Brooks Cascadia 15, Men’s race Running Shoe

Product Information

Jeff V: Very close in my opinion in all ways, though the Mad River TR 2 has perhaps a touch better traction and a slightly softer midsole. The weight is not as light as we would expect—298 g (M)/269 g (W)—but runners couldn’t feel it. We still have to appreciate Brooks’ efforts to increase the cushioning and sole height while shaving a bit of the weight simultaneously (7 g less, yay!). The BioMoGo midsoles felt significantly firmer than my Altra midsoles. I expected this to change after a short break-in period, but the firmness remained. From a pure comfort perspective, I prefer a softer midsole, but foresee the slightly harsh Cascadia ride to benefit long-term durability and foot protection.

Gone are the days of a slow medial-post construction as well. The shoe is still extremely stable, thanks to its slightly wider base, but ultimately removing the post is a smart move. This mesh upper is much like the Brooks Caldera 4’s (left above) and since I have already put 500 miles on those shoes without incident I know this material is top quality. The tongue is semi-gusseted on both sides with some stretchy mesh, giving these shoes a snug feel over the top of my foot without any restriction or pinching in the toes. Comfort could be better Typically, I like a firmer trail shoe that has some rigidity, but these did not have any rebound or energy return. It felt like a very flat ride without any spring to the toe-off. I’ll get into the details of the shoe in the proceeding sections, but as stated previously, this is a well-constructed shoe that looks like it is ready for just about anything one can throw at it!After years of BioMoGO DNA, Brooks is shaking up its collection with new foams that rely on DNA LOFT technology. So, introducing DNA LOFT v2! We spare you the technical details (such as the so-called percentage improvement announced by the brand for the cushion) to focus on how the midsole felt for the testers. They tested very well in durability and protection while also finding them to be very comfortable in the upper and midsole. It isn't a great shoe, but it is a solid "good". New Mesh Upper: The big update for this model manifests itself in the new upper. Specifically, monoloop mesh works in tandem with added mudguard slots to improve breathability and drainage over previous models. I went out of my way to test these claims by jumping in every puddle or creek I could find and was pleasantly impressed by the dry-out time. I know good breathability when I feel it, and these Cascadia 15s breathe as well as any of them. Upper durability is always a huge question mark when it comes to thru-hiking footwear. With only 150 miles on my pair, the jury is still out.

Narrow toe box: My lone point of discomfort while using these shoes was a blister that formed on my right big toe where it got jammed against my, uh… second biggest toe. This validated my bias toward the wider cut of my Altras. Fellow Altra fans will feel restricted in the Cascadias, which may or may not be a deal-breaker. For everyone else, the traditional fit of these shoes will feel unremarkable. Update: Cascadia 15s are offered in wide sizes. I haven’t tried them, but that’s pretty cool. Unfortunately, these do need to be broken in. They are stiff, and really need some time out on the trail to come alive, if ever… Brooks, time to cut weight I’m generally impressed with the looks, profile, and design of the Cascadia 15s, although it doesn’t necessarily grab one’s attention with its outward design. The color scheme pictured here is Ebony/Red, with a gold accent for the logo and some of the trim. The toe box offers optimal protection and is flexible, which contributes to the shoe’s enhanced softness. And given the extra protective element of Gore-Tex, how does this shoe do in some sloppy and wet conditions?This year’s Cascadia 15 resembles the previous version in almost every way, which makes sense– only real update is an enhanced upper. If you hadn’t noticed, Brooks has been dropping some great updates and new shoes in its trail line. The Catamount is a new flashy speedster, the Divide provides some promise as an entry-level trail shoe, and the Caldera has a plush and smooth ride. One of the classic complaints about the Cascadia is its weight. There are so many trail shoes out there that tip the scales more positively than Brooks’ long-running legacy trail shoe. The Brooks Cascadia 16 is a comfortable and versatile running shoe to run on trails. This new version is lighter (finally under 300 g/10.6 oz) while offering more cushioning (29 mm under the heel).

Gaiter Traps: I think gaiters are stupid and unnecessary, but I might just be a stubborn outlier. If you do like gaiters, you’ll be happy to hear that these shoes have a hook loop at the toe of the laces and a Velcro pad on each heel.

Brooks Cascadia 15 and Brooks Cascadia 15 GTX Midsole

I really like that there are options at the top of the lacing pattern with 4 holes to ensure a custom fit. Why don’t all shoes have 4 top lace holes? This is actually the first time I have noticed this, seems so easy and smart with a ton of adjustability. Pivot Post Stability: Ever wonder if those two colorful triangles on Cascadia midsoles do anything besides look cool? Yeah, me too. Turns out they are the Pivot Post system, which adds stability on uneven terrain. My one complaint is that my feet kept on sliding forward in the shoe, cramming my toes in the toe box (especially my big toe), which eventually caused some blisters.

However, I did find a great variety of surfaces and environments to get a perfect sense of what to expect, with plenty of dirt trail running, crossing plenty of water and even some high altitude hiking. The increased flexibility coupled with a softer, more generous cushion provides a smooth run on natural terrains. As for the cushioning, I think it falls more into the firmer category, but it does not make for an uncomfortable experience. I am disappointed with the amount of pop and energy return from the midsole, but the comfort more than makes up for this inconvenience.TAYLOR: Brooks does a couple things right when it comes to trail shoes. Comfort is a top priority and you can bet on trail protection. It’s the dry season in the Pacific Northwest, and so I didn’t get all of the opportunities to test these shoes in the nasty winter conditions I was hoping for. If you are a longtime Cascadia wearer, what do you think of version 15 compared to previous versions?