The Forsake Cascade Trail Hiking Sneakers are a comfort-promoting, outdoor-ready pair of shoes that have earned a great overall impression after several months of wear and testing. As shoes continue to hybridize their various uses and means, this particular pair is standing out as an example of using smart tech, stylish design, and forward-thinking manufacturing. They're a versatile pair and a dream to wear on a long hike, down to the pond for some fishing, or any activity that requires you to be on your feet. A special waterproof system and considerable sustainability efforts make these extra special. Here's what's so great about the Forsake Cascade Trail.
Forsake Cascade Trail Hiking Shoes
Why We Chose It
It's a fantastic choice for a versatile, do-what-you-need shoe that can be worn nearly anywhere
Favorite Features
The eco-friendly footbed and wide size are great, but the overall style is our favorite
Pros
Waterproof zoning in the right places, MultiGrip outsole to perform and last
Cons
Light wear showing after a few months, lack of traditional "tongue" takes getting used to
The first sighting of these shoes came last fall during an online product showcase, and there's both a men's and women's version in various color styles. The waterproof zoning was the instant attention-grabber, and details were shared from the direct source.
"The engineered mesh across the vamp and quarter panels has a waterproof, breathable membrane, but the tongue and the rest of the shoe does not to optimize breathability," said Sam Barstow, Forsake's co-founder, during the online sneak peek.
And there's even more of a feel-good factor with these shoes, as the footbed is created with 20% BLOOM, an algae-based product. That inclusion helps return 32 liters of clean water to habitats and clean 20 cubic meters of air through their sustainability partnerships. It should come as no surprise that Forsake is Climate Neutral Certified.
Wearing the Forsake Cascade Trail Hiking Shoes
The zonal waterproofing got its test early in the life of these hikers, and it passed with flying colors. Water, in the form of light rain and a shallow creek that needed crossing, was kept at bay through the sections of the shoe that needed to stay dry. The breathability factor was also felt right away, as they didn't cause excessive sweat or heat despite a constant, steady pace.
As for the grip, all signs point to the Cascade Trail reaching a top spot on the list of low top hiking shoes that actually give you confidence in slippery scenarios. They weren't exactly tested on treacherous, cliff-edge rocks, but the rain did make some smooth surfaces rather slick, and the Cascade Trails were up for the task. It's the "MultiGrip" outsole with two kinds of rubber at play, with a dense rubber on the heel and inner lugs for better wear resistance combined with a softer rubber on the outer lugs for enhanced grip.
The jury's still out for serious longevity, but that feature indicates some great durability potential. It's worth noting that some of the creases and friction points of the upper have begun to show slight visual signs of wear, but the integrity hasn't been compromised. It's the slightest fraying of stitching, mind you, and nothing appears "broken," but merely scuffed and worn out. Rather, it's the general size and width of the mesh-style upper that's withstood above average abrasion, and doesn't pinch toes like a lot of narrow hiking shoe options can. There have even been shoes similar to these that wind up with a hole and a pinky toe hanging out the side before very long. These seem much sturdier, and able to last a long time. The stiff heel portion and flexible toe box provide the type of fit each part of the foot calls for.
The Forsake Cascade Trail Hiking Sneakers go for $130 in both men's and women's styles, and the details can be found on Forsake.com.
