Wednesday, January 15, 2025

Brooks Caldera 8 Multi Tester Review: 11 Comparisons!

Article by Jeff Valliere, Allison Valliere and Mike Postaski


Brooks Caldera 8 ($150)

Introduction:

Jeff V:  The Caldera 8 is Brooks’s most highly cushioned, long distance shoe, made for full days on your feet, be it racking up the training miles, or for all but the front of the pack for ultra distance races.  


The Caldera 8 runs lighter than its weight might imply, has a lively feel and a quick, smooth transition.  


The only change to the Caldera 8 over the previous version is the upper which has been slightly retooled, while the DNA Loft v3 midsole and TrailTack Green outsole remain the same.


Mike P: I’ll just be chiming in here with comps for now, but please check out my early video review HERE where I talk quite a bit about the ride while out on the run and also discuss some more specifics about the fit. I also have an extended cut video HERE with some longer clips from one of my test runs.

Pros and Cons

Pros: 

Pros: Cushion, comfort, fit, underfoot protection, upper security, traction, stability, improved styling Jeff/Allison

Wide fit throughout upper - great if you need volume Mike P

Despite volume in upper, you can still get a pretty secure fit Mike P

Wide, stable platform Mike P

Cons: 

Cons: Outsole does not shed mud well. Jeff

A bit on the heavy side, maybe not best for lighter weight runners Mike P

Landings can feel a bit flat from midfoot through the rear Mike P

Wide platform may be too much for some Mike P


Stats

Spec Weight: 10.6oz / 300g US M9 /  9.3oz/263g US W8

Prior Version Weight:  10.6 oz  / 300g US M9  /  women's 9.4 oz / 266g (US W8)

  Sample Weights: men's 11.6 oz / 328g  US10  ,  

                              women’s 9.75oz / 279g US9

Stack Height: men’s  38.5mm heel /  32.5mm forefoot (mm  drop spec) 

Platform Width:100 mm heel / 85mm midfoot / 120mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Fit and Upper

Jeff V:  The overall bold styling and look of the Caldera 8 is improved (in my opinion) with upper still made from the same TPEE material as found on version 7 that is hydrophobic, abrasion resistant, durable, and protective, while maintaining breathability and comfort.  The changes to the upper here are very minimal and comparing the two shoes side by side, and look to be mostly cosmetic, further confirmed by running in them side by side, I cannot tell the difference in a blind test (read our Caldera 7 review here).

The toe bumper is sturdy and protective.

The lacing is very secure, one and done with very nice stretch woven laces and with a little stretch tab to tuck the laces under to prevent them from flopping around.

The heel collar is well padded and the heel counter is sturdy, stable, protective and just the perfect height for me. The tongue is of moderate thickness and gusseted, somewhat on the minimal side, but perfect in its execution.

The previous version had a velcro gaiter tab, which was left off of version 8 but we get heel pull tabs instead, which I find slightly more handy (but not really essential for this particular shoe).


Fit for me is the same as the 7, where I described it as true to size, with a secure heel, secure lacing/midfoot lockdown, and with ample room in the forefoot for foot swell and splay for my relatively thin, low volume foot. 


Length is perfect for me as well in my normal size 10, with enough length to not feel the front of the shoe, even on steep downhills.  I have run all day in the Caldera 8 with no fit issues whatsoever, as they are exceptionally comfortable, breathable and provide welcome roominess.  


Despite the roomy and accommodating fit, I do not feel any looseness or movement when running on technical terrain and find they provide excellent security overall.


Allison: Jeff covers the details of the upper well.  The overall fit of the Caldera 8 is true to size and provides a very good foothold in all terrain, no matter how technical or off camber.  


The tongue comfortably wraps over my foot and is imperceptible and has just enough padding without feeling overly done.  The heel collar is secure and stable, with just cushioning around the ankle  with its  height  just right for me.  While my testing was done in winter, the shoes are airy and breathable and I predict that they will feel very cool in the summer.  The lacing is very secure and I like the stretch woven laces that are easy to get right on the first try.

Midsole & Platform

Jeff: The Caldera 8 features the same DNA Loft v3 midsole as the 7, with a full stack height of  38.5mm in the heel and 32.5mm in the forefoot.  The Loft v3 feels moderately soft, but not overly so, stable, energetic light feeling, responsive and bouncy.  


The flexibility and light(ish) weight help the Caldera 8 to actually feel pretty fast, and especially so for such a maximal shoe.  Running uphill, they feel quick, light and energetic. They roll along effortlessly on the flats and they steamroll the downhills, eating up impact and leaving my legs feeling fresh.


Allison:  The DNA Loft V3 midsole is especially good, with a high level of cushion that is soft, but not mushy and has a perfect level of stability for a maximal shoe. I feel like I can run all day in the Caldera with minimal impact and keep my legs feeling fresh.  While not a particularly fast shoe or intended as such, the Caldera feels light on the foot and rolls along very nicely and has definitely more zip and response than I would expect.

