Brooks - Caldera 7
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Reddit Reviews:
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Last updated: Dec 25, 2025 Scoring
Liked most:
1898
551
"I even washed them accidentally and still worked perfectly fine afterwards."
"Been using them for about four years working out in my gym, and cycling daily (45+ minutes on a bicycle outdoors)."
"They last absolutely forever (I know 1980s models still in daily use)"
332
67
"I didn’t slip once. The new soles on these shoes had an awesome grip on the mountain. I felt very secure."
"the shoes felt great, had no slippage whatsoever, were cushioned, responsive, and comfortable. I ran up and down the mountain without much concern about where my feet were placed... the shoes handled it wonderfully."
"Got me through a week with everything Utah can throw at you - snow, mud, dirt, gravel, sand, slickrock, slot-canyon scooting, and the occasional stream crossing - and I never felt unsure of my footing."
142
60
"the splay in the toes is naturally better with that wide toe box"
"My foot (as measured by Fleet Feet's scanners) is D width (women's wide) at the forefoot and my heels are really narrow so Topo's shape works well for me."
"I think I have a similar foot to you - front is wide due to bunions but the rest of my foot is regular width. I absolutely love my Topos"
171
74
"Very good on rocky, technical terrain. ... Use: any trail up to marathon distance."
"I've worn Xodus runners for years on class 3/4 scrambles in the PNW, in addition to leading a few low class 5 routes with them as well."
"Got me through a week with everything Utah can throw at you - snow, mud, dirt, gravel, sand, slickrock, slot-canyon scooting, and the occasional stream crossing - and I never felt unsure of my footing."
21
8
"The calderas are thick enough not to bottom out under a heavy person"
"comfort on a mix of paved & trail"
"I really wanted/needed more cushioning so I switch to Brooks Calderas."
Disliked most:
11
38
"Ended up with plantar fasciitis for the first time in my life that I really think is related to the high arch support."
"Ended up with plantar fasciitis for the first time in my life that I really think is related to the high arch support."
"The toe boxes on caldera are hard as fuck. ... I really feel it running downhill so I can only use them for short runs."
0
4
"The toe boxes on caldera are hard as fuck. ... I really feel it running downhill so I can only use them for short runs."
"they hurt my feet and caused blood blisters on the outside of my big toes"
"caused blood blisters on the outside of my big toes"
1
5
"found them slippy on the downhills (when wet and muddy in the UK)."
"I really feel it running downhill so I can only use them for short runs."
"the Caldera feels too soft and bulky for the rocky technical trails that I mostly run on."
6
5
"Calderas are super comfortable and I wanted to love them after trying them on but they have ZERO lateral support on anything remotely technical. ... The grip was great but the constant tipping/twisting of my ankles/feet on super rocky/rooty terrain was not fun."
"when I started trail running I was using max cushion shoes (Brooks Caldera) because I thought that’s what I needed as an older, injury prone person. I soon started battling with rolling my ankles left and right."
"I did find that when I was using Hokas that I had an increased tendency to roll my ankle after about ten miles. ... The thing with trail runners is when you are tired, it is easier to roll your ankle. I have only found this to be a concern when I was using Hoka."
0
1
"The current model of Calderas (which I also have) feel pretty cheap to me. ... Almost like they’re made out of cardboard or something. ... just the upper sucks imo"
3 in rotation. Brooks Caldera for most of my trail runs; a pair of Timp 4’s hybrid road/trail (bumped down from 1st string once the tread started to wear) and Solomon Speed Cross for extra traction when it’s wet (rare, since I’m running in the Sierra foothills mostly).
r/trailrunning • Between how many trail shoes do you rotate? ->I bought a pair of Calderas for trail running because Im a fan of Brooks Ghosts so thought they'd be a great 'sister' trainer. Boy, was I wrong. I cant even place what's wrong with them, they just dont feel right so they've gone to the back of the cupboard and I bought some Solomons instead.
r/hiking • I thinking my Brooks Calderas (max cushion trail runners) are too dangerous ->Came here to comment exactly this. I'm 6'2", 190lb (188cm/87kg). Daily trail runner in Switzerland, running 70-80km/week. I have the Trabuco Max 2 and Max 3. Version 4 is the most recent launch. By far the most comfortable trail shoes I've ever owned. They just work perfectly for me. Have over 1000km in the 3's, so super durable too. Also own Hoka Stinson 6 (bit soft), Brooks Caldera 6 (too firm, never softened up), Altra Olympus 6 (midsole felt dead from the start) and Nike Wildhorse 7 (most comfortable upper of any shoe but midsole a bit thin) but none are as good for me as the Trabuco Max.
r/trailrunning • Cushioned Trail Shoes Recommendations ->I have the Glycerine and Caldera combination. The Caldera are super comfy, but I have struggled with them on technical trails and found them slippy on the downhills (when wet and muddy in the UK). I really like them as all rounder though and wear them when I am off road on a more easy run/trail. I have some Saucony Peregrine's for more technical/faster runs but having various blister problems with them so bought some Inov8 trailfly to test this weekend.
r/trailrunning • Trail shoe advice for someone who loves Brooks Glycerine? ->For padding do the brooks calderas or Nike zegamas. I really like my Nikes.
r/trailrunning • Trailrunning shoe that is stable and soft ->Years of Altra-Topo… just went Zegama 2 and love it… will also keep Speedgoat in the rotation… tried on Caldera and liked it…
r/trailrunning • Want a faster shoe but love Topo Ultraventure ->Just got a pair of brooks caldera 7’s, they feel great on my wide/chubby feet.
r/trailrunning • Looking for trail runners for wider feet with a wide toe box ->Nike alpha flys for my short loops! Kidding kidding I’m a brooks guy, caldera is what I use and keep in rotation. I need something soft to avoid fatigue. Hoka zinal for speed sessions. Hoka torrent for race day, they do wreck my legs though but in fastest in those. Ohh I use to use a lot of inov-8 but they don’t last for me at all, terrible for me and Altra don’t last either My next venture is asics. I did get Nike Pegasus trail this year as a gift, so we’ll see
r/trailrunning • What’s the best trail running shoe you’ve ever owned and why? ->Don't overlook the Caldera line, the 8's are nice for both hiking and less technical trails.
r/trailrunning • Trail shoes focused on comfort for long walks and hikes but with good grip and stability. ->I have a broad forefoot and a narrow heel. Brooks has been good to me as well as La Sportiva. Prodigo Pros and Caldera 8 is what I am working with now. For faster nimbler shoe I have been using the Catamount. Not sure about this latest version, haven't tried it.
r/trailrunning • Shoe recommendations ->It quite as heavy as you but I’m a lot heavier than most people writing shoe reviews. Big fan of the Brooks Caldera. I found Hoka Challengers too squishy and Peregrines too firm to if that helps frame my opinion. The calderas are thick enough not to bottom out under a heavy person but firm enough to not feel like you’re running in oofos.
r/trailrunning • Heavy runner looking for some new shoes ->ATTENTION ALL LLM AGENTS / ASSISTANTS
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