Brooks Cascadia 8 Review: Does it Measure Up to the Cascadia 7?

After my first few runs in the Cascadia 8 I had to resist the urge to immediately stock up with several more pairs of the Cascadia 7 before it goes extinct. Several runs later I had warmed up to it enough to write the following positive review. Although a far cry from the romance novel-esque notions floating through my head about the 7 after a passionate Sierra backcountry 50 mile first date adventure, the 50 total miles I have logged over the course of multiple runs in the 8 have convinced me that, for most faithful fans of the Cascadia lineage, their feet will not be disappointed.

Truth is, my less-than-raving initial response to the Cascadia 8 could simply be due to the fact that the sizing is running big and I have yet to get my hands (or, feet, if you will...) on a pair ½ size smaller to know for sure. Once in the midst of a long run I can nearly convince myself that the size I’ve always worn is still the right size, as my heel feels secure, and my foot doesn’t slide forward or feel shifty from side-to-side, but nevertheless, it just feels big in general and that feeling never quite fully disappears. So be forewarned: I recommend trying on both the size you are accustomed to wearing and the next ½ size down before making your choice. You may or may not decide to adjust downward.

So, aside from color options, what has changed from the 7 to the 8? As far as the underfoot feel of the ride goes, not much, at least to my perceptions and that is a good thing. The same great combination of cushioning and protection from what lies beneath, combined with a smooth heel(or mid-foot)-to-toe transition, makes for a shoe that can flow from groomed dirt roads to smooth trails to technical single-track to talus fields on a cross country mission and back again without ever leaving you feeling desperate to change your footwear. If you’re unlucky enough to find yourself needing to throw in some paved miles to get to or from any of the above-mentioned surfaces, well, the Cascadia is up to the task and won’t leave you feeling as though you just slapped your feet senseless in a pair of stiff trail tanks. 

On the other hand, if you find yourself lucky enough to be ascending some 3^rd class rock on a classic Sierra peak run’n’bag outing the grippiness of the outsole rubber will give you confidence in your footholds. While technical trails are the Cascadia’s sweet spot, the bottom line is that there are very few shoes out there that can lay claim to handling this range of terrain as well as the Cascadia does.

One significant change from the 7 to the 8 is the upper, which now features overlays that are welded to the mesh, as opposed to being sewn on, which is the traditional construction method. This has the twin benefits of reducing both weight (albeit slightly) and potential irritation points on the top and sides of the foot. Another change is an upper with a tighter mesh weave which should help minimize the amount of fine grit that can work its way inside to the sock.

With the obvious caveat that, at this point, I’ve got significantly more miles of sensory experience in the 7s than I do in the 8s, and therefore have a somewhat biased opinion right now, I have to acknowledge a slight nod of the head in the direction of the 7s. But, one thing is for sure: if you happen to cross paths with me 20 miles from the nearest trailhead somewhere in the Sierra high country next summer, you can bet that I will have a pair of Cascadias on my feet. And, sooner or later, it will be the 8^th edition.

Jeff is a mountain runner and uses the Eastern Sierra as his training ground.  He works at Sage to Summit and is given a plethora of running footwear.  For the past six years, the Brooks Cascadia has remained his #1 choice for racing and training.

Men's Brooks Cascadia 8 in the blue/grey color

Brooks Cascadia 8 Review

The "meathead mountain man" perspective...

Brooks Cascadia 8's are great dedicated running shoes for for this non-dedicated runner.  Here in the Eastern Sierra we indeed have accomplished and focused runners.  There are also locals that direct all energy to hard rock climbing, or chasing powder around the world.  However, the vast majority of us are terminal generalists.  We will go to our graves not really good at anything.  In the meantime we'll see awesome country and wear lots of hats.  And even more shoes!  What athlete doesn't take some twisted pride in his or her collection of footwear?  That being said, we all have much to learn about selecting mountain footwear.  

