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Brooks Cascadia 19 Review | Worth It In 2026?
In this article, I’m going to share my HONEST Brooks Cascadia 19 review after running over 100 trail miles. This review is for recreational trail runners and ultra distance runners who are wondering if the Cascadia 19 is still worth it in 2026.
Important note: we buy every review pair at full retail after the public release date (August 1, 2025 for the Cascadia 19), so our testing is based on the same shoe you can actually buy.
I’ll be sharing my critical scoring with 16 years of experience as a professional trail runner, and outdoors enthusiast. I use the same testing approach I’ve used across 50+ trail shoes over the last three years.
I’ll also be directly comparing the Cascadia 19 to the Hoka Mafate X, Salomon Speedcross 6, Hoka Mafate 5, Brooks Cascadia 18, and the new NNormal Kjerag 2.
Related: Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes Of 2026, Best Trail Running Shoes For Hiking
Editor’s Note: We updated this review on 12/27/25, with new insights after over a hundred miles of testing, as well as new photos examining durability after further testing.
Our Verdict
The Brooks Cascadia 19 features an excellent balance of trail-specific performance with the needed versatility for varied terrain.
Just know this: on most technical trails (rock, roots, uneven singletrack), it grips and feels confident. The one place it’s only “good,” not elite, is deep saturated mud and steep loose scree where you’d want a more aggressive lug pattern.
The best surprise in my testing was the bite you get from the TrailTack Green outsole. It hooks up fast on climbs and stays predictable when you’re braking downhill.
The toe off feels secure because the outsole stays locked in, which makes my stride feel smoother and more efficient when the trail gets uneven.
The DNA LOFT v3 midsole allows your foot to create an excellent stable foundation while absorbing trail impacts.
At $150, it is competitively priced with the competition with enough durability and quality to last a long time. It is one of our top rated trail running shoes of 2026.
Overall, we rated them a 8.6/10.
Brooks Cascadia 19 Pros & Cons
Pros
- Exceptional traction across varied terrain types
- 11 ounces
- VERY good stability
- Comfortable Footbed
- Available GTX version
Cons
- Not quite on par with Vibram Megagrip in extremely slippery situations
- Limited performance on loose scree
Who should buy the Brooks Cascadia 19
- Trail runners seeking versatile traction across multiple terrain types
- Anyone wanting a durable outsole that maintains performance long-term
- Runners who love the DNA v3 foam
- Anybody interested in the upgraded version of the Cascadia 18
Who Shouldn’t Buy The Brooks Cascadia 19
- Runners who primarily encounter deep mud and extremely technical terrain
- Those seeking maximum cushioning like the Hoka Challenger 8
- People looking for ultra-lightweight trail shoes
Compare To Similiar Products
Brooks Cascadia 19 Price and Where to Buy
The current retail price for the Cascadia 19 sits at $150 on REI.com.
Disclosure: These affiliate links may provide a discount and in return, give us a commission in order to keep this website 100% independent to ensure honest reviews.
Watch Our Hands-On Youtube Brooks Cascadia 19 Review
Comfort & Fit
When I first tried on the Cascadia 19, I was very surprised to say the footbed was a perfect balance of not being overly firm, like the NNormal Kjerag 2, BUT not too squishy like the Hoka Mafate X.
The DNA v3 midsole was nice and plush without losing that responsive feel. The midsole was not overly soft to the point where it had instability as many of these maximal cushioned trail shoes tend to have nowadays.
The 35mm heel stack height gives excellent cushioning for long trail runs and technical terrain without foot fatigue.
The shock absorption transforms rock impacts into gentle thuds while maintaining enough ground feel for confident foot placement. I felt this was crucial during boulder descents where I was able to quicken my pace to keep up with the technical terrain.
I will say the toe box feels roomy, and that ended up being one of my favorite features once I started taking these on longer runs.
I felt the toe box was definitely larger and more cushioned than the predecessor model the Cascadia 18, which we tested for over 200 miles.
I measured the toe box at 4.1 inches at the widest point, which is genuinely wide and closer to what you normally expect from Altra’s roomier models, like the Lone Peak 9+.
After testing these during multiple 10+ mile trail runs that included technical terrain, I can say my feet felt fresh and comfortable compared to other trail shoes with similar testing standards.
The upper materials conform beautifully to different foot shapes, wrapping around the midfoot without creating pressure points. This upper is definitely one of the more universally fitting shoes.
The shoe provides excellent “bounce” and springy feel like the shoe itself is pushing you forward.
