I have since solved my problem by sorting the data for the cascader properly so that all the lengthier arrays are first, also eliminating the need for reverse.
To replicate the error just copy and paste the following into the structure. It is the exact example array that comes from the default component when added to the project. The only difference is I remove "running" from the second index.
[
[
"pants",
"denim",
"jeans"
],
[
"shoes",
"athletic"
],
[
"shoes",
"athletic",
"soccer"
]
]