Brooks Cascadia 15, Men’s race Running Shoe

Product Information

The overlay on the tip of the toe box does not feature any drainage holes. There are slits on the sides and near the heel, but if you are a forefoot striker, the water can stay accumulated in the toe box. The 3mm lugs allow for running on a variety of surfaces, including a pretty comfortable pavement experience when needed. Conclusion 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. The multidirectional lugs are pronounced and numerous, spread across the entire outsole for maximum traction.

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 However, despite this support, the Cascadia is not the most glamorous trail shoe out there. Also, it’s a model that has changed a lot over the years, with some versions better than others. The upper is an engineered mesh with some welded overlays to provide some extra stability and structure. The mesh is soft and flexible, which allows the shoe to hug the midfoot very well. The toe box is wide enough to be comfortable, but it isn't so wide that it's sloppy.

Call for Comments

Hannah: blister free, comfortable fit out of the box. Great traction. Best for mellow recovery hikes and runs One of the first shoes that comes to mind when we think of trail running is the Brooks Cascadia. In its fifteenth iteration, and now with an added Gore-Tex treatment, the Brooks Cascadia 15 GTX remains as a standard-bearer for the trail running shoe community.

Jeff V. runs mostly on very steep technical terrain above Boulder often challenging well known local FKT's. Jeff V: I really like the Cascadia 15 and it does a wonderful job performing as a versatile, well protected, durable everyday trainer. Some days I have a specific agenda and select a shoe that will perfectly fill that niche, but other days, I walk out the door not knowing the route, terrain, how fast I feel like going or if it will involve scrambling, some fire roads, wet, mud, snow, etc… On those days, the Cascadia 15 is the perfect shoe to grab that will handle just about anything you throw at it. Canice: The Cascadia 15 is the Subaru of trail running shoes. Good at everything but not great at anything. For me the ride killed the shoe. Give it some life, keep everything else as is and this would be a “great” shoe. Do that and lighten the shoe up and it will be a “spectacular” shoe. As it is it’s an okay shoe, that is priced well, and has a nice wide toe box. John: very comfortable out of the box, stable in varied terrain, engineered mesh upper that is soft to the skin TAYLOR: I waited this long to say it, but both last year’s model and the new Cascadia 15 are on my shortlist of shoes that I really don’t like. Another overhaul would be welcomed! Honestly, it’s outdated and out-performed by so many other shoes, even from the same company.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. It’s hard to say when you’re running if these really work but it is fair to say the shoes feel stable from heel strike to toe off so they must know what they’re talking about.