Brooks Cascadia 18 Review: Back on the Mountain

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the Brooks Cascadia 18

JOHN: Identity. Who we are. It’s a powerful topic. It’s always an interesting subject in movies, especially for me, when a police officer goes undercover and completely loses who they are trying to work a big case. I love it. I’ll watch it every time.

So, how does it relate to the Cascadia 18? Well, the Cascadia 18 is in a really interesting spot in an explosive Brooks trail lineup this year. We all know and love the Cascadia. I can’t even tell you how many pairs I’ve had over the years, but it’s undeniable that the shoe is starting to cater to the hiking community.

When we reviewed the previous version here at Believe In The Run, we were divided on it. Having more time to really digest the shoe since then getting input from the hiking community and hiking stores, I’ve decided the Cascadia 18 is an excellent fit for hikers and may be trending towards becoming an all-things trail shoe, which totally fits Brooks’ Run Happy vibe. The Cascadia is lighter than most hiking shoes and definitely easier for speed hiking and running than a traditional hiking shoe. But, if that’s how I see it, then what really is the Cascadia? Has it lost its way? Is Brooks smarter than all of us and seeing a genius path for the Cascadia? Has Brooks gotten confused, like the tragic character in the movie Memento? Let’s solve this mystery. There is a lot to unpack with this new update.

MICHAEL: Like John, I, too, have a history with the beloved Brooks Cascadia. The year was 2016, and there I was in REI, buying my first real trail running shoe to take to college with the intention of running some of the trails in Huntsville’s Monte Sano State Park on the weekends. Initially swayed by the cool orange of the Great Smoky Mountains limited edition and a gift card from my grandparents burning a hole in my pocket, I purchased a pair of the Cascadia 12, and after 400 miles and countless smiles later, I had fallen in love with trail running right here in Alabama.

Personal sentiment aside, the Cascadia really has been a beloved, steady model in the Brooks lineup for a number of years. Fans the world over have praised its stable platform, versatile grip, and comfortable yet secure fit. Additionally, its durability has made the shoe somewhat of a staple in the thru-hiking community.

Unfortunately, last year’s model was a bit of a downturn in the consistency we’ve come to expect from the Cascadia. Personally, the foam felt DOA (dead on arrival), the rock plate stiffer than usual, the grip underwhelming, and the fit atrocious. This year, the Cascadia 18 looks to be pretty similar to the Cascadia 17, with only some minor updates to the upper noticeable to the naked eye. Will these similarities to the Cascadia 17 yield another dud in the Cascadia 18?

ALLISON: I think of the Brooks Cascadia as the trail running equivalent of the Brooks Ghost. It’s the foundational shoe that delivers exactly what you need — nothing more, nothing less. Simple and reliable, it’s the gateway shoe for many newbie trail runners. Given the feedback on the previous version and considering it had been a minute since I wore the Cascadia, I was hopeful for some improvements, especially after Michael’s previous complaints.

What we like about the Brooks Cascadia 18

JOHN: Running in the Cascadia 18 was an experience. I referenced the movie Memento earlier, and I’m going to bring it back here for a few reasons. I had to really separate myself and basically forget my previous review on this shoe because the Cascadia 17 and 18 are just about the exact same shoe.

The fit of the Cascadia 18 is my favorite thing about it. It fits my foot true to size, and it’s extremely comfortable. The toebox gives my foot plenty of space but still keeps it secure, while the cushion is soft with a very stable and secure ride, just like the last model. The only notable change from last year is an updated mesh that features overlays in high-wear areas, and I do believe this overall has improved the upper of the shoe. However, this might have contributed to the slight increase in weight. I thoroughly compared both the Cascadia 17 and 18, and this is the only difference I can spot — other than that the shoes are identical.

So, just a slight recap for anyone who hasn’t run in the 17. The Cascadia 18 brings back the DNA Loft v2, which provides soft cushioning, while the TrailTack Green outsole rubber keeps you upright in multiple scenarios out there on the trail. It’s also made with 25% recycled material. All around, the Cascadia 18 is an extremely thoughtful shoe to help people make all things trail and adventure-wise out there. The construction of this shoe is a straight-up an all-around crowd-pleaser.

MICHAEL: Like John said, this shoe is physically identical to the Cascadia 17. Seriously, it’s like they threw last year’s Cascadia into ChatGPT, Ctrl-C, Ctrl-V the output, changed some of the adverbs, and voila — an entirely unique shoe…right? Surprisingly, despite this copy/paste construction, version 18 of the Cascadia felt entirely different to me, so much so that I believe that version 18 improves upon the characteristics of version 17 in nearly every way.

