The Brooks Caldera 8 is for those who want maximum cushioning on the trail without losing control of the terrain. A large amount of DNA LOFT v3 foam, a new midsole geometry and refined stabilization make the Caldera a strong candidate for an ultra shoe, especially when the course is long, varied and technical. This is not a shoe for fast running, but if you are looking for comfort over both short and long distances, it is worth a closer look.
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Brooks Caldera 8 is a trail shoe with maximum cushioning designed for running on difficult terrain. This model is designed for easy and comfortable miles in the woods or mountains, not for intense races. It is a versatile shoe that can handle difficult mountain conditions as well as suburban wooded trails. The level of cushioning it offers will work even for heavy (about 100 kg) runners.
Pros
- Maximum cushioning
- Very high level of comfort, regardless of distance
- Very high level of ground isolation
- Good traction
- Lots of space inside
- Upper reinforced in critical areas
Cons
- Low level of dynamics
- May be “too soft” for some
Brooks running shoes – lineup breakdown
Brooks’ trail lineup is the classic “three C’s”: Cascadia, Catamount, Caldera. Cascadia – known and loved by thousands of runners – is a versatile workhorse for any terrain. Catamount is an option for those who want to feel dynamic and bouncy with every step. And if you are looking for maximum comfort on long runs, where protection is more important than speed, then the Caldera 8 is just what you are looking for. Easy, soft, predictable – ideal for long distances on difficult terrain.
Learn more about the entire Brooks shoe line in our running shoe guide.
| TRAIL | MIXED TERRAIN | |
|---|---|---|
| long, easy runs |  Caldera 8 | |
| versatile |  Cascadia 18 |  Divide 4 |
| light and dynamic |  Catamount 4 |
Brooks Caldera 8 alternatives
The Caldera 8 is Brooks’ answer to other brands’ softest all-terrain shoes, including the Speedgoat Hok. In my opinion, it is just as good as those, and when it comes to pure softness, it is undoubtedly one of the best. This shoe offers top-notch cushioning, making it comfortable even on the longest of hikes. Other models with the best cushioning in the trail lineup can be found in this shoe guide.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altra Olympus 6 | 33/33 | 0 | 345 | 310 | 180 |
| Asics Trabuco Max 4 | 40/35 | 5 | 312 | 265 | 180 |
| Brooks Caldera 8 | 34/28 | 6 | 300 | 278 | 150 |
| Diadora Sestriere XT 2 | 38/33 | 5 | 340 | 270 | 160 |
| Hoka Speedgoat 6 | 40/35 | 5 | 278 | 232 | 160 |
| Hoka Mafate Speed 4 | 33/28 | 4 | 295 | 241 | 180 |
| New Balance More Trail v3 | 39,4/35,4 | 4 | 322 | 260 | 170 |
| Nike ZoomX Zegama 2 | 37/33 | 5 | 328 | 280 | 180 |
| Salomon S/Lab Genesis | 30/22 | 8 | 269 | 242 | 200 |
Cushioning like on a cloud, but under control
The Caldera 8 is a massive shoe – both in appearance and character. Under the foot, we have a solid 38.5 mm of foam under the heel and 32.5 mm under the forefoot. That’s a lot, although not a record. However, the impression of “elevation” is intensified by a geometric design: the sides of the midsole are pulled upwards, which improves lateral stability and gives the impression that the foot sits deeper in the shoe – something like a bucket seat.
The foam itself is DNA LOFT v3, a material mixed with nitrogen. In theory, this means better energy return. In practice, the priority is still softness and high insulation from the terrain. It is springy, of course, but this is more the effect of the natural work of the foam than pure dynamic performance. Caldera is not a shoe for catching seconds, but for softening thousands of steps.
In the Caldera 8, you won’t find any rock plates or protective mats under your feet. And… to be honest, these aren’t needed here. A thick layer of soft foam does the job – effectively dampening anything that might be lurking underfoot. Stones, roots, sharp edges? They cease to exist. It’s like running on a forest carpet, even if the terrain says otherwise. The isolation from the ground is so effective that most of the typical hazards simply disappear from view.
Caldera 8 is a real softie – in the best sense of the word. The platform is extremely comfortable and will easily meet the expectations of those who put cushioning first. It will work well for ultra runners as well as heavier runners – even those weighing around 100 kg. If you are one of these and are looking for a shoe that will wrap your feet in soft foam on the trail, in the forest or on a long run outside the city – Caldera 8 may be exactly what you need.
Recycled traction – TrailTack Green gets the job done
The midsole of the Caldera 8 is a mix of traction and durability. TrailTack Green rubber covers a large part of the bottom surface, and 25% of it is recycled. The outsole studs are 4.0 mm high, which puts them in the category of fairly aggressive trail shoes. It is also slightly higher than the outsole height of the previous edition, which was 3.2 mm. This outsole is perfect for a variety of trails, from dry forest paths to light rain. The geometry of the outsole also does its job: at the front, the studs are positioned in the direction of travel for better traction on ascents. At the back, they are reversed to provide better grip on descents. The result? Sure-footedness regardless of direction and incline.
The versatility of the Caldera 8 outsole makes it a shoe that will perform not only on difficult terrain, but also during everyday transitions between hard surfaces and trails – ideal for runners looking for a “door to trail” shoe. This means that you can comfortably run the first few kilometers on hard, urban ground before you hit forest paths or mountain trails. Although the Caldera 8 is definitely a trail shoe, short asphalt sections are no challenge for it thanks to its solid cushioning. However, it is best to choose it for typical trail applications.
Soft, spacious and safe inside
The upper of the Caldera 8 is a construction that combines durability with breathability. It is made of mesh with a moderate amount of reinforcement – the largest and most important is around the toes. This is a fairly large bumper that protects the toes from hitting stones or roots. The rest of the upper is a slightly stiffer mesh, which makes the construction solid and structured. The material is moderately breathable but also quite durable.
The inside of the Calvera 8 is quite soft and comfortable. The inner soft collar connects to the tongue and gently hugs the foot. This makes for a better fit and prevents the tongue from moving sideways. The shoe is also quite spacious, with a width at its widest point of 107.1 mm. This design works well for ultramarathon runners as well as for people with wider feet, who naturally need more space. However, for very wide feet, the rigid construction of the upper can be a barrier. This, however, only applies to a very small number of runners.
The heel counter at the back of the shoe is classically stiffened, making it stable and supportive. In addition, the midsole facilitates stability in two ways. Firstly, the wide base improves stability – after all, the larger the foundation, the more stable the structure. Secondly, the edges of this base, i.e. the midsole, are slightly raised and act as an extension of the heel counter, supporting stability, especially in the lateral parts. Despite the softness of the midsole, Caldera 8 makes for a satisfying level of stability.
Weight in standard
According to the producer, Brooks Caldera 8 weighs 300 grams for men and 263 grams for women. These values are typical for this segment – similar to the previous edition. With this amount of foam and level of cushioning, this weight is perfectly acceptable. In my case, a size 12 US, the shoe weighs 349 grams – only 12 grams more than the previous version. This is still below the average in this category, which is currently 354 grams. The Caldera 8 may not be particularly light, but it doesn’t weigh down the foot either – for a max-cushioned trail shoe, it’s just right.
Summary
Brooks Caldera 8 is a trail shoe for those who prefer maximum comfort and softness – both for long distances and for heavier weights. It provides excellent isolation from the ground, gives you plenty of space inside and has surprisingly good grip despite its volume. The downside may be the lack of dynamic performance and the weight, which is not to everyone’s taste – but if you are looking for a comfortable max-cushioned shoe for trail running, this is the one for you.
