Hawk HPS vs HPS 5.0 vs HP Plus — Which Brake Pads Do You Actually Need?

Hawk Performance makes some of the most popular aftermarket brake pads in North America, but their lineup can be confusing. HPS, HPS 5.0, HP Plus, DTC-30, DTC-60, Blue 9012 — what's the actual difference, and which one should you buy?

We carry the full Hawk Performance lineup at MyPartsGuy.ca, all priced in CAD with no duties. Here's the plain-language breakdown.

Hawk HPS — The Daily Driver Upgrade

HPS is Hawk's most popular pad and the right choice for the vast majority of Canadian street drivers. 20–40% more stopping power than most OEM pads, works from cold, very low dust, quiet operation.

Bottom line: If you never track your car, HPS is the right Hawk pad.

Hawk HPS 5.0 — A Meaningful Upgrade Over HPS

Approximately 5% higher friction coefficient than the original HPS. Same cold-start performance, slightly more initial bite. Operating range: approximately 100°C to 750°C — handles light track use.

Bottom line: If you want the best street pad and occasionally push it, HPS 5.0 is the sweet spot.

Hawk HP Plus — The Street/Track Crossover

Works cold — this is what separates HP Plus from pure track compounds. You can drive normally to the track without waiting for pads to warm up. Operating range: approximately 100°C to 900°C. More aggressive initial bite than HPS. More dust — your wheels will need more frequent cleaning.

Bottom line: HP Plus is the pad to buy if you track your car regularly and want one pad that works for both environments.

Hawk DTC-30 and DTC-60 — Dedicated Track Compounds

Purpose-built track compounds not intended for street use. Require heat to work properly. DTC-30 for circuit driving with consistent feel; DTC-60 for high-heat endurance racing.

A Note on Canadian Winter Driving

Cold bite matters more in Canada than almost anywhere else. HPS and HPS 5.0 both work reliably from cold. More aggressive compounds require warm-up — factor that into your compound choice for a Canadian winter daily driver.

Quick Decision Guide

• Street only: Hawk HPS
• Street mostly, occasional spirited driving: Hawk HPS 5.0
• Street and regular track days: Hawk HP Plus
• Dedicated track use: Hawk DTC-30 or DTC-60

Find the right Hawk pads for your vehicle using our Shop by Car tool, or browse our full brake pad collection — all priced in CAD, no duties, fast shipping across Canada.