Have your sights set on an ultra and wondering which shoe will go the distance? The search might end here. Ok that’s a really big statement, so let’s talk more about the new Brooks Caldera 8 for our trail running friends.
Listening to runner feedback, Brooks has made some updates to the favorite Caldera refining the fit, upgrading the upper mesh, and improving overall comfort. If blisters were an issue in previous models, the good news is that’s likely a thing of the past!
While I didn’t run in the Caldera 7 to compare, I can say the Brooks Caldera 8 delivers on its promise of a well built trail shoe designed for long hours on your feet.
Let’s dive into the details and how this shoe feels underfoot.
Who is it good for?
Who is the Brooks Caldera 8 a good fit for? We love a little consistency to compare shoes so here ya go:
- Wide feet: This is a standard width shoe, not going to provide a lot of extra midfoot room, but good toebox space.
- Technical trails: Good grip for any moderate trail.
- Long runs: Completely designed with a trail ultra in mind. I could (and did) spend hours and hours running in this shoe.
- Front of the Pack: On the right terrain, any pace will be happy in this shoe, but you’ll probably see more middle of the pack runners in this shoe.
This is a perfect match for trail and ultra runners looking for a little extra cushion while spending lots of time on the trails. Dare we say an ultra run shoe?
Brooks Caldera 8 Overview
Opening a box of white trail shoes always makes me chuckle. How long are these going to stay white (there is a black/blackened pearl version)?
For me, the answer was through three runs, but that was probably because my first three runs were in the snow before these shoes saw any dirt. But despite the white mesh upper, the Brooks Caldera 8 became a shoe I kept reaching for any day my legs felt tired and I just wanted that extra support.
The Caldera will be a shoe I grab for on those easy, soft, rolling trail days.
One of the big updates focuses on the upper. Brooks used a new mesh made from recycled materials, designed to keep out debris and be water resistant.
In my experience it was not water resistant in any way, but I can say that it’s breathable and dried quickly over the miles. The toe overlays were actually great at keeping the snow from just saturating my socks on every run.
These will come in handy on the more technical trails, keeping your toes from getting super banged up.
The thing that’s missing from the Caldera 8 is the gator hook. While I never noticed a rock underfoot, I did pick up a few rocks inside my shoes.
When you first look at these shoes, your eyes are probably immediately drawn to the amount of foam. But don’t worry, this doesn’t translate to the Caldera 8 being a super squishy ride. The cushion is there to help protect your feet from rugged trails. But the trade-off is that it’s missing some of that responsiveness to help you pick up the pace.
Brooks Caldera 8 Specs
- Weight: 9.3 oz women’s, 14.4 oz men’s
- Heel drop: 6 mm
- Stack Height: 38 mm
- Usage: trail running, ultra
- 2 colors
- Not available in wide
- Available from Brooksrunning.com for $150
Brooks Caldera 8 Fit
Brooks comes through with the true to size fit and while the toe box isn’t specifically wide it also isn’t narrow and my toes had ample room.
With the stack and cushioning, I was worried that my heel was going to slide in these even with a heel lock lacing, but I was pleasantly surprised with how snuggly my foot was held in place even on switchbacks. That’s technical speak that I assume only other trail runners will fully grasp.
One quirk for me is the asymmetric lace loops. I use a high instep lacing and this made the tightness feel uneven on each shoe.
Brooks designed the Caldera 8 with a semi-gusseted tongue, which is just a fancy way to say it’s partially attached to the upper along the laces. You’ll see this with trail shoes as a feature to keep debris out, and as a bonus, it creates a snugger fit while keeping the tongue in place.
Brooks Caldera 8 Feel
While the Caldera 8 is a substantial shoe, it’s not overly heavy which surprised me. If you are a chunky shoe person this is your shoe.
The DNA Loft v3 foam brought the cushion but was still firm and bouncy enough to feel connected to the trail. With all the cushion the Caldera 8 was still stabilizing, flexible, and responsive enough to handle the most poorly chosen line through roots and rocks.
The Caldera 8 took me through miles and miles of rolling hills on moderate trails. With the ample cushioning, I didn’t notice a single rock or root.
This shoe wouldn’t be my go-to for bombing down the technical descent just due to the bulky size that comes with all that cushion.
Plus, after lots of miles, the lugs still look like they just came out of the box. No wonder this is a durable shoe that is recommended for ultra runners!
Similar Shoes to the Brooks Caldera 8
We’ve tested a few shoes that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit:
- Hoka Speedgoat 6 – (slightly faster shoe but similar cushion)
- Saucony Peregrine – (similar grip, more narrow fit)
- New Balance Hierro – (better for downhill stability)
Hopefully this Brooks Caledra 8 review gets some of you excited to try it. I was really impressed and would love to see this shoe get some more attention.
Who tried it?
Hi, I’m Aimee, a chemist who has solved most of my work and life problems out on a trail somewhere. I signed up for my first marathon in college not knowing how long a marathon was and have been an avid runner for the last twenty years.
I typically run 30-35 miles a week chasing my two German Shorthaired Pointers, Sam and Bert, hence my well known instagram @runningwithsam. (Largely I’m running whatever my RTTF Coach Laura tells me to do.)
Ready to run? Go check it out on Brooksrunning.com for $150
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