Let’s start with my main complaint about version 17 — the DNA loft v2 midsole. Last year, this shoe felt like a cinder block. This year, the midsole has a supple yet structured feel, with extra support and protection from the stalwart rock plate we’ve come to expect from the Cascadia lineage. Maybe, just maybe, this is more like a DNA Loft v2.5 midsole; who knows?

Landings in this shoe are still not plush by any means, but they are confident, as the wide platform and relatively low stack work together to make this one of the more stable shoes I’ve tested this year.

Speaking of confidence, the traction underfoot from the TrailTack Green outsole feels substantially better as well. Interestingly, I did not find this midsole to perform as well as that of the Catamount 3, but it was still a substantial improvement.

Lastly, while only slightly different from version 17, the upper and fit of version 18 feature just enough little improvements to make a big difference on the run. Thanks to an updated heel cup, there is no slippage in the heel in version 18, and the lockdown felt much more secure.

ALLISON: Just like I remember, the Brooks Cascadia 18 is a Toyota Camry — no fluff, just gets you where you’re going (you’ll see this theme a lot in the review). Right out of the gate, I love the color scheme of this version compared to the 17. I don’t like too much in-your-face color, especially on trails where shoes are bound to get muddy and messy. The Cascadia 18 strikes a perfect balance with its understated yet stylish design.

The lacing and heel counter are supportive without being overbearing, providing a secure fit that enhances stability without causing discomfort. The traction of the TrailTack Green outsole is very impressive. With all the rain we’ve been getting lately, I ran a lot in the mud and slick terrain, and I didn’t have a single wipeout. The outsole’s grip kept me steady on various surfaces, boosting my confidence during the run, which says a lot.

Additionally, I appreciate the mesh breathable toe box (minus the toe cap, which I’ll address later). The breathability kept my feet cool and comfortable throughout the run, preventing the overheating and sweating that can lead to blisters.

What we don’t like about the Brooks Cascadia 18

JOHN: So, a lot of my training runs on the trail are just easy runs, and the Cascadia 18 totally meets this requirement, but for any kind of faster pace, it just doesn’t feel comfortable. This shoe is hefty and only works for me on long slogs where I’m not concerned about pace. This shoe is not a sports car. It’s not a sedan; it’s a giant SUV that I don’t want to redline.

The blue, sapphire, black, and orange colorway is just tough. Pretty much all the other colorways of this shoe showcase a good-looking shoe, but I am not a fan of this specific colorway and the colors on the outsole (luckily, not many see that part of the shoe). All around this shoe looks like a generic Brooks shoe that dropped years ago. My girlfriend said it best: the shoe look like something off a trapper keeper back in the day. I wish I could take credit for that one.

While I had literally nothing bad to say about the 17 last year, I’m kind of bummed out this year. The only notable improvement is the updated mesh. Also, I can deal with heavier shoes, but they added another 0.3 ounces to this shoe, which may not seem like anything, but the Cascadia was already pretty heavy to begin with. The $140 price was very acceptable last year, but I question it this year because there are many comparably priced options out there in terms of trail running shoes.

I know I had nothing bad to say about this shoe last year, but it’s almost unbelievable that more innovative updates didn’t reach the Cascadia 18 — it is straight up the exact same shoe as the 17. If you own the Cascadia 17 and it’s in good shape, or you can buy it at a discount, there’s not much incentive to buy this one. I’m just at a loss as to what logic Brooks used here.

MICHAEL: The only primary issue I have with the Cascadia 18 is its weight. Like John said, this shoe is taking on more and more heft. Where there was once improvement in the Cascadia 16, in the words of Paul Simon we’re slip-slidin’ away on the scales. On the run, the added weight from version 17 isn’t terrible, but it is still noticeable and makes for a sluggish shoe at times. For me, this doesn’t spell disaster for the Cascadia 18, it just limits it’s versatility. In one sense, it’s like it’s becoming more and more of a hiking shoe, similar to something like a Merrell Moab, but maybe not quite *that* hiking-oriented. Similar to something like the Topo Athletic Pursuit — a hybrid shoe with the chassis of a trail runner, but built with the thru-hiker in mind.

As I’m writing this, it makes sense, really. Brooks has been absolutely on fire with their past four releases of the Caldera 7 (max cushion, do-it-all), Catamount 3 (lightweight/race day), Catamount Agil (uphill race day), and Divide 5 (do-it-all on a budget). In all of that, there’s beginning to be less of a space for the Cascadia, and I think the added weight this year is just a sign that we might see it begin to be subtly pushed toward the thru-hiking market in the coming years. For now, I’m not that mad about it; it’s still a great shoe.

