Brooks Cascadia 18 Insole vs. PowerStep Maxx Insole

Can a PowerStep Maxx insole improve the functionality of a trail running shoe?

When you're tackling rough terrain, having the right trail running shoes can make all the difference. A great pair should provide grip, cushioning, durability, and stability to keep you moving efficiently over unpredictable surfaces. But what about your insoles? The right insole can enhance midfoot support, improve vertical stability, and reduce fatigue—helping you stay stronger on the trails. We put the Brooks Cascadia 18 to the test with its provided insole and the PowerStep Maxx insole to see how they influence key performance factors. If you're looking to maximize your trail running potential, this breakdown using the Optimal Performance Index System (OPIS) has the insights you need.

Here are the results:

Weight: The weight increased by 7.41 percent with the provided insole and it increased by 21.3 percent with the PowerStep Maxx insole. The provided insole weighed 11.6 ounces and the PowerStep Maxx insole weighed 13.1 ounces.

Midfoot Stability: The midfoot stability increased by 9.09 percent with the provided insole and increased by 27.27 percent with the PowerStep Maxx insole. With its provided insole, the Cascadia tested to have a TCI (torsional control index) of 48 inch pounds placing it in the moderate range for midfoot stability. With the PowerStep Maxx insole, the Cascadia tested to have a TCI of 56 inch pounds placing it in the high range for midfoot stability.

Hindfoot Stability: The Cascadia lost 16.9 percent of its hindfoot stability with its provided insole and gained 3.05 percent of its hindfoot stability with the PowerStep Maxx insole. The Cascadia tested to have a VCI (vertical compression index) of 8.44mm with its provided insole and a VCI of 7mm (firmer heel midsole) with the PowerStep Maxx insole.

Vertical Support (loaded heel to toe drop): The vertical support decreased by 156.41 percent with the provided insole and it increased by 284.67 percent with the PowerStep Maxx insole. With its provided insole, the Cascadia tested to have negative vertical support with a minus .44mm loaded heel to toe drop. With the PowerStep Maxx insole, the Cascadia tested to have a positive loaded heel to toe drop of 3mm.

Shoe Stability: The shoe stability decreased by 11.42 percent with the provided insole and it increased by 19.87 percent with the PowerStep Maxx insole. With its provided insole, the Cascadia tested to have a shoe stability index of 42, placing it in our database at the neutral stability category. With the PowerStep Maxx insole, the Cascadia tested to have a shoe stability index of 57.33, placing it in the minimal stability category.

Stability Graded: neutral>minimal>moderate>high

Proprioceptive Acuity: With its provided insole, the Cascadia had a disparity of minus 11.42 percent between the potential shoe stability index and the shoe stability index, which we predict will provide a fair translation for the midsoles ground reaction via the insole to the lower extremity. The PowerStep Maxx insole provided a positive disparity between these two indexes providing a good translation for the midsoles ground reaction via the insole to the lower extremity.

Conclusion: The Brooks Cascadia 18 structural parameters prove to be more effective with the PowerStep Maxx insole than the provided insole for reducing injuries associated with trail running due to more vertical support, stability and better proprioceptive acuity.

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