Brooks - Cascadia 10

The last cascadia I owned was version 10. I got away from those shoes because they were too heavy and the heel drop was excessive for me. I still have them and use them for work around the house. They are really bombproof though. You can also look at the caldera, they used to be softer and lighter than the cascadia. Have you looked at Altra shoes? These are my go to for trail running shoes and even road running shoes.

I like the mud as well but the high alpine is closed until June! Love the NNormal, these are the Tomir 2, didn't really like the first model which had a weird-ish fit but these are my favorite trail shoes ever. Super comfortable with great durability. I have 800+km on them now and feel like they can keep going for at least 1/3 more. Only shoe as durable I've owned were an older model of Brooks Cascadia that are now long gone.

I wear the Cascadia, and I would never get the goretex version for running in the rain. When water gets into a goretex shoe, it stays there, as waterproofing works just as well at keeping water in as out. I just wear wool socks and gaiters with the regular version.

Brooks Cascadia (trail) fits just like Brooks Adrenaline GTS (road). I took up trail running after running on the road in the Adrenaline GTS for many years, and that's why I chose the Cascadia

I wear wool socks plus gaiters. The socks will keep your feet warm when wet, and the non-goretex version will allow water to drain. If the water goes over the top of a goretex shoe it will stay in the shoe, as goretex is just as good at keeping water in as out. I wear Brooks Cascadia, non goretex. Brooks trail shoes are great options if you wear Brooks on the road, as I do.

I live and backpack in the Northern Rockies. I used to think I needed boots for all those alpine streams and snow field crossings (mud less of an issue). But I'm much happier using trail runners than I ever was in boots. I use brooks cascadia, the non-waterproof ones, and pair the shoes with darn tough wool hike/run socks -- I've have never been happier. Yes, my feet may get wet, but more importantly, they dry hella fast. My feet also got wet in high quality waterproof hiking boots, and then they were damp the rest of the trip... For me, trail runners = happy feet. Of course, this is for "warm" season hiking. If everything is covered in a blanket of snow then I'll go with a pair of pack boots. But I can't remember the last time I wore hiking boots....

Make sense just keep track of wear and tear on the shoes. Might be a little harder since you obviously aren’t tracking the mileage just walking around all day.  I travel with a pair of Brooks Cascadia as my wearing around and running shoe while I’m on vacation. Brooks Divides would make a lot of sense if the terrain of your race supported those shoes. 

Oldhead here. Still a devotee of the Brooks Cascadia for this kind of stuff in the Cascades. If my foot fit the La Sportiva last I’d probably have a different answer.

Try them on first. The soles are so padded and thick they are a little unstable on steep rocky trails. They are so cushy they can make me trip walking on a sidewalk if I’m not accustomed to them. I bought a pair and they stayed in a closet after one use. Later, I had a severe painful sprain which took 6-months to heal and they were a godsend because the softness helped me be active while healing. They are weird shoes and very very soft.

Most trail runners dry super fast. When temps are above 25°F or so, wool socks will keep your feet warm in trail runners even when a little damp. Shoes that dry fast are better than shoes that advertise being waterproof but never dry if they do get wet, and retain tons of sweat in all 4 seasons.

I hike around 1500 miles per year on steep rocky trails (I live next to a mountain). I only wear trail runners because many are durable, affordable, light, and breathe well. If they get wet, they dry fast too. “Hiking” shoes are always hot and heavy in comparison. Wearing boots will make your ankles weak, just wear light shoes that fit well, breathe well, and have good grip. My favorites are Brooks Cascadia and Merrell Nova. Trail runners have a lot of variety. Many are ultra light and fall apart. Many are so cushioned that you can’t feel the ground under your feet and the soles are so pillowy you’ll trip. Some are waterproof/gore so they are super hot and sweaty and never dry if they do get wet. Try them on at a store and get a feel for what is “just right.”

I wear my brooks cascadia for all trail running , works fine , no need for 10 pairs , I think it’s getting to deep in the weeds to have that many pairs

Brooks Cascadia

I've been happy with the Brooks Cascadia in technical terrain.