The Brooks Caldera 8 keeps the core of what I liked in the Caldera 7âmainly that max-cushioned, stable ride for long trail days but it also tweaks the upper with a new mesh and lacing system.
The result is a shoe that still feels great underfoot, but introduces a few quirks that I didnât expect.
If youâve run in the Caldera 7, youâll feel right at home in version 8âbut whether or not you should upgrade depends on what youâre after; let me explain...
Key specifications
- Price: $150 at REI.com / Brooksrunning.com / Sportsshoes.com (For UK Readers)
- Weight: 10.8 oz / 306 g (US Menâs 9 â my pair). Left shoe: 10.5 oz, Right shoe: 11 oz đ¤
- Drop: 6 mm
- Upper: Breathable air mesh with integrated TPEE, offset lacing system
- Midsole: DNA Loft v3 foam
- Outsole: TrailTack Green rubber
- Extra attributes:
- 52.9% recycled materials in the upper
- Gaiter attachment points
Sizing and fit
The Caldera 8 fits true to size, just like the previous version.
The midfoot feels snug thanks to the offset lacing design (which takes pressure off the top of the foot), and thereâs a bit of extra room in the toe box for natural toe splay.
The midsole still cradles your foot nicely providing extra stability and support (even though this is a neutral running shoe).
Just note that the heel counter feel stiffer than the Caldera 7 out the box, it needed a few runs to break in before it felt comfortable.
Alastair Dixon
Performance review
The soul of this shoe lies in the underfoot experienceâand thatâs thankfully unchanged.
The DNA Loft v3 midsole + TrailTack Green outsole combo feels just as smooth, balanced, and grippy as before.
Itâs what made me love the Caldera 7, and itâs what still works here.
Cushioning and ride
This is a max cushioned all mountain trail running shoe, but not in a plush or squishy way, thank goodness.
The midsole offers comfort that lasts for hours, with enough response to make picking up the pace a little, feel natural on smoother terrain. This makes them great for ultrarunning on trails that don't get overly technical.
I wouldnât use these for trail racing over shorter distances, but for big training miles, slower long ultra racing efforts, they're ideal.
The ride is stable, predictable, and smooth. That midsole wrapping up around your foot isnât just for showâit really helps on uneven ground, keeping you locked in and upright even when things get off-camber or rocky.
Without this feature, I feel they wouldn't be very stable.
Grip and traction
The TrailTack Green rubber is great as always - I've tested many Brooks trail running shoes that use the same rubber compound and it always inspires confidence in traction.
It holds well on wet rock, and mixed terrain without picking up too much mud.
Alastair Dixon
Brooks got this rubber compound right, and it holds its own even against premium outsoles like Vibram Megagrip.
Upper and breathability
The new mesh upper breathes well, dries quickly, and feels lightâeven when soaked.
The offset lacing system, although a bit unusual at first glance, helps avoid pressure on the top of the foot and lets me dial in midfoot lockdown effectively.
That said, runners with high volume feet may find the laces are a little short. I personally don't have a problem as I have average feet.
The tongue, collars and heel counter are all very padded, making them very comfortable for long periods of running. The upper mesh is still very breathable.
Stability and comfort
The wide platform and deep midsole cradle do most of the heavy lifting here. On longer runs with sketchy terrain, this combo really shinesâitâs the kind of shoe you stop thinking about because it just works.
Whether youâre running down a rocky slope or slogging through a climb, the Caldera 8 remains planted and composed; a surprise considering the stack heigh of the midsole.
That said, the heel counter is a step backward in terms of comfort. Itâs stiffer than before and gave me some mild discomfort during early kms on my first run.
It did soften, but itâs a design change Iâd rather not have had.
Oddball issues
The weirdest thing? My pair came with different weights. Left shoe: 10.5 oz. Right shoe: 11 oz. Thatâs a half-ounce difference in a US Menâs 9, which is⌠a lot.
Both of my Caldera 7s were exactly 10.6 oz. That sort of inconsistency makes me question Brooksâ quality control for this batch, which is a shame for a $150 shoe thatâs otherwise very dialed in. I have not noticed this on other Brooks running shoes, so I'm curious why it may have happened.
My verdict
The Brooks Caldera 8 keeps the best parts of the 7âmainly that smooth, cushioned, and stable underfoot feel but adds a few new elements that are hit or miss.
The updated upper works well, the offset lacing system is genuinely useful, and the traction and ride are still among the best for long-distance trail cruising.
If you already own the Caldera 7 and love them, Iâd only upgrade if you need a new pair. Otherwise, this isnât a radically different shoeâit just tweaks a good formula, with a few pros and cons in the mix.
If you're new to the Caldera line and want a max-cushion trail shoe thatâs stable, comfy, and built to last over ultra distances, the Caldera 8 is still absolutely worth consideringâjust be aware of those quirks.
You can pick up a pair for $150 at the following stores:
REI.com / Brooksrunning.com / Sportsshoes.com (For UK Readers)
