BARE KNUCKLES Presents a Luxe Brooks Cascadia 1 for First Sneaker Collab

Jacob Keller and his Oregon-based clothing brand BARE KNUCKLES are finally stepping into the world of sneaker collaborations after almost a decade in business. For their first athletic footwear linkup, the team is collaborating with Brooks on a luxe Cascadia 1 trail shoe re-release.

Originally launched in 2004, the Brooks Cascadia 1 proved itself across tough terrain around the world—most famously by Scott Jurek in that year's Western States 100 competition in Auburn, Calif. Recent years have seen the technical silhouette enjoy a new lifestyle-oriented revival, to which BARE KNUCKLES adds its own spin.

The archival Brooks model keeps its DNA intact, but the Northwest-headquartered fashion label applies its distinct craftsmanship to the 22-year-old trail shoe. Keller and company reimagine the Cascadia 1 with its first-ever full natural suede upper, which receives a potassium and enzyme wash treatment, and factory hand-brushing. This design approach allows for every pair of the collaboration to fade and wear differently; no two BARE KNUCKES Cascadia 1 pairs, then, look the same.

Given that BARE KNUCKLES has historically operated outside of sneakers, the decision to collaborate with Brooks, a heritage running brand, might come as a surprise to most. When asked "Why Brooks?" for its first collab, the BARE KNUCKLES team shared the following by email:

“Brooks gave us the creative freedom to bring our design philosophy to the Cascadia 1 and we couldn’t be happier to have them as a partner. So much of what we do at BARE KNUCKLES comes down to authentic wash, wear and tear. Even though we produce thousands of items, no two come out exactly alike, because a spray or a wash never reacts the same way twice. We find beauty in that. We took the same approach here, giving the suede upper a heavy potassium and enzyme wash before it’s hand-brushed at the factory. Every pair will fade and wear a little differently, and that’s what makes it a BK piece."

Keller and co.'s update to the beloved trail shoe also arrives with performance tweaks that should be appreciates by runners and non-runners alike—namely upgraded foam for enhanced comfort and restored Pivot Post technology, roll bar, and HydroFlow (fluid-filled cushioning technology).

Custom BARE KNUCKLES detailing and subtle co-branded elements appear throughout the footwear and its packaging.

The BARE KNUCKLES x Brooks Cascadia 1 releases through BARE KNUCKLES, Brooks, and select retailers beginning Thursday, Nov. 12. Sizing ranges from Men's US 4.5–13, and pairs are priced at $160 each.

For modern running footwear news, check out the first-sighting of the Nike GYAKUSOU Alphafly 4 marathon racer, expected to launch by early 2027.