Nike Pegasus Trail 5 vs Brooks Cascadia 18

Comparison Overview

Both are top contenders in the trail category. The Brooks Cascadia 18 edges out as our pick.

How the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 and Brooks Cascadia 18 differ

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 and the Brooks Cascadia 18 sit in the same trail bucket, so the question isn't what you'd use them for — it's which one matches your stride, your weekly mileage, and your budget.

Where they actually differ: the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 comes in roughly 0.4 oz lighter (10.2 oz vs 10.6 oz), which becomes noticeable on faster turnover and longer efforts; the drop differs (9.5mm on the Nike Pegasus Trail 5, 8mm on the Brooks Cascadia 18) — higher-drop shoes tend to feel friendlier to heel strikers and tight calves, while lower drops favor a midfoot landing; the Brooks Cascadia 18 rides on the taller stack (32mm/22.5mm vs 34mm/26mm), giving it more under-foot cushioning at the cost of a slightly less stable platform; and the Brooks Cascadia 18 is $15 cheaper at MSRP ($155 vs $140).

Head-to-Head Comparison

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is lighter, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 or the Brooks Cascadia 18?

The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 is the lighter shoe at 10.2 oz versus 10.6 oz.

Which costs less?

The Brooks Cascadia 18 is the more affordable option at $140 compared to $155.

Do they have the same heel-to-toe drop?

No. The Nike Pegasus Trail 5 has a 9.5mm drop and the Brooks Cascadia 18 has a 8mm drop, which can change how each shoe loads your calves and Achilles.

Can I rotate both shoes in the same training block?

Yes — many runners pair complementary shoes like these to spread load across different muscles and tendons. Use our rotation planner to build a mileage split that fits your schedule.

Read the full reviews

• Nike Pegasus Trail 5 — full specs, AI insights, and verdict.
• Brooks Cascadia 18 — full specs, AI insights, and verdict.
• Browse the full running shoe database
• See more shoe comparisons