REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Good traction
Comfortable
Supportive
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Lacks ground feel
Rigidity too high for technical terrain
Brooks Cascadia 17 Review
On shorter runs, you will likely find this shoe overbuilt, but for long-distance running/hiking where comfort is paramount, it'll shine
Brooks is known for its stability and the Cascadia 17 continues to deliver, offering a stable platform that can be felt from your ankles, knees, and hips.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Men
Our Verdict
The Brooks Cascadia 17 offers high traction and durability but suffers from a heavyweight design that often feels clunky and overbuilt. While running, we couldn't find a use case where the Cascadia 17 felt at home. The stiffness and rigidity paired with a heavy outsole left us wanting something lighter. While the shoe is built for more technical terrain, it suffers from being too substantial to feel agile. We'd recommend this for people who desire stability and support and want to blend hiking and running. If your focus is running-only and you're trying to set new PRs, this isn't the shoe for you.
Editor's Note: We updated this review on November 20, 2023, to clarify some statement about who this shoe is best for.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Brooks Cascadia 17 | |||||
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| Awards |  |  | |  | |
| Price | $130.00 at Amazon Compare at 3 sellers | $190 List $189.95 at Backcountry | $195 List | $129.95 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $100 List $99.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | While there is substantial traction this comes with a weight penalty, we think this shoe is best for blending hiking and running | A perfectly fitting, comfortable, and very protective shoe that just begs to be worn on long run days | With each step you are picking up less than the competition, and for advanced runners the precision and speed are unmatched | With great responsiveness without feeling harsh, this model is our favorite for long runs that are focused and fast | Some more advanced runners may find this shoe overbuilt with stiffness and support, but we love the protection and comfort |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Cascadia 17 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Nnormal Kjerag | HOKA Torrent 3 | Brooks Divide 4 |
| Foot Protection (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (15%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Comfort and Fit (15%) | |||||
| Weight (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Brooks Cascadia 17 | Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 | Nnormal Kjerag | HOKA Torrent 3 | Brooks Divide 4 |
| Measured Weight (per shoe, size 10.5) | 12.35 oz | 10.64 oz | 8.05 oz | 9.60 oz | 10.82 oz |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3.5 mm | 3.5 mm | 3 mm | 4 mm | 2.5 mm |
| Sizes Available | 7 - 15 US | 4 - 13 US | 4 - 13.5 US | 7 - 15 US | 7 - 15 US |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 9 mm | 9 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 9 mm |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 33 mm | 31 mm | 25 mm | 28 mm | 32 mm |
| Measured Forefoot Stack Height | 24 mm | 22 mm | 17 mm | 22 mm | 23 mm |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 8 mm | 8 mm | 6 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
| Claimed Heel Stack Height | Not stated | 29 mm | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Claimed Forefoot Stack Height | Not stated | 21 mm | Not stated | Not stated | Not stated |
| Measured Outsole Length | 12.19 in | 12.00 in | 12.13 in | 11.94 in | 11.86 in |
| Measured Outsole Width | 4.63 in | 4.31 in | 4.42 in | 4.47 in | 4.58 in |
| Upper | Mesh | Matryx Jacquard | Matryx Jacquard | Mesh | Mesh |
| Midsole | DNA LOFT V2 | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | EExpure midsole | EVA | DNA LOFT |
| Outsole | TrailTack Green Rubber | Salomon Contagrip MA | Vibram Litebase | Rubber | TrailTack Rubber |
| Measured Outsole Hardness | 72 | 61 | 75 | 62 | 68 |
| Rock Plate | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Heel Tab Type | Finger loop | None | None | None | None |
| Wide Version Available | Yes | No | No | No | No |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
Engineered for demanding terrain, the weight of the Brooks Cascadia 17 left us looking for something lighter. We found the running experience to be too heavy, so we'd recommend this shoe for users looking to blend hiking and running. Luckily, the durability paired with all-day comfort should be enough for some users to appreciate this style of trainer. Still, we'd opt for something with a bit more agility and less footprint on the scale.