The flexible platform still allows enough trail feel for confident navigation on uneven terrain. In addition, I felt the flexibility of the Cascadia 19 allowed my muscles to work in a natural gait without causing foot fatigue from an overworked gait cycle.
Comfort & Fit Score: 9/10 (20%)
Traction
The TrailTack Green outsole represents a significant upgrade over previous Cascadia models, delivering impressive grip across the varied terrain I encountered during testing.
Most trail runners debate Contagrip vs Vibram when it comes to outsole grip. I really feel a lot of people keep the TrailTack Green outsole out of that conversation when it definitely deserves a spot.
However, if I had to rate outsoles in terms of grip it would go 1. Vibram, 2. TrailTack Green, 3. Contagrip. The TrailTack Green outsole is underrated when it comes to grip on trail.
The 4mm lugs struck an ideal balance aggressive enough for technical climbs yet not so deep that they felt sluggish on packed dirt.
The braking lugs of the Cascadia 19 do an excellent job when you need to shut it down quickly on steep descents.
On wet rocks and exposed roots underfoot, the sticky rubber compound provided reassuring confidence. During a particularly challenging rainy run through muddy switchbacks, the Cascadia 19 maintained great grip even when other runners in my group were sliding around on wet sandstone.
The chevron-patterned lugs bite effectively into loose dirt and gravel, I felt they kept me grounded where most shoes would slip. I felt excellent bite on the trail while testing these out on one my harder technical trail tests covered with red basalt.
I did notice some limitations on the toughest technical terrain. Deep, saturated mud occasionally overwhelmed the 4mm lugs, and on steep, loose scree slopes, I was wishing for a slightly more aggressive bite.
One quick reality check: on technical terrain, traction is only half the equation. If you shorten your stride, pick your feet up, and stay light on contact, you’ll get way more grip out of any outsole, including this one.
So ask yourself: Are you slowing down your stride into more choppy steps? Are you picking your knees up more? Feeling like you can tackle any piece of terrain without slip is not the goal here.
The outsole handles wet conditions admirably, though it’s not quite on par with Vibram Megagrip compounds in extremely slippery situations.
However, for 90% of trail conditions from slate to wet rock and loose gravel the TrailTack outsole delivers the performance MOST trail runners need.
Overall, the Cascadia 19 handled about 90% of what I threw at it really well. The only consistent weak spot was deep mud and steep loose scree where I wanted more lug depth and a more aggressive pattern.
Traction Score: 9/10 (20%)
Stability & Support
My initial impression of the support threw me a little, compared to other reviews out there. Yes, these shoes do not have any internal shanks or chassis, but they are structured for support.
Many runners get caught up in all the “stats” and “specs” of a shoe without actually testing them out to see how they perform.
Just because a shoe doesn’t have an internal shank doesn’t mean the heel counter stiffness will not be effective. That focus on specs tends to put reviewers who aren’t objective in the wrong mindset.
With that said, the heel cupping and counter was very effective while testing out the Cascadia 19. It had excellent lockdown without being overly rigid or stiff.
In fact, one of the best features of the 19 is the natural flexibility of the shoe. I felt the adaptability of this shoe was one of the best, the upper helped mold to the terrain without losing the stiffness of the outsole.
The shoe provides the stability needed for off-camber traverses and uneven terrain.
The midsole geometry creates a stable platform that prevents excessive foot roll on technical terrain. This was CRUCIAL for maintaining my footing.
The engineered mesh provides structure where needed without restricting foot flex.
Brooks really knocked it out of the park with the engineering of this shoe.
Stability & Support Score: 8.5/10 (20%)
Weight
We weighed our men’s 10.5 at 11.68 ounces. This is about the “mid” for trail shoes out there.
Personally, I found most of the weight well distributed throughout the shoes. There weren’t any excessively bulky areas that carry most of the weight.
Brooks was smart with their material choices, using lightweight yet durable components throughout the upper while concentrating weight in the outsole where traction performance demands it.
While it’s not the lightest trail shoe available, it never feels heavy or sluggish during long runs.
For comparison, the Hoka Mafate 5 weighed in at 11 ounces as well.
Weight Score : 8/10 (15%)
How’s The Overall Protection Of The Cascadia 19?
I would’ve never known the Cascadia 19 has a rock plate unless I read about it before purchasing.
And that’s not because of bad foot protection, it has to do with the flexibility. I was able to bend the front of the shoe to touch the tongue, which is quite impossible with most trail shoes.
