The Brooks Cascadia has been a mainstay in the trail running world for nearly two decades, and it’s easy to see why. Durable, cushy, and dependable—this series has long straddled the line between rugged and runnable. So, when the Cascadia 19 dropped with some notable updates, I was eager to take them out on a multi-day test that included everything from dusty singletrack to rocky inclines.
It wasn’t love at first step, but by the end of our weekend together, I was impressed by how well this shoe held up. Here’s the rundown.
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Looks:
Looks are always subjective and this shoe is probably a case in point. In our review of the Hoka Rocket X3, I marveled at the dialed-back colors while others grumbled about the lack of flair. And with the Cascadia 19, it’s more of the same. I’ve seen a lot of online praise for this colorway, but I’m firmly in the “meh” camp.
The highlighter yellow and blue combo? Not really my thing. But aesthetics are hardly a deal-breaker, and truthfully, most of the time I’m too dusty on the trail for anyone to see what I’m wearing anyway. That said, I’ve glimpsed a few alternate colorways of the 19 and I think they’ll hit a little better—so if this launch color doesn’t vibe with you, there’s hope!
My inaugural runs in the Cascadia 19 were on a long holiday weekend in Central Oregon, covering about 30 trail miles over three days. Trial by fire, for sure.
The Cascadia 19, on that first 14-mile run on the Sisters Tie Trail, felt a bit stiff in the beginning, but things loosened up after a few miles. By the end, my feet were thanking me. Day 2 around Suttle Lake was a bit more technical, with rolling terrain and some people-dodging. The grip showed up in a big way here—stable, secure, and confidence-inspiring that I wasn’t gonna be run off the trail and into the cold water.
Day 3’s trip to Peterson Ridge threw in some elevation and rockier terrain. This is when I finally felt like the shoe had hit its stride. I did get a small blister on one toe, but to be fair, I’d already put in a ton of miles that weekend (I had also done a 5k road race on the 4th and then a 3 mile cool-down after). I don’t think that small blister was a result of the shoe as a standalone as the toe box is plenty accommodating. The Cascadia line has always leaned a little wider, and I think most folks will find it plenty roomy.
Specs:
- Stack Height: 35 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot
- Drop: 6 mm
- Weight: 10.5 oz (Men’s size 9) / 9.4 oz (Women’s size 8)
Upper:
The upper is, in typical Brooks fashion, extremely comfortable. There’s ample padding around the tongue and heel, more plush than many trail shoes out there. The fit dialed in easily for me, and I never felt like I had to over-tighten to get a secure lockdown. I know sometimes ultra padded shoes have the tendency to casue slippage – but I didn’t experience it.
It’s been plenty breathable during warm runs, which is great, but I could see the plush tongue soaking up a bit of water in wetter, colder months. Still, the breathability and comfort tradeoff is one I’ll gladly take for summer runs.
Midsole:
The Cascadia 19 features Brooks’ DNA Loft v3, a nitrogen-infused foam that’s also found in the Brooks Caldera. For me, it strikes a nice balance—there’s enough give for comfort over long hauls, but it’s not bouncy or overly soft. It’s like the Goldilocks of midsoles: just right.
There’s a subtle firmness that I appreciated on uneven terrain—it gave me a sense of connection to the trail without feeling harsh. It also helped keep things consistent over long miles, even as my legs started to fatigue.
Outsole:
The TrailTack Green outsole is a winner. I’ve tested a lot of trail shoes in the past few years, and I’d honestly put this traction among the top. Whether I was on dusty pine trails, loose rock, or hardpack dirt, the grip never faltered.
Brooks also leaned into sustainability a bit here, with this outsole being partially made from recycled content. So not only does it perform, but it helps the planet a little too.
Overall:
All in all, the Cascadia 19 is a really solid option for trail runners who want versatility, comfort, and durability without breaking the bank. It may not be the flashiest shoe on the shelf, but it doesn’t need to be. It delivers where it matters—on the trail—and does so with quiet confidence. For multi-day trail getaways, weekend long runs, or even light technical terrain, it’s a worthy companion.
