Cascadia 19 GTX

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.

Brooks shoes are great when they’re new but they wear out really fast. Heavy use you’ll be lucky to get six months out of them.

Update- tried the Brooks, Altras, and Hokas. Brooks Cascadia 19 clear the lineup by a mile and it’s not even funny.

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.

I just took my new Brooks Cascadia 19 out for their maiden voyage and I really enjoyed them. I had a pair of the 17s that I did not enjoy at all— too stiff, too clunky, no energy return— but the 19s are a huge improvement. They fit my feet well, have a moderate drop (6mm; 6-8mm is ideal for me), the uppers are super comfy, and they are so, so stable. I have ankle tendon issues (yes, I am diligently working on them with strength and balance training) so stability is super important for me, especially on trails.

I’ve hiked in both Altras and Cascadias, and what you’re describing isn’t that unusual when switching between them. First, the insole moving - that sometimes happens with stock insoles in Cascadias, especially on longer climbs when your foot slides a bit. A lot of people swap them for aftermarket ones (Superfeet, Currex, etc.) or even just a grippier thin insole and that usually fixes the issue. About the traction, Cascadias generally have decent grip but they’re not amazing on certain surfaces (especially wet rock or loose dirt on descents). The lugs are a bit more “all-around trail” than aggressive. If grip is your top priority, there are a few options that people coming from Altras often like: * Topo Athletic (Ultraventure / Terraventure) - wider toe box like Altra but with a small drop, which might help your Achilles. * Hoka Speedgoat - very good grip thanks to the Vibram Megagrip outsole. * La Sportiva Bushido or Ultra Raptor - excellent traction, but a narrower fit. Since you’re dealing with Achilles issues, the moderate drop in Topo or Hoka might actually be a nice middle ground while you recover. Also worth checking: sometimes heel slip on trails is actually a lacing issue. Using a runner’s loop (heel lock) can make a big difference on steep terrain.

I’ve run a bunch races in the cascadias , I can agree with the grip , a long race in mud and rain was very slippery but other than that I’ve felt really good in them haven’t had any issues so far.