Brooks Cascadia 19 trail running shoe review: a light and agile shoe that's technical enough for most terrain

Brooks Cascadia 19: first impressions 

Over 20 years ago, the very first Cascadia trail running shoe was issued (and designed with ultra running legend Scott Jurek), and it allowed Brooks to position itself at the forefront of the trail scene. The shoe was such a success that it has since gone through multiple reiterations, and the original was re-issued last month.

With trail running tech constantly improving, Brooks keeps finding ways to upgrade the design of the Cascadia, and it calls number 19 the most versatile yet, with testers describing it as "the multitool for trail runners".

In addition to a lighter build and lower drop (down to 6mm), the main headline is the updated Trail Adapt System, which is the brand's proprietary system of cushioning, outsole, and rock plate that's designed to provide stability and protection on uneven surfaces.

This has been updated since the 18 to include "a co-molded Ballistic Rock Shield" which basically increases your comfort on rocky trails by protecting your feet and offers a balanced, boundy ride that almost stretches to tarmac. A healthy 35mm wedge of soft, nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning allows for more flexibility underfoot without sacrificing control.

The outsole of this shoe is really worth mentioning, too. Even though the lugs aren't particularly aggressive looking, the chevron design and redesigned TrailTack Green technology really shine on a variety of trails, from rocky and dusty to bogs and wet grass.

The shoe has an impressive lockdown fit, which hugs the midfoot and leaves plenty of room for your toes, and while the upper is surprisingly thick, it's very breathable and dries pretty quickly. They're not as rugged as the 18, focusing more on an agile approach for both technical and fast runs, but there's enough protection for your toes.

Upgrades have also been made on the sustainability front. The outsole is now made with 25% recycled rubber, and overall, the 19 uses more recycled materials than its predecessors and is a CarbonNeutral certified product.

This is one of the more versatile trail shoes we've seen in a while. Available in wide sizing and waterproof versions, it performs well under technical conditions but is light and comfortable enough for a newer trail runner.

Brooks Cascadia 19: in the field 

Much to my shame, I haven't had much experience with Brooks trail runners over the years, despite the brand being an original purveyor of trail shoes. I thought they were a bit outdated, compared to Hoka and Merrell, which I've run in a lot, but in the name of nostalgia, I agreed to give the new model a test.

I've tested these in wet and dry conditions on gravel, grass, and a bit of mud and bog here in Scotland, and also wore them to Chamonix for this year's UTMB where I was following the race, but also squeezed in some running and hiking.

Here’s how they performed:

Sizing, fit and comfort

I always test a UK 4 (US 6), which is technically a half size up compared to my official size, but gives my feet room to swell and leaves room for thicker socks in the winter months. I don't have wide feet, but I do have high arches, and when I first put these on, I was a little concerned they weren't high volume enough, as the fit is extremely snug.

That, I think, is down to the tongue being really quite plush, particularly by modern trail runner standards. However, as soon as I got out on the trail, I realized these were going to be a win from the fit and comfort viewpoint.

I ran a hilly 10k in these for their first outing, and they felt absolutely great. The snugness I experienced didn't restrict my feet at all and instead just translates into a really secure lockdown fit for me. There's zero slippage of my foot inside the shoe, and my toes have plenty of room.

I was actually able to wear these for about 36 hours straight while I was following the UTMB and had no issues with comfort, and I've found them ideal for hiking too.

Breathability and protection

Because I've been testing these in the summer months, and as it's been a warm summer, I've had plenty of opportunity to assess their breathability, and I've never encountered sweaty feet (even during my 36-hour expedition).

It's a little surprising because the upper is quite thick and the tongue is very padded, but the porous mesh does exactly what it's meant to do, and when they get wet, they also seem to drain and dry quickly.

The upper isn't quite as tough as the shoe's predecessor, which is why it's lighter, but there are protective overlays around the toes and heel, and they kept my feet quite happy when I was scampering over the rocky trails of Chamonix.

Responsiveness, stability and grip

As soon as I got over the joy of the fit of these shoes, my mind went straight to that bouncy ride. These shoes might not have the massive stack of a pair of Hokas, and for that, you get a little more trail feel, but they're just as responsive, and that goes for soft grassy trails. I wouldn't wear them for road running, but when I do have to cross a little tarmac to get to the trail, they actually feel a lot cushier than my Speedgoat 6s.

They don't have a super wide geometry, but the overall design and fit do lend themselves to an extremely stable ride, even over quite unpredictable terrain.

Finally, the grip of these shoes really is something to write home about. The chevron lug pattern has proven itself a winner in other shoes, but I think the TrailTack Green outsole really is unusually sticky. I've never even slipped in these shoes, from steep, wet grassy descents and on dry, rocky trails. They don't look like they'd be a good match for mud season, but beyond the sloppiest conditions, these have some of the best traction I've tested.

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