4 Best Brooks Trail Running Shoes in 2024

Among all Brooks trail running shoes we’ve tested, Cascadia 17 established its dominance in off-the-beaten paths. Together with its well-positioned lugs and Trail Adapt system, this workhorse has unmatched versatility across mixed terrains and paces. On top of this, it offers out-of-this-world breathability!

We navigated through competici and uneven paths with a high level of agility thanks to the flexible midsole and grippy outsole. With our caliper, we measured the lug depth at 3.9 mm (deeper than the average). The lugs are designed with intention — varying in shape and depth in the heel, forefoot, and Blue-Orangeade areas — to serve their purpose better.

Integrated into the forefoot area is a rock plate for better protection, while the Trail Adapt system lies in the midsole. The sensation underfoot feels firm, translating to a consistently steady ride even on rough terrains. Another feature that enhances stability is the vast landing platform — notably in the heel area with a generous 8.5 mm extra width!

We gave the upper 5/5 on our breathability test as it performed with flying colors. Our feet felt cool even on sunny days.

Cascadia 17’s focus on protection and stability gave up the plush cushion that some runners prefer. We recommend exploring other options if comfort is the top priority.

Contrary to its name, Divide 4 combines elements that pave our seamless transitions from the streets to beaten paths. It has a flexible build that makes it easy to maneuver, a balanced cushion, and a reliable grip. Among all the Brooks trail running shoes we tested, Divide 4 is our top hybrid shoe.

Running in this pair made us feel versatile as the midsole flows with every stride. It enhances our agility, making the shift to uneven terrains feel effortless. In our bend test, it took 29.9% less effort vs. the average to flex the midsole to 90 degrees. 

Another element that keeps our transitions smooth is the subtle yet sticky set of lugs in the outsole. Measuring 2.7 mm thick (vs. 3.5 mm average), it gave us good traction on trails and adapted well to the road without feeling chunky underfoot.

We found the balanced cushion to be stacked enough for impact protection. Despite being 15.3% softer than the average trail shoe, it had a good amount of firmness that gives a well-planted sensation. This feeling remained when we shifted our weight laterally and ran through uneven paths.

However, the lack of grip and lug depth tells us this shoe performs best on mild trails. Best to avoid rocky, muddy, and technical terrains.

Catamount 2 defies the traditional trail shoe and delivers the unexpected in our lab tests and runs. It’s our best lightweight Brooks trail shoe. For such an airy package, it combines comfort and stability effortlessly. Also, its bouncy midsole can sustain our speed on off-road adventures.

Catamount 2 feels light on foot and our scales confirm it’s 9.7 oz (275g) vs. the 10.4 oz (294g) average trail shoe. This can be attributed to its below-average stack, which our caliper measures at 29.0/22.6 mm.

The main highlight lies in the DNA Flash midsole, giving us all the support and snappiness we need. Our durometer shows a softer-than-average 22.0 HA yet the ride feels firmer than expected. As we cut the shoe open, we discover a rock plate that helps us pick up the pace and protects us from sharp rocks. This ensures a securely planted sensation together with the midsole walls on the medial and lateral sides

Underfoot, we observed the outsole to have a good mix of grip and durability. It has 3.0 mm lugs for traction, which we find better suited for fire roads and easy paths. Regarding durability, Catamount 2 beats the average in our Dremel test and confirms it’s built to last.

We recommend this pair for short-to-mid distances as it lacks cushioning for longer runs.

Upon our first slip-on, it's obvious that Caldera 6 offers the best cushioning among all the Brooks trail running shoes we tried in and out of the lab. This terrain monster serves reliable grip, lasting comfort, and all-around protection as we run from the road to the trails without leg strain concerns. 

We found Caldera 6 suitable for long and easy days as it provides maximum cushion. Its 38.4/26.3 mm stack has generous foam to dampen landing impact and protect our feet when we step on sharp rocks. Our durometer confirms a plush 17.0 HA, 35.1% softer than average. 

Despite its tall height and velvet cushion, the ride feels stable. When we cut the shoe open, we discovered a bathtub-like shoe so that our feet sit inside the foam for better support. This shoe is also one of the widest we’ve seen, especially in the 16.3 mm wider-than-average heel!

Its TrailTack technology in the outsole and 3.5 mm lugs work well on most paths. Nothing to complain about here! 

Moving to the upper, we're in awe of Caldera’s ventilation as it uses a road-running material for breathability and extra protective elements for durability.

Because of its size, we didn’t feel too agile on technical and twisty terrains. We recommend exploring other options for tougher terrains.