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Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX

In production · trail · Trail / Long run · $180

Waterproof Cascadia for sloppy, cold and wet trail conditions.

Built for trail, long run, at a target pace of 9:30–12:30 /mi on trail.

The spec sheet

Weight
306 g / 10.8 oz
Heel stack
38 mm
Drop
6 mm
Midsole foam
DNA Flash v2
Plate
Rock
Cushioning
4 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Rocker
3 / 5
Flexibility
3 / 5
Stability
4 / 5 (5 = most guidance)
Toe-box
Standard
Sizing
True to size
Durability
~450 mi
Price
$180

How it rides

The foam

The midsole is DNA Flash v2, tuned soft (4/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. 38 mm of heel stack is the modern daily-trainer sweet spot — enough foam for long miles without losing contact with the road. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.

The plate

A rock plate sits between the foam and the outsole to spread the load of sharp stones and roots. It is protection, not propulsion — it does not add pop, but it keeps the underfoot bruising out of long days on technical ground.

The geometry

A 6 mm drop is the mainstream middle — familiar to almost anyone coming from a standard trainer. The rocker is moderate — enough curve to smooth the roll-through without dictating your footstrike. Forefoot flex is middle of the road. It offers real guidance through the gait cycle — useful for runners whose form collapses when tired.

Fit, sizing & life

The toe-box is standard width — comfortable for most feet without swimming. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 450 miles from the outsole, about $0.40 per mile at $180.

For the foams and plates Brooks uses across its line, read the Brooks brand guide.

How it compares

Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.

Weight

306 g / 10.8 oz

31 g heavier than the catalog median of 275 g

Heel stack

38 mm

2 mm taller than the catalog median of 36 mm

Drop

6 mm

Level with the catalog median of 6 mm

Price

$180

20 pricier than the catalog median of 160

Responsiveness

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Cushioning

4 / 5

Catalog median 4 / 5

Energy return

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Durability

~450 mi

Catalog median ~400 mi

Within the Brooks line it is heavier than the brand's median (283 g / 10.0 oz) and sits taller than its median stack (36 mm).

Closest alternatives

Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.

Brooks Cascadia 20(2025)

306 g / 10.8 oz · 38 mm · 6 mm drop · Rock · $150

Stable, protective trail workhorse for rough ground.

Merrell Agility Peak 6 GORE-TEX

300 g / 10.6 oz · 38 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $185

Waterproof Agility Peak 6 for wet, cold and sloppy trail days.

Under Armour Infinite Pro

300 g / 10.6 oz · 36 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $135

Cushioned trail version of the Infinite platform for mixed terrain.

Merrell Agility Peak 6

287 g / 10.1 oz · 38 mm · 8 mm drop · Rock · $160

Cushioned technical trail workhorse on Vibram Megagrip with a rock plate.

Topo Athletic Vista

294 g / 10.4 oz · 38 mm · 5 mm drop · Rock · $175

Max-stack 100-miler shoe on Vibram Megagrip with 4 mm lugs.

Lineage & siblings