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.

im owning them both and i really like them both soo picking a winner here for me its near impossible. asics gel trabbuco * good durability. i'm a pronator runner and i need some insole inside not to destroy my shoes in like less than 100km (on some other brands or models i ve managed to do exactly this, looking at you salomon where i ve "destroyed" midsole in less than 100km!), but here i ve did around 400km and they re still going strong. i would not go run with them like a trail marathon but for daily training they re still good. yea 400km might seem like not alot but at the same time like i ve said, im kinda big guy (190cm) who runs in-wards aka pronation and i'm destroying my shoes quickier than others, yea well instead of 2-3 pairs per year i destroy 4-5, depends on KM I'm doing. but outsole its not near end of its lifespain, sure there re sings of wearing out but i'm pretty sure it can do another 200km with ease which at least for me its expected amount of km for trail running shoe. also soo far no tearing or stiching falling apart which is good. * excellent grip on every terrain. i ve tried them on wet, dry terrain, mixed with everything and i need to say that grips is excellent * they re priecy, in my country more than cascadia. * comfy to run. for me just right amount of stifffnes and comfy inside midsole * my issue with them were only not too good ventilation if i can say soo, my feet inside were quite sweaty and rockplate for me it does not work too well, its far from the worst one but i'm kinda not totally convinced. brooks cascadia * i am long time brooks fan and although i have quite few dissapoitments with them in terms of quality (i need to send back like 2-3 shoes from them out of 10 i ve bought in my carrer) i always turn back to them. soo its slightly like i'm fan of them, simply as that. * durability is good but comparing trabucco 11 to cascaida 16 somehow less. in my 16 i ve run like around the same amount as in asics and "pronation defects" re more visible and less usable, my feet starts to hurt even on shorter trails, at the start was great, after 400-450km not soo much. i suspect its because bettwen 15 and 16 they changed midsole like alot and it was too soft, although still good. and outsole was less durable, not that grip loosen up at all if i can say soo but it starts tearing apart. soo durability at least in my case is less than in trabucco but again, i'm special kind of runner with that pronation issue in my life but hey, shoes outsole was more durable than i ve expected in shoes. * grip is excellent on 16, nothing more to say. mixed terrain with quite wet surface, like I'm quite good on the ground. * they re comfy but 16 for me was too soft, i don't like really soft midsole but i also dislike like really stiff one, it was nothing too bad, definently more stiff compared to something like salomon sense ride 5 or asics fujilite. * now i ve just bought cascadia 17 which from my obersvation they improved few things but also worsen some of them. they re more stiff in midsole which for me its good but for my likings they worsen outsole. i am not a fan of a shoes where they use multiple layers of outsole instead of just putting one layer of it if i can say soo. spaces in bettwen re not gonna clean this well from mud as other desings plus for me its more chance of something going apart compared to shoes where you have everything build togheter rather than glued if i can say soo. again its just my observation and previous experiences with shoes which does not use one-layer outsole. but i'm pretty sure that grip re gonna be excellent for sure. soo yea, in my carrer i ve tried numerous of shoes and i'm kinda stuck with heavier shoes which does support some kind of stability in foot area. and after trying like numerous of shoes (saucony perregrine, mizuno daichi, **adiddas terrex - i acctually like some models,** inov8 rocklite, etc.) i always return to one of those models. now which one to buy? for me cascadia has slight lead but jsut because in my heart re have some special spot, just like suunto sport watches, they would need really destroy "classics" for me preventing to buying them and no matter how other performs (i mean lets say garmin fenix 7 vs sunnto vertical which is like night and day compared to usability outside of training) i would just not go to argubly better brand-model if i can say soo. But in terms of performance for me i can't decide bettwen these two models soo i suggest to go to the shop, try them both and see, sometimes even some 10 steps walk around the shop can give you quite good info on what to expect. me as example i owned them both and switching bettwen them, depends on the mood but both trabucco 11 and cascadia 16 came at the end of their lifespan soo now its time for cascadia 17 and trabucco 12 or if i can find another 11 in stock in our country. good luck.

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.

From my personal perspective: - Salomon Genesis: Excellent all-round choice. To me, they feel a bit soft, but I like the stability and bombproof-ness when the going gets rough and long days. - Brooks Cascadia: I have version 16, and find them not suitable for running, maybe for walking on easy trails or in the city. Have you looked at the VJ Maxx 2 or Asics Trabuco Max? They have excellent outsoles. Shoes from Inov-8 or Merrell might also be worth checking out.

