Brooks Cascadia 18 vs Merrell Agility Peak 5
Brooks Cascadia 18 vs Merrell Agility Peak 5: weight, drop (8 mm vs 6 mm), cushioning, lugs and which races each one suits best.
Quick verdict
The Merrell Agility Peak 5 is 14 g lighter. The Merrell Agility Peak 5 has more cushioning (39 mm at the heel). The Merrell Agility Peak 5 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
MerrellMerrell Agility Peak 5The best value for getting started in trail running. An honest, functional shoe, comfortable from the first kilometre thanks to FloatPro foam, with a Vibram TC5+ outsole offering good all-round grip on mixed terrain. A versatile option without overspending. Weight: 295 g. Drop: 6 mm.
Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Merrell Agility Peak 5: specs and racesSpec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Brooks Cascadia 18 | Merrell Agility Peak 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (per shoe) | 314 g | 300 g |
| Drop | 8 mm | 6 mm |
| Heel stack | 33 mm | 39 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 |
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.
Merrell Agility Peak 5: better pick in 48 of 249
Tied in 201
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| Race | What it needs | Brooks Cascadia 18 | Merrell Agility Peak 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Raid de La Réunion180 km | Ultra: cushioning | Copes | Built for it |
| L'Infernal Trail des Vosges205 km | Likely mud | Copes | Copes |
| Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB168 km | Ultra: cushioning | Copes | Built for it |
| Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail185 km | Likely mud | Copes | Copes |
| Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls185 km | Likely mud | Copes | Copes |
| Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs176 km | Ultra: cushioning | Copes | Built for it |
| Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta al Valle del Genal167 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 all-rounders with almost identical weight (314 g and 300 g). The Agility Peak 5 has more foam (39 mm) and deeper lugs (4.5 mm), but a narrow fit. The Cascadia 18 is firmer, with a medium fit and an 8 mm drop.
Choose the Brooks Cascadia 18 if…
- Your foot needs a medium-width fit.
- You want a firm, stable ride on varied terrain.
- An 8 mm drop suits you.
Choose the Merrell Agility Peak 5 if…
- You want more cushioning for long runs.
- You need more grip on loose ground.
- You have a narrow foot.