Brooks Caldera 8 Introduction
A longtime favourite for distance trail runners, the Brooks Caldera is well loved for its comfort and durability over endless miles. This January, Brooks is releasing the Caldera 8. The eighth iteration of the Caldera holds the same promises of recycled materials in its production. Brooks shows the same dedication to comfort and durability. Following rave reviews, the midsole even remains unchanged. This time round, the upper gets a makeover. Will it redeem the mixed reviews of the Caldera 7? Stay tuned!
The Caldera 8 upper is locked in. A snug fit with room to breathe
Esther: Fans will be happy, the Caldera 8 still fits true to size and it maintains its chunky look in some fresh and new colourways. I loved the Lego brick look in my pair (not the official name, obviously) unabashedly accenting the stout bumpers. As for the white mesh, well, if that isn’t ever a form of unrealistic idealism for a trail shoe!
Regardless, the all-new, redesigned midfoot cage locks you in nicely thanks to a thin semi-gussetted tongue, while offering plenty of room in the toe box. I found the fit to be roomy in the toe box yet locked down enough in the midfoot to give you confidence on both up and downhill. It’s not a wide shoe by any means, but it’s snug in all the right places, with minor friction on downhills, yet no blistering to report this time around. That’s a major win.
The new TPEE mesh keeps debris out while maintaining breathability, though I didn’t find the Caldera 8 upper to be as water-resistant as advertised. All of my testing mileage being in the winter, I came back soaked through every time.
As for the toe overlays on the upper, those are all in the right places, better than advertised, protecting your toes from roots and rocks. In contrast, the elastic pull tab to store laces was like the Velcro strap on the Caldera 7: perfectly pointless! Clever idea on paper, but these laces aren’t long enough to use the pull tab.
Plush but protective, the Caldera 8 is built for distance
Esther: The Caldera 8 retains its sizable platform, but it’s surprisingly stable and comfortable. The foot sits securely within the substantial foam construction, offering a solid foundation. For those unfamiliar with the Caldera model and last, the fit and build are reminiscent of the Hoka trail lineup. Think deep cushioning with plenty of protection from the elements.
Based on the success of the Caldera 7, this midsole on the Caldera 8 is still powered by the same nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 foam, delivering excellent trail dampening and long-lasting cushion. The added heel cushioning should appeal to both heel and midfoot strikers.
However, despite the abundance of foam, don’t expect cloud-like softness. The ride is firmer than you might anticipate from its plush appearance or when poking at exposed foam areas. The upside? The foam does an excellent job absorbing trail debris. You aren’t going to feel sharp rocks or ice poking through. The downside? It lacks the responsiveness you might want when picking up the pace. That said, I did notice a slight toe-off rocker does provide some smooth transition through the gait cycle.
Tough as trails, an outsole which will outlast the shoe
Esther: The outsole of the Caldera 8 sticks with the same decoupled groove design as the Caldera 7, running the full length of the shoe with a cross groove about two-thirds of the way down. In my experience, these grooves are key. They give the shoe some flex through the gait cycle, helping it adapt to terrain and boosting proprioception. They also improve stability, which may help with moderate pronation or supination as you continuously are guided back to the centre.
The 4mm lugs are probably spot-on for moderate trails, though I’ll admit I’d love an extra 0.5mm for more grip in winter conditions. That’s just me being greedy. Still, the traction delivered solid performance across varied terrain, with an aggressive lug pattern that shines uphill and downhill. The platform is a bit wide for super technical downhill sections, but those lugs are still on point.
Perhaps most impressive is the durability of the Caldera 8. After 75km of brutal conditions, of frozen mud, sharp ice, and rocks – the lugs show hardly any wear. For trail runners on a budget, that’s the kind of long-lasting durability that will make trail runners on a budget come back to this model for sure.
Overall, it is comfortable, reliable and rugged
Overall, the Caldera 8 delivers a comfortable, reliable ride for a wide range of runners across a variety of trail conditions. While the midsole remains unchanged, the redesigned upper improves fit and breathability, offering a secure lockdown without the blisters. That said, the increased breathability can leave you with soggy feet in wet conditions, so this may not be your go-to for rainy days.
Expect no catapulting, this ain’t your uptempo BFF. For that you’ll have to wait for the Catamount. No, the Caldera 8 is more like your casual but reliable trail friend who shows up at your door, ready for those long and easy miles. You know, that daily friend reminding you that you should really get training for that 50 miler.
Mark my words though, you are going to be seeing the Caldera 8 on feet of mid to longer trail distance runners this summer. The Caldera 8 are just that dependable, durable and therefore affordable. It’s the workhorse that punches well above its price, making it an easy pick for anyone looking to tackle the trails without breaking the bank.