Brooks - Cascadia 16

absolutely love the brooks cascadia (16s specifically)

Boring is good if boring is what works. The 16s were my first trail shoe and still my favorite. I wish I bought 100 pairs. The 17s and 18s seem a little different and I haven’t found a good flow with them yet. Brooks fit me the best so I’m not looking to change anything up, just curious if you’ve noticed a change over the last few years.

I’m it from the area that your talking about but years ago I did Mount Bachelor versus the Sisters because there was a forest fire which they shut the entire area down. One huge thing I noticed was it’s all volcanic rock which is super hard on shoes and the soles of shoes, and that grey/black dust that gets into everything. When I did that area I took trail runners that were mainly made with all a soft nylon cloth and no rock protection along but once I saw those kinds of rocks and debris I went and wore all leather hiking boots and short gators after I went for a shorter hiking with the trail runners. For me this was a better option because my all leather hiking boots took the abrasive material better and the short gators kept that dusty debris out. It’s a suggestion, there’s better options now probably than there were when I did this but if I was going to go there again I believe I would look for trail runners that can take that abrasive material better without causing severe breakdown of the overall shoe material that uses some sort of rock protection around the entire shoe or especially around the front so it holds up better from that volcanic material. The newer trail runners also have added features to hook on a pair of gators to keep debris out as well. I know certain Altras do and the Brooks Cascadia do and I know the last couple Cascadia versions did have a sort of toe rock protection to them and those gator things. I would do like someone else suggested, which is go to like REI and try on some pairs and tell the sales associates what your planning on doing. For me I would be partial to the Brooks Cascadia because they are my go to and for me they normally hold up pretty well to abrasives. Hope this is helpful and keep going.

I like my Brooks Cascadia. I don’t have the 18 but I started wearing a pair of 17’s this weekend. I have to say the last pair of Cascadias, the 16, to this pair are definitely different. For me they are better, little wider toe box, more defined heel cup and over all for me is a better shoe than the 16. I’d say it’s pretty safe going with the Cascadia. I’d worn and have other trail shoes but it’s my go to trail shoe if I’m looking or if they happen to randomly go on sale. Hope this is helpful and keep going.

Came here to say this about the cascadia. I tried a pair of New Balance unknown summit which I like too. All the other ones on your list I’ve tried to some extent. Some work for me as well and some not so much but I always feel like I’ve got to find that “one”. Check out Scarpa https://us.scarpa.com trail running shoes, I’ve never tried them but they’re on my list to do so. Little pricey and if the sizing is like hiking boots it might be a little weird but I love their hiking boots it hope this is helpful and keep going.

I’d recommend a non Gore Tex as your first and level upon the type of socks your going to wear so your feet stay warm. Do I have a pair of gore Tex shoes, yes, but they aren’t my only pair and I only use they certain times of the year. Trail running, where I live always, always ends up crossing some stream or running thru a puddle or something that your feet will get wet. With a Gore Tex shoe, once the water gets inside it doesn’t drain out and you end up running in soaked feet which your trying to avoid because otherwise why pay for the Gore Tex. Don’t get me wrong it has its place but I’d either have this as another pair or two before buy a pair with Gore Tex. I like and seem to always gravitate towards Brooks Cascadia, Saucony Peregrine and the New Balance Summit Unknown. All three feel different, breathe different, cushioning is a little different and fit slightly different but that’s what I like about them. I try and pick up shoes online that are last years models to save which loosely justifies having two pairs or more if you want. Hope this is helpful and keep going.

Brooks Cascadia and CEP socks. Brooks shorts, the ones with the rear pockets and rear center zipper pocket. Garmin watch, some light weight shirt, hat and camelbak vest or camelbak belt. Camelbak flasks or Hydrapak flasks.

for me its a difference. im cascadia user since their 14 series, had all of them. between 16 vs 17 there is some difference. * 16 re more softly cushioned in mid layer, 17/18 re less soft but still perfectly fine for my needs which re like 42km max! * 16 have different outsole compared to 17 / 18 but honestly they re both performs excelent, i find 16 slightly better on wet terrain specially on more muddy terrain since they don't have those mini canals in bettwen and those canals tends to collect mud easier and its get off harder but again, its really small detail, nothing to worry about! * for me 17 re looks more like running shoes while 16 fells more like hiking one but performance is around the same, again 16 were little bit too soft for me personally soo i liked 17/18 more also some warning for you. don't go into high mountains with them or on some step/challening route with some climbing or with your full backpack onto your back. while they re lightweight, they don't protect your foot anywhere near compared to proper hiking boots + on rocks don't expect them to last some serious time, ok on normal rocks its going to be fine but on some rocks where they re sharp edges or you need to climb a little bit i suspect them to not last very long. def get used on them before trying some more challening terrain, those shoes re comfortable and lightweight but it comes with a price or worse foot protection! soo again, just as a word of a caution! those trail runners re for trail running and not for hiking in mountains!

Im using them for quite few years already, from 14th edition on, bassically my goto shoes which i always buy new pair alongside other pair from some other brand, bassically cascadia is my goto shoe while idk dynafit, asics, addidas, etc. Re my secondary shoe. As of grip, no complains. It works good/great but does not works like flawless, like i would not go into some heavy mud with them. Soo overwall im felling comfortable taking them into wet conditions. Dry land, works flawless and also outsole is quite durable if youn dont take them into mountains onto sharper rocks or really rocky area all the time. My 17 outsole last around 400km of mixed terrain and i ve could still take them onto some dry surfaces. Soo overwall brooks cascadia re having really good outsole grip imo.

I have been wearing the Cascadias for several years and when a pair runs out, just buy the next model available. I didn't notice any significant difference going from the 16s to 17s.

I have the 16's. They fit like nothing else.

