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Brooks Cascadia 16
Designed for the rugged outdoors, the Brooks Cascadia 16 is a versatile shoe fit for short hikes and long runs alike.
The padded heel cup provides support both laterally and side to side, making this one of the most stable trail shoes on the market. The aggressive outsole provides the user with a secure grip on the ground - whether that be mud, sand, or rocks.
The Cascadia 16 has a rock plate to protect runners and hikers from jagged surfaces and rocks. This plate also provides a great deal of stiffness to the midsole creating a responsive feel.
SUPPORT: Neutral
HEEL TO TOE OFFSET: 8mm
WEIGHT: 9.5oz/269.3g women's, 10.5oz/297.7g men's
USE: Trail Running, Hiking
SURFACE: Trail, Dirt roads
FIT
To start, the Cascadia 16 toe box was wider than I expected. In previous models, the toe box was too narrow, to the point of it being uncomfortable. The midfoot of the shoe hugged my foot nicely giving me a sense of security as I walked around. I was surprised by the hefty heel cup, it felt tall compared to my normal shoes (Saucony Kinvara and Altra Superior), but after a while, it grew on me. I think Brooks could improve on the out-of-the-box feeling for the heel cup as it was a little off-putting at first and took some getting used to.
The length of the shoe felt right on. I am normally an 8.5 in running shoes but tested a size 8. It felt like an 8 through and through. I didn't notice much about the tongue when I was wearing the shoes and for me, that was positive - I don't like to notice things other than the outdoors when I am on the trail!
There is a great deal of cushion between you and the ground. While the amount of cushion is significant it didn't feel soft or bouncy. The cushioning reminded me more of a hiking shoe versus a running shoe.
STABILITY
The shoe DEFINITELY felt stable. I'd recommend the Cascadia 16 for runners that typically run in stability shoes on the road and want to venture out on the trail. This shoe is also good for runners or hikers that want to feel connected to the ground regardless of the terrain thanks to an aggressive outsole.
SPEED
I would recommend this shoe for anything under 30 miles. I think the Cascadia 16 will hold up for more than that but I question how comfortable it will be on longer runs.
I would consider this a responsive trail shoe, ideal for either short miles or for someone who wants to cut time off a PR. The shoe lacks the "plushness" of other trail shoes which might be a downside for those just exploring ultramarathons.
COMPARISON
The Brooks Cascadia 16 feels more firm out of the box than many other trail shoes on the market. It reminds me more of hiking shoes versus a fast trail shoe. If you are looking for an aggressive stable trail shoe, this is it! It is similar to the Brooks Ghost 14.
PREVIOUS VERSIONS
Brooks added DNA Loft cushioning to the shoe and an additional 2mm of cushioning to provide a softer ride.
WHAT WE THINK
I felt very comfortable in the Cascadia 16 trail shoe. This shoe is for the casual trail runner that wants to feel stable and secure over mixed terrain.
MEET YOUR REVIEWER
Kayla
29 year old
Wears women's size 8
I love running pretty much everywhere. One of my favorite things to do on vacation is exploring the town in my running shoes! I started running in college 10 years ago. I’ve worked at Running Lab for about eight years on and off between undergrad and grad school. I love the conversations and adventures I have with my running friends.
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