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SHOE REVIEW: Brooks Caldera 5

If you are looking for a cushioned road/trail shoe for the winter – consider the Caldera 5 from Brooks

Photo by: Nick Iwanyshyn

The Caldera 5 is the newest model in the Brooks Caldera series, which features a high-stack, high-cushion design to help you go further on the trails. The midsole provides runners with plenty of cushioning for long runs and traction that will be able to take you through a variety of terrain.

This shoe is for runners looking for a bit more bounce, which can also handle any weather and mileage on any terrain. While wearing this shoe, I noticed that it has that minimalistic ground feel, despite having a high stack height and thick rubber outsole.

Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Category: Trail Neutral cushioning
Drop: 6 mm
Weight: 300 g for men’s size 9
Stack height: 32 mm
Available:Now
MSRP: $159.99

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Upper

Brooks has added a fancy new webbing loop to the lacing structure instead of the standard lacing holes for stability purposes for the ankle and metatarsals. I found I had to use the extra lacing hole at the top to prevent slippage and to add security at the heel.

To keep water out, the upper is made with an engineered mesh and has plenty of welded overlays on the midfoot and toebox. The shoe also has a heel loop and a gaiter attachment, which is helpful if you are planning to use the Caldera for running in the mountains.

Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Midsole

The shoe has plenty of cushioning compared to other trail models and packs a ton of bounce with its BioMoGo DNA-infused midsole. This shoe is perfect for long days on the trail or easy recovery runs in the snow. If you have not worn a high stack height trail model before, the Caldera may feel a little unstable at first but will become more comfortable as you break it in on longer runs.

Photo: Nick Iwanyshyn

Outsole

The outsole on the Caldera is built to handle all conditions on the trails, featuring TrailTack technology, designed with aggressive L-shaped lugs for grip across varied terrain.

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My verdict

As someone who has trained in the Brooks Ghost model regularly, I love the fit and the BioMoGo DNA cushioning of the Caldera. After taking this model out for a 12 km trail run, I noticed similarities between the Caldera and the Hoka One/One Challenger ATR, which both have tons of cushioning and present a low drop for a smooth, comfortable ride. The deeply grooved outsole and substantial L-shaped lugs give outstanding grip on all surfaces and it would also be a perfect fit for winter road and trail mileage. This model is very similar for runners who have worn the Hoka One/One Challenger ATR.

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