Brooks Cascadia 18 vs Hoka Speedgoat 7
Brooks Cascadia 18 vs Hoka Speedgoat 7: weight, drop (8 mm vs 4 mm), cushioning, lugs and which races each one suits best.
Quick verdict
The Hoka Speedgoat 7 is 39 g lighter. The Hoka Speedgoat 7 has more cushioning (37 mm at the heel). The Hoka Speedgoat 7 grips better, with 4.5 mm lugs.
BrooksBrooks Cascadia 18An all-terrain trail classic: stable, protective and reliable on any ground thanks to its pivot system that adapts the foot to the terrain. Balanced cushioning for medium and long distances.
Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Brooks Cascadia 18: specs and races
HokaHoka Speedgoat 7The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.
Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Hoka Speedgoat 7: specs and racesSpec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Brooks Cascadia 18 | Hoka Speedgoat 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (per shoe) | 314 g | 275 g |
| Drop | 8 mm | 4 mm |
| Heel stack | 33 mm | 37 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 25 mm | 33 mm |
| Lug depth | 4 mm | 4.5 mm |
| Fit | Medium | Narrow |
| Stable platform | – | ✓ |
| Waterproof | – | – |
| Carbon plate | – | – |
| Terrain | mixed | mixed, technical, mud |
Brand-stated specs or values measured by independent sources. Green marks the better value when one is clearly better.
Which races does each one suit? Checked against 249 races
For each race we look at the terrain, the distance and the average rainfall around race day in recent years, and see which shoe fits best.
Hoka Speedgoat 7: better pick in 157 of 249
Tied in 92
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| Race | What it needs | Brooks Cascadia 18 | Hoka Speedgoat 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Raid de La Réunion180 km | Ultra: cushioning | Copes | Built for it |
| L'Infernal Trail des Vosges205 km | Likely mud | Copes | Built for it |
| Mañaritik Atxetara43 km | Rock and technical ground | Copes | Built for it |
| Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB168 km | Ultra: cushioning | Copes | Built for it |
| Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail185 km | Likely mud | Copes | Built for it |
| Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls185 km | Likely mud | Copes | Built for it |
| Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs176 km | Ultra: cushioning | Copes | Built for it |
| UTMB Mont-Blanc174 km | Ultra: cushioning | Copes | Built for it |
Criteria: mud when it often rains around race day on soft ground; rock for skyrunning and vertical kilometres; ultra from 50 km; mixed otherwise.
Analysis: where they really differ
Two long-distance classics with different approaches. The Speedgoat 7 goes for maximum cushioning: 37 mm at the heel, a 4 mm drop and 275 g. The Cascadia 18 sits lower and is more protective (33 mm, 8 mm drop), weighs 39 g more per shoe and has a medium fit, roomier than the Speedgoat's snug one.
Choose the Brooks Cascadia 18 if…
- Your feet are normal or slightly wide and Hoka's snug fit pinches.
- You want a stable, protective shoe for mixed terrain.
- You prefer a mid-range drop (8 mm).
Choose the Hoka Speedgoat 7 if…
- You are training for an ultra and want as much foam as possible.
- You want the lighter option (275 g).
- You also run in mud and technical terrain, not just on fire roads.