The Bottom Line
Pros
- Comfortable
- Breathable
- Stable
- Lightweight
Cons
- Not Waterproof
- A Little Too Ventilated
- A Bit Too Soft for Me
- Limited Color Choices
Description
- Trail Running Shoes
- Retail Price: $109.95
- Weight is about 11.2 oz.
Guide Review - Brooks Cascadia 6 Trail Running Shoes
The first thing I noticed when trying on the Cascadia 6 in the store was how incredibly comfortable it was right out of the box. No break-in period needed. I took them on a 5-mile hike on my first day with them, and had absolutely no problems: no hot spots, no rubbing, no blisters. They were great. My first trail run with them was an easy, rolling, well-worn trail. Once again, I didn't have any comfort issues with the shoes. What I did notice is that they tend to be a bit too "springy" and soft for me. The extra-thick sole absorbed the trail shock really well, but I almost couldn't feel the trail. I like to have a bit more "road feel" in my shoes, and these, while soft and comfortable, didn't let me feel the terrain as much as I like. I felt as though I was working a bit harder to run and a lot of my energy was being absorbed into the shoe, rather than pushing off of the ground. Still, they were just as comfortable as when I put them on.
Brooks uses their proprietary cushioning system, DNA, which adapts to the runner's own foot strike. The specific lug and traction patterns on the shoe bottom are arranged in a way to provide amazing traction whether you are moving up hill, down hill, or at an angle. There is also a nice buffered toe guard to add some protection up front.
The shoe is extremely well-ventilated with mesh uppers, but actually, I prefer a waterproof trail runner, so this is a major deterrent for me to use the Brooks as my only trail runners.
The environmentally conscientious will appreciate Brooks' focus on sustainability and the use of Bio MOGO in their shoe's midsole, which speeds up the biodegradability of the shoes after they've served their purpose.