Performance Comparison
The Brooks Cascadia 17 is a comfortable and well-built shoe, but many will find it more than a bit heavy for everyday use.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Foot Protection
Due to the substantial stack height and large amount of cushioning, the Cascadia 17 has substantial underfoot protection. Add on a very stiff toe and heel cap, and this is one of the more protective options in our lineup. During our testing, we experienced little fatigue from trail debris, keeping our feet fresh for many miles. Unfortunately, all of this protection comes with a weight penalty — the excellent protection is a byproduct of the substantial materials used in the design. While it will last a long time and protect for many miles, the result is a heavy model which could cause turnover to feel heavy for pure long-running efforts.
Thick cushioning and a supportive ride create a vary protective model that will shield you from any trail debris and should reduce fatigue.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Traction
Scoring well for traction, we found the lugs on the Cascadia gripped well in a variety of conditions. For wet and muddy terrain, this shoe does better than most, and its tread pattern is easily suited for technical trails. Its moderate hardness does a good job of gripping when needed but is hard enough to feel fast on more solid surfaces. If you want a shoe that can do it all, the Cascadia 17 has the tread pattern to take you on all styles of adventures.
The Brooks Cascadia 17 has a substantial traction design. This is great for technical terrain but could feel overkill on easier trails and gravel roads.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Sensitivity
A large stack height and a high amount of midsole foam create a fairly dead-feeling ride that lacks sensitivity. With such a technical tread pattern, we would've expected some better sensitivity, but unfortunately, that is not the case. This was a deal breaker for us due to the limited ground feel on technical terrain, but if you are moving slower and/or hiking, this could be less of an issue. We view this model as a good candidate for blending running and hiking; it's more than durable enough to tackle the most technical trails, but the performance is minimal at speed. But for those who desire support over sensitivity, we don't think you'd be disappointed.
Stability
This is one of the most stable shoes in our lineup, translating to confidence through the ankles, knees, and hips. This added support does come with a weight penalty, and sometimes it feels overly rigid. We wouldn't want to race in the Cascadia, but for those wanting stable footstrikes, this shoe is worth looking at.
While we would prefer slightly less weight, we can't deny that the Cascadia is incredibly comfortable. The plush upper and midsole should leave you comfortable from 1 mile to 100.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Comfort and Fit
Brooks is known for designing shoes with durability and comfort, and the Cascadia 17 continues with these strong aspects. The upper is comfortable and features plush cushioning, providing all-day comfort. The tongue is also substantially padded and doesn't let through any lace bite. These have a good enough fit that they can be worn tight or slightly looser if you plan on just wearing them around town. Even though the weight is high, you can be confident you will be provided comfort and durability.
The fine mesh upper provides some breathability but prioritizes durability.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente
Weight
The Cascadia 17 is heavy, weighing 12.35 ounces per shoe for a men's size 10.5 US. This could be a non-issue if you are looking for durability and stability, but we felt clunky and heavy during our training. This is a popular shoe, but we'd hesitate to recommend it to anyone who isn't doing 50K+ ultras. For daily training, you'd likely benefit from something less substantial. Luckily, we are impressed with the durability of both the upper and outsole, which is no surprise coming from Brooks.
While heavy, the Brooks Cascadia 17 provides a lot of cushioning and durability which is great to get you through long ultras.
Credit: Matthew Richardson
Should You Buy the Brooks Cascadia 17?
For runners looking for long-distance comfort with less energetic turnover, this shoe shines by offering protective and stable cushioning. The Cascadia is clearly a favorite for ultra-length distances where the athlete is blending hiking and running as this style is less weight dependent. For long-distance ultras where you primarily will be running either due to fitness or course profile, this comfort comes at a cost. Being one of the heaviest shoes in our test group, runners who put a priority on more effortless turnover in long-distance racing may want to choose a lighter model.
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
If you are considering the Cascadia and don't plan to run 50+ miles, you should consider the Brooks Divide 4; it offers the same great stability without the additional weight, and it's cheaper to boot. While it's only about an ounce and a half per shoe, this was a noticeable difference when comparing them. Another shoe that we love if you want to cover distances and shed weight is the Hoka Torrent 3. For the ultimate in lightness, check out the Nnormal Kjerag.
—
Matthew Richardson
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