A couple of weeks ago, I was leaving an event during Men’s Fashion Week in Paris, and as I got to an intersection to wait for the light to change, I turned around and saw iconic sneaker designer Jeff Staple, standing behind me. While I normally wouldn’t interrupt someone’s conversation, I decided to break my own sense of decorum and introduce myself to Jeff. While we were chatting, I asked what brought him to Paris, and he said he was dropping off a collaboration with the running-shoe performance brand Brooks the next day. He showed me the shoes in question while he was wearing them, and I gushed enthusiastically. The light changed we parted ways. After that, I had to get a pair, and thankfully, I did.
With this collaboration, Brooks’ move into lifestyle feels real. It was enough to convince me to buy my first pair from the brand. Staple draws directly from the Brooks archive, focusing on foundational models and presenting them in a way that feels relevant now. The project sits within Brooks Originals, the brand’s archival line, and reflects a clear respect for heritage, function, and design beyond pure performance.
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At the center is the Cascadia 1, originally released in 2004 as Brooks’ first trail running shoe and a key step into off-road performance. Staple’s version stays true to that identity, using layered mesh, suede, and leather in earthy tones with red accents. The palette references natural environments while also nodding to Staple’s New York roots through details like borough references and a scaled block map graphic. Brooks’ original heritage logo reinforces its role as an authentic archival model.
Compared to the more streamlined Ghost Trail in the collection, the Cascadia 1 has a stronger visual presence. Its layered construction, heavier proportions, and rugged colour blocking give it an unmistakable trail aesthetic that fits naturally within today’s outdoor-influenced style. It feels authentic rather than repurposed.
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The result is a release that connects Brooks’ technical past with the present. The Cascadia 1 stands out as the clearest expression of that balance, combining archival credibility with a trail-ready look that translates effortlessly into everyday wear.