I love the Cascadia. I've been wearing them for years. I normally buy them at the end of the model year to get clearance savings. I recently got a pair of 16s for $82. When I have nothing better to spend my REI member coupon on I'll get the latest, and I do have a pair of 17's a few months ago. The sole seems a bit grippier.

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.

Wear trail runners that have good traction on wet rock and a good rock plate. No need for above ankle. If you're not used to running over uneven surfaces, go slower until you master them. There's a lot of technique involved I wear Brooks Cascadia because the Brooks last works well with my feet. Traction used to be *terrible* on wet granite, so I experimented with others, but they've really improved it and I'm back. I used mine on a presidential traverse a few weeks ago and they were perfect. Brooks tends to be better for people with wide feet, though. Lots of people here wear Hoka Speedgoats, Altra Lone Peak, and Solomon Speedcross. I suggest researching shoes with good traction and see what feels best

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.

I have this same shoe, in yellow and its held up great so far 251 mls and counting. I hate how it looks though; OP’s color way is much better. Mine are all yellow.

Incredible shoe. I'm usually a Salomon or more recently NNormal user but bought a pair of Cascadia 16s on sale one time. I'm now at 800 miles on them (including several ultra-trails on rough terrain) and they REFUSE to die. I still hike in them or go on short/slow trail runs since the cushioning is dead.

Believe me. I'm at 800 miles in the yellow version of the Cascadia 16s, and I usually don't keep shoes for long as I run on very technical terrain...by FAR the most durable shoe I've ever owned.

I'm at 800 miles in the yellow version of the Cascadia 16s, and I usually don't keep shoes for long as I run on very technical terrain...by FAR the most durable shoe I've ever owned.

Seconded re break-in period. I've used the cascadia 16s for running and hiking as well and it takes me a good 40ish miles to feel adequately broken in.  imo the cascadia offers a great cushion to ground feel ratio. They also drain pretty quickly after getting wet, which is a huge plus for me. 

I had the same issue. Hopefully the 18 is more like the 16

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

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.

Brooks Cascadia

I've never had the Asics but highly recommend the Cascadia. My current pair has over 300 miles on it and shows very little wear, running mostly on Tucson area, so lots of rock, etc. I have another pair waiting in the wings for when these start to lose their oomph. You might also look at the Inov-8 Roclite with the graphene in the soles. I have a pair and they show promise to last a long time.

I'm not small. I'm not fast. I really, really like Brooks Cascadia.

I hit 403 miles on my Brooks Cascadia 16s. They've held up really well. 58 runs, 33 in Arizona, 25 in Michigan. 233 Arizona miles, 170 Michigan miles. I'm not ready to retire the yet, I think--though I still have a new pair sitting on the shelf waiting their turn. Rotating four different pairs of shoes at the moment. Here are some pics comparing the new ones with the 400 milers.

Brooks Cascadia have a rock plate and I find them to be pretty stable. I have an older style though, the 16’s.

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.

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.

+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.

No way! I have the same ones, except they’re thrashed at only 115 miles..

Mine 16 have 425 Miles and they are working very good.

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!

I also have the Cascadia 16 and love them. They look similar to yours after 600km, half of those being in the mountains. I used them for a 100km and never had a single issue. My big issue is that the cushioning foam has started to compress pretty badly in some spots. Now I start feeling small rocks under my foot sometimes, so I might retire them soon.

I found I'm on my fourth pair of the Cascadia 16s. I have one pair still in the box that I bought after the 17s came out. They're a solid pair of shoes, in my opinion.

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.

They’re not exciting, but no shoes have protected my feet as well as my wide Brooks Cascadias. I have the new ones now after previously owning the 16s. My main issue with the 16s was they felt flat after about 150 miles. I haven’t hit that many miles in the new ones yet. I loved wearing my Topo Mtn Racer 3 but I’m pretty sure I need a smaller size because my pair gave me a lot of issues at my ultra. Cascadias have never given me a single foot issue.

They’re not exciting, but no shoes have protected my feet as well as my wide Brooks Cascadias. I have the new ones now after previously owning the 16s. My main issue with the 16s was they felt flat after about 150 miles. I haven’t hit that many miles in the new ones yet. I loved wearing my Topo Mtn Racer 3 but I’m pretty sure I need a smaller size because my pair gave me a lot of issues at my ultra. Cascadias have never given me a single foot issue.

