Brooks Cascadia 10 Trail-Running Shoe (Spring 2015)
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11.6 oz | 10mm drop | $120
The Dirt: The dialed-in fit was what our testers praised most about this classic workhorse’s latest iteration. A narrower last and fused-on overlays in the midfoot, along with a super-stable heel pocket, provided a secure ride on technical singletrack, groomed bridle paths and pavement alike.
The Cascadia features enough cushioning and protection—a forefront rock plate and rubberized toe cap—for rugged mountain ultras, but testers found the midsole responsive enough for shorter, faster training runs as well. The middle-of-the-road tread performed well on a variety of terrains, from loose dirt to mud to snow, though some testers wished for more grip on hard, slick surfaces.
Best For: Long training runs, marathons or ultras; varied terrain types and conditions.
Fit: Secure in the heel and midfoot, with a tapered toebox. The fit may be too narrow for wider feet.
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
Tester Raves
“A sturdy, reliable go-to for a range of terrains, distances and paces. If I was going to buy just one pair of trail shoes, I’d go with these.”
—Steph Jeffries, Raleigh, NC
“The Cascadia 10 feels amazingly responsive and agile for the amount of cushioning and protection they offer, more so than any previous model of the shoe I’ve run in.”
—Stuart White, Charleston, SC
“Whoa, this 10th iteration of one of the all-time classic trail shoes continues the tradition of refinement, with high-tech uppers featuring a supportive mid-foot web, a midsole suited to varied conditions and surfaces and a heel that is well cushioned and super stable.”
—Mike Benge, Carbondale, CO
Testers on Fit
“The upper seems to be slightly narrower than previous versions, resulting in a beautifully locked-in fit.”
—Stuart White, Charleston, SC
“The fit was right, with no slipping in the heel or toebox, no blisters or toes rubbing. My feet never once hurt after a run.”
—Khris Vickroy, Iowa City, IA
Testers on Tread
“The Cascadia 10s handled mud, snow and loose dirt with ease; I had no traction issues whatsoever. They also feel comfortable on asphalt.”
—Stuart White, Charleston, SC
“Although the tread works well for most surfaces, they are not great on wet rocks and roots.”
—Steph Jeffries, Raleigh, NC
Testers on Downsides
“The Cascadias are like a Toyota Camry: dependable, stable, super-reliable, but a little, well, dull. And, given the trend back toward super-lightweight cushioning, these new Cascadias seemed heavy and clunky.”
—Steph Jeffries, Raleigh, NC
“Brooks could improve on the laces. I really enjoy the kinked laces they use in their PureProject line, and they would be a great substitute for the plain, everyday laces on the Cascadia.”
—Stuart White, Charleston, SC
>More spring 2015 trail-running shoes
