I like Brooks. I tried on a few different brands at a running store and those felt most comfortable to me. I highly recommend going to a shoe store that specializes in running and getting a proper fit. I found out that I was actually a 9.5 instead of a 8.5, so switching to the larger size made a huge difference!
I wear Glycerin 22 for daily road running and Ghost 17 GTX for daily road running when it’s raining (I’m in the PNW so it rains a lot). I wear the Cascadia 19 GTX on trails.
I run a lot, like 70 mpw 6x a week, and I have no complaints! Just make sure to replace the every few months.
I had the Cascadia 18 and now the Cascadia 19 GTX that I got for a winter trail with lots of ice and snow. The Cascadia are great shoes, light, firm, steady, predictable and the grip is exceptional. Go for it!
Do a search in this sub, there’s a lot of data. I remember there’s even a post of a guy who analyzed the frequency of positive answers to questions about shoes for different types trails and distances, and poured all in a spreadsheet ranking them.
To your question, I live and die for the Brooks Cascadia 19. I had the 18 and now the 19 GTX because I did a winter race with snow and ice and mud, and it’s a great shoe.
I also tried the Asics Trabuco Gel 13 and it’s likely great but my feet found them too narrow. Same with La Sportiva Bushido III. That’s why it’s important to try the shoes and if it’s in a store maybe they have a terrain to run on.
Side note: I’m looking forward to try once the NNormal Tomir 2.0 since they seem to be in the same area than the Cascadia.
I can vouch 100% for the Brooks Cascadia 18 and 19. I’m running with them in Hamburg, Germany, where we have ice on the trails and they just grip idk how. Naturally I have also used them in mountain trails in Bavaria and they perform excellently, including crossing a river jumping over its wet stones hehe.
Do a search in this sub, there’s a lot of data. I remember there’s even a post of a guy who analyzed the frequency of positive answers to questions about shoes for different types trails and distances, and poured all in a spreadsheet ranking them.
To your question, I live and die for the Brooks Cascadia 19. I had the 18 and now the 19 GTX because I did a winter race with snow and ice and mud, and it’s a great shoe.
I also tried the Asics Trabuco Gel 13 and it’s likely great but my feet found them too narrow. Same with La Sportiva Bushido III. That’s why it’s important to try the shoes and if it’s in a store maybe they have a terrain to run on.
Side note: I’m looking forward to try once the NNormal Tomir 2.0 since they seem to be in the same area than the Cascadia.
Shoes: Brooks Cascadia 19, or for a slightly narrower foot the Asics Trabuco Gel 14. Both are in the same league but I like the Cascadia better and I have used already the 18 and now the 19.
I still want to try the NNormal Tomir 2, a couple of people in my trail running group have them and they love them.
Vest: Rab Veil 12L. You’re welcome.
Watch: none, use your phone and save the money to buy more shoes.
When I go to the trails in my city I run to them so I bought the Brooks Ghost Trail that are the best of both worlds because where I live the terrain isn’t difficult. When I go to the mountains tho, I wear the Brooks Cascadia.
I'd say the biggest difference between these two are the foam, aside from the obvious that you're probably aware of (Altra foot shape and zero drop).
Ultimately you're choosing between:
\- Zero drop, foot shape, with average foam
\- 6mm drop, less roomy toe box (but still good), and a much more responsive foam
If I were hiking more I'd pick the Altra, and opt for the Brooks if I were going to get more mileage running.
2cats4fish
