A good pair of trail shoe doesn't only perform in the trail, but also off the trail. When I first started adventure races (trail, mountain biking, skyrunning) what seems like eternity (read: 20 years), I could only afford one shoe to be used for all sports. Fast forward to today, i am now spoilt by the choices I have now even for my daily training. For the record, my last pair of Brooks Trail shoe was Cascadia 5. Between then and now, I had other brands trail shoes which given me a lot of different experience and joy, but nothing could had replaced the feel of Cascadia 5.
A month ago, I was given a pair of Cascadia 16 from my sponsor Sports Paragon (Authorized Distributor of Brooks Running in Malaysia) in conjunction with the Prime Trail Run that will take place on July 22. If you have not heard of it, it is a 10km or 18km trail race at Sungai Batangsi. Pretty solid trail experience based on the popularity of trail races that has taken place here in the past months. If you are interested to join, apply my code PTR23EEVAN5 to get 5% off the package deal or general entry fee at check out. Link in the photo below.
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| Register here : https://primetrail.primesports.my/ |
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| Cascadia 16 |
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| Nice colorway and profile |
But things changed by the same reviewers with Cascadia16, and it is easy to know why when you read previous reviews, and hold the new iteration in your hand. I admit that when I held this in my hand, i wanted to put it on and go for a (trail) run; wife forbid me from doing so as it was already close to midnight when I got home from the Sports Paragon Spring 2024 Preview. Bonus is that I have been asked to present myself at the location of the upcoming Prime Trail Run to test the shoe out, apart from being one of the three ambassador to pose for the camera.
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| DNA Loft Version 2 |
What this will mean in laymen term is you get a plusher, lighter and potentially responsive shoe when compared to the previous version (Cascadia15). This new 16 comes with DNA LoftV2, which in Brooks' language simply meant "lightweight responsive cushioning". The blend of EVA foam, rubber, air and nitrogen in the right proportion gave this 16 a breathe of freshness. You can say that 16 is literally rebuilt from bottom up while keeping up with the Cascadia never fail delivery.
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| Boxy and big toe area. Feet gonna be happy. That darker brown area is Gore-Tex! |
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| Loving how they ensure you know it's a serious trail shoe - all terrain and all weather |
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| Note the side protection on the upper (instep). Gore-Tex is the darker brown material |
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| "taller" toe rubber front with visible deep lug gives you the confidence of grip |
One thing that separate a good trail shoe vs a mediocre vs a wannabe particularly in Malaysian trail condition is the outsole lug. Many shoe manufacturer design their shoes to suit their location trail type - which meant the outsole may have a tighter/closer lug design, shallow lug depth, lugs that are easily chipped off and lug design that looked more aggressive in store than in outdoor. The key to grip is how quickly or easily these lugs can be cleared off mucks and mud that gather under the sole. In Malaysian trail, it can get very tricky and technical particularly when your shoe lugs get covered with mixture of mud and silt, and never clear itself when you cross a river.
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| The Outsole |
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| Open, deep, solid lugs. Take note of the red and yellow lining - those are the Ballistic Rock Shield |
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| TrailTack - sticky rubber compound for excellent tractions uphill, downhill and across streams. Yellow lines show presence of ballistic rock shield |
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| US 12 comes in at 370grams. Take note of additional Heel Lock holes at the bottom of where the laces is at. Great flexibility for customised fitting |
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| What is that red thing? |
There is also a neat trick on the lace tongue - that red loop you see in the photo above is meant to tuck your laces down securely. just hold the loop, pull it up, tuck the lace in, and you are done.
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| Insole is removeable and with perforation to ease water dispersal |
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| Another thoughtful design - this Velcro section allow you to secure your gaiter down |
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| Gusseted tongue, padded heel cup perforated insole |
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| Take note how the tongue curve from top view, instead of having a straight line which may cut into your ankle |
First Run - First Feel
Aptly, the first run on this shoe was testing it out in the trail of Sg Batangsi. The trail is fairly technical with steep climbs and fast descent, sharp turns on the downhill and mix of gravel, silt and sand. River or stream crossing which is about ankle deep with expected slippery rock surface and rough small and large sand particles on exit. I was very confidence that Cascadia16 will take on these element and re-affirm my long lost experience of a really good trail shoes.
