Brooks Cascadia 1 Review: A Classic Trail Shoe Reborn

When a brand decides to dig into its archives and bring back an original, it can go one of two ways. 

It can either be a gimmicky nostalgia trip, or a genuine reminder of why the shoe mattered in the first place. 

With the limited edition re-release of the Brooks Cascadia 1, it’s the latter. Sliding into these feels like stepping onto the trail with a piece of running history underfoot, because this was Brooks’ very first trail shoe, debuting back in 2004 and famously worn by Scott Jurek during the Western States 100mi. Twenty-one years later, it’s been dusted off and brought back for another lap. And honestly? It’s still got legs.

When the box arrived, it felt like opening a time capsule. The Cascadia 1 is unapologetically old school, right down to its bold overlays and chunky silhouette. Pick them up and you can tell straight away this isn’t a shoe chasing featherweight status. It’s got substance, built to feel sturdy in hand, and more importantly, tough enough for the trail. 

The look is gloriously retro, with bold styling that practically yells mid-2000s, and I’m totally here for it. On my feet, the Cascadia 1 reminds me that simplicity has its place. The midsole is firm compared to today’s plush, bouncy foams, and while you don’t get that trampoline-like rebound modern designs are obsessed with, what you do get is stability and predictability. There’s no second-guessing where your foot with land, and no wobbling from a too-soft platform. It’s grounded, dependable, and refreshing in an era of maximalism. 

The outsole is grippy enough on fire trails and compact dirt, which is where I tested them, but it doesn’t quite bite into slick clay or loose rock the way newer Cascadias do. In that sense, the Cascadia 1 feels more suited to moderate terrain than gnarly technical scrambles. Think long, steady runs rather than short, sharp bursts of agility. 

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The fit of the shoe is where opinions divide. The lacing system is simple and does its job without fuss, the heel stays locked nicely, and the tongue is comfortable. 

But let’s address the elephant in the room: the toe box. Some reviewers have said it feels narrow, and I get where they’re coming from. If you’ve been spoiled by modern wide-fit options, this may feel more like slipping into skinny jeans. For me, the Cascadia 1 was snug but not restrictive, though I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone with particularly broad feet unless you enjoy playing footsies with your shoe walls. 

When it comes to durability, that’s one of Brooks’ strong suits. The build of this re-model feels robust, like it could survive a few too many kilometres without complaint. And as a limited edition, it has that ‘catch it if you can’ allure. Once they’re gone, they’re gone, and you’ll be left scouring obscure websites while mumbling about how you should’ve bought two pairs. 

Brooks’ ballistic rock shield has been carried over into this reissue, with the underfoot guard aiming to stop root-stabs and gravel from ruining your run. It doesn’t claim the flexibility of modern rock plates, but it’s solid. Put simply, I felt protected. As for the lugs, they look moderate and muted (hard for me to make exact measurements), and are built more for mixed trails rather than technical, muddy or loose scree terrain.

For me, the Cascadia 1 re-release is less about outperforming today’s tech and more about celebrating where trail shoes began. It’s a slice of history you can actually run in. 

The Brooks Cascadia 1 Low Down

Great for: Fire trails, mixed surfaces, compact dirt, gravel paths

Not so great for: Slick mud, wet clay, technical rock scrambles

Ideal foot type: Neutral, slightly narrow feet

Test terrain: Compacted dirt fire roads, pea gravel, dry grass, rocky outcrop

Vitals

RRP: $259.95 AUD / $299.90 NZD

Website: brooksrunning.com.au / brooksrunning.co.nz

Conditions: Shoes in Heritage Yellow provided for testing by Brooks