Brooks Cascadia 15, Men’s race Running Shoe

Product Information

The result is a stable, well-protected, breathable shoe with good traction that works well for trail running and backpacking. 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.

If you think you’ll only be running on “classic” trails, then there’s no reason to go for a more edgy configuration. Jeff V: The mesh upper is, as John states, is very similar in construction to the Caldera 4 which has proven to be very durable over time. The firm midsole has softened a little bit, but it is still stiffer than a pair of Lone Peaks out of the box and thus, I expect them to last longer. Canice: The Cascadia is one of the iconic shoes in the history of trail running and as crazy as it is, this was the first time I have run in the Cascadia.The toe bumper is improved as well, slightly thicker and offering better coverage with integrating with a 360 degree rand for better protection in rough terrain. They're a bit too stiff for my liking and I'm noticeably sore in my ankles, knees, hips, and lower back when I run in them. The ballistic plate gives the shoe obvious rock protection underfoot (which I don’t really think it needed with its stiff midsole) but the plate also feels like it gives the shoe a touch more response than a standard EVA midsole without the plate. On the PCT in 2015, I coaxed one pair of Cascadia 9s to 650 miles and retired the others after 500 miles.

The upper is really well constructed, and for the GTX model, the Gore-Tex held up really well in creeks, streams, and in snow. With 150 miles on my pair, the uppers look great with no signs of wear, even at the notorious toe crease. For those who do not know Scott Jurek, let’s just say he’s won the Western States 100 seven times (! This is actually the first time I have noticed this, seems so easy and smart with a ton of adjustability. Even with an 8mm drop (26mm heel to 18 mm toe), the posts kept my foot in a better position to strike evenly on most terrain.

Thermoplastic polyurethane overlays circumnavigate the mesh and not only protect your toes from kicked-up debris, but also the integrity of the upper. However, on long sustained descents on a service road, I felt like my forefoot was slapping the ground. The Cascadia 16 is ideal for trail runners who want a stiff, protective shoe that’s stable on varied terrain.