Cascadia 16s were my go-to, now it's Speedgoat 5s. Solid on some ridiculously rocky, rooty trails in MA.

Try looking for a pair of Brooks catamount 2s, or cascadia 16s. You can find them for decently cheap and they will be much better than these acics.

I’ve done multiple 20 mile days in cascadia 16 gtx while in the Adirondacks. great shoe for rough trails.

+1 mine do not die

Brooks Cascadia and The North Face Vectiv Enduris 3 are my two that have most room.

You can probably find decent all rounders to do this, Brooks Cascadia or ASICS Trabuco. Personally if it’s over half marathon with 10k or more on road I’ll favour comfort over grip and just be prepared to slip around a bit, and will use my Trabuco Max.

Brooks Cascadia, ASICS Trabuco, TNF vector enduris 3, all good all rounder trail shoes. Look for deals, avoid altra unless you know that you want zero drop.

Brooks Cascadia is a solid all rounder in the same way with a good wide toe box and rock plate.

Good choice. I got the 16s last year on sale and theyre great. Also check Salomon Sense ride 5 that can be had at a great price right now.

I've run 100ks in the cascadia 16s and never had a problem. Give it a go!

Also a fan of the Cascadias, and I completely agree that it makes no sense to ask for recs without personal benchmarks.

I do exactly the same, Cascadias 16. Still perfectly usable after 1,000km, it's a heavy but really robust shoe.

I despise the 18s.  After a run or hike my feet were always super sore and after a couple months I left them in the closet and bought another shoe.  I miss the feel of the cascadia 15 and 16!!  I’m hoping the 19s are back on form

Brooks Cascadias are my favorites. They can do it all, and have always protected my feet at all distances (up to 50 mile).

I keep popping up in questions like this to recommend Brooks Cascadia. They’ve been my old reliable that I trust for any trail and any distance (farthest I’ve done is 50 mile). They have never given me foot issues. They’re admittedly not very exciting. They’re like the Toyota Prius of trail shoes (I also love my Toyota Prius).

I loved the 16s, but the foam flattened out way too soon for my liking. They still protected my feet well, though. I ran through two pairs. I have the 18s now and I love them. They seem to be holding up better. I don’t consider them fast, but I’m DEFINITELY not fast in shoes that give me blisters.

I use brooks cascadia 16’s I believe, absolutely amazing trail shoe one of the best pieces of kit I’ve ever bought, solid, supportive, firm and not too bouncy. I would highly recommend

I use Hyperion 2s for road and Cascadia 16s for trails. They get the job done. I’m not sure about the 18s and the only thing I can see is you’ll be losing about 4mm in drop from your adrenalines down to 8.

If you like Brooks go try on some Cascadias. 

I have the non GTX cascadia 16 and love them. Got them this summer. I prefer to hike in them so much more than my Salewa GTX boots. I do think I’ll have to use my boots in wet or snow tho.

Thanks for this! I bought a pair of 16s I loved in 2022, and have been using them for hiking only. It's time to replace them and I've been thinking about the 19s. Super appreciate you coming back to comment after 100K. And congrats on coming in well under your A goal time!

I rock the Last year model Brooks Cascadia 16 and they’ve been great. The gortex works great they are a very waterproof shoe

Novablast are road shoes. Look for a trail shoe with a grippy sole. Vibram has always been a good choice. Hoka makes shoes with vibram soles, and they have a reputation for good traction. There are a lot of other materials that work well these days. I wear Brooks Cascadia which uses some other compound. Older models used to be poor on wet rocks, but now they're quite good. I'm not familiar with other brands, but look for a review site and pick a shoe that's rated as having good traction. Consider getting some removable traction spikes. Kahtoola makes a range that work on roads to trails. I have their microspikes, which are meant for trails. They also have some with less aggressive spikes meant for roads.

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.

Another vote for non gtx. Great shoe for pnw hiking and light backpacking.

A lot of people don’t like GoreTex for their trail runners, but I personally have both versions of the Cascadias and really like the GTX for hiking. This past weekend, I was on trails with dew and small streams, and it was great not having to worry about wet feet. GTX is also quite useful on compact snow. For trail running though, breathability is more of a concern and I do prefer the non GTX.

I’ve hiked in Brooks Cascadias (non GTX) for years and love them. Never have had a blister.

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.

Been wearing Cascadias for about 12 years for hiking and scrambling in the region. As I age, I want a stiffer shoe for more support over talus / boulder hopping. But if you’re young and spry and they comfy in your living room, you should be good to go.

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 have had many Brooks Cascadia shoes size 43. Took the Nnormal in 42 2/3 size (EU) but found them a tad too narrow in the front. Second shoe I took 43 1/3 and they fit great.

The sole of the worn ones is pretty much gone in the front side so they are retired now :). Btw, Brooks Cascadia's generally have good durability too, they are a solid shoe for everyday trail running. Last year I did about 5000km 200K m of elevation gain using 3 pairs of Cascadia's and 1 Nnormal Tomir.

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.

I’m 219 lbs at 6’-3” but I don’t like super padded shoes for road or trail. Personally I find a shoe in the middle. I like the Brooks Cascades a lot and picked them up for $60 on sale. I also run in Altra lone peak 6s and Speedgoat 6s. I haven’t noticed any issues from any of them and I rotate the shoes on different runs. I do keep insoles in them all and it also helps with extra padding.

You might have luck with Brooks Catamount or Cascadias! They both are fairly narrow and have a protective rock plate. I also love Topo Mtn Racers- they have a wider toe box but are narrower everywhere else, and they have vibram soles with great traction. As a general heads up, I have narrow feet too and swear by heel lock lacing- it’s been a game changer and prevents a lot of heel slipping!

