The Brooks Caldera 8 is a maximally cushioned trail shoe focused on long-distance performance. It features a quick-dry mesh upper with integrated TPEE for breathability, durability, and faster drainage. Raised sidewalls and a widened base increase stability and foot security. The shoe retains a 6-mm drop and claims a 38.5-mm heel stack height for substantial cushion. Fit refinements aim for truer sizing, with roomy toe box accommodating toe splay and bunions while overall volume may feel roomy for narrow feet. The lacing system includes a lace keeper and a gusseted tongue. Weight is 10.9 oz for a U.S. men's 9.
The newest in a line of well-loved maximally cushioned shoes, the Brooks Caldera 8 ($150) has continued to evolve as a workhorse shoe built for long distance trail running. After testing the Brooks Divide 5, a shoe designed for light trails, and the Brooks Cascadia 19, which is geared for more rugged mountain trails, I was eager to try the brand's ultra-distance option.
The Caldera 8 delivers comfort and performance with a new upper made of quick-dry mesh for improved breathability and faster drainage, as well as raised sidewalls and a widened base to enhance stability and foot security. The 6-millimeter drop stays the same from the Brooks Caldera 7, the previous version of the shoe, and the 38.5-millimeter claimed stack height at the heel provides plenty of cushion as the miles add up.
While I didn't run in the Caldera 7, it's clear that the upper of the Brooks Caldera 8 features several meaningful updates. The quick-dry mesh is comfortable, breathable, and holds up well to abrasion. Incorporated into the mesh is breathable thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), which provides durability and structure without sacrificing comfort. The lacing structure is simple, and excess lace can be stashed in a lace-keeper halfway down the tongue. The gusseted tongue is comfortable.
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