Brooks Cascadia 20

The Brooks Cascadia 20 celebrates two decades as the American brand's most versatile trail shoe, an all-rounder for daily training, long outings and changing terrain. In Brooks' trail range it sits above the fast Catamount 4 and below the maximalist Caldera 8, right at the balance point between protection, stability and agility, teaming up with its excellent racing counterpart, the Cascadia Elite.

Compared with its predecessor, the Cascadia 19, the changes are significant. The midsole debuts nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH v2 foam, bringing more bounce and a more modern feel than the previous DNA LOFT v3, and gains 4 mm of stack height at both heel and forefoot for more cushioning without a weight penalty. The Air Mesh upper with 3D-printed overlays keeps its breathability and durability in high-wear areas, although some users find the fit a little snugger in the toe box than in previous editions. The reinforced toe bumper and side mudguard are still there to protect the foot on technical terrain.

Another big change is the Vibram Megagrip outsole with 4 mm lugs and Traction Lug technology, a leap in grip on both wet and dry surfaces compared with the TrailTack compound of the previous generation, and one more clear argument in its favour when deciding to buy it. With a 6 mm drop, the geometry remains classic and aimed at natural transitions. Ideal for trail runners looking for a stable, protective and reliable shoe to rack up the miles in the mountains without surprises.