Brooks - Cascadia 10

The last cascadia I owned was version 10. I got away from those shoes because they were too heavy and the heel drop was excessive for me. I still have them and use them for work around the house. They are really bombproof though. You can also look at the caldera, they used to be softer and lighter than the cascadia. Have you looked at Altra shoes? These are my go to for trail running shoes and even road running shoes.

I like the mud as well but the high alpine is closed until June! Love the NNormal, these are the Tomir 2, didn't really like the first model which had a weird-ish fit but these are my favorite trail shoes ever. Super comfortable with great durability. I have 800+km on them now and feel like they can keep going for at least 1/3 more. Only shoe as durable I've owned were an older model of Brooks Cascadia that are now long gone.

I had a few pairs of Hokas and enjoyed them but durability is a major issue. Same thing with Salomon really. My only durable shoe in the pas has been a pair of Brooks Cascadia. Today I've moved on to NNormal Tomir 02 and I find much more comfort, grip and durability than Hokas - just a thought! On to my third pair!

I use Brooks Cascadias for hiking and love them!

This is my thought exactly. Everyone’s feet react differently to shoes and everyone I know have to try several types before they find the right match. For me, Brooks Cascadia (non-gtx) has been my go to for several years now. They have worked in all conditions, wet, dry, muddy, rocky, etc. one thing I will say is I have to switch them out pretty regularly because I do a lot of hiking during the year and notice when my legs start to hurt after a 15 mile hike, I need new shoes (at least one or two new pairs a year). I am not sure how some people wear the same pair for years?

I live and backpack in the Northern Rockies. I used to think I needed boots for all those alpine streams and snow field crossings (mud less of an issue). But I'm much happier using trail runners than I ever was in boots. I use brooks cascadia, the non-waterproof ones, and pair the shoes with darn tough wool hike/run socks -- I've have never been happier. Yes, my feet may get wet, but more importantly, they dry hella fast. My feet also got wet in high quality waterproof hiking boots, and then they were damp the rest of the trip... For me, trail runners = happy feet. Of course, this is for "warm" season hiking. If everything is covered in a blanket of snow then I'll go with a pair of pack boots. But I can't remember the last time I wore hiking boots....

Make sense just keep track of wear and tear on the shoes. Might be a little harder since you obviously aren’t tracking the mileage just walking around all day.  I travel with a pair of Brooks Cascadia as my wearing around and running shoe while I’m on vacation. Brooks Divides would make a lot of sense if the terrain of your race supported those shoes. 

Oldhead here. Still a devotee of the Brooks Cascadia for this kind of stuff in the Cascades. If my foot fit the La Sportiva last I’d probably have a different answer.

Try them on first. The soles are so padded and thick they are a little unstable on steep rocky trails. They are so cushy they can make me trip walking on a sidewalk if I’m not accustomed to them. I bought a pair and they stayed in a closet after one use. Later, I had a severe painful sprain which took 6-months to heal and they were a godsend because the softness helped me be active while healing. They are weird shoes and very very soft.

Most trail runners dry super fast. When temps are above 25°F or so, wool socks will keep your feet warm in trail runners even when a little damp. Shoes that dry fast are better than shoes that advertise being waterproof but never dry if they do get wet, and retain tons of sweat in all 4 seasons.

I hike around 1500 miles per year on steep rocky trails (I live next to a mountain). I only wear trail runners because many are durable, affordable, light, and breathe well. If they get wet, they dry fast too. “Hiking” shoes are always hot and heavy in comparison. Wearing boots will make your ankles weak, just wear light shoes that fit well, breathe well, and have good grip. My favorites are Brooks Cascadia and Merrell Nova. Trail runners have a lot of variety. Many are ultra light and fall apart. Many are so cushioned that you can’t feel the ground under your feet and the soles are so pillowy you’ll trip. Some are waterproof/gore so they are super hot and sweaty and never dry if they do get wet. Try them on at a store and get a feel for what is “just right.”

I wear my brooks cascadia for all trail running , works fine , no need for 10 pairs , I think it’s getting to deep in the weeds to have that many pairs

Brooks Cascadia

I’m it from the area that your talking about but years ago I did Mount Bachelor versus the Sisters because there was a forest fire which they shut the entire area down. One huge thing I noticed was it’s all volcanic rock which is super hard on shoes and the soles of shoes, and that grey/black dust that gets into everything. When I did that area I took trail runners that were mainly made with all a soft nylon cloth and no rock protection along but once I saw those kinds of rocks and debris I went and wore all leather hiking boots and short gators after I went for a shorter hiking with the trail runners. For me this was a better option because my all leather hiking boots took the abrasive material better and the short gators kept that dusty debris out. It’s a suggestion, there’s better options now probably than there were when I did this but if I was going to go there again I believe I would look for trail runners that can take that abrasive material better without causing severe breakdown of the overall shoe material that uses some sort of rock protection around the entire shoe or especially around the front so it holds up better from that volcanic material. The newer trail runners also have added features to hook on a pair of gators to keep debris out as well. I know certain Altras do and the Brooks Cascadia do and I know the last couple Cascadia versions did have a sort of toe rock protection to them and those gator things. I would do like someone else suggested, which is go to like REI and try on some pairs and tell the sales associates what your planning on doing. For me I would be partial to the Brooks Cascadia because they are my go to and for me they normally hold up pretty well to abrasives. Hope this is helpful and keep going.

Came here to say this about the cascadia. I tried a pair of New Balance unknown summit which I like too. All the other ones on your list I’ve tried to some extent. Some work for me as well and some not so much but I always feel like I’ve got to find that “one”. Check out Scarpa https://us.scarpa.com trail running shoes, I’ve never tried them but they’re on my list to do so. Little pricey and if the sizing is like hiking boots it might be a little weird but I love their hiking boots it hope this is helpful and keep going.

Brooks Cascadia and CEP socks. Brooks shorts, the ones with the rear pockets and rear center zipper pocket. Garmin watch, some light weight shirt, hat and camelbak vest or camelbak belt. Camelbak flasks or Hydrapak flasks.