glycerin Max
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HOKA Skyward X vs Brooks Glycerin Max: Main Discussion
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