HOKA Skyward X vs Brooks Glycerin Max

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

HOKA Skyward X
Brooks Glycerin Max

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 03, 2025 02:18 PM

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Hoka.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 16, 2025 04:17 PM

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Amazon.com

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.

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Variants

  • Skyward X (Black/Electric Aqua - (Men - US 9))
  • Skyward X (Blanc De Blanc/Swim Day - (Women - US 7))
  • Glycerin Max (Almond Peach/London Fog/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Glycerin Max (Aurora Black/Ebony - (Men - US 9))

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

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 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Glycerin Max Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Glycerin Max Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

306.9 g (10.82 oz)
304.9 g (10.75 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Glycerin Max 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  

Preview 3D
HOKA Skyward X 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Brooks Glycerin Max 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
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
HOKA Skyward X 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Brooks Glycerin Max 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 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Brooks Glycerin Max 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  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

78.1%
67.1%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.7
2.1

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

79.2%
68.1%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

8.8
8.2

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Glycerin Max Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 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
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

9.6
9.1

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
HOKA Skyward X Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Brooks Glycerin Max Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 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
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

3.7
4.2

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 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
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

5.3
5.8

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 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
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

9.0
8.5

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
HOKA Skyward X Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Brooks Glycerin Max 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

HOKA Skyward X

Brooks Glycerin Max

Comments

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HOKA Skyward X vs Brooks Glycerin Max: Main Discussion

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