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Cascadia 20
Stable all-terrain trail shoe now with Vibram Megagrip and DNA Flash v2 foam.
Today's tracked prices
- 01GreavesLIVE£140.00
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Price history
Our verdict
Twenty versions in, Brooks has put Vibram Megagrip on the Cascadia, and it's the one change every review we read liked. iRunFar's tester trusted it on wet rock, talus and snow. The foam is new too: DNA Flash v2 replaces the old midsole, the heel stack goes up to 37.9mm from 35mm on the Cascadia 19, and the weight drops a little to 306g. It's still a stable, protective daily trail running shoe for mixed terrain and long days out, with more cushioning and far better traction than before. Fit and feel are less settled. Two reviews found the upper narrower and several found the midsole firmer, while one tester thought it slightly roomy and softer. Meta Endurance, the most critical of the bunch, missed the 19's ground feel on technical descents. UK RRP is £140, the same as the 19, and we'd call it a modest step up.
Key features
- Vibram Megagrip outsoleGives you confident grip on wet rock, loose ground and snow, and it's the upgrade every reviewer we read singled out
- DNA Flash v2 midsoleA lighter foam than before that most testers found firmer and more responsive, so you can push on over flat trail and climbs
- Higher stackMore foam under your heel for long days on hard, rocky ground, with the weight slightly down on the Cascadia 19
- Trail Adapt systemA broad, guided platform that keeps you steady when the ground tilts and shifts underfoot
- Toe cap and mudguardProtect your toes from rocks and help keep grit out of the shoe
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Trail runners who want one shoe for forest paths and rocky mountain routes alike
- Ultra runners and hikers who value protection and a stable platform over low weight
- Runners on wet, rocky or snowy trails where grip matters most
- Cascadia fans who wanted better traction without losing the familiar stability
Who should not buy it
- You have wide feet, since several testers found the toe box narrow
- You want a light, fast shoe for trail races or quicker sessions
- You loved the Cascadia 19's ground feel on technical descents
- You run a lot of rough ground and need an upper that shrugs off abrasion
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
Every source had it true to size, so start with your usual size. Width is where the reviews part company. The lab review found the toe box narrow, with little room for your toes to spread, and another tester said it fits much snugger than the Cascadia 19. One reviewer went the other way, finding the midfoot and forefoot a touch wide and noticing some sideways movement on sharp turns. Two more called the toe box standard or roomy. That spread probably comes down to foot shape, so if you have wide feet, try a pair on or buy somewhere with easy returns. If toe room is your priority, the Lone Peak 9 is built around a wider forefoot. Nobody complained about heel hold, and one tester said the padded tongue kept lace pressure off the top of the foot.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
Most testers found the new foam firmer and snappier than before, which makes it easier to pick up the pace on flat trail and climbs. One reviewer felt the opposite and called it softer and bouncier than older Cascadias. Either way it's a steady, rockered ride rather than a flexible one, and the lab found the forefoot stiff. Downhills are where the criticism lands: the higher, blockier platform gives you less feel for the ground than the 19 did. It won't feel quick in faster sessions.
Cushioning
You get more foam under you than before, with 37.9mm at the heel and 29.1mm at the forefoot on our spec sheet. Reviewers said it stays protective deep into long runs without going flat, and one tester raced a mountain ultra in it. Brooks has dropped the forefoot rock plate, so protection now comes from the foam and a thick outsole. For even more cushioning on long ultras, the Mafate 5 stacks higher.
Stability
Stability is still what the Cascadia does best. The broad base and Brooks's Trail Adapt system kept testers planted on uneven ground, and the lab review rated it very stable. One reviewer marked it slightly less stable than older versions because of the taller stack, and another found the narrower platform less grounded than the 19 on technical terrain. It's a neutral shoe, not a stability shoe in the road-running sense.
Upper & comfort
Step-in comfort gets good marks, helped by a well-padded tongue. The new mesh upper is lighter and closer to a road shoe's, and Brooks kept a toe cap and mudguard for protection. Durability is the weak spot. In lab abrasion testing the toe box and heel padding scored poorly, and one reviewer saw the exposed midsole foam wear quickly. The thick outsole should outlast the upper.
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Trail |
| Surface | Trail |
| Drop | 8.8mm |
| Heel Stack | 37.9mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 29.1mm |
| Weight | 306g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |