Brooks Cascadia 18 review

We think the Brooks Cascadia 18 is a fantastic choice for:

• Newcomers to trail running who want a comfort-focused shoe for varied mountain activities.
• Runners prioritizing a breathable upper, a rare feature in many trail shoes.
• Heel strikers looking for a stable, well-balanced ride on light or moderate terrain.

We believe the Brooks Cascadia 18 is not the ideal choice for those seeking a cushioned, plush trail experience. With a firm midsole and a moderate stack height, it falls short for runners looking for extra cushioning. For a plush option, we recommend the Brooks Caldera 7 or Nike Zegama 2.

In our experience, durability is another area where the Cascadia 18 struggles. We observed concerning wear in the upper, making it less rugged than many trail runners expect. For those who prioritize a built-like-a-tank upper, we suggest taking a look at the Hoka Speedgoat 6, a highly durable and versatile alternative.

For trail shoes, we usually prefer a balanced score regarding breathability, prioritizing a bit of warmth over maximum airflow. So, we were pleased to find a 4/5 rating here instead of an overly ventilated 5/5.

Brooks has crafted a lightweight, thin engineered mesh for this shoe, thoughtfully pairing it with other fabrics tailored to specific areas. For instance, the heel and midfoot are generously padded, yet ventilation in these sections is minimal, as expected for added comfort and durability.

We were surprised because Brooks included a perforated insole—an impressive feature that’s more common in premium running shoes. It’s a clever touch, offering a touch of extra ventilation.

When examining the upper under the microscope, we noticed the mesh's thin construction, which raised some durability concerns for us in the lab, as it may wear down quickly against our Dremel test.

However, before testing abrasion, we evaluated the upper’s structure.

Overall, it’s well-designed for a trail shoe, with rugged thermoplastic overlays protecting high-wear areas like the toe cap and sufficient padding to support a comfortable fit.

After testing hundreds of shoes in the lab, we usually have a sense of how they’ll perform under rigorous testing. Unfortunately, things didn’t look promising for the Cascadia 18 in this round.

The thin engineered mesh failed to showcase any noticeable damage resistance. Of course, had we conducted the test on the thermoplastic overlay protecting the toe cap, the results would have been different. But we already know that TPU excels in durability; our aim was to assess the vulnerability of the rest of the toebox. And, based on our findings, that's a 1 out of 5 for us.

The upside of receiving a 1/5 score is that the Cascadia can only go up from there. Although the heel padding scored a slightly improved 2/5, we found it still disappointing, as it's still far away from most trail shoes.

In our view, Brooks must address this issue for the next Cascadia iteration. These low durability scores raise concerns, especially for runners prone to wearing out the toebox or Achilles area.

If there’s one component we closely inspect in trail running shoes, it’s the outsole. So, let’s dive into the TrailTack Green rubber—carried over from the previous Cascadia due to its impressive traction on multiple surfaces, which we confirmed again with this model.

We tested its hardness using our Shore C durometer and obtained an 84.5 HC score. This result aligns closely with the average trail shoe, maintaining a balanced level of hardness—right where most trail outsoles fall in our lab tests.

But, what about durability? Our first two tests were genuinely disappointing, so we hoped this one would fare better—a third negative result would be a serious setback.

After lifting the Dremel and using a tire tread gauge to measure, we recorded 1.3 mm of wear. While it didn’t reach our ideal standards, we found the result to be manageable rather than disastrous.

The outsole packs a solid 2.0 mm of durable rubber—definitely built to withstand the miles and protect the midsole from sharp rocks.

At 11.6 oz or 329g, we found the previous Cascadia to be on the heavier side—a factor we felt was among its weakest aspects.

There’s both good and bad news this time. The good news is Brooks has managed to trim it down to 10.9 oz or 310g, which is a step in the right direction. However, for a shoe with this level of cushioning, we believe it still needs to shed a bit more weight to reach a more balanced feel.

This isn’t a towering, maximalist shoe with extreme stack height—it’s a daily-trainer-like design with 32.6 mm under the heel, which by the way, we think doesn’t quite justify its high weight. In our view, other brands have achieved more efficient weight management in this category.

Still, this cushioning level feels just right for the Cascadia’s role, and we hope Brooks doesn’t simply trim down the stack to lighten the load. That would be a mistake.

No major updates in the forefoot, which stays at 23.8 mm—probably a bit slim for runners with heavier builds. If you’re looking for extra cushion, the Altra’s Olympus 6 with its colossal 31.5-mm forefoot stack could be an exciting switch.

In our experience, the heel and forefoot measurements make it clear—this is a high-drop trail shoe, designed primarily for rearfoot strikers.

Forefoot and midfoot strikers will find the Cascadia comfortable, especially if they’re prone to calf or Achilles overload issues. However, many trail runners prefer lower-drop shoes, which might make this model less appealing to them.

We found the insole to be comfy, offering a balanced feel underfoot. Measuring at 5.1 mm, it sits close to the average thickness for insoles in all running shoes.

One of the consistent features carried over from the previous Cascadia is the foam. We discovered the same DNA Loft v2 powering this model as well.

If you were hoping for a softer feel in this update, that’s not the case here. With a 27.5 HA reading on our durometer, we noted that this foam is even slightly firmer than its predecessor, delivering a ride that leans on the firm side.

However, if you can handle that level of firmness, it offers real trail advantages—a more stable platform and better protection from sharp rocks.

In our testing, DNA Loft v2 impressed us with its resilience for being an EVA-based foam.

We put the Cascadia 18 in the freezer for 20 minutes and re-measured its softness. After exposure, it only became 12.7% firmer, which is an outstanding result for cold-weather performance.