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.

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.

I run in Cascadia 16s. Bought many same pairs, they fit me just right. Around $80 on Amazon. Just retired a pair after 400 ish miles, including Whitney and bunch of other peaks in the Sierras. I am heavy dude, the cushioning is beaten down. But the thread and the upper look barely touched. As a former Altra user, I could not believe it at first. For what it is worth, it is the most underrated shoe/brand out there.

I thru-hike in these! The 16s. I can usually push them 500 miles. The padding wears much faster than the tread.

I would also recommend checking out older brooks caldera or cascadia. When my speedgoats 5 died earlier this year, I replaced them with cascadia 16s on sale and couldn't be happier. Really comfortable and no complaints about durability so far.

I will always recommend Cascadia even though I know there are more comfortable shoes. They are very stable and grippy in my experience. I’m not out there to win races and I prefer to stay upright. When the terrain or weather is harsh/wet, they are my go-to shoe. They would be a good entry shoe for someone not used to trails, unless they are a speedster. OP, keep in mind that trails are (usually) softer than roads. So some cushion is sorta built-in.

I put 475 on my previous 16s before they got a hole in the upper. All in Ohio on dirt and stone. Outsole still looked like new.

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

I still try to buy every pair of brooks cascadia 15s that I can find on eBay lol. They usually last about 400-500 miles for me before I need to replace them. They tend to rip at the crease of the toe box (sorry not sure if I’m describing it well) which isn’t a big deal to me. I don’t replace them until the cushioning gets so squashed that my feet/knees start to hurt after my runs.

This is pretty bang on - I had Cascadia 15s but the 16s didn't fit so after trying loads of other shoes I went for the Divide 3. I've been happy with the Divide (and bought a 2nd pair in a clearance sale), they're a pretty neutral shoe, not that exciting but very reliable for trail and road-to-trail runs.  But, I had a torrid time with them last winter when we had so much rain/mud - definitely not up to a muddy UK winter!  By comparison, the Cascadia are a little more aggressive, and although the lugs aren't that much deeper they'd prob do the job for the terrain you're talking about. 

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

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.

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 second the Brooks Cascadias. I also have a couple Altras and one pair of Hokas. The Brooks are my favourite by a long shot.

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.

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’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.

Indeed, I had already tried the Cascadia for a few dozen kilometers at the beginning of the year and I found them very stiff, I had the impression that my toes were slapping the ground. Are they really comfortable to wear all day once broken in? (I had to return them quite quickly because one size too big but I didn't take trail shoes after)

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

No to Goretex unless you plan on running/traveling on snow for extended periods. IMO if the outsole isn't vibram then it's a no for me, but I trend towards more rugged trails. Most popular shoe is probably the Hoka speedgoat or Brooks cascadia. I love the Hoka Mafate but its pricey. What type of trails/runs are you looking at doing?

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'll throw Brooks Cascadias in the mix. I run trails in them but I find they have enough heel support for more technical scrambling too. I'm on my fourth pair and love them.

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.

If you can try them on in person side by side you should get the one you think fits your feet the best. I also have wide flat feet, and I have tried both the Brooks Cascadia and the Salomon Speedcross 6 wide. The Brooks were terrible for my feet and I came off a couple of trail ultra races in agony wearing them. My first run in the Speedcross was against normal shoe buying advice and I did a long 20 mile run as my first run in them and didn't even get a blister. While the Brooks have a rock plate and were more comfortable on trails with lots of rocks, the Speedcross suit my feet so much better that feeling some rocks underfoot is a reasonable compromise and hurts way less than the Brooks hurt my feet. That said the Speedcross don't feel as bad as normal road running shoes over rocks so there is some protection. I ended up running a 60 mile trail race in the Speedcross after that. Additionally if you have any history with any of the brands you can use that to figure out which brand might suit your feet. I probably personally should've known to go with the Speedcross initially because I have a good history with Salomon hiking boots which feel like they have a similar last.

I also recommend the Brooks Cascadia.

I used Brooks Cascadia Trail Runners with SOLE Active Insoles and this combo works great for me. I have flat feet and was born with club feet, so I'm very protective of my ankles and arches. I do quite a bit of running with regular shoes, and I think the Trail Runners take a lot longer to break in than normal running style shoes. Also, I try to avoid the Gore-Tex = / Water Proof versions. They have almost no stretch and take forever to break, and the waterproofing adds almost no benefit if you have any water crossings higher than your ankle.

