Brooks Cascadia 20 review

The Brooks Cascadia 20 is a great choice for:

• Runners who have been waiting for the Cascadia lineup to finally feature a Vibram Megagrip outsole.
• Those who wanted more cushioning than previous Cascadia models offered.
• Anyone looking for a great-value trail shoe that performs well on easy and moderately-technical trails.
• Heel strikers who use stability shoes on the road and want a similarly supportive option for trail running.

If you prefer lightweight trail shoes, the Cascadia 20 is unlikely to meet your expectations. For a much more nimble and agile ride, check the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed.

We also believe that the Cascadia 20's snug fit won't suit runners with wide feet. Instead, the Altra Olympus 275 is an excellent choice for those who need maximum toebox space, while the Nike Zegama 2 offers a more balanced fit.

With 136 SA in the heel and 121 SA in the forefoot for shock absorption, the Brooks Cascadia 20 is the most protective version yet, making it a much more versatile choice for longer distances and even ultramarathons.

The midsole now switches to DNA Flash v2, yet it delivers a similar level of bounce with 58.0% energy return in the heel and 59.8% in the forefoot.

This is an unexpected move, as Brooks introduced DNA Loft v3 to the Cascadia lineup just last year, making the transition to a new foam much sooner than anticipated.

The heel stack height of the Cascadia lineup perfectly illustrates how trail running shoes keep getting taller year after year. But where should the limit be?

• Brooks Cascadia 18: 32.6 mm
• Brooks Cascadia 19: 34.8 mm
• Brooks Cascadia 20: 37.9 mm

If Brooks wants to preserve the Cascadia as a true Swiss Army knife for the trails, pushing beyond 40 mm wouldn't be the right move, especially considering the shoe already delivers more than enough shock absorption.

The forefoot also gains 2.1 mm over the previous version, reaching a total stack height of 29.1 mm.

As you may have already guessed from our previous two measurements, the drop is higher than the 6 mm advertised by Brooks. In fact, we measured 8.8 mm, making the shoe slightly more appealing to heel strikers than the spec sheet suggests.

The Cascadia 19 may have been something of an experiment, because after slicing the Cascadia 20 in half, we found that Brooks has abandoned both the dual-density midsole and the plate in favour of a much simpler single-density foam setup.

DNA Flash v2 is slightly firmer than average at 39.6 AC, a characteristic that many trail runners appreciate because it enhances stability and control on uneven terrain.

There are no major changes here, as Brooks retains a very similar rocker profile to last year's model. The heel features a gentle rocker that never feels intrusive or uncomfortable, while the forefoot rises to 4.5 cm, a fairly standard figure by today's trail running shoe standards.

As usual, Brooks offers the Cascadia in both standard and wide versions, although the wide option is only available in select regions and colorways.

That said, let's start by measuring the fit. At its widest point, we recorded a below-average width of 93.7 mm.

Next, we measured the toebox width and found that it offers limited room for toe splay. At just 70.6 mm, this shoe is better suited for runners with narrow feet or those who prefer a highly secure fit with minimal lateral foot movement.

Lastly, we measured the vertical space in the toebox.

Once again, the result came in below average, although much closer this time, making the fit feel less restrictive in terms of toe height.

The new Vibram Megagrip outsole, which finally makes its way to the Cascadia lineup, also features Traction Lug technology. This welcome addition enhances grip, especially while cornering, thanks to the tiny dots embedded into each lug.

As for lug depth, we measured 3.4 mm, slightly shallower than Brooks' stated figure of 4 mm. Therefore, the Cascadia 20 performs best on gravel roads and easy trails, while proving less capable on highly-technical terrain.

The outsole is almost entirely covered with excellent Vibram Megagrip rubber, leaving only a few exposed foam channels that are designed to improve flexibility rather than reduce weight. In our opinion, this level of rubber coverage is outstanding and should deliver excellent long-term durability.

One side effect of adding more foam to the Cascadia's midsole is increased stiffness. As expected, this version is less flexible than its predecessor, requiring 18.1N in our 30-degree bend test.

You might also expect the higher stack height to come with a weight penalty. However, we discovered why Brooks switched to DNA Flash v2 and moved away from DNA Loft v3.

The new foam is lighter, allowing the Cascadia 20 to weigh slightly less than its predecessor at 10.5 oz (298g). That said, it's still a heavy shoe.

Brooks once again relies on its TrailAdapt technology in the Cascadia 20, a combination of design features that enhances support and flexibility in key areas to promote a stable ride.

Based on our testing, we can confidently say that the shoe delivers excellent stability in both the heel and forefoot and it's a good option for those with light or moderate overpronation.

The cutouts we highlighted earlier, combined with the absence of a plate, allow the Cascadia 20 to twist and flex more easily (15.6 Nm) than its substantial size might initially suggest. 

The heel feels exceptionally stable, largely thanks to the super-firm (5/5) heel counter Brooks added to the Cascadia 20. It may not appeal to runners who prefer a more natural feel, but for everyone else, the added support is likely to be a worthwhile tradeoff.

One thing is immediately clear with the Cascadia 20: Brooks made stability a top priority, and the shoe delivers that feeling regardless of your footstrike.

The forefoot measures 117.7 mm wide, which is above the current lab average. However, it's the heel where Brooks really went all in with an exceptionally broad platform.

At 98.5 mm wide, the heel platform is exceptionally broad, making it an excellent choice for runners who need extra support. However, like every design decision in running shoes, it comes with a tradeoff, and in this case, it's reduced agility.

The engineered mesh upper used in the Cascadia 20 feels more like one found on a road running shoe, aside from its rugged protective overlays. And Brooks prioritised comfort over durability, something we confirmed with a modest 2/5 score in our abrasion test.

We also tested the heel padding and recorded another disappointing result, earning just 1 out of 5 in our abrasion test. In our view, this level of durability falls well below expectations.

The outsole showed 1.0 mm of wear in our Dremel test, a result that's broadly in line with other trail running shoes and far from concerning.

At 2.3 mm thick, the outsole also provides ample protection against wear and sharp rocks on the trail.

In our opinion, this level of protection makes the decision to skip a rock plate fully justified.

The insole is also slightly thicker than average, measuring 5.2 mm, although the difference is only marginal.

It's a nice touch from Brooks to add perforations to the insole, as they improve breathability while also shaving off a few grammes.

The switch from DNA Loft v3 to DNA Flash v2 also paid off here, as the foam became only 10% firmer after spending 20 minutes in our freezer. In our opinion, that's an excellent result.

One feature we'd love to see in the next update is the addition of a few reflective elements on the upper.

Brooks has been on an impressive run with its upper designs in recent years, consistently delivering great-looking shoes with an excellent fit. The Cascadia 20 is no exception, offering a highly secure lockdown along with a practical elastic lace keeper that prevents the laces from flapping around while running.

The tongue is equally impressive, packing a generous 10.0 mm of padding for outstanding step-in comfort. Some runners may find it slightly excessive given the shoe's already substantial weight, but those who enjoy a plush fit will appreciate the Cascadia 20 from the very first stride.

The semi-gusseted tongue is another reason why the Cascadia 20 delivers such an excellent fit.

We wrap up with the finger-loop heel tab. It's exceptionally sturdy, and we can't imagine anyone accidentally tearing it off.

If you've found the Cascadia to be a great value in recent years, this version won't disappoint. The addition of Vibram Megagrip alone makes it a compelling upgrade for loyal fans of the series, while the new DNA Flash v2 foam and increased cushioning further enhance the overall package.