From what I understand a men's standard width shoe is a women's wide. I'm a bloke, I run in Brooks and find they fit my "slightly wider than standard but not wide enough for wide fit" feet really well and find their Cascadia trail shoes really comfortable. I used to run in Hoka and found them narrow for my feet and had to get the wide width. The Brooks standard width feels the same to me as the Hoka wide. Suggest avoiding Sports Direct for shoes. If you can't find a specialist shop near you (Up And Running, The Running Outlet etc) try either Sports Shoes (https://www.sportsshoes.com/) or Start Fitness (https://startfitness.co.uk/) as they offer easy returns as long as you only try the shoes on inside.

I agree on going with Trail Running shoes. It is a tradeoff of durability vs lighter weight. I am happy with my Brooks Cascadia. I have a pair of Oboz Firebrand II. I wear them in the winter but they feel like a pair of bricks on my feet. They will probably last years whereas the trail hikers will probably last 1 season.

Brooks Cascadias. Trail runners with a wide toebox.

Great experience with the 12s. Have used them across arid and wet climates this fall with great traction on the surfaces I’ve come across. (Seattle, Portland, Denver, PHX, LA). Will likely blindly go into the 13s once I need them I’ve liked them so much. For reference, previously in Brooks Cascade(they ruined a great shoe), and Saucony Peregrine (hard on my feet after rocky terrain over ~8mi

I love my brooks Cascadia, would absolutely buy them again. Breathable, have held up well to moderate use and the treads provide good traction. Would recommend

Cascadias were my fav for backpacking(probably 5-6 pairs over the years) until they changed then mold they were built around a while back ago and they got a bit narrower in the toe box. On my last pair I blew out the mesh by my pinkie toe well before there was any other wear on the shoes.   Every pair were extremely comfortable immediately. Traction was good but not as sticky as my vibram chacos on wet things. I didn't use the GTX version but I was usually hiking in summer conditions. 

This is the best advice. I avoided asking for help for the entirety of my adult life and kept realizing I’d wear a pair of shoes 8-10 times and then buy something else because “I didn’t love them.” Finally went to a running shop (even though I’m not a runner) and discovered I’d always been buying the wrong shoes. I’ve always known I had wide feet, but learned that I’m a forefoot-striking underpronator w/ high arches, and I needed a neutral shoe in wide with an aftermarket insole. I bought a brand of shoes I never would’ve considered (Brooks) and a month later they’re the most comfortable thing I’ve ever owned. I’m going to consider the Brooks Cascadia for that reason because I’ve been through almost every one of the common recs here (Hoka, Altra, Salomon, LS) and none have worked for me.

I find the higher the stack leads to more rolling ankles. Shoes that have not worked for me: Brooks Cascadia, New Balance Hierro Shoes that have worked for me: La Sportiva Bushido, Topo Terraventure. Also would like to find a more cushioned shoe but they have been directly correlated to rolled ankles for me and I'm sick of spending money on shoes for now. I'll see how far I can go in the Bushidos, I did a 50 miler in them and it was good, although I was definitely hurting at the end!! The more you do the more you adapt though!

I had the exact same issue with the Cascadias as well. I’ve just done a 100km event last weekend in a pair of Tarkine trail devils. Bloody loved them. Made in Australia (not sure where you’re based) Nice wise toe box and no issues with blisters like I was getting with the Cascadias

Cool! Thanks! It looks to be a mostly runnable race with only a few technical sections. I'm a little worried about the Schafbachalm - St. Gilgen -Schaffberg -St Gilgen segment. How technical are those downhills, actually? Are they hardpack road, grass, or roots and dirt? Or a mix of all three? I'm trying to make shoe choices and wondering how muddy the downhills might get if it rains as much as last year! Currently running in Brooks Cascadias and doing boatloads of technical up and downhill training, but it's dry as a bone where I live. How well stocked were the aid stations? I'm planning on bringing mostly all of my own tailwind/nutrition, but it's nice to have options. Some races run out by the time the mid-back of the pack runners get through. Most importantly, what kind of beer would you recommend for the finish line?

My 14er shoe is the Brooks Cascadia

I only hike in my trail running shoes. Saucony peregrine have a rock plate but don’t sleep on brooks cascadia (new found love for brooks)

I’ve had Hoka Kaha 2 and Trail Code. I think they’re just ok. I don’t have the best ankles either. I found them a little too sloppy inside. It is hard to really secure my feet in them. A good amount of sliding around no matter how tight I tie them. I’m into Brooks Cascadias now. The heal cup really holds my foot in there.

Echo it's personal preference. Like you, boots are my go-to, but I've explored getting out of my comfort zone with non-WP trail runners. Here's my personal take. If there aren't a crazy amount of wet crossings, I prefer boots and to just swap into camp sandals for the crossings. If there are ton's of wet crossings, or I'll be wet-wading while fishing, I wear trail runners. I have tried Astral Timps and Brooks Cascadia, and much prefer the tread on the Cascadia's. If I know it's going to rain or be very likely to rain for many days in row, I now wear my runners. If I don't know what to expect with the weather, I'm wearing my boots because I still prefer them and am ok with damp feet, but there is absolutely merit to non-WP trail runners. I suggest experiment with your new choice on day hikes, both sunny and sloppy wet, then short backpacking trips and slowly expand your level of trust and comfort and decide from there. Not all trips have to be the same. For reference, most of my trips are 2-5 nights. Traveling internationally I usually do 5-14 night trips at a time and will use my WP boots because I find them more comfortable, more durable, more supportive and I don't always know ahead of time what I'll be getting into. But everyone is different.

I also recommend the Brooks Cascadia.

Try Brooks Cascadia. I have over 400 miles and showing little wear. I just picked up Kjerags and I'm hoping to get at least 500 out of those. I rotate a handful of shoes so I'm set for a while. Or until the next unbelievable deal...

Brooks Cascadias work great for me.