Outsole

Jeff V:  As with the 7, the Caldera 8 outsole features the same great TrailTack Green compound and lug design that has proven to be surprisingly effective and has held up very well over time and rough use.  This outsole performed very well on moderate to mellow terrain, door to trail, plus it is surprisingly good on steep, loose technical terrain, snow, frozen snow, light ice, off trail, wet conditions, etc…  As I mentioned with the 7, the lugs do tend to collect mud and it takes some significant running on loose dry gravel, or in the snow to get the mud to shed (though to be fair, depending on the mud, this can be the case with just about any shoe).


Allison:  The TrailTack Green outsole I find to be very good, surprisingly good on a wide variety of terrain and surfaces. I agree with all of what Jeff mentions above and have had the same experience.  Durability so far is proving to be very good and I predict a long life out of them.

Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations

Jeff V:  The Caldera 8 gets a minimal  update in comparison to the already very. very good version 7, with just an almost inconsequential upper update.  With a lightweight feel, secure, yet roomy comfortable upper, relatively flexible construction, effective outsole and the same great responsively bouncy, smooth, soft riding Loft DNA v3 for all day comfort and performance.  


I can confidently recommend the Caldera 8 as a day to day trainer for just about any terrain, a recovery shoe, door to trail shoe, hiker or even a longer distance race shoe where a roomy yet secure upper and heaps of performant soft cushioning are paramount.  If I were to go run the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim to Rim in April (as I am hoping to do), the Caldera would be my top pick.


Given how minimal this update is, I would recommend getting the Caldera 7 on closeout to save some money, but you really cannot go wrong either way.

Jeff V’s score 9.7/10

Ride (30%): 9.75 Fit (30%): 9.75 Value (10%): 9.5 Style (5%): 9 Traction (15%): 9 Rock Protection (10%): 10

😊😊😊😊😊


Allison:  The Caldera 8 is an ideal long distance trainer or even race shoe for ultras, but it  is also just a great, all around shoe for just about any run, any trail, any distance, door to trail, etc…  They feel light and responsive, have a smooth turnover, have very good cushioning, are exceptionally comfortable, have great traction and have a durable construction.

Allison’s score 9.8/10

Ride (30%): 10 Fit (30%): 10 Value (10%): 9.5 Style (5%): 9 Traction (15%): 9 Rock Protection (10%): 10

😊😊😊😊😊

11 Comparisons

Brooks Caldera 7 vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review)

Jeff V:  Compared throughout.  Despite upper update and styling/look, the shoes are essentially the same and would recommend the 7 if you can find a closeout deal, but both are equally good.


Brooks Caldera 6 vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review)

Mike P (9.5): Caldera 6 is the last version I ran in, and this one feels quite different. I feel way more stability in this version. V6’s super wide platform was overwhelming to me - it just felt too high and too wide, and was very difficult for me to control. This one, despite I think being just as wide, feels a lot more stable and runnable to me. I did size up to a 10 after testing V6 in a 9.5. Despite the high volume in the upper, I still get a nice and secure fit. Aside from the weight, which is still high for my preferences, I find V8 much more runnable compared to the bulky-feeling V6.

Brooks Catamount 4 vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review)

Mike P (10.0): This is not a direct comp, just throwing it out there in case you’re looking for a faster training/racing companion shoe from the same brand. The Cat 4 now has a more propulsive plate, which really works. Foam is different as you have a more responsive Flash V2 (Brooks current top racing foam) in Cat 4. I’d say the Cat 4 upper has decent volume compared to other shoes, but it’s a bit more dialed than the Caldera. For long miles go with the Caldera, save Cat 4 for the faster stuff. Catamount 4 is only $20 more than the Caldera which is an incredible price for a borderline super shoe.


Brooks Cascadia 18  vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review)

Jeff V:  The two shoes are very close in weight.  The Caldera 8 has more cushion and is better suited for longer days where cushioning and comfort are the priority, whereas the Cascadia still has very good comfort and cushion, but is a more nimble shoe with deeper lugs and is overall better suited for rugged, mountainous terrain.  


Hoka Speedgoat 6 vs. Brooks Caldera 8(RTR Review)

Jeff V:  Both are amazing, well cushioned shoes for all day use, but the Speedgoat is faster, lighter, more nimble and have better traction on a wider range of terrain and conditions.


