Cascadia 19 vs Ultra Glide 4

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 Ultra Glide 4 is Salomon's soft, high-stack trail runner built for one thing above all: keeping your legs fresh over long, rolling miles. With 38.6mm of heel stack and a moderate 7.5mm drop, it sits firmly in the cushioned trail shoe camp, closer to a plush daily trail cruiser than a nimble racer. At 295g it is not the lightest option out there, but that weight buys you a genuinely comfortable, protective ride that soaks up rocky, uneven ground on the way home from a big day out. This is a shoe for runners who value comfort and easy-going stability over sharp, aggressive handling. It thrives on smoother, non-technical trails, gravel, forest paths and long ultra efforts where fatigue is the enemy. If you want a running shoe that lets you switch off and just log the distance, the Ultra Glide 4 makes a strong case at its £130 price.