There are 3 basic keys to becoming a better athlete: proper nutrition, appropriate shoes, and constant motivation.  Keeping your mind and body healthy will allow you to train more consistently and effectively, which makes you better.  These weekly reviews aim to educate readers on product available to fulfill their key requirements.

Brooks Cascadia 6

This shoe has gained a generational following, reaching its sixth edition as one of the most popular cross-over trail shoes.  There are three approaches to designing trail shoes - make a beefy and strong pseudo-boot, make a grippy twin to an existing road shoe, or make a minimal shoe with earthy colors.

The Cascadia is closer to the middle group where it could easily be a road shoe if a different outsole were applied.  For the wearer, this means a lot of cushioning while maintaining good flexibility.  The midsole is roughly 25mm thick through the length of the shoe with the DNA cushioning in the heel and forefoot.  DNA is their proprietary fluid-filled cells which act like a gel, responding to pressure in a manner designed to match the stride of the wearer.  The overall effect, a very well cushioned trail shoe.

The grip is a wide monolithic rubber outsole with a series of ribs around the outside.  Small shallow posts are arranged in the center of the forefoot and sole to round out the traction.  It's a very XC-racing-flat type approach, instead of the deep lugs found on other trail shoes.  Under the outsole is a standard rock-plate to protect your foot on technical trail.

The upper features a lot of mesh which retains the flexibility of the shoe and keeps it close to your foot.  But there is an abundance of micro-fiber which weighs the shoe down a bit, especially when wet.  The weight is a bit of an issue with this shoe, but that's the price you pay for protection and long-term durability.

There is no stability in this shoe as it's designed to be neutral.  But the outsole is vertical from the bottom of the heel meaning there is no tapper to keep the heel in the middle of the shoe.  Combining that with the plug of DNA in the center will actually cause most people to roll over the shoe - either pronate or supinate.  That can be a little of a problem running offroad but it depends what you're looking for.  Some people think a tappered outsole feels too bulky; those people would love this style of shoe.

Bottom line is that this shoe sets the bar for people buying there first true, long-distance trail shoe.  It's appropriate for all regions of the US and Canada (something most minimal shoes can't claim, at least not for serious runners), and it is an easy transition from normal road shoes to honest trail running.  Certainly worth a look, but not without its limitations.