If you can get hold of it, I'd recommend using wads of raw wool down the back of your sock. Tear off a smallish chunk, hold it against your heel as you put your sock on. You'd think it would move around, but generally it doesn't. Usually by the end of the day, it's formed it's own felted pad that you can re-use every day. Doesn't have to be special "Hiker Wool" in my experience, as long as it's clean and doesn't have any debris in it. The lanolin in the wool helps a little as well, I think. I used this inside my darn tough lighter hiker socks + Brookes Cascadia while doing the JMT, and it worked really well for me. Edit : You can also use the wool for toe blisters by wrapping the wad around the affected toe.

People hike in sandals ofc, hell some hike barefoot, but for me once a rock, stick, or dirt get stuck in my sandal I can't stand that feeling. If I'm hiking in sandals it's because I'm in a water crossing. I don't like hiking in boots just because of the weight. If I were somewhere with snow I would probably consider boots. For the longest time I wore a trusty pair of Merrell Moab, but I just got a pair of Brooks Cascadia and they quickly became my go-to hiking shoe.

Just got Brooks Cascadia and I love them.

The Cascadias work just fine for me. I run streets in Glycerines

All excellent points. This list is helpful to me right now, though, bc the Brooks Cascadia either got a little wider or my feet have narrowed, so I'm suddenly in the market for a new trail shoe and this gives me a decent place to start.

I also have weak ankles, and also have used Hokas when hiking. I've had great success with Brooks Cascadia shoes as well, that's what I'm currently rocking on trails when it's wet because they breathe and let water out a bit better. I wear Altas too for their wide toe box.

Check out Brooks Divides. They are a hybrid shoe for trail and road. I find them to be very stable. I also love Brooks Cascadias but they have a rock plate which can be really firm.

I've found this true too. To me, there's nothing exciting or special about the Cascadias. And previous versions were even pretty clunky. They're average at everything but they just work for my similar foot shape. I'm still looking for my Cinderella shoe, but the Cascadia is pretty decent.

Shoes like the Saucony Peregrine, Salomon Speedcross, or Brooks Cascadia provide a good balance between road and trail performance. They are comfortable and super durable. All are within your budget, and with a bit of searching, you can likely find them at discounted prices. I’d recommend trying them on before purchasing, as trail shoes often have a specific fit that can vary between brands.

Try a few out and see what works for you. I’m all Brooks, Cascadia and Catamounts. I’ve run in Hookas and did not like them at all. 

I don't love it because it feels like a road running shoe, but I feel like it does feel like one: Brooks Cascadia.

I like Brooks Cascadias and Salewa Pedroc (or Predroc Airs which I haven't tried, but have my eye on). Salewa has great customer service too.

Brooks Cascadia and Topo Terraventure.

I’d second the Topo recommendation. I ran in Cascadias and had what sounds like exactly the same issues you mentioned. After looking at Run Repeat’s lab analysis of the Topo Mtn Racer 3 and finding that they are actually about a 7mm drop I decided to try them. Great so far!

I have done the same thing and have tried out very many shoes. One of my favorites have been Inov8 TrailFly 300, but in wet conditions it lack grip on hard surfaces. I also like Saucony Endorphin Rift for its midsole but I get blisters on the side of my heels. At the moment the Tecton x3 is my favorite for long runs but the upper lacks support so it is not that good on technical terrain. Brooks Cascadia is such a joy to run but I would not take it past 30k. On Monday the mailman will deliver a couple of new candidates namely The North Face Enduris 4 and the Vectiv Pro 3. Maybe one of them is the holy grail or maybe such a shoe doesn’t exist.

La Sportiva Akasha II is fairly wide and great for technical terrain. Brooks Cascadia is wide and has a great outsole. Hoka Tecton x3 is wide has a great outsole but the upper does not give a super hold down. Still a great shoe.

Brooks Cascadia if you don’t run very far Hoka Tecton x3 if the terrain is not too technical (the upper is kind of loose - good for comfort bad for support). Saucony Endorphin Rift is kind of the same as the Tecton x3 though I prefer the Tecton x3. And then I hope the coming North Face Vectiv Pro 3 will be the holy grail…

Brooks Cascadia is pretty wide

My friend has a discount on brooks so I wear the Cascadia. Nice shoe.

I swear by the Brooks Cascadia series.

Everyone is right in here, but I’ll tell ya what I’ve gone through: Brooks Cascadia: Wore this model for years. Eventually found that the cushion wasn’t enough for my knees. The shoe held up okay overall Hoka Speedgoat: definitely a big switch compared to the Cascadias. Almost felt like my feet were on the second story of a double deck bus. The cushion, which is fantastic, felt taller because of this and I would find myself tripping often. This was probably me getting used to the model. It was a bit small in the toe box. Overall love the shoe and comfort level. Out of the box, VERY grippy, but after 100 miles of trails they’re shredded. I had to switch to protect my wallet! Altra Olympus: Big time grip, comfy, and wide toe box. I’ve only put about 30 miles into them, but I dig em. I find the material the heel is made out of pulls on the sock/skin on the back of my heel, it feels like a suede or felt almost. I honestly thought I was going to have an enormous blister, but it ended up being okay. These are my current shoes. I know all of these experiences are very personal, but I thought I’d share with you my experiences with a few models. Hope this helps.

I’m in Chicago and when it starts snowing I switch to trail shoes because they have better traction. Brooks Cascadia is what I’ve been wearing the last couple winters. Cushioning not as nice though vs regular road running shoes. Some people also love yak tracks (sp?) which they tie to their regular running shoes.

I have had a similar struggle. Brooks cascadia too stiff, hokas too narrow even in a wide, topos too sloppy, not sure about committing to zero drop with altra, I assumed Nikes wouldn't work....but the zegamas fit beautifully. I am a lady and I wear the men's size for the width and it's the best fitting trail shoe I have found.

