Brooks Cascadia 14 is an adequately cushioned trail shoe that has had been updated to improve its durability, comfort level, as well as extend and expand the options for its use. The previous version of the Brooks Cascadia was more at home on the trail, but with the Cascadia 14, you’re going to get a crossover shoe with the right amount of underfoot protection plus moderate stability.

Compare to Similar Products

See Our Best Trail Shoe Review 2021

The Brooks Cascadia 14 is a well-cushioned, neutral support trail shoe that can be a good crossover option. This version has been made tougher so you can conquer more miles. The softness of the cushion was tweaked, so comfort is not sacrificed even during long-hauls. It’s one of the shoes that received special mention on our list and for good reason.

Grip & Foot Protection

The mesh upper does a good job of keeping tiny particles from getting into the shoe. However, just like with other mesh uppers, there will come a point when debris will penetrate. For added protection and coverage, you can easily add your gaiters to the Brooks Cascadia 14 with the front connection and back gaiter tab. The front connection is a bit low profile, but you can find it in the area where the laces stop, towards the tip of the shoe.

Its Cordura Mudguard protects your feet from mud. These mudguards are overlays on the sides of the Cascadia 14, which prevent gunk from entering the shoe without compromising the breathability of the upper.

Another protective feature is the TrailTrack Rubber with multi-directional lugs that are more closely positioned near each other. The rubber itself is strapping, protecting the bottom of the foot. This technology has been combined with the built-in rock plate to give you a moderately protective trail shoe for running or hiking.

As for the grip, it seems to have been improved when compared to previous iterations. The lugs are fairly long and wide, and they cover the entire outsole area, seemingly making the traction sufficient on dry trail conditions. You might want to rethink using this shoe for more complicated terrain, as it can only deliver a moderate hold on different surfaces.

Durability

The outsole rubber on the Brooks Cascadia 14 feels well-made. Though the lugs aren’t too deep, you will likely run or hike more miles with this trail shoe because of the formulation of the outsole rubber. Certainly, the outsole will eventually wear down, but it will take a reasonable while before this happens.

The upper has been reinforced with several overlays that protect the mesh from wearing and tearing prematurely. The reinforcements cover key areas on the upper, not just for minimal structural support but for coverage, so the mesh is protected from abrasions.

Stability

When it comes to the shoe’s stability, it can feel a bit off-center, especially when you are running or hiking on terrain that’s more complex and uneven. The drop has been reduced from 10mm to 8mm, but it may feel like your foot is sitting higher. This won’t be a problem on flat surfaces, but you will really feel the difference in your balance when you are on technical paths.

The back counter and the padding from within secure the heel, the midfoot, and forefoot nicely and without constriction. A snug fit can be immensely beneficial when it comes to stability, and the Brooks Cascadia 14 delivers just that. In general, the stability that the shoe delivers is okay, as long as you are running or hiking on flat planes.

Comfort & Fit

You’ll be happy to know that the Brooks Cascadia 14 is a shoe that you may want to use during hot runs. The upper is breathable and stretchy, moving with the runner or hiking and allowing air to circulate within the shoe. You will not complain about how the in-shoe feels either. It’s not as comfortable as the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail, which is described as having a slipper-like feel, but the level of comfort you feel is totally sufficient.

For those with a wide-set foot, you have the option to choose wide versions of the shoe. By design, the forefoot has enough room, but since it slightly tapers towards the tip, the wide-size options are good to have so that you don’t have to go full-size or half-size up to get a better fit.

Versatility & Value for Your Money

As mentioned, the Brooks Cascadia 14 is a good option for a crossover shoe. It does have road shoe qualities as well as trail shoe characteristics, just like the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36. They both have the same price tag. However, the main difference is with the level of comfort delivered. If you want to forget that you even have trail shoes on, it’s likely that you will go with the Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail. On the other hand, if you want an acceptable level of comfort with a bit more grip and better stability, this shoe is the one to consider. 

Additional Features

The tongue pocket is useful for keeping your laces out of the way. This additional feature ensures that your laces don’t flap around—neither interrupting your run or hike nor tripping you.

The Bottom Line

The Brooks Cascadia 14 made it on our list because of the positively forward-looking updates it has received. It’s more durable, comfortable, and versatile. In most cases, if you are not a hardcore trail runner or hiker, the three improvements are really all you need. It also has a built-in rock plate, and this is one of its main advantages when it comes to protection.

With wide-width options, it’s more inviting for runners with wide feet or who have already been using wide versions of their previous trail shoes. The fit can be forgiving when you pick the right width.

^ Back to Top ^