Brooks Cascadia 16 Shoe Review
The Cascadia Makes a Comeback on Its Sweet 16
Likes
- Very protective
- Great traction
- Highly durable
Dislikes
- Could be too firm for some
- Lacks responsiveness
- Poor lockdown
What's New
- Could be too firm for some
- Lacks responsiveness
- Poor lockdown
The Bottom Line
Like scrunchies, bike shorts, and mom jeans, the Cascadia seems to be officially cool once again.
The consensus is that the latest update of this classic trail shoe is a winner, with updates that streamline the shoe and cut down on its weight. And thanks to the addition of 2 mm more foam in the midsole, the Cascadia is now softer and more comfortable. This update is a great option for runners looking for a do-it-all trail shoe that is stable and highly protective, as the updated Ballistic Rock Shield protects runners from all trail debris underfoot. We should note that our testers found the Cascadia 16 a little voluminous, and it may not be the best option for those with narrow feet. That said, the shoe should work well for those with standard or wide feet. Also, if high energy return is a priority, then runners may want to check out a more lightweight and responsive trail shoe.
Overall, the Cascadia 16 is designed to tackle technical trails and wet conditions, and runners should feel confident on every route with these updated classics on foot.
Shoe Performance
Shoe Softnessi
FirmSoftRide/Energy Returni
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protectioni
LowHighFlexibilityi
RigidElasticUpper Supporti
StructuredAdaptableSpecifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Medium |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium |
| Heel Width | Medium to Wide |
| Arch Height | Medium |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 11.1 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.5 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 32 mm (Heel), 24 mm (Forefoot), 8 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Trail |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softnessi
Kaitlin: "The Cascadia 16 is firm. You can feel that you are landing on a rigid plate. Its firmness feels beneficial on technical terrain, keeping you more connected with the trail, but I would have preferred more cushioning for longer stretches on hardpack or fire roads."
Caroline: "The DNA Loft v2 midsole provided medium cushioning for a comfortable feel. It was neither firm nor overwhelmingly soft, offering neutral support for a balanced feel."
Ride/Energy Returni
Kaitlin: "The Cascadia is middle of the road in terms of responsiveness. It doesn't provide what I would consider a propulsive ride, but the ride was solid given the shoe's intended use."
Caroline: "Brooks didn't design the Cascadia to be a nimble shoe for picking up the pace, but it's not too heavy or clunky either. The focus of the design is on protection, so the energy return is pretty neutral. The ride feels a bit muted with a touch of responsiveness and is not snappy by any means."
Underfoot Protectioni
Kaitlin: "There is a bit of ground feel, which helped keep me connected to the ground and very stable. Otherwise, the shoe is well fortified for the trails with a rock plate that protected my feet from stone bruising and allowed me to navigate through the rough landscape without hesitation. Also, the toe bumper is great for protection from rocks."
Caroline: "There was sufficient cushioning and adequate protection from hazards on shorter trail runs, and I never experienced any post-run discomfort."
Flexibilityi
Kaitlin: "There is not a lot of bend in this shoe. The platform is very rigid, which contributes to the Cascadia's firm ride. However, this rigidity makes the shoe feel more stable and protective, in my opinion."
Caroline: "There is a slight flex in the forefoot, but the Cascadia doesn't bend much overall and leans more to the rigid side."
Upper Supporti
Kaitlin: "The Cascadia 16 is very spacious, and it felt as though the upper and heel counter were hovering around my foot instead of snugly locking me in. There weren't any gaps around the heel collar, but there was space in the heel counter, which made the wrap feel awkward."
Caroline: "The mono-mesh upper is breathable and provides an accommodatingly roomy fit. It did feel a bit too spacious given my preferences, as I like having a locked-in hold. Those with wider feet will appreciate the volume this shoe has to offer, but it wasn't the best fit for someone with narrow feet like me."
Men's Brooks Cascadia Running Shoes
Women's Brooks Cascadia Running Shoes
Individual Thoughts
The Brooks Cascadia 16 offers comfort and protection for hitting the trails in style. The outsole provided a sturdy grip on most trail terrain thanks to its medium-sized lugs, and even when I ran into some muddy, damp crossings, I felt very secure and sure-footed. That said, on very rocky or technical trails, I would have liked a bit more grip. Overall, I liked the level of traction and durability the outsole provided. Also, I was impressed with the Cascadia's durability, and I have seen no signs of wear and tear after my testing runs. The built-in Ballistic Rock Shield plate and subtle, soft cushioning offered adequate underfoot protection from sharp rocks and roots, which I appreciated from this update. The upper is beautifully designed and very sleek, and I think this is the best-looking iteration of the Cascadia yet. In terms of fit, I was not a fan of the loose, adaptable feel of the upper, as I like having a more secure hold and overall snugger fit.
When it comes to performance, the Cascadia is on the stiffer side and does not offer a springy ride. If you like having more flex and responsiveness for longer efforts or picking up the pace, there are better options out there. Overall, the Cascadia 16 is a solid update with a beautiful design and a sturdy outsole. It does its job, offering protection for reliable performance on moderate trails.
Shoe Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Cascadia 16 is a solid trail running shoe. It provides a lot of underfoot protection and traction. I was able to trust the shoe while running downhill and on rocky terrain, and though this shoe isn't the most responsive, it still allowed me to feel nimble while running on technical terrain. That said, it is a little heavy and rigid for my taste, and I wished there was a little more cushioning underfoot. I also had issues getting a secure lockdown, and I had to keep playing around with the laces to get the feel I was looking for. Furthermore, the Cascadia 16 runs a little long. Overall, I think this is a great option for runners who are looking for a highly protective and relatively rigid trail shoe for moderately paced runs.