Brooks uses their Trail Adapt System here, which integrates a flexible rock plate into the midsole for protection without making the forefoot feel like a plank. Retailers often refer to it as a Ballistic Rock Shield, and based on how easy this shoe bends, “flexible” is the right word.
Overall, the rock plate does an excellent job with underfoot protection on the trail. It’s not excessive where it’ll take away from responsiveness either.
The protective toe bumper does a great job against defending rock or root kicks.
The upper is robust enough to defend against hard scrapes or tough ripping forces.
Overall Protection Score: 8/10 (10%)
Durability
Not a surprise here, the durability of the Cascadia 19 is very impressive.
Unlike those sponsored reviews out there, we actually tested this shoe for 100 miles since the release.
This shoe made me appreciate how well Brooks constructed it to be more durable than the 18, I felt the upper was more resilient, no signs of ripping or tearing.
I find Chevron shaped lugs to wear quicker than others just based on my stride pattern.
Despite this, the lugs have held true and strong. This is thanks to the adaptive flex grooves which really offset the wear of this outsole.
I have to say, I am a little concerned about the top eyelets on the shoe. They remind me of the Merrell Agility Peak 5, where the eyelet does not have enough support behind it leading to the laces tearing through the entire eyelet.
So far, I haven’t noticed any of that.
Durability Score: 8.5/10 (10%)
Is The Brooks Cascadia 19 Worth It?
If you’re looking for a versatile trail shoe that excels across varied terrain types, the Cascadia 19 is perfect for you.
The excellent traction, reliable support, and durable construction make this shoe a standout performer for all types of trail runners.
The biggest drawback is traction in deep saturated mud and steep loose scree. On most technical singletrack, the grip is confident and consistent.
With excellent value at $150, the Cascadia 19 puts itself as one of the top performers of 2026.
Currently, it’s one of our top 10 rated trail running shoes of 2026.
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you are looking for more of a technical trail runner and are okay with a steeper price, check out the Norda 001. For a more robust and hiking shoe alternative the Altra Olympus 6 is a great choice.
Value Score: 4.5/5 (5%)
Scoring Breakdown
Comfort & Fit (20%): 9/10
Traction (20%): 9/10
Stability & Support (20%): 8.5/10
Weight (15%): 8/10
Overall Protection (10%): 8/10
Durability (10%): 8.5/10
Value (5%): 4.5/5
Total Weighted Score:
Total Weighted Score = 1.80 + 1.80 + 1.70 + 1.20 + 0.80 + 0.85 + 0.45 = 8.60 / 10
Our Rating:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Brooks Cascadia 19 for road running?
While primarily designed for trails, the Cascadia 19 can handle some road sections. However, I felt the aggressive outsole is too stiff for most pavement running, and will lead to premature wear.
Do Brooks Cascadia 19 run small?
No, the Brooks Cascadia 19 fit true to size. Brooks has one of the most consistent fitting patterns in the shoe market.
How does the Cascadia 19 compare to previous versions?
The Cascadia 19 features better traction than the previous iteration. The 19 also has a more robust upper without compromise on the breathability.
Is the Brooks Cascadia 19 good for wide feet?
The shoe accommodates average to slightly wide feet well, BUT I do recommend switching to the wider (2E) version if you have wider feet.
How We Tested and Our Methodology
I personally tested the Brooks Cascadia 19 since its release on August 1, 2025, and I’ve put 100+ miles on my pair across wet rock, technical singletrack, loose gravel climbs, and mixed surfaces.
No, I did not get them early or for free like other reviewers out there. I do not accept free or early products so I can keep my scoring OBJECTIVE.
If you want proof, scroll through the photos and videos in this review. Everything you’re reading here comes from real trail miles, not a quick jog for the camera.
Mountaineer Journey is a 100% independent publisher with years of testing and reviewing trail running equipment.
We currently pay for the products we test ourselves; no company or manufacturer pays us to sway our opinions or decisions.
Tyler
Tyler is the founder Mountaineer Journey and a professional Mountain Guide with 15+ years of technical experience in trekking, mountaineering, and trail sports. Having logged thousands of miles from rugged alpine summits to urban paths, Tyler provides rigorous, field-tested insights on hiking, walking, and trail running gear. All reviews are 100% unsponsored and unbiased, ensuring you get honest scoring based on real-world performance. His mission is to help outdoor enthusiasts of all levels find reliable equipment that ensures comfort, safety, and performance on any terrain.
