Brooks Cascadia 16 - Women's Review

A look at the new (left) versus the old (right) model of the Brooks Cascadia. A slight difference in fit and changes in the upper are the most notable differences, with better stability than ever before.

Photo: Amber King

The Cascadia 16 is a queen of comfort with burly cushioning, a flexible design, and trail-biting traction for any trail adventure. It offers more cushioning in the heel, which provides a comfortable ride straight out of the box. It's a great option for any runner — whether you are just learning or well on your way to running your nth 50K race.

Performance Comparison

The Brooks Cascadia 16 is a tough and durable shoe ready to take on all sorts of terrain, including mud puddles, steep singletrack, and hard-packed trails throughout the seasons.

Photo: Amber King

Foot Protection

Earning a high score for protection, this burly contender is loaded with thick yet soft cushioning throughout the midsole — from heel to toe. The updated ballistic rock plate seems to be more flexible and adaptable than it's been in the past, flexing well underfoot while protecting from sharp stones, sticks, and unsuspecting hazards.

The upper is nice and breathable, drying quickly when wet while keeping out small particulates. When running in the desert for 10 miles, we came away with just a dusting of sand inside the shoe, which is all you can hope for without a raised collar. Additionally, the toe cap is hard, which helps to protect from unsuspecting stubs. If you seek a protective shoe, this is one of the best, short of being completely waterproof. It earns one of the highest scores in this category.

A hard-toe cap, tightly knit upper, and thick underfoot cushioning all make for a very protective ride. Add in a flexible rock plate, and you'll be trucking on the trail for miles.

Photo: Amber King

Traction

The updated outsole on the Cascadia 16 features nicely shaped chevron-shaped lugs that easily shed mud and stick to slick surfaces. On dry, rocky trails where slippage is bound to happen, we were happy with the grabby performance, feeling confident on both the ascent and descent. Overall, we liked the traction, and you should be able to trust this shoe across technical, soft, and smooth terrain. It earns a higher score than most in this category.

Durable and widely spaced lugs shed mud well and offer excellent traction while running up and down steeper terrain.

Photo: Amber King

Sensitivity

Earning lower points for sensitivity, this ultra-protective trail shoe isn't for those seeking the most intimate experience on the trail. While the new softer foam does a good job translating what's underfoot, don't expect to feel the smallest of undulations. For those that like extra protection where sensitivity isn't required, this is a great choice.

Even over this leaf-littered trail (with concealed rocks underfoot) the ride feels even and consistent. This shoe isn't very sensitive, but it offers enough clues as to what's to underfoot to know what you're running over.

Photo: Amber King

Stability

With softer materials throughout the midsole and a wider platform width, we feel this update offers a stable ride, especially over technical terrain. It is more flexible and wraps itself more effectively around hazards, as opposed to tipping and rolling. Overall, we think the stability is sufficient for super rocky and rooted trails, offering a flat landing and a balanced ride across most trails.

The wider toe box offers a more stable ride than ever before. It has a flexible outsole and upper, making for comfort mile after mile.

Photo: Amber King

Comfort and Fit

While this shoe is incredibly comfortable for most, the newest update has completely transformed the fit. The upper is light and more flexible, the midsole is soft but supportive, and the forefoot now feels wide (even for the regular fit). The size is true to fit as well. For those that like a wider platform with all the above on the menu, this might be your cup of tea.

A queen of comfort, we appreciate the thicker midsole that'll have you running any distance you'd like. While this doesn't have the widest toe box we've ever seen, it does offer a little extra room at the widest part of the shoe. This offers a versatile fit. Additionally, the extra cushion in the heel makes it a good choice for heel strikers.

Photo: Amber King

However, if you're used to the old Cascadia fit, you will be in for a surprise. The heel cup and collar seem to be more rigid, with a more narrow pinch at the back, which some testers complained of causing Achilles pain and blisters. While this issue is specific to the type of foot you have, just know the cup of the shoe completely cradles the heel, where it used to be a bit shorter in the past. The lesson? Be sure to try this shoe on before committing to it, especially if you're expecting the same sizing and fit as previous models.

Weight

Weighing in at 9.9 ounces for a size 9, this shoe falls in the middle of the road for weight. For the Cascadia models, this is one of the lightest that we've seen in a long time, with the manufacturer omitting the heavier upper and midsole materials. When running, it feels lighter than ever before, making it easy to wear it all day.

Lightweight enough to feel great on the uphill and the down. It has no clunky elements or extra beef where's its not needed.

Photo: Amber King

Value

The Brooks Cascadia models have been notorious for their durability over the last few years. After our 60-miles of testing over rocky and sandy terrain in the mountains, the shoe still looks new, without any significant wear or tear. The outsole still looks untouched, and there are just a few scuffs along the side. The only thing we worry about with the new model is the use of softer materials in the midsole. After these miles, we could feel the midsole packing out, which is unusual for this model. That said, it's still more durable than other shoes we've tested. If you seek a more durable traditional trail runner that's built for comfort, the value is there.

Conclusion

The Brooks Cascadia 16 is a tough trail runner that's built for rails through rugged terrain. It's a traditional model that offers extra comfort for heel and forefoot strikers alike. The newest iteration sees a new fit that some like and others don't, but for stability, excellent traction, and options for a wider fit, you shouldn't pass on this one — it might be your next favorite.

Amber, our main tester, enjoys the Brooks Cascadia 16 while running sweeping singletrack and county roads. It's a great choice for short or long distances for those that prefer a more protected ride with a traditional and heel cushioned design.

Photo: Amber King