Brooks Cascadia 6 Review
Cascadia lovers, it’s time to rejoice! Brooks has come out with its 6th version of the Cascadia and nailed it! As the Brooks Cascadia is a favorite among many trail runners, Brooks has to be very careful among the changes that it makes to the shoe.
I’ve been testing the Brooks Cascadia 6 in different types of conditions that include; loose gravel, hard rock, mud, road, and standard dirt trails. One of the changes I have noticed in the updated Cascadia 6 version is the Brooks DNA in the heel and toe of the shoe. And while I don’t like a lot of cushioning in a trail shoe, I found the amount of cushioning used was just perfect. Brooks DNA is their proprietary cushioning system that allows the shoe to adapt to each foot strike. It was initially introduced in the Glycerin 8 and has since started to spread throughout the line.
The outsole of the shoe is a little less beefy than previous models in my opinion, but I didn’t notice too much of a difference. They have added bi-directional lugs that allow the shoe to grip whether you are going uphill, downhill, or from side to side. These are located on the inner of the outsole. On the outside of the outsole, there are some heavier lugs that allow for better traction on the uphill and downhill. From the toe to the midfoot, there is a different pattern on the inside and outside of the outsole. The outside of the sole (the side of your pinky toe) has a lug pattern that helps control your foot on the downhills. This is primarily where you put a lot of your weight if you are not on your heals. On the inner side of the outsole, the lugs are reversed for better traction on the uphill. The lugs on the heal are primarily meant for downhill running. I have noticed a little wear in the bi-directional lugs which could reduce the amount of traction towards the end of the shoes life, but it hasn’t been a problem as of yet.
The toe box of the Cascadia 6 has a light rubber covering that helps keep out water and mud while providing a little bit of a toe guard. As far as the toe box goes, the width seems to be in line with previous models. To accommodate runners with different volumes of feet, there is a adjustable piece on the upper that allows the lacing to expand and contract as needed. This also helps give the shoe a more snug fit and helps adjust to different runners feet sizes. The Brooks Cascadia 6 upper is about 85% mesh, so your foot is sure to stay well ventilated. And while the shoe is primarily mesh, there is a smaller mesh liner used on the inside of the shoe to keep out debris.
Continuing along with the tradition of it’s wild look, Brooks has used a few variations of colors that just pop. I personally love the look, but some more conservative runners might not be so keen. To continue with its commitment to sustainability, Brooks uses its Bio MOGO in the midsole which speeds up the shoes biodegradability. To become more transparent, I would like to see Brooks provide each sustainable change made in each shoe and keep this information viewable to the public. I would also like to see running shoes go away from shoe boxes. This creates a tremendous amount of waste. It is a hard place for Brooks and other shoe manufactures as running shoe stores need an easy way to organize their inventory.
To keep up with the growing trend of less is better, the Brooks Cascadia weighs in at 11.2 oz. which is about an ounce lighter than it’s previous model. Overall, I am extremely happy with the new Brooks Cascadia 6 and highly suggest it for both faithful Cascadia lovers and those looking for a change!
Contest!
Tell us how you Run Happy or would Run Happy in Brooks and get a chance to win a free pair of Brooks Cascadia 6 trail running shoes!
One pair of men’s and one pair of women’s Brooks Cascadia’s will be given away.
Contest expires: 5/9/2011
Be sure to “Like” the ActiveGearReview.com facebook page and Brooks Sports facebook page for future contest
Congratulations to Kyle and Tracy for the Brooks Cascadia 6 contest! Run Happy!
I would Run Happy in the new 6′s because I ran sad in the 5′s! Had a problem that many runners experienced with the inside of the foot, just about at the ball of the foot on both feet, rubbing huge blisters with lots of downhill running. Talked to a guy at Gazelle in Holland, MI and he said a bunch of his buddies had the same problem. So now my 5′s sit out ready to be donated to charity, and I run sad with no trail shoes. Make me happy and let me try out those 6′s!!
Brooks has and would make me run happy in a few ways:
seeing Brooks brand name -> makes me think of Run Happy slogan -> makes me smile -> smile makes me happy
also, running releases endorphins and i heart endorphins and they make me happy!
Fun contest
. I’ve been eyeing the Green Silence, but the Cascadias woudl be even better for my running needs! Fingers crossed
I run happy in my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 11s and they are the best shoes I have ever owned. I want to get into trail running and based on how much I love my Adrenalines, I can only imagine how the Cascadias would be. My Brooks truly make me run happy all the time.
i run happy in my brooks green silences all the time, on top of that i always am wearing my brooks hat and sherpa III shorts. best running shoe/clothing there is! (got my wife a pair of green silence too and she absolutely loves them!)
p.s. Scott Jurek is the man!!!
I currently Run Happy in Brooks Adrenalines. But would be Running Happier by getting off the road in a pair of Cascadia 6′s. I just turn 50 and recently helped crew a buddy on a 50K trail run and caught the bug. While the Adrenalines are great on the road, they aren’t providing the traction needed on the trail. What better way to start my trail running than in a new pair of the best trail shoe on the market, the Brooks Cascadia 6!
After 3 years of struggling with ill fitting and poor quality running shoes I saved up and got a pair of Brooks Defyance. They have completely saved my running career. My runner’s knee is gone and I am racking up my mileage now. I want to run happy off road with the new Cascadia 6 through the woods and mountains. This is the next step in my journey as a runner! Although I am a conservative runner I dig the new colors and would rock them off road while recruiting new runners with my favorite dog.
How do I run happy? Yesterday it was an early 8 mile Mother’s Day run chasing my beautiful wife(and mother of 3) of almost 20 years around a local lake.
I am happy to be on the trails and should run more, with these it would be incentive to get out there and run the trails and be happy doing just that.
I run happy because the sweat clean all the bad thoughts… the wind wakes me up, and the sun show me the way to the top of the hill. Sometimes blisters comes just to add some reallity. But the fun still increasing!
These have been a great pair of trail shoes, i am looking for a new pair right now to carry me through the winter ,i feel like i am dancing through the woods when i wear em could be the music , all in all run happy;-)