Further protection can be added in the form of a gaiter (sold separately), that attaches securely to the heel tab to hold it in place and there is also a small tab on the front to tuck the laces into so that they don’t get pulled undone by trailside vegetation. Although these shoes are far from lead weights, they certainly do not feel as lightweight and airy as other models we tested. That is one of the many reasons why it has remained such a popular option in this field for so long. Where this shoe falls short in terms of sensitivity and overall weight, it makes up for it in terms of stability and all-day comfort.

Brooks Cascadia 16 Mens Trail Running Shoes - Start Fitness Brooks Cascadia 16 Mens Trail Running Shoes - Start Fitness

The symbols on the heel pocket of the Cascadia 16 seem to indicate that this shoe is ready to tackle trails in any type of weather, and we couldn't agree more. Icons caret-sm-white star-half circle-drag icon-checkmark-nocircle icon-envelope Left Arrow Scroll down Scroll down close Expand Scroll down quote-marks squiggle Play Play Pause Pause long squiggle squiggle 1 close filter-icon Info Compare Compare Selected Information Check Icon Plus Icon Minus Icon Check Icon Check Icon sOBXn1ayHSpTDLWsite turnto. Although the upper is listed as an engineered mesh, most of the shoe is covered in a durable TPU film. This lack of sensitivity will likely bother some runners — particularly those coming from a minimalist or track background — but is beneficial when you start to stack up miles.In the name of trail protection, the Cascadia 16 sacrifices nearly all of its sensitivity and ground feel. A Ballistic Rock Shield protection plate prevents small stones and rocks from creating discomfort underfoot whilst the gusseted tongue stops any pebbles or grit from entering the shoe. We weren't kidding about tackling technical terrain like scree fields and rock gardens without fear.

Brooks Cascadia 16 Review | Tested by GearLab Brooks Cascadia 16 Review | Tested by GearLab

This ultra-protective shoe is designed for the rigors of long trail runs, with a powerful rock plate and a more responsive midsole.

Although not designed quite like the alpine runners above, the Hoka Torrent 3 is an uber-comfortable option that offers a similar level of performance without the added weight or stiffness.