Speedland GS:PGH vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review)

Jeff V:  Very close in stats and overall feel, I find the new softer foam in the PGH to be similar to the Loft v3.  The PGH has an even roomier upper which can be easily snugged up with the dual Li2 BOA fit system dials to provide great foothold. I can’t emphasize enough how convenient this is in the field to make micro adjustments throughout the day, or to quickly remove the shoe to empty any dirt or debris.  Traction is comparable and weight is about the same, though if you add the carbon plate to the PGH, then you are adding another half ounce.  The plate does add a good bit of added protection (to already very good protection).  The Caldera is however almost half the price, so an amazing value, but,  if in your budget, the PGH is a great choice for the BOA system and carbon plate option.


Speedland GS:PDX vs vs. Brooks Caldera 8

Mike P (9.0): I just released a quick video review on this one HERE. This is the first Speedland that really works for me - likely due to finding the correct size for me. The PDX is more of a mountain shoe, technically oriented - there’s lots more flexibility underfoot which you can see in my video. This makes it more adaptable in rugged and mixed terrain. It also has pretty deep 6.5mm lugs which futher enhance its chops in rugged terrain. The Caldera cruises more easily and steadily though. For longer distances, especially for those that like/need a stable landing platform, the Caldera will be easier to click off miles, especially in runnable - light/moderate terrain.


Merrell MTL Adapt Matryx vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review)

Mike P (9.5): The Merrell I find to be a more versatile shoe. It’s a full ounce lighter in my equivalent sizing, with a narrow platform, surprisingly a bit more stack, and earlier flex around the ball of the foot. It also has more premium components -a  Matryx upper and a Vibram Megagrip outsole. On the run, I find the earlier flex works better, leading to a more runnable feel, and some agility in more technical terrain. The weight difference is a huge factor for me as a lighter runner. Fit is more dialed, if you need volume and look for a wider base, the Caldera is the pick. Adapt comes out this spring and will be $180, +$30 over the Caldera.


The North Face Vectiv Enduris 4 vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review soon)

Mike P (10.0): I see this as the prime competition for the Caldera. The Enduris relies on a rocker geometry, you get more roll from the heel and earlier roll up front too. Some like that type of ride, some don’t. The Enduris 4 upper is a bit more dialed, which should work better for regular/narrow feet. It’s slightly lighter, has a combination plate for efficient propulsion and stability. Between the two I’d say it comes down to upper volume and if you prefer a wider/stable platform (Brooks) or a more rockered setup (TNF).


Topo Ultraventure vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review)

Mike P (10.0): The Ultraventure cruises in similar terrain and for similar distances as the Caldera. The Topo also features a roomier upper - it’s slightly roomier in the toebox, and slightly snugger around the midfoot. It has a more moderate profile outsole, with flattish lugs designed for easier trails and smooth surfaces. You’ll get better grip and traction with the Caldera. Underfoot, the UV is more contoured under the arch, while the Caldera is flatter. On the run, The Caldera upper is more secure, so ir feels more stable in uneven terrain. The UV is a half ounce lighter in my size, and more flexible - I prefer it if I know I’m going to be on easy, level, cruiser terrain.


Hoka Stinson 7 vs. Brooks Caldera 8 (RTR Review):

Jeff V:  The Stinson 7 is a beast of a shoe and I find the Caldera blows it away, weighing much less (almost 2 oz / 56g less), and feeling even lighter than the weight difference suggests, with a much more easy, runnable feel to them, better traction, and a more accommodating toe box. I might give the Stinson an edge for durability and overall protection, but would pick the Caldera over the Stinson for just about all runs or hikes.


Index to all RTR reviews: HERE


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Tester Profiles

Allison Valliere is a 5th generation Coloradan who is passionate about the outdoors and has been hiking, backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing and running in the mountains since she was young.  She has completed all but 5 of the Colorado 14ers (a dozen or so in winter), has many hundreds of year round ascents of 14ers, 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and the West.  Allison has also traveled the world and trekked to over 18,000 feet in the Himalayas, to high altitudes in Ecuador and has worked for the National Park Service mapping plants in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California .  Her almost daily routine involves runs/power hikes in the foothills above Boulder, or 4-5 mile flatter runs at 8-10 minute mile pace if schedule necessitates.  But what really keeps her on her toes is working as a nurse and taking care of her 14 year old twin daughters who are also growing to share her love for the outdoors


Jeff Valliere loves to run and explore the mountains of Colorado, the steeper and more technical the better. He has summited all of the 14ers in the state, many 13ers and other peaks in Colorado and beyond, plus, he has summited his local Green Mountain over 2,100 times in the past 20 years.   He can be found on mountain trails daily, no matter the weather, season, conditions or whether there is daylight or not.  On the side he loves to ski (all forms) bike and hike, often with his family, as he introduces his twin daughters to the outdoors. Jeff was born and raised in New Hampshire, but has called Colorado home for over 25 years. He is 5’9” and 145 lbs.


Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. RoadTrail Run has affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for another great review!
Did the toe bumper soften from version 7? I loved this shoe but had to stop running in it due to the stout toe bumper rubbing my big toe.