Skip to Content

The best Brooks trail running shoes: Brooks Cascadia 13 review

Share

We all know the importance of wearing the right running shoes in order to provide comfort and support and help prevent injury.

Trail running in particular requires running shoes that provide the necessary support, grip and durability for off-road runs.

Brooks trail running shoes are popular with so many runners worldwide because they fit the bill when it comes to navigating a wide range of terrains.

In this guide we’ll explore:

  • What are trail running shoes?
  • What are the differences between road running and trail running shoes?
  • How should trail running shoes fit?
  • Where to buy trail running shoes
  • Brooks trail running shoes: Brooks Cascadia 13 review

Ready?

Let’s get started!

Brooks trail running shoes

What are trail running shoes?

Trail running shoes are designed to handle the different terrains that you’ll encounter when running off-road.

They offer higher levels of protection (compared to road running shoes) through stiffer, tougher soles.

Additionally, they offer hidden toe plates to protect your toes and feet from bruising from rocks, roots and debris.

Related: 12 trail running tips for beginners

What are the differences between road running and trail running shoes?

You may be wondering what the differences are between road running and trail running shoes.

Whilst road running shoes are designed for running on pavement, trail running shoes are designed to provide protection on tougher terrains.

Trail running shoes are more akin to minimalist shoes, in that they have a lower profile and heel height.

A lower profile helps you respond quicker to the changing terrain, therefore giving you more stability. 

Here is a breakdown of the key differences:

Road running shoes:

  • Designed for running on the pavement
  • Offer soft cushioned midsoles for better shock absorption and bounce
  • Lightweight and breathable

Trail running shoes:

  • Designed for running on rougher terrains
  • Offer stiffer midsoles for better stability, support and protection
  • Provide more traction and better grip for running on multiple terrains
  • Lightweight and durable

Related: How to find the right running shoes

Brooks trail running shoes

How should trail running shoes fit?

Trail running shoes should be snug around the middle of the foot (in the foot arch area) and in the heel to eliminate any lifting or movement in the shoe when running on uneven terrain.

As with road running shoes, there should be a thumb’s width space between the tip of your toes and the end of the shoe.

Where to buy trail running shoes

It’s no secret that a decent pair of running shoes can set you back between £80 and £130.

Although expensive, a good-fitting pair of running shoes are a must when starting and continuing your running journey. 

When buying a pair of running shoes, I suggest you visit a specialist running shop and get fitted for a pair.

Brooks also offer a shoe finder tool on their website, helping you to identify the right running shoe for your workout.

You can find out more about finding the right pair of running shoes in my running shoes guide.

Brooks trail running shoes

Brooks trail running shoes: Brooks Cascadia 13 review

q? encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=GB&ASIN=B07K95DVW1&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format= SL250 &tag=runwithcaroli 21ir?t=runwithcaroli 21&l=am2&o=2&a=B07K95DVW1

Fit

On those very muddy runs, it’s important that you wear a sturdy trail running shoe with good tread and tougher soles for extra grip.

The tread on the Brooks Cascadia 13 trail running shoes cope well on my muddy runs as well as other terrains.

These shoes also have a good amount of cushioning which helps when you are running on rocky terrains.

On the downside, these Brooks trail running shoes are slightly heavier than other trail running shoes and they aren’t as breathable as other shoes.

Performance 

One of the first things you’ll notice about these Brooks trail running shoes is the rock shield at the back of the shoe.

This guards your feet from trail debris, which is really useful when running on rocky terrains. 

The rock shield and sole of the shoe helps massively with stability, without feeling too sturdy and stiff.

Personally, when I first started running in these shoes, I thought my feet would feel sore after a few runs, but the shoe feels surprisingly cushioned. 

Brooks calls it their ‘BioMoGo DNA’ cushioning technology which dynamically adapts to your stride, along with their ‘Pivot Post’ system which connects to create a stabilising suspension system. 

All in all these Brooks trail running shoes provide good stability and durability as well as a tight fit and aggressive tread pattern that support my feet on those long muddy and rocky runs.  

Style 

I really like the look of trail running shoes.

For some reason I find them much more physically appealing than road running shoes, but of course we runners know that you should never choose style over substance! 

The trail running shoes come in different colours depending on your preferences and style. 

One thing I did notice when wearing these shoes is that they appear much bigger on my feet than my road running shoes.

This may be linked to their lower profile, which can sometimes make you feel like you’re wearing clown shoes!

Related: 7 must have running accessories you didn’t know you needed

Price

The Brooks Cascadia 13 trail running shoes will set you back between £80 and £130.

It’s worth noting that Brooks have since released later versions of this shoe, so they may have come down in price, so please do check these out. 

A good pair of trail running shoes are not cheap, but if you’re serious about taking up trail running, then I recommend you invest in a good pair to avoid injury and slippages. 

The bottom line

The Brooks Cascadia 13 trail running shoes are a solid pair of shoes that support your feet in all the right ways on those long trail runs. 

The size, fit, design and performance of these shoes are what sold it for me.

It took me a little while to get used to the sturdy sole, but once you get used to this, the shoes feel very supportive. 

Check out the Brooks website if you’re looking to invest in this pair of shoes.

Brooks offer free shipping over £75 and a 90-day test run should you find out that these shoes are not for you.

Amazon also offer a range of Brooks shoes at reduced prices.

Related: 4 ways to improve your running cadence

Caroline Geoghegan
Follow

Share