Cascadia 19 vs Sense Ride 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 Salomon Sense Ride 5 is the trail running shoe you reach for when you do not want to think too hard. It is a do-everything door-to-trail shoe with a moderate 8mm drop and enough cushioning to soak up long days without turning your foot into a marshmallow. At 286g it sits in the middle of the weight range, so it is not a light and racy trail shoe, but it is not a heavy tank either. What you get is balance. The grip handles wet grass, packed dirt and light rock without complaint, and it rolls happily onto tarmac for the road sections between trails. It is neutral, so it suits runners with a fairly stable gait rather than heavy overpronators. If you want one shoe for mixed UK trails, muddy commons and the occasional path run, this is a smart, honest pick. Chasing a fast time on technical mountain terrain? Look at something more aggressive like the Saucony Peregrine 16.