Men’s Brooks Cascadia 18 Review

Bottom Line

The Brooks Cascadia 18 is one of our favorite all-around trail runners for hiking. On our guide to the Best Hiking Shoes for Men, they stand out as versatile, comfortable, and breathable shoes for hiking long miles on established trails. These shoes are a favorite of Managing Editor Ben Applebaum-Bach, who’s logged over 6,000 miles on America’s most scenic trails in different versions of the Cascadia since 2018, including the PCT, CDT, and the Pinhoti Trail. Most recently, he hiked over 250 miles of the Pembrokeshire Coast Trail in Wales. Weighing only 11.1 ounces per shoe, the Cascadia balances sturdiness and agility well, thanks to solid traction, springy foam midsoles, and airy foam uppers that make it a breeze to tackle various terrains. 

However, this most recent version of the Cascadia is less durable than other hiking shoes, especially on rough routes. And the laces can feel a bit stiff and lose their adjustability over time. That said, if you’re looking for lightweight footwear for a summer of trail runs, hikes, and long-distance backpacking, these are a great choice.

Comfort

The Brooks Cascadia 18 is comfortable out of the box and requires almost no break-in time. The snug fit and simple, effective lacing system is a winning combination that makes it one of our favorites for long days. We’re also fans of the breathable mesh uppers, which kept our feet cool and dry during intense activity and hot weather. Gear Analyst Ian Krammer tested the Cascadia 18 on local training hikes in the Denver foothills with steep inclines and declines. He found the flexible uppers allowed for fast and nimble movement, and the foam midsoles provided plush cushioning he appreciated on those ups and downs. 

The Cascadia has a few downsides when it comes to comfort, though. This version has a rigid internal plastic liner which rubbed against Ian’s malleolus bones – the prominent bones on your ankles. That led to pain, blisters, and irritation on long outings. However, everyone’s foot shape is different. Managing Editor Ben Applebaum-Bach has thru-hiked thousands of miles in Cascadias, including huge sections of the CDT and the Wales Coastal Path, so this may not be an issue for you. We also found the thin tongue didn’t provide much cushioning – we really felt pressure from the laces across the top of the foot after 15+ mile days. Plus, the shoe’s moderate 8 mm heel-to-toe drop won’t appeal to those who prefer low-drop trail running shoes. 

Overall, we rated the Cascadia 18 average for comfort.

Traction

The Brooks Cascadia 18 has decent traction thanks to sticky rubber outsoles and knobby multidirectional lugs. This tread pattern grips most surfaces well during ascents thanks to their triangular tread at the toe and forefoot. It also provides reliable braking at the heel on descents, making the Cascadias feel especially stable on trails with lots of ups and downs. During testing on a 10-mile loop in Rocky Mountain National Park, Gear Analyst Ian Krammer found this grip pattern kept him in control on groomed and established trails with packed dirt, roots, and rocky patches. The Cascadia 18’s traction makes it ideal for tackling a variety of trail conditions.

Although the thick foam midsoles provide outstanding comfort, this amount of foam reduces your overall ground feel. The Cascadia 18s diminishes the sensory feedback needed to adjust your stride and find perfect foot placement on technical routes. The lugs on these shoes are also a bit shallow, limiting how effective they are on certain types of terrain. Editor Ben Applebaum-Bach noted that his tread was shot after 300 miles – which is average for a trail runner. Overall, we rated its traction good, not great.

Weight

The Brooks Cascadia 18 is in the top half of the shoes we tested for weight, and they feel like it. Weighing in at just one pound, six ounces for the pair, these shoes make long-distance hiking easy and airy. Thanks to their mesh woven uppers and lightweight foam midsoles, the Cascadias’ low weight helped us feel agile all day long. Managing Editor Ben Applebaum-Bach has used this Brooks model for years for thru-hikes and day hikes because they don’t drag him down with unnecessary weight on trail. If your top priority in a hiking shoe is light weight, the Cascadia is lighter than a traditional hiking shoe.

Durability

The con of a lighter trail runner is that the Cascadia 18 doesn’t excel in the durability department. Ben noted a big hole in the toe after 200 miles and worn out tread at 300 miles. 

That being said, the Cascadia has a number of features that add durability. Thin TPU overlays reinforce critical areas like the toe, sides, and heel to provide extra protection against typical trail obstacles. The rubber tread extends over a portion of the toe for extra resistance against scuffs and impacts from rocky terrain. We also like the Velcro gaiter attachment at the heel (gaiters sold separately) to help keep debris out of the shoe, which also works against wear.

But, there’s no way around it: the Cascadia 18 is not our first pick for durability. It’s a trail running shoe, so it’s meant to be light on our feet. It’s not a true hiking shoe – like the La Sportiva Spire GTX or Salomon X Ultra 4 GRX – with sturdier materials, thick soles, and protective features.

Weather Resistance

One of our favorite things about the Cascadia 18 is it dries very quickly and provides stellar ventilation. The woven mesh uppers are excellent at dumping heat and expelling moisture, so it’s solid for hiking and running on hot days with sweaty feet. It’s also one of our choices for hikes with lots of water crossings since the shoe dries most of the way within only 30-40 minutes after being fully submerged in water. 

However, the Cascadia 18 is not weather-resistant and takes on water quickly due to its mesh uppers. You’ll want to look elsewhere if you’re hiking in shoulder seasons or colder conditions where your feet could get cold and wet easily. When Ben Applebaum-Bach hiked the Wales Coast Path, he had several days of misty, soaking wet weather. These shoes soaked through within minutes and stayed wet for the remainder of the hike. That said, when the sun came back out, they dried quickly and he continued without incident.

The Cascadia’s lack of insulation and waterproofing means it won’t keep feet warm in colder weather, so you’ll want to keep these exclusively for summer adventures.

Should You Buy the Brooks Cascadia 18?

The Brooks Cascadia 18 is a cushy, stable, and responsive shoe for trail runners, day hikers, and long-distance backpackers. If you’re looking for solid all-around footwear that’s lightweight, flexible, and breathable to knock out extensive mileage on established trails, the Cascadia is for you. We’ve put almost every version of the Cascadias through the wringer since they launched, and this most recent iteration has proven comfortable, functional, and dependable on most terrain. It offers a balance of sturdiness and agility, making it a good choice for almost any adventure on a trail, from deserts to forests and beyond. If you’re looking for a reliable, versatile, and well-rounded trail shoe for running and hiking, the Cascadia 18 will keep your feet happy.

What Other Hiking Shoes Should You Consider?

For other options, pop over to our lists of the Best Hiking Shoes for Men and Best Trail Running Shoes for Men for additional trail shoes we recommend. 

Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 Review:  The Topo Athletic Ultraventure 3 is just as versatile and breathable as the Cascadia. However, it has a roomier toe box and more cushioned feel.

HOKA Speedgoat 6 Review: If you like the cushy soles, springy feel, and stable ride of the Cascadia 18s, the Speedgoat 6 takes these features to the next level. 

Saucony Peregrine 14 Review: The Peregrines possess a similarly lightweight construction, breathable uppers, and awesome versatility on trail.