I switched to brooks cascadias a few years ago bc my hokas were getting torn up and I’ve been impressed with how much better they hold up to rocks than the speedgoats did! I’ve had 2 pairs and I keep thinking the mesh on the front is going to rip but it’s still fine…idk what they make it out of but it’s impressive

Brooks Cascadia works well for me and I usually require some stability in my road shoes. They make a GTX version that's waterproof, but doesn't come in wides.

I’ve worn Cascadias and Calderas and loved them both. Great hiking shoes too.

I summited Mt. Bierstadt (CO 14’er) in Cascadias, which was around 6.8 miles and like 2670~ feet of elevation gain with light scrambling. Also summited Tallac in Tahoe, and Storm King in Olympic NP, in Cascadias. And plenty of much longer but less vertical hikes in them, and lots of miles trail-running. Bear in mind that tons of long-trail hikers (PCT, AT) wear trail runners instead of hiking boots. But it’s a personal choice. For me, when I hike I don’t mind trading ankle support for breathability and reduced weight.

Agreed. My pair of Cascadia are several years old now but there was something about the outer edge which felt pretty uncomfortable, despite loving every other pair of Brooks I've owned.

I've had a couple pairs of cascadias and I loved them. A couple years ago when I went to get new shoes REI didn't have them so I switched to Hoka speedgoats and haven't gone back but cascadias are definitely amazing.

Brooks Cascadia. Has a firm foot bed, which I like for uneven terrain. Tread holds up pretty well on concrete/asphalt but I still try to avoid those to not prematurely wear the tread. 

I had the chance to demo a pair during a rainy trail run and immediately bought a pair after. Good shoe with great grip 

I’ve worn Cascadia’s for years and used to get holes just above my big toes. Brooks has reinforced the toe box bit by bit so I’m not seeing that happening anymore (plus I’m keeping my toenails trimmed a little more than I may have in the past ;-). That said, the Cascadia is on the beefier/sturdier side than the lightweight you might be looking for.

Agreed, also switched to LP7s from Brooks Cascadias. The Brookes were ruining my feet and knees, to the point where I completely stopped running. Switched to LP7, and it felt like I could finally feasibly run again. I did the make the mistake of switching over too quickly (like basically immediately) and struggle with bad ankle, achilles tendon, and calf pain for three months or so. But I've adjusted to it now, and can't see myself ever switching back to narrow toe box/drop shoes. What I found weird was I saw a podiatrist like a month after starting with the LP7, and she was of the opinion that my feet were too narrow and I had to switch back to narrow toe box shoes. If I did that I would probably have stopped running a few months ago (and also missed a few toenails). 

Some number of years ago I wore Cascadias. While hiking on the AT from NJ to NY near the border the tread filled up with mud. While hiking along narrow rock I slipped several times and finally cracked a rib. Later while camping that night I met another hiker who also wore Cascadias. He was bloody from slipping and falling. Going through several different pairs of shoes I finally settled on La Sportiva Ultra Raptors.

Mine is cascadia and glycerin

I think I'm on my fifth pair of Cascadias. I used my 16's to do the Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim this spring and they did wonderful. I do not wear the GTX. I want my shoes to dry out fast.

I like Brooks Cascadia too. Speedgoats work for me.

For me the Brooks Cascadia, they're very hard to destroy, and I have also wide feet and have no problem.

If you want a good hiking/trail running shoe, look at the Brooks Cascadia. They do run a little narrow so I would suggest a half size up.

I run in Brooks Cascadia because they're the right shoes for me. Only YOU know what the right shoes are for YOU. This only happens with experience. Good luck.

Each year I buy the previous year's Brooks Cascadia model. Never really tried anything else, they fit me perfectly.

Brooks Cascadia all day long.

Just finished my first run in the gel trabuco 13s. They were great! Very grippy, felt secure on rocky descents. They did well in a muddy section too. I prefer a firmer shoe and the cushioning level was perfect for me. No hot spots or rubbing. They fit similar to my old trabucos. Sized up a half size from my street shoe size, they fit perfectly. The only negative is that the toe box isn't particularly wide. My foot is on the narrow size, so it's fine for me, but if you like a roomier toe box, they might disappoint. I also have a pair of the new Brooks cascadia, but I think I'm going to return them because my toes were rubbing on the top of the shoe.

I tried out topo mtn racers which can be found around $100. They are low drop, wide ball/toe box. They were super comfortable, I think my foot was just in a weird zone between sizes which was the only reason I didn't go for them. I did go with Brooks Cascadias which aren't as low to the ground and have an 8mm drop. but I found the toe box pleasantly wide, and I did 40+ miles over a couple days in them with no issue. If you order from Brooks ReStart you can get used ones for half the price of new ones, mine were $70. Just sort by "Like New" and you'll get ones people did nothing more than try on before returning. I see a lot of people recommend xero for their hiking shoes if you are accustomed to barefoot/zero drop, they have a couple pairs of trail shoes on sale for around $75 right now.

I just always noticed a considerable drop in performance after about 400-500 miles and I've run through most every brand. Brooks Pure Grit were my favorites but they've been discontinued. I had Brooks Cascadias for a while then got into Altras recently because I like the extra wide versions and the zero drop which is pretty hard to find.

I've traversed tons of sharp granite boulder fields in either Brooks Cascadias or La Sportiva TX2s, depending on whether it was a hiking or climbing trip - works great.

Bought Brooks Cascadia as my first trail shoe and ran in them at a race on Saturday and they felt great!