The Cascadia 18 isn’t one of those extreme rockered shoes, though each year Brooks adds a bit more curve to the forefoot.

This change brings some benefits and drawbacks, but we still wouldn’t classify it as a rockered shoe—especially with the heel staying very flat.

One standout feature that sets the Cascadia apart from most trail shoes in its category is the Trail Adapt system. This innovative setup includes a plastic plate with two heads in the heel, extending out as wings on each side of the midsole, and three fork-like heads positioned in the forefoot. Its purpose? To enhance protection against rocks and boost stability at the same time!

The rationale behind this design is to allow the shoe to flex torsionally, avoiding the rigidity a full-length, non-forked plate would bring, resulting in a more adaptive ride on rugged terrain.

In our experience, the Cascadia 18 stands out for those who need a trail shoe that balances top stability with versatility across various surfaces. Furthermore, we found it particularly well-suited for heel strikers, offering dependable traction and control.

We assessed the torsional rigidity of this Cascadia 18 and assigned it a 4 out of 5. This score aligns with our expectations for a model featuring a moderate stack height combined with a rock plate. It also aligned well with our on-foot experience, as it doesn’t feel as natural or fluid as minimalist running shoes.

Throughout this lab review, we’re consistently finding that this shoe is geared towards heel strikers, and here’s more solid proof. Scoring a full 5/5 in our heel counter stiffness test, it delivers unmatched stability in this area. However, the ultra-stiff heel might feel somewhat clunky or uncomfortable for certain runners—especially those with sensitive Achilles tendons.

For those needing a more comfortable counter in a dependable trail shoe, we suggest considering the ASICS Gel Trabuco 12.

The midsole carries over largely unchanged from its predecessor at 112.6 mm, offering a standard design. However, we found the midfoot area to be notably broad, enhancing stability—particularly beneficial for maintaining control on descents.

In our experience, as highlighted throughout this review, it’s clear Brooks designed the Cascadia 18 with heel strikers in mind. We found the rear section significantly broader than average—measuring an impressive 95.6 mm under our calipers—which enhances stability for heel strikers.

For a trail running shoe designed to double as a hiking option, maintaining a balanced level of flexibility is essential, and our 90-degree bend test is perfect for evaluating this.

After bending the Cascadia 18 to a full 90 degrees, we found that it required only 26.5N of force—an average result that, in our view, offers just the right balance of flexibility for a versatile trail shoe.

The Cascadia 18 outsole remains mostly unchanged from its predecessor, which isn’t necessarily a drawback. We found that it performs reliably; while the 4.0-mm lugs aren’t quite as aggressive as industry leaders like Vibram Megagrip’s Traction Lugs, they hold their own on varied terrain.

In terms of lug placement, the design features three types:

• Heel: Breaking lugs to enhance traction on descents.
• Midfoot: Non-textured, mixed lugs for effective mud shedding.
• Forefoot: Wedge-shaped lugs to improve grip on uphill climbs.

The outsole includes a large longitudinal hollow channel, paired with two horizontal cutouts designed to enhance flexibility.

From the moment we slipped on the Cascadia 18, it felt naturally comfortable, and it didn’t take long for us to understand why.

With a width of 98.9 mm at its widest part, the upper is designed to deliver a dependable fit. In our view, Brooks has aimed for an easy-going, average width to accommodate as many runners as possible—an approach that genuinely works.

Our second measurement showed an 80.7 mm result—again, close to the average—suggesting that the Cascadia’s fit will appeal to most runners.

In terms of volume, we found enough space for natural toe movement, creating a non-constrictive feel ideal not only for trail running but also for long walks in nature. And if anyone needs even more room, Brooks offers a wide size option in select markets.

One standout feature of the Cascadia 18—especially for its price—is its gusseted tongue, which attaches securely to the sides. We've noted that this design effectively keeps out debris and provides an enhanced, secure lockdown.

The tongue thickness was one of the big changes from the Cascadia 16 (12.2 mm) to the Cascadia 17 (4.7 mm). And it seems that Brooks found, as we did, this approach better as the newly updated tongue was very similar at 5.5 mm.

The lacing system has also been redesigned, now featuring three lace loops and three punched eyelets. We’re not thrilled with this update—punched eyelets, in our experience, tend to be more convenient and durable, especially when tightening the laces under high tension.

One of the more frustrating aspects for trail runners is dealing with loose laces. Thankfully, we found that Brooks has added a convenient elastic strap on the tongue—perfect for tucking the laces securely before heading out for a run and keeping them out of the way.

The Cascadia 18 retains its classic finger-loop heel tab—an appreciated detail from its predecessors that, in our experience, adds real value to any trail shoe...and looks fantastic too!

The insole of the Cascadia 18 is removable, allowing you to swap in a third-party option if desired. However, doing so means losing one of this shoe’s standout features—a perforated insole designed for enhanced airflow.

As we confirmed in our breathability assessment at the start of this lab review, this unique ventilation element sets the Cascadia 18 apart from many competitors by providing improved cooling during runs.

We noted that Brooks has once again included a Velcro strap on the heel counter for attaching gaiters, which, of course, are sold separately from the shoe.

In recent years, we’ve become accustomed to small price hikes across many models, yet Brooks decided to hold the line with the Cascadia 18’s retail price. In our view, this decision is a wonderful choice, as we believe this trail shoe offers solid value without breaking the bank.

In our review of the Cascadia 17, we had hoped the 18th edition would finally include reflective elements for better safety. However, that update didn't arrive. For this reason, one of this model’s most notable drawbacks is its complete lack of reflective details. Again.