Cascadia 19 vs Mafate 5

The Cascadia 19 is Brooks at its most dependable: a rugged, do-it-all trail running shoe built to soak up miles on rough ground rather than chase segments. It is the workhorse of the range, and at 312g it is not light, but that weight buys you protection, grip and a shoe you can trust when the trail turns technical. The 6mm drop and generously cushioned midsole make it an easy shoe to run on for hours, whether that is a muddy loop after work or a full day on the hills. This is not a racer and it does not pretend to be. If you want speed and pop, the Brooks Catamount 3 is the faster stablemate. But for reliable, planted, go-anywhere trail miles at a fair price, the Cascadia 19 is one of the safest picks in its class.

The Hoka Mafate 5 is a max-cushion trail running shoe built for the long haul: big vertical days, rough ground, and ultra distances where your legs need a buffer between them and the mountain. With a 45mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, it sits at the plush, protective end of Hoka's trail range, and the Vibram Megagrip outsole means it can actually cash the cheques that cushion writes on technical terrain. It is not light. At 332g it asks you to trade nimbleness for comfort, and for the runner it suits, that is exactly the right deal. Think of it as the burly ultra companion to the more agile Speedgoat 7. If your idea of a good day out is six hours on wet, rocky, root-strewn trails and arriving home with your feet still speaking to you, this is the shoe we would point you to. Racers and short-loop speed hounds should look elsewhere.