This may just be a personal anecdote, but when I started trail running I was using max cushion shoes (Brooks Caldera) because I thought that’s what I needed as an older, injury prone person. I soon started battling with rolling my ankles left and right. Went back to a lower-stack shoe (Brooks Cascadia) and started seeking softer-terrain trails and everything got better. To this day I struggle with the impact of hard surfaces, but my ankles have stabilized dramatically and can now use higher stack shoes on trails. So my advice would be to perhaps work on building up mileage and strength on gentler terrain with a lower stack shoe, as you’ll get natural cushioning from the ground and stability from being closer to the earth. Beyond this, traditional strength training did wonders to stabilize my whole stride.

Nike is a trash company that supports sweatshops. There are a multitude of other companies making running shoes and trail running shoes that have been outperforming Nike for years because they make better products (see Nike's declining stock price as a reference). People often post photos on Camino forums of the shoe racks at albergues, so you can get an idea of what shoes most pilgrims are wearing. Hokas seem to be the most popular now, but any of the running brands (La Sportiva, Saucony, Brooks, New Balance, Topo, Altra, ON, Salomon) would be good options if they fit your feet. I personally love Asics for short hikes (>8 miles), but most models don't have enough soft foam to cushion my feet/legs for 30 days of walking the Camino with a heavy pack. I previously bought several pairs of used shoes to get an idea of what works best for my feet before spending a lot of money on a new pair. I prefer Topo Ultraventures and also use Brooks Cascadia for long hikes.

Shoes are very individual so you just have to check around and see what works for your particular foot shape. For example I can’t do Hokas, Topos were too narrow in the toe box, and brooks Cascadias were just too narrow period for me. Ended up going Lone Peak -> Olympus -> New Balance Heiros. Currently trying the North Face Alta Mesa 300s which seem promising as well.

Go with a trail show with a rock plate. Rocky desert terrain eats up even the toughest trail shoes. The Atacama desert ate up my new Brooks Cascadias in one week. Gaiters may not be necessary depending on the type of desert terrain. Deserts are incredibly varied and even with gaiters they only do so much. The most important thing I would recommend is reading the book “Fixing Your Feet” as it gives you an idea of how to address issues when they come up- and they will come up. Address problem immediately and you’ll be golden!

Also Brooks Cascadia! I run mostly on rocky mountain trails, so they’re perfect for that

I use Brooks Cascadias, non Goretex. In addition to stink, the non Goretex version of trail running shoes dry out a lot faster which is nice if you’re in wet grass or have lots of stream crossings.

I can't speak more highly of Brooks Cascadias. I came down the Hi Cannon trail in NH yesterday. Steep, rocky, rooty, and wet in a lot of sections. Long stretches of exposed slabby flat rock. These shoes never slipped once and I tested them in a bunch of spots. Toes straight down, to the side and backwards. Great shoes

Brooks Cascadia or Caldera. Look at the older models rather than the newest. Human feet haven't changed that much in the last few years to my knowledge.

I used to run in brooks adrenalines as well. If you want something kinda similar then try on some Brooks Cascadias. I was wearing Brooks Calderas which were nice and cushy but with my feet they caused some blistering on the insides of my feet (YMMV) and I've since switched to Altra Lone Peaks which I love but do take a gradual adjustment period.

I like Divide, Cascadia, and Caldera and rotate between them, plus have a couple pairs of Glycerins and Ghosts floating around!

I wear Cascadia, Divide, and Caldera daily (one pair of the same shoes on each foot, haha) and rotate between them. I 50f live in rural King County, WA and it’s hilly everywhere except most of the rail trail. I love all three pairs, Caldera being my personal favorite, but my trails aren’t super technical (soil, rocks, pebbles and not really even true foothills or mountains, just big hills). They work well for my use in almost all weather (I add nano or micro spikes for snow and ice)!

I’m super biased, but I vote Brooks based on my own Brooks brand loyalty! I wear Cascadias, Divides, and Calderas and love them all!

Since I’m about to hit the rural road and then trail and then road, I’m literally wearing Brooks Cascadia as I type! I also have Caldera and Divide and rotate between the three!

+1 for Brooks! I especially like Caldera, but Cascadia and Divide (which may be discontinued?) are great, too! I’m from the rural part of the county near Seattle in the convergence zone and I haven’t had luck with the GTX versions because they still have eyelets that actively let rain in! What does help for that is, for me, wool blend socks all year in varying weights!

+1 for Brooks, especially Caldera, but I love Cascadia and Divide (which might be discontinued?!)!

Brooks Cascade, Divide, and Caldera are my go-to shoes and I wear them for road and trail!

I just discovered Caldera on a trip to REI today and wow those soles are wide. I'm a big fan of Cascadia.

I've had 4-5 models of the cascadias and they're all I wear for day hikes, trail running, and backpacking. Very comfortable out of the box and last long enough for me. No GTX for me as I prefer breathability and quick dry.

Brooks Cascadias are my go to

The advice already posted is good. Nothing beats trying on a few different pairs and seeing what feels best for you. With that said, Brooks Cascadia are often recommended as an "introductory shoe" for trail running. That's because they are a solid choice for many. There's nothing special about them, but they're a good all-around workhorse of a trail shoe and fit a lot of feet. I've been trail running for two and a half years, and they work well for me. They're not super cushioned, but they provide enough so my feet don't get too beat up. They have decent lugs, but they're not overboard. They're not a "stability shoe," but you can swap out the insole if you're so inclined. You probably won't go wrong with this shoe. Try it on inside so you can return them if needed. "If you buy directly from some companies, you can return them if they're slightly used, but just don't work for you. The same goes for REI.

I use Adrenalines and love the Brooks Cascadia for trails.

I’m a fan of the Brooks Cascadia. They’ve treated me very well!

Same here. I love these shoes.

I use Brooks Cascadias for hiking and love them!

Brooks Cascadia... their latest is a great shoe. Caldera for longer runs. Awesome stability/ cushion mixture IMO.

Scott Jurek set the world record on the AT in just 46 days wearing ....... Cascadias. That says a lot about their capability and ruggedness.

