2016 Running Gear Guide: Trail Running Shoes

$120, Brooksrunning.com

If you want a trail shoe that tackles most types of terrain pretty well, this is the shoe for you. you can run on technical routes with sharp, jagged rocks in the Cascadia (it has a forefoot rock plate) or you can run smooth dirt trails to your heart’s content, and anything in between. The slight tweaks to the latest edition of this tried-and-true trail fiend make it the best all-around version yet. It still offers a supportive ride, thanks to four pivot point posts throughout the midsole—they work like a medial post on a stability-oriented road shoe, but are less rigid and controlling. The posts do a good job at providing support over changing terrain without overcorrecting stride. Ample cushioning and a comfortable upper make this shoe feel good from the get-go, and the array of small knobby outsole lugs underfoot grips even slick dirt and rock. The updated, more rugged toe box is durable and protective, while a new saddle configuration and more sensibly placed overlays offer a better fit with less material. Some of our wear-testers found this shoe a little bit stiff, but we loved that it’s versatile enough to run on all types of trails (and even roads when necessary). rare is the trail shoe that can conquer so much ground, which is why we like this one so darn much.

weights: 11.8 oz. (men’s), 10.1 oz. (women’s)


heel-toe offset: 10mm; 27mm (heel), 17mm (forefoot)

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