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| One with the soil, again. Eh look! 20sen! |
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| the two extra hole near the top of the lace |
There was a stream in the route and I went all in to test how well the shoe perform wet. It was an opportunity to see how well the shoe disperse or drain out water. A wet trail shoe is not a nice shoe to wear more so if you got them all soaked up earlier in the run/hike/race. Happy to report that the water disposal was good. Infact to say good is an understatement as you can see from the video below, it just drain out from the ballistic rock shield and it got me thinking if there is actually dispersal channel inside the insole apart from the perforated sock liner.
The Cascadia16 dries pretty fast as well. The Engineered mesh upper work as it should to keep the shoe light and as dry as it could manage - only limited by the socks I am wearing as that too, holds water that slow down the drying. Nevertheless, It dries out faster than I expected it to be - like within 30mins after leaving the stream. Impressive.
On The Road with A Trail Shoe
I said this in the start of today's write up - A good pair of trail shoe doesn't only perform in the trail, but also off the trail. After the trail run (and yes, the shoe dried up), i took it for a short run to test. While the shoe on the road definitely lacks the energy return, the cushioning and the stable ride reminds me of my Ghost14. The higher stack height on the road doesn't bother me much as I have been spoilt by the like of Hyperion series. In terms of responsiveness and "road feel", i would put it between Launch8 and Ghost14. It doesn't (really) felt heavy as a trainer if you choose to use Cascadia16 more for road than for trail.
I ran with it sockless and had no issue. No hot spots or discomfort around the feet. A good trail shoe indeed need to provide you the same performance (of comfort) because not all trails races are 100% in the trail with some portion on road or gravel where a "normal" running shoe comes into play. You can take a trail shoe onto road, but you can never take a road shoe into the trail. Cascadia16 is a good example of the shoe that does all - and this is important if you are starting to find your running niche, but limited by your budget to get a road shoe and a trail shoe, so why not have both in one package?
The Brooks Cascadia 16 is your (almost) perfect answer.
Pros
- Protective, stable, reliable, won't fail you in the trail
- You feel grounded, yet you know the shoe will provide very good cushioning with the DNA Loft V2
- While plated (Ballistic Rock Shield), it did not hamper movement
- Stable with upper that help reduce lateral movement
- Great fit and lockdown, secure heel.
- No noticeable hot spot, including heel bite
- Grip. Loads of it. No indication of slippage under faster pace.
Cons
- Heavier due to construct as a trail shoe (150grams more than Elite2)
- While not a con fully, suitable for easier pace run aka not a racing shoe on road
The Cascadia16 is available in all Sports Paragon and Brooks store in Malaysia. It retail for RM550. However, you can own it by buying it online at www.brooksrunning.com.my and use my code EEVANOFF25 for 25% off. Or you can use PTR23EEVAN5 for 5% off WITH free trail race entry.
More Discount??? You Want Cheap?
As part of my sponsorship with Paragon Vests under the Team Sports Paragon, I have a few discount codes you can use to purchase your next Brooks shoes if you want. Older models at higher discount is available in www.sportsparagon.com website. Sizing can be a challenge, which explained the better discount. If you want newer and better sizing, head over to www.brooksrunning.com.my and score a few newer models.
I have the full discount codes and brands that support me in 2023. But if you are lazy to click, here they are...
Promo Code: SPEV02
Footwear: 55%
Apparels: 50%
Sandals: 40%
Accessories: 50%
Promo Code: EEVANOFF25
25% OFF of all items ( exclude sale items )
Promo Code: ZOOTEEVAN20
20% OFF Zoot website Non promo items
10% OFF Zoot website Promotion items
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