I have both versions. wear the GTX in the snowy conditions only with heavy socks. rest of the year the regular cascadias. Scott Jurek set the world record on the AT in just 46 days wearing ....... Cascadias. That says a lot about their capability and ruggedness.

Do you have a favorite pair of road running shoes? I wear Brooks Cascadia for trail and love them, but I’ve also been wearing Brooks Ghost for probably 10 years now and I find the fit is pretty similar.

Cascadia is a good all purpose trail shoe

If you like the Brooks Ghost, try the Cascadia. That is what I am using at the moment. Hoka One One Speedgoats are very popular for a reason. The correct answer though is to find a local or specialty running store. The big box stores rarely have people who are also runners.

I’m in the rocky/rooty Southeast and primarily run in my Brooks Cascadias, and for smoother/faster stuff switch to the Catamounts. Love them.

Brooks Cascadia for me. They’re super grippy and are also gortex to keep the feet dry on the water based turfs or rainy days. Been using them for about 6 yrs now

I love mine. They don’t feel super fast but they are really comfy

Interesting. I wore out the Cascadias lightening quick.

I’m a Brooks loyalist. Glycerin 22 are my current preferred pavement shoe (after running Ghosts for years) and I use Cascadias for trail running after seeking out something that kept a reasonable amount of feedback for technical areas. I’m happy with them. One note: the prior year Cascadias fit me a little wrong. I considered them because my local running store had some on clearance but they definitely had a wonky pressure spot for me, mid-sole on the side. The current models don’t have that and feel great. Could have just been a defect but I’m glad I tried them on before buying.

I really like my cascadias but they were too narrow in the toe box causing me to get blisters on the outsides of my big toes. Don’t even have wide feet or toe breadth (?) I begrudgingly switched to a Salomon Ultraglide- standard toe box as well and they fit fine. I only run in Brooks on the road though.

I trail ran in Brooks Cascadias for years (now have significantly less trail nearby to run on, sadly) and loved them. They would be similar to Ghosts in shape/fit but with a higher traction sole and I believe slightly taller ankle support

Whatever brand fits your feet best. All the big brands are similar with a light weight upper and foam sole. Most important thing is they are comfy, and then you can nitpick preferences like how stiff the sole is, the drop from heel to toe, and how much cushion you want. I prefer a stiffer sole for walking over roots and uneven rocks and personally really liked the Brooks Cascadia for the additional support. Lots of others swear by Altra but they are a much lighter more flexible shoe and a little too wide for my feet. I also really liked the Saucony Peregrine.

If you like Brooks ghost for road running, the cascadia is perfect. If you’re not sure, but have relatively normal feet, recommend the cascadia.

The non gtx cascadias dry quickly imo too

I will say that Cascadias are super durable. When I was a letter carrier they were my shoe of choice- you could often find last year's model on sale, and the outsoles held up much better than many other brands over time. Not the most cushioned, but not everyone wants a lot of cushion.

LS Prodigio, Merrell Agility Peak and Topo MTN Racer as my go-tos. LS Bushido for techy shorter stuff. Saucony Peregrine ST for mud. Old pair of Cascadias with screws for the snow and ice.

If Brooks work for you, consider one of their trail shoes, like the Cascadia or Caldera.

I got Brooks Cascadia trail runners. Not sure if they're perfect, but they have great support and padding while still being light with good grip. The front toe wears out from the pivot, but I love them.

Over the last few years I’ve been trying different trail running shoes, but I keep running into the same issue: they all end up deforming. My latest pair were the Cascadia, and after about 600 km they already look pretty beat up. Does anyone have recommendations for trail shoes that might work better for someone with my running gait?

The Brooks brand tend to have wide toe boxes to accommodate wider feet. Brooks Cascadia is Brook’s trail shoe, but though it might have a different name for the women’s version, so double check first! My usual shoe is the Brooks Glycerin and the Cascadias fit me really well.

I have very narrow feet and run very rocky trails out west and like La Sportiva Bushido. They protect my feet from the pain of (literally) hard terrain but give me great traction on scree and slick stuff. When I lived on the east coast I liked Brooks Cascadia, but had to ditch them when I moved here. Absolutely would not recommend La Sportiva for wide feet

To give some counterweight to all the same recomendations, i have the Brooks Cascadia's and really like them. Never had blisters and they have a wide toe box. They also have a rock plate instead of relying only on foam thickness.

The Cascadia is a good trail runner for hiking... but only if it fits.

Ah sorry to hear that! Cascadias happen to be the other shoe I got that fit really well. I might give those a try first.

No reason. I tried on a whole bunch and these + the brooks cascadia are the most comfortable. I’m going to give them both a try but would rather not fall in love if it’s going to get me injured haha The cascadia reviews are mixed. But Brooks’ shtick is just creating boring, reliable shoes…which is fine! I run in them on the road.

Keeping your feet dry and clean will prevent blisters. Try using Merino wool socks (Darn Tough are my fav), consider sock liners if you still get blisters. Air out your feet and change your socks every few hours. Really you will need to try out some things and see what works for your feet and your body. When you select footwear, remember that usually your feet will swell after a few hours hiking. Consider a size larger than typical for your feet. I have been doing a lot of training with trail runners, getting ready for TMB and training with 25 pound pack. My feet suck (very flat) and I have custom orthotics. I have tried 4 trail runners so far: * Altra Lone Peak - very minimalist, I feel the rocks, I wouldn't use them on rough trails, but if you are running ultralight kit this could be a great option. * Topo Traverse - semi-minimalist, I felt some rocks in these. Probably my favorite for smoother trails and light loads. I've read these are more durable than the Altra Lone Peak. * Hoka Speedgoat - not comfortable for my feet but I was impressed with the soles, very grippy * Brooks Cascadia - My favorite that I have tried. Most comfortable for my feet. On the heavier side for trail runners. * For colder weather and rough terrain my favorite are the Oboz Bridger boots (not ultralight).

