Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

With adaptable stability and trail-ready waterproofing, the women's Brooks Cascadia 18 GTX trail-running shoes are ready to explore any trail—even the muddy ones.
Imported.
Best Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 8 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 33 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 25 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Waterproof | Yes |
Upper | Air-mesh with GORE-TEX Invisible Fit |
Midsole | DNA LOFT v2 |
Outsole | TrailTack rubber |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 4.9 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
Type of Waterproofing | GORE-TEX Invisible Fit |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 |
U.S. Men's | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
EU | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45.5 |
Sizes along top of chart are U.S. Women's sizes. Correlating U.S. Men's sizes and EU sizes provided for clarity.
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Love these shoes after wearing the Cascadia normal ones through summer these were a great addition to those wet winter mornings and keeping my feet dry. Everyone should have a waterproof active shoe.
Long time Ghost fan for HIIT workouts and road runs. Looking to switch from boots to trail runners for backpacking. I wanted the reviews to be wrong. I don’t think I’ve ever placed a more uncomfortable pair of shoes on my feet. Actually, I couldn’t even get one shoe on one foot. I would have to have bones surgically removed from my feet to get past the middle of the shoe. It is extremely tight under the laces and no amount of loosening helps. I don’t think going up a size as some reviews suggested would help because the length isn’t the problem. My feet are on the wider side but I wear medium width in other Brooks. So disappointed.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’m so loving the Cascadia 18 GTX shoes. They’re beautiful to start with! Such nice shoes and they fit like a glove. I love the little holder on the outer tongue so you can stick your shoelaces in it to keep them from bouncing around and coming untied. It’s nice not having to worry about your shoes untying. They’re breathable yet waterproof. The soles have the perfect grip for walking and running on sidewalks and streets. I’ve not tried running inside yet with them but I’m sure they’ll do great because I can walk fine on tiles, etc. The colors are fun and look nice together. I would totally recommend these shoes because they feel like I’m wearing nothing and are so cozy.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Great sneaker for outdoor use! The fit was comfortable and true to size but ran a little wide. Beautiful design. Great colors and I liked that it was darker colors so when I used it outside the dirt didn’t show as much. Love the breathable fabric! Soft and waterproof. My favorite feature of this sneaker is the grip. I was confident wearing it that I would not slip while running outside. It felt nice and sturdy. I also really liked the shoe laces. It stayed on tight and did not come loose. It’s a great sneaker for outdoor use but I would not use it indoors. I used it on the treadmill and it was not the best shoe for that. I felt every vibration when running. Overall, I would recommend this sneaker for outdoor use.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] This is my first pair of trail running shoes I’ve used for the purpose of hiking and I’m never going back. The amount of support and stability I felt while wearing these was at a level I’ve never felt before. The grip on the bottom makes me feel sure footed on the steepest of inclines/declines, even while carrying a child on my back. I personally don’t want/need a lot of cushion in a hiking or running shoe, and this shoe turned out perfect for me with a mid level of cushion and arch support. The shoe is also quite light which I loved. One thing I would change would be to make them more breathable because they did get pretty warm, but I’m sure they have to be that way since they are water proof. Overall, I’m very happy with this shoe!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I overall love the shoes and the look of them, they are very cute. I have bigger/wider feet so I feel like they were a little bit snug but nothing unbearable. The design is great and there’s plenty of cushion and support to keep them comfortable. The fabric is breathable so my feet aren’t overheating and getting wet during workouts. I feel like the only thing that I would change is the color options…I like more neutral colors to go with everything and these are a bit out there for me, but still very cute.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was really excited to try out the Cascadia 18 GTX as I have previously used both the 16 and 17 versions. Pros include a great design and very aesthetically pleasing. It also has a GORE-TEX seal that wraps around the front of the toe to the balls of the feet. Cons were that I found the shoe very snug to the point of being uncomfortable during use. They were also very hard and I had difficulty getting them to conform to the shape of my foot. I should mention that I do have a wider foot, but have never had any width issues with previous versions of the product. The shoe has a trail adapt pad on the outer sole, but I didn’t notice any significant difference in the sole of the shoe compared to previous versions. Overall, although I love the aesthetics, Id rate the functionality of the shoe below its predecessors.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Brooks Cascadia 18 GTX shoes have been a fantastic find for trekking through the woods and exploring. Here’s what I love about them: These shoes look great, perfect for both trails and casual wear. They offer soft cushioning, keeping my feet comfortable during longer hikes. The grip is excellent, giving me confidence on rocky trails and muddy paths. The Gore-Tex material keeps my feet dry, and they are surprisingly breathable, even in the Texas heat. They fit true to size with enough room for a chunkier sock, which will be ideal for cooler mornings. They’re a bit stiff at first due to the waterproof material, but they break in nicely after a few hikes. Overall, the Cascadia 18 GTX shoes have become my go-to for trail running and hiking. If you’re looking for reliable and stylish trail shoes, these are definitely worth checking out!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I'm in love with these sneakers! Though the color is striking and vivid, my favorite aspects of them are their tread and comfort! When I go trekking, the support is excellent and the tread is really grippy. For hiking in the woods, these are ideal because of their waterproof material. I adore the fit, and that they feel so light. These Brooks Cascadia 18 GTX sneakers are excellent, and my new go to!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Cascadia 18 GTX shoe initially seemed to require going half a size up, but after using them, they turned out to be true to size. Breaking them in was a bit challenging, causing tingling in my feet on day 1 after just 20 minutes. While there was discomfort in the heel, the shoe provided good support during climbs. It's suitable for hiking and trail running due to its practical design, including a durable Gore-tex mudguard toe cap and biomimetic traction design inspired by mountain goat hooves. The grip and security during hikes were impressive. However, it may not be the most comfortable for everyday wear or casual walking. As someone with a narrow, high-arched foot and a true size 8 in sports shoes, I have mixed feelings about the Cascadia 18 GTX and plan to test them further on different trails for a more comprehensive review. I appreciate the opportunity to test the Cascadia 18 GTX shoe at no cost.