Brooks Cascadia Elite vs Hoka Tecton X3
Brooks Cascadia Elite vs Hoka Tecton X3: weight, drop (6 mm vs 5 mm), cushioning, lugs and which races each one suits best.
Quick verdict
The Brooks Cascadia Elite is 14 g lighter. The Hoka Tecton X3 grips better, with 4 mm lugs.
BrooksBrooks Cascadia EliteZapatilla de competición de Brooks con máxima amortiguación y suela Vibram Megagrip Elite.
Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)
HokaHoka Tecton X3Racing trail shoe designed for ultra distance. Dual parallel carbon fibre plates for maximum energy efficiency and ultralight PEBA foam that absorbs impact mile after mile. Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for reliable grip on mixed terrain. Weight: 290 g. Drop: 5 mm.
Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Hoka Tecton X3: specs and racesSpec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Brooks Cascadia Elite | Hoka Tecton X3 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (per shoe) | 278 g | 292 g |
| Drop | 6 mm | 5 mm |
| Heel stack | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 34 mm | 35 mm |
| Lug depth | 3.5 mm | 4 mm |
| Fit | – | Narrow |
| Stable platform | – | – |
| Waterproof | – | – |
| Carbon plate | – | ✓ |
| Terrain | smooth, mixed | mixed, technical |
Brand-stated specs or values measured by independent sources. Green marks the better value when one is clearly better.
Which races does each one suit? Checked against 249 races
For each race we look at the terrain, the distance and the average rainfall around race day in recent years, and see which shoe fits best.
Hoka Tecton X3: better pick in 109 of 249
Tied in 140
We couldn't find that race in our calendar. Try another name or the town.
| Race | What it needs | Brooks Cascadia Elite | Hoka Tecton X3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Raid de La Réunion180 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
| L'Infernal Trail des Vosges205 km | Likely mud | Not its terrain | Copes |
| Mañaritik Atxetara43 km | Rock and technical ground | Not its terrain | Built for it |
| Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB168 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
| Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail185 km | Likely mud | Not its terrain | Copes |
| Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls185 km | Likely mud | Not its terrain | Copes |
| Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs176 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
| UTMB Mont-Blanc174 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
Criteria: mud when it often rains around race day on soft ground; rock for skyrunning and vertical kilometres; ultra from 50 km; mixed otherwise.
Analysis: where they really differ
These are both brands' high-stack race shoes, with 40 mm at the heel. The Cascadia Elite is 14 g lighter; the Tecton X3 has a carbon plate according to Hoka and is also built for technical ground, but with a narrow fit.
Choose the Brooks Cascadia Elite if…
- You want the lighter option (278 g) for racing.
- Narrow lasts don't fit your foot.
- Your races are mostly runnable trail and fire road.
Choose the Hoka Tecton X3 if…
- You want the propulsion of a carbon plate in ultras.
- Your races include technical, rocky sections.
- You have a narrow or medium foot and like a snug fit.