Brooks Cascadias I’ve done several thousand miles with many pairs of Salomon, probably close to a thousand with Altra, many hundred on New Balance. I probably have about 300 miles clocked on my Brooks and I really like them, probably the best shoes I’ve had so far. Altra continue to reign supreme, they are far too soft for me, I’ve found I like a more ridged sole. Everyone’s different though.

Altra LP, Saucony Perigrine, Topo MT or Terraventures, Brooks Cascadia, and the list goes on. I am biased for Altra Lone Peaks for its ultimate comfort. The Olympus are a bit chunky for trails in my opinion but it is up to you to try them on and decide. Altra LP are comfortable out of the box. The outsole is durable and work well for most conditions. If you run on wet trails, find a shoe with Vibram outsole (Olympus for Altra). IMO, on trails the lower the drop the better. The zero drop is very unnoticeable. Most moderate and harder trails are constantly changing under foot, having a drop of greater than 4mm for me is detrimental for stability. If you are running easy trails or gravel paths a regular road shoe will be fine. The advantages of a trail shoe are foot protection, water drainage and grip. Otherwise a pair of road shoe can handle flat paths of gravel or packed dirt just fine. Go to a specialty store and try try, try. Remember sales associates can give good advice......but they can also be misinformed or biased. They can recommend but you need to make the decision based on your preferences.

I've also done probably ~500 miles in Altra Lone Peaks, a few hundred in Hokas, a few hundred in Topos - but I've done a few thousand in Cascadias. The drop is a bit aggressive for me but my feet and tendons are so much happier with the Cascadias. Though I'd like to try the new wide Topo Traverse...

i road run in brooks ghosts and did a 40 mile trail race + training in cascadia's i just got new shoes and switched as the cascadia's never felt broken in to me, they remained really stiff and i was also looking for more cushion as where i train is rocky.

I had same thing, maybe worse, with a pair of Brooks Cascadias... first hiking trip and lots of chunks missing. However, one email with a couple pictures is all it took - they sent me replacement that same week. replacement pair was fine.

I'd had a pair of Lone Peaks for about two years that I've worn primarily for hiking / backpacking. While the sole and upper material have held up reasonably well, I've found that the cushioning breaks down really quickly in the Lone Peaks. Also, while I thought the wide toe box felt roomy and comfortable at first, it allowed some movement of my foot laterally across the sole causing friction/blisters when hiking long distances. I have regular width feet so I've since switched back to a more traditional shaped hiking shoe - Brooks Cascadias and like them much better. They've also help up better so far. The Cascadias have a 12mm drop and regular toe box so probably not what you're looking for. I haven't tried Topos, which would be more comparable to the LPs though.

What type of terrain will you be running on? I really like the brooks cascadias due to the carbon plate and how the toe box is protected. I run in very harsh, rocky (sharp rock) and lots of cactus/thorny bushes. I haven’t been able to find another trail shoe (haven’t tried that hard) that has the carbon plate. And I haven’t looked hard because I have been very happy with the cascadias. They aren’t the softest shoe, but I sneed the toe and rock protection over comfort

Trail runners are the only shoe I use. Specifically brooks cascadia, but I don't think it matters much which trail runner. I live in the PNW so these work well in the winter. I'm ok with replacing them probably slightly more often due to being worn down by dragging on tee pads, and just wear them until they are super beat up.

Brooks Cascadia. They grip like a lizard.

I use trail runners literally in everything I do unless I’m in deep snow then I just wear my Lowa’s. I used to be a boot wearer bred into me from hunting but changed real quick when I started hiking a lot. I prefer the Brooks Cascadias. Certainly not pretty but they are damn great on the hooves.

Indeed. E.g. Brooks Cascadia is one of the worst shoes I ever had (for me) which is ranking higher than one of my favorites (Brooks Catamount)

Also have these and they’re great

Spent some time with Hoka Speedgoat and now loving my Brooks Cascadia. 

I’ve had a couple Hoka SG versions, Peregrines, Cascadia were nice… my favorite are Speedcross 5 if you like a structured sturdy feel, rock solid, super durable, fantastic traction, lace system rocks, you really get your money’s worth and they feel “new” even as they age

I’ve tried many shoes over the years searching for “the one”. Haven’t found it. But, I _always_ have a pair of Brooks Cascadia. They are not speedsters. They are dependable tanks for all terrains and conditions, and make great hiking shoes as well. Stable platform with deep lugs and a rock plate. I’d stay away from high stack height and squishy trail shoes, especially as a beginner. You want groundfeel to help avoid trips, slips, and ankle rolls. Good luck at your race!

I picked up Brooks Cascadia this year and I like them. I normally wear Ghost for running around town. The Cascadia fit me well but not quite as well as the Ghost in the same size. I have non-GTX Cascadia and I wear Salomon GTX boots if it's wet/muddy/etc.

Surprised I haven't seen Cascadias mentioned yet. Kinda what they're known for 

Amazing on all types of terrain. Hard rock, mud, hard trail. You name it, Cascadia can do it. It's my big mountain shoe, with Catamount being my daily hard trail lap shoe.

Used speed goat 4s for trail for a good 2 years, and up mountains. Found them slippy out of the box but after a few outings they were great. They are great for mixed if you are heading out on tarmac as well. They fit high up your ankle, so wear at least ankle length socks or you will cut into your ankles. I have just started breaking in a pair of brooks cascadia, they have a lower heel and so far so good for mixed trail running. For fell/mountains with alot of rock and wet mud i use innov8 xtalons. They have similar lugs to speedcross, they are no good on tarmac but great for fell/mountains.