Next, let’s get all of the disclaimers out of the way that typically accompany the Cascadia line—it’s not a race-day shoe, it’s not crazy cushioned, it’s not super lightweight, and it does not feature any new flashy state-of-the-art tech. But hey, we’re not comparing this shoe to the Speedgoat 6 or the Norda 001, and nor should we.

Nobody goes to a Toyota dealer, buys a Camry, and complains when they don’t feel like they’re driving a Supra. Basically, you just need to know what you’re getting yourself into with the Cascadia and, maybe more critically, what shoes you’re passing up on. Perhaps the greatest competition to the Cascadia actually comes within Brook’s own lineup these days, namely in the fantastic Caldera 7.

Additionally, there’s the Topo Athletic Pursuit I mentioned earlier, as well as standard picks for do-it-all shoes like the Hoka Speedgoat. All that is to say, the Cascadia has some stiff competition these days, but if you’re a fan of the series or just want to see what it’s all about, don’t let the new kids on the block bully the old man who’s been at this game for years. Think Lightning McQueen in Cars 3, or maybe The Grateful Dead? Don’t tell me this (Cascadia) don’t have no heart.

Lastly, I would highly recommend taking the Cascadia 18 a half size smaller.

ALLISON: Where, oh, where do I begin? I definitely agree with the guys that as my run progressed, the shoe felt heavier and heavier. At 10.1 ounces, it feels even bulkier when you add the sweat of the Georgia heat and miles on your legs. I can’t imagine how cumbersome the men’s version must feel if the women’s shoe feels big. In addition, I would have liked a little more cushioning in the midsole, especially for longer runs. A bit of DNA Loft v2 cushioning can go a long way when you’re on your feet for hours.

After reading John’s review, I tried adjusting my speeds and felt the same issue — I wasn’t able to really propel myself forward. The lack of responsiveness in the shoe made it difficult to maintain a good pace. Another thing that detracted from the run was the toe cap at the front of the shoe. I don’t know if it was just me, but my toe kept hitting it while I was running, which was really distracting. I’m not sure if the toe box was too narrow for me or if my feet have gotten wider, but my toes weren’t at the end of the shoe. They just hit the toe cap at the right spot to bother me.

Final thoughts on the Brooks Cascadia 18

JOHN: My first time watching Memento, I really enjoyed it, but I also felt like, man, what a downer. I love what Brooks is doing with its lineup, but the Cascadia is in strange territory. I don’t like the fact they didn’t improve the weight of the shoe but instead doubled down and pretty much rolled out the exact shoe as last year.

I highly recommend reading the Cascadia 17 review here at Believe in The Run. I stand by what I wrote, but I will say it’s unfortunate that not much innovation has been made with the 18 in terms of trail running, and maybe I did get caught up in nostalgia writing about the 17. Even though the 18 is priced at $140 that may not be good enough anymore as a trail running shoe. Especially when Adidas dropped the Terrex Agravic 3 this year at $130 (that actually feels good to run in and resembles the feel of a road running shoe, a whole ounce lighter, and just an all-around better-looking shoe—at least the colorway I reviewed).

I feel strongly that most trail runners feel connected to the Cascadia through some form of nostalgia, but nostalgia doesn’t eliminate the need for innovation unless the intent of the Cascadia now is to cater to both hikers and runners. It’s hard to check all the boxes this shoe is trying to check and make everyone happy.

MICHAEL: There’s no doubt Brooks has been on fire with its trail lineup this year, and the Cascadia 18 is no exception. Sometimes, all it takes for a shoe to shine are some minor manufacturing changes in the production line, and such is certainly the case with this year’s Cascadia. The balanced cushioning, thoughtful protection, and generous grip make the Cascadia 18 a dependable choice for nearly any runner or thru-hiker. Weight is a concern for sure, but this shoe shines for daily miles rather than race day. As John said, this is a great keep-a-pair-handy-in-the-car shoe and, perhaps more crucially, it fixes the faults of the Cascadia 17 and carries on the Cascadia legacy with a sort of humble confidence that never goes out of style.

ALLISON: With a few adjustments, such as reducing the weight and removing the toe cap, I think the Cascadia 18 would be my go-to shoe for easy trail runs. Brooks already took our advice on the color wave (at least on the women’s side), so why not just tweak a few more things? Hopefully, the future Cascadia 19 will be the best Cascadia yet and only add to the legacy Brooks is creating in the trail space.

You can pick up the Brooks Cascadia 18 for $140 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.