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.

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

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

If you run happily in Brooks, Brooks would make sense. Divides are the least traily of the trail shoes but have a good amount of grip. Arguably avoid GTX though as you’ll get sweaty feet and they won’t dry. Catamount are at the faster end of the Brooks trail range and then there’s Cascadia and the very bouncy Caldera. The North Downs can be quite chalky and quite muddy in parts in winter. Tbh I would say Cascadias are the best suited Brooks shoes for running there, lugs are bigger than on the others. Can’t speak to the other brands as not run in them.

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

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 am a rookie and I am going to run my first trail. The terrain is going to be wet,rocky and has leafs and roots. Distance is going to be around 15km/9miles. I tried the following shoes I saw on reddit: Salomon Genesis: I felt them stiff without a lof of cushioning. Brooks Cascadia: Was a little bit wider in the front foot. Saucony Peregrine 14 and Hoka Speedgoat 5: Was much better and felt them more comfortable. \*I want shoes with cushion and good grip on wet surfaces. What shoes would you recommend me or if you have any other recommendation is welcome. Thanks! *Edit: I bought the hoka speedgoat 5. I did two runs on them on dry technical terrain. I can say that they feel a little bit heavy on the uphill(consider that I am rookie in running) but on the downhill they feel super. I am sure they are put less strain on knees and ankle and they have a great grip. I am 72kg & 1.81cm. Thank you all for your recommendations.

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.

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.

I have wide feet and high arches. Have been really happy with my Brooks Caldera 7s over the summer months including running a 100k with no significant foot issues (one purple big toenail but kept the nail). I size up by half a size. I use Brooks Cascadia in the autumn/winter as well that are a bit stiffer. Because of my high arches I also use a Sidas insole whatever the shoe.

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.

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.

Trail: Saucony Xodus Ultra, Topo Mt Racer, Brooks Cascadia Road: Saucony Speed, Brooks Ghost, Hilma Anywhere

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

Can't say I've tried both, but my first trail running shoe was Cascadia a couple models ago, and I don't buy anything else. Just fit my feet perfectly.

Brooks Cascadia all day long.

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

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.

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.

Chiming in: I’ve run in Brooks Cascadia for years and years now and found they are very reliable on wet rocks, even when you’re trying to descend quickly.

I run in Cascadias and usually get 350-450 miles running out of them, then use them for hiking for another few hundred miles. The lugs smooth down eventually and really the only major wear seems to be some fraying around the collar near the lace holes.

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 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 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!

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.

Just bought my second pair of Cascadia's. After trying 5-6 other brands I really like the amount of cushioning I can get out of them but still have a feel for the trail. It took me a few runs to fall in love with them. At first they felt a little bulky and with narrow feet they gave me a little too much room in the toe box, but after training for a 50km in them they are my go to shoe!

Brooks Cascadias are my go to

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!

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

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.

I run trails in Cascadia and Catamounts. Brooks doesn’t get enough credit for their trail shoes!

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

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'm similar size and run quite slow. I run road in Hoka Cliftons and trails in Hoka Speedgoats. Had Cascadias as my first trail show and they were fine. More durable than the Speedgoats and cheaper, but the Speedgoats just fit my feet better. My feeling is they are all fine shoes, and you should go with what feels best on your feet.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 find Brooks cascadia work ok on both treadmill and trails. However the trail I run isn't very technical and is pretty well maintained

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.

Also have these and they’re great

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 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.

Yes. Trail runners are great for most UK hiking. Enjoy! They're usually not "waterproof" but this means they dry quicker, as opposed to boots which tend to leave you with damp feet for the rest of the walk. The agility is nice - the average UK hiker is more likely to do a bit of scramble or boulderfield, maybe hop over a stile &c, much less likely to be doing a 3-day Alpine traverse. At the moment, really enjoying Brooks Cascadia.

I have wider feet and use the cascadia, but the best thing is to just go and try a bunch in a store to see what fits you properly. Make sure to account for some swelling of the foot, so rather buy larger than smaller.

I’ve tried them both and think the Cascadia feel more bomber than the Genesis. I think the genesis would be better for longer less technical terrain. The Cascadias are a great show for any terrain, but my feet get tired after about 20-25 miles as they’re not the most cushioned shoe. The Cascadias are also not for speed. They are a workhorse that will get you anywhere.

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.