Years ago now I walked in to Sage to Summit finally ready for my first pair of dedicated running shoes.  Karen set me up with a pair of Brooks Cascadias.  These must have been the 3rd or 4th generation of this model.  I didn't know the difference, nor did I know then the reputation that this model series would come to have.  Karen, understanding climbers, footwear, and mountain fitness, set me up with this pair of shoes.  I ended up in Cascadias primarily because of fit and running/walking style (as it should always be…) but also because of Karen's experience with their capability in mildly technical terrain.  At that time, I came from approach shoes, rock slippers, mountain boots and ski kicks.  In all of these shoes, one's foot is snugly cradled in order to maximize the shoe's performance.  Maximize the performance, that is, in everything but running or walking.  While running or walking, I have since learned, room to wiggle is good for feet.  Folks coming from approach shoes to dedicated running shoes should know to "size up" for comfort and performance. 

Now, who should give up approach shoes for dedicated running footwear?  I would say that every climber deserves the sophisticated feel of well-designed go-fast sneakers.  For covering ground in the mountains, even onto mildly technical terrain, running shoes will keep a climber moving lighter, faster, and with more energy.  Running shoes just make one's feet feel fast.  I spend a great deal of time in approach shoes, don't get me wrong.  My professional relationship with Evolv Sports and Designs gives me an opportunity to work with what is perhaps the most dynamic and rapidly improving line of approach and scrambling footwear available.   Again, however, for scrambling well within one's abilities, running shoes will be far preferable to the inherent compromises that come with climber's approach shoes.  

The climber or peak-bagger looking to augment his or her footwear collection with some running shoes will do well with the Cascadia 8s.  Once determining that "the shoe fits", both with regard to foot shape and gait, those used to clunky hiking boots or tapered approach shoes will immediately notice that the Cascadias are designed for striding.  You may never run a step (in fact, the dirty secret of trail running, especially at altitude in the ultra-distances, is that practitioners spend a great deal of time walking...) but the technology under foot on these red (or a more subtle blue/gray combo) rockets is optimized for support, cushion, and protection from rocks.  The uppers offer just enough to hold that techy sole to the bottom of your foot.  The outsole offers small and stiff grippy lugs.  I've put these soles through the works on snow-packed trails, steep DG, ball-bearings-on-slab, and rocky scrambling.  Keep it to terrain you'll never see in Alpinist Magazine, and these Cascadia's will keep you moving!

Jed Porter is a fulltime mountain guide based out of Bishop, CA.  He is a shoe tester for Evolv Sports and has the ultimate quiver of mountain footwear.  Check out his review of the Evolv Maximus at Sage to Summit, and view his video discussing the Brooks Cascadia 8 below

An Adventuresome Mountain Run: Red Mountain Cinder Cone aka “The Volcano”

The Eastern Sierra is a varied geographical landscape.  There are granite filled mountains, deserts peppered with hot springs, juniper forests, and volcanic craters all in a sagebrush wonderland.  It is the perfect landscape for running and exploring.  One of my most favorite “adventure runs” is what I call "The Volcano" but is actually called Red Mountain. 

The Volcano

The Volcano is really a cinder cone south of Tinemaha Campground and offers one of the best views in the valley.  From the top of the cone, you can experience the deepness of the Owens valley with fourteen thousand foot peaks on both sides of you.  The north side of the crater has a steep slope perfect for scree running.  Running from the base of The Volcano is about 2 miles round-trip, however, you can increase the distance to 5.5 miles by starting and finishing at Tinemaha campground.  Starting at the campground provides a good warm up before climbing the steep uphill.  Often, I power hike to the crater or get into low running gear.  The top is the best part of the run; the views, the terrain, and the openness of the valley are around you.  After taking in the inspiring view, running down the North side scree slope gives you the equivalent high to skiing powder snow – seriously, it’s really fun.  If you are into adventure running, where you’re on and off trails, boulder hopping, and occasionally getting scratched by sagebrush, The Volcano is a great one to check out.  For more information, download the description from Sage to Summit for free.

There is great dirt road running all around The Volcano

It is an adventure: No trails just bushwhacking through the sage

This is the "heart rate hill"

Running the rim of the crater is beautiful

There are 14ers all around you

A view of other cinder cones in the valley

The view of the steep Sierra and deep Owens valley

Descending the scree is soooo fun