Brooks Running has always made great shoes, but they are fast becoming my go-to for both the roads and the trails. I’ve been fortunate enough to try several styles this year, and the latest and greatest to glide through Forest Park recently were the Cascadia 16 trail shoes from The Sasquatch Collection. This collection has an unmistakably unique style and it’s my new favorite obsession, brought to us by Brooks and Nooksack artist Louie Gong.
Louie Gong was raised in the Nooksack Tribal Community and his hand-drawn shoes have garnered a lot of attention for good reason. He’s not only a very talented artist, but also the founder of Eighth Generation, which is a Seattle-based company owned by the Snoqualmie Tribe that focuses on “native-inspired” art.
“Run with respect” and “run responsibly” are two important messages in the Brooks Running Community, and Gong’s values align with this tremendous regard for nature. The land is not something to overpower, but something to protect, and I think most trail runners understand and value this as well.
I not only get to feel good about wearing the new Cascadia 16 shoes, but they are a distinctive piece of artwork as well as fully functional on the trails.
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Looks
As with the other pieces in the Sasquatch collection, the licorice fern and maple leave patterns are featured prominently. The shoes are super festive for the Fall and holiday season, and I plan to get them out in the dirt as much as possible, though it pains me to get them dirty.
Function
The Cascadia 16 are trail shoes that can handle all terrain. Great traction and stability mean they will hug the ground nicely when you’re tackling switchbacks and hills. I took these out for the first time on an 8 miler through roots, rocks, and forest debris and felt like I was flying. They climbed up, crawled down, and took the straight-aways like a champ trail shoe should.
Construction
These shoes are great for rock and root protection. Not only do they do a good job of keeping the debris on the trail rather than inside your shoes, they also have a Velcro tab on the heel and a loop within the laces to accommodate a pair of shoe gaitors. They are also very durable, as any trail shoe should be since trail runners are tough on their shoes.
Fit
The Cascadia 16 are surprisingly light for a trail shoe. These have softer and lighter cushioning than previous styles, yet they don’t sacrifice any of the stability or strength you’d expect of a quality trail shoe. Running on these doesn’t make my feet and legs feel tired and there were no “hot spots” or any problem areas through my running adventures. They also do a good job supporting my ankles and there’s sufficient room in the toebox.
Overall/For Consideration
If you’re looking for a new pair of shoes to hit the dirt in, these Cascadia 16’s are a great option. They don’t just look pretty, they do the job they should do also.
Brooks Running
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Products & Price:
- Cascadia 16 Trail Shoes | $130
- Enhanced adaptability
- Flexible protection
- Softer cushioning
Thank you to Brooks for providing us with test trail shoes. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
