Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Be ready for rugged terrain on any run. Comfortable and protective, these Brooks trail-running shoes offer a stable and adaptable ride. All-around traction gives you confidence to explore new trails.
Imported.
View the Brooks Cascadia Product LineView all Brooks Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 35 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 29 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | 3D Fit Print air mesh |
Midsole | DNA LOFT v3 |
Outsole | TrailTack Green |
Rock Plate | Yes |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 5.4 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | |
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U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
U.S. Women's | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | ||||||
UK | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 45.5 | 46 | 46.5 | 47.5 | 48.5 | 49.5 | 50.5 |
Sizes along top of chart are U.S. Men's sizes. Correlating U.S. Women's sizes and EU sizes provided for clarity.
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I have been running roads and trails, and hiking in Brooks shoes for over two decades. The Cascadia 19 is the most disappointing Brooks shoe I have ever purchased. The forefoot is stupid wide and sloppy, and the shoe will simply not lock down. Between the stretch in the shoe laces, the fat in the tongue, and the stretch in the mesh, the Cascadia 19 gave me the first blisters I have ever received in Brooks shoes. The foot print is ridiculously wide, making the shoe almost unusable in tight single track. Plus, the toe kick protection is profoundly wimpy.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Hard to argue with Brooks trail shoes lately, and the Cascadia 19 - while perhaps not revolutionary - is more than good enough to keep propagating that legacy. While the Cascadia 19 is a bit more rugged than I “need,” they handle any trail I run on expertly. Road performance is good, if a little… odd. They’re not quite a road-to-trail shoe (nor are they marked to be one). For rocky and technical trails including in some pretty nasty state and regional parts, these worked extremely well. I even ran a workout (fartlek-type session) over some really steep terrain and the midsole excelled.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I love the way this running shoe feels. It has bounce and is so supportive. My feet feel great from the moment they go on, and continue to feel great throughout. The fabric is a very breathable mesh, which keeps my feet feeling well ventilated, but is poor for running in the rain (or even a slight drizzle). I will saw that my one knock on it is the color scheme is not very appealing. I actually have an expensive performance shirt that was a gift and a really great athletic shirt but the color is a little revolting, and these shoes match it PERFECTLY (the color scheme looks worse in person than in pictures). So you may struggle to fit this style into your wardrobe, but if you can (or you don’t care about the color scheme) your feet will really thank you!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I was excited to try Brooks Cascadia 19 for my trail runs. As someone who enjoys getting out on the trails but isnot a fan of the feeling of heavy shoes on my feet, I’ve been looking for a trail shoe that doesn't demand a break-in period. The Cascadia 19 checked all the boxes, with its light, mesh material for the upper being the standout feature; my feet stayed cool and comfortable even on a longer hike, and the grippy waffle pattern on the soles. I stayed steady on loose terrain, plus, the toe box is actually roomy enough for my toes to be comfortable. For me, one heel presses in a little tight on one foot, but honestly, that’s probably just something unique about my foot shape. Overall, these shoes slide on easily and feel good from the first step, making my weekend adventures a lot more enjoyable!
My shoe size is 13.5 and I bought a size 14. The shoes fit great. I really like the traction the outsole provides. I walk about nine miles a day and have had no issues in the first month of using them. I normally wear a narrow width B shoe, but these come in a D. No problems with the width.
Brooks wearer exclusively. Bought for rotation with Cascadia 17 and others , they pretty much fit perfect right of the box no break in at all. Cushion perfect, I want another pair since they were so great, but lacking in suitable colors for me.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] After several weeks of running and hiking in the Brooks Cascadia 18, they’ve become my go-to trail shoes. I started with a few shorter 4-5 mile runs, then took them on some tough, longer hikes down into the Grand Canyon, where I encountered a variety of rough terrain. Since returning from the GC, I’ve also used them for several 5-10 mile trail runs. What stands out is their durability—the shoes show almost no wear, even after handling the tough conditions that have quickly worn out other trail runners I’ve tried. The outsoles are exceptionally grippy, especially on rock and loose scree, which has made a noticeable difference in maintaining traction during steep or technical sections. Overall, these shoes offer a great balance of durability, grip, and support, making them a solid choice for both established trails and off-route scrambles.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] These Brooks Cascadia shoes have quickly become a staple in my trail running rotation. The moment I put them on, they felt stable and ready, no awkward break-in period. The cushioning hits a sweet spot: it softens the impact on rocky or uneven paths without feeling too squishy or heavy. The traction really stood out. The lugs on the outsole dig into dirt and loose gravel with ease, and I never felt like I was slipping, even on light inclines. They’re clearly built for trail use, and they perform like it. The upper is breathable but still offers good structure and foot support, especially around the midfoot. Style-wise, I love the design. It’s modern but not flashy—clean lines, quality materials, and a colorway that looks good both on and off the trail. I do have slightly wide feet, and I wish I had gone with the wide version; I think it would’ve made an already good fit feel perfect. All in all, it’s a great trail shoe. If you run on mixed terrain or enjoy light hikes, the Cascadia delivers performance, comfort, and style in one solid package.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Really surprised by these shoes. I’ve never had much luck with past Cascadia models—there was always a pressure point or something that didn’t quite work for my foot. But the 19s are different. They’re well-cushioned, fit comfortably, and just feel solid overall. I normally run in supportive shoes like the Brooks Adrenaline, but on the trail, these neutral runners work just fine. I’ve put in about 25 miles so far, split between road and trail. They’re cushy, supportive, and stable underfoot, and never felt off balance on trails. They don’t feel heavy on pavement either. The mesh uppers are noticably breathable in this hot summer. The style is a bonus too—especially in the white colorway, they look good enough to wear casually. However, if your used to shoes with a visually aesthetic narrow profile, this may catch you off guard as they look a decent bit wider than other offerings. That said, I really like the room it provided my forefoot. Hate that claustrophobic feeling some shoes give me. Fit is true to size. Highly recommend if you're after a versatile, all-around running shoe.
At 60 I am definitely weighing comfort over speed. I need endurance over the long haul. I tend to get pain in my knee and hip when running more than about a 5K. Brooks running shoes are the only shoes that I have owned that actually make that pain go away. I feel better after a few miles in these shoes on the trail (and my Ghost 16s on pavement) than I do at the beginning of a run. I finally got these out in the woods for a 7 mile shakeout run followed by a 1.5 mile cool down hike, and I felt great throughout. I'm looking forward to wearing these for a 50K in a couple of months. These were also the ONLY Brooks trail shoe I could find in a 2E width so I'm thankful that they are so comfortable and durable. I'll definitely be putting some miles on them.