Brooks Men’s Caldera 6 Trail Running Shoe - Rooibos/Biscuit/Peacoat Review
The Brooks Men’s Caldera 6 Trail Running Shoe in Rooibos/Biscuit/Peacoat is designed for those trail runners who crave both comfort and performance. With a focus on long-distance running, this shoe provides exceptional support combined with soft cushioning and reliable traction for an experience free of distractions.
Related Products
Features
- Designed For: Trail runners seeking long-distance performance.
- Supreme Softness: Features nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 cushioning that is lightweight, plush, and responsive.
- Secure Fit: Internal midfoot saddle ensures a snug fit without compromising breathability.
- High Breathability: Quick-drying, lightweight air mesh upper enhances airflow.
- Stable Ride: Raised midsole foam walls and a split heel outsole promote stability on varied terrains.
Pros
- Exceptional cushioning for long-distance comfort.
- Highly breathable materials keep your feet cool and dry.
- Sturdy construction provides excellent traction on various surfaces.
- Secure fit improves confidence while navigating tricky trails.
Cons
- May feel bulky for some runners used to minimalistic designs.
- Price point might be higher compared to entry-level trail shoes.
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Brooks Caldera 6 | Salomon Speedcross 5 | Nike Wildhorse 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning | Nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 | EnergyCell+ cushioning | React foam midsole |
| Weight | Medium | Lightweight | Medium |
| Outsole Material | Rubber | Contagrip® rubber | Sticky rubber |
| Breatheability | Air mesh upper | Mesh upper | Mesh upper with overlays |
Detailed Review
Comfort: The standout feature of the Brooks Caldera 6 is its supreme softness. Thanks to the nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 technology, you can expect a plush ride that feels gentle underfoot during every mile. Runners have reported that this shoe significantly reduces fatigue over long distances.
Fit and Stability: The internal midfoot saddle design allows the shoe to hold your foot securely, which is critical when tackling rough terrain. This design does not sacrifice breathability, ensuring that your feet remain comfortable and stable throughout your run.
Traction and Durability: With its rubber sole, the Caldera 6 offers impressive traction, making it suitable for rocky or muddy trails. The widened base and split heel outsole provide extra stability on uneven surfaces, which is vital for maintaining balance during descents and sudden turns.
Breathability: The new lightweight air mesh upper allows your feet to breathe, helping to regulate temperature and moisture. This feature is particularly beneficial during warmer months or intense workouts, keeping your feet dry and comfortable.
Overall Experience: If you are a serious trail runner looking for a dependable shoe that combines comfort, support, and rugged durability, the Brooks Men’s Caldera 6 is an excellent choice. While it may not be the most minimalist option out there, its thoughtful construction makes it one of the best trail-running shoes for distance runners.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Outstanding cushioning for long runs. |
| Fit | 8/10 | Secure and stable fit suitable for challenging terrains. |
| Traction | 9/10 | Excellent grip on a variety of surfaces. |
| Breathability | 8/10 | Good airflow keeps feet cool. |
| Durability | 8/10 | Well-constructed to withstand rugged use. |
User Reviews
I recently did my first 50-mile Ultra; the shoes are the most important of everything that matters in these types of races. CHECK YOUR TERRIAN; there will be thousands of shoes to pick from; this will be confusing (especially if you are new to this). Check the terrain yourself; if you can not, this is my description of the shoes and my experience. I was able to check my terrain but was still unsure of whether I should wear the heavier Brooks or another lighter shoe. I am so glad I picked the Brooks. I had only run about 20 miles in them; the rest of the time (2 months), I wore them around the house to break them in slowly.My inputs:The heel support is by far the best support I have ever had. Comfort for the entire 50 miles was perfect because of the extra heel support; I was able to also go faster on the down hills. As a bonus, the design of the outsoles was the overall best part of the shoe; in areas of heavy rock/gravel debris, I could run as if I were jogging on the sideway. This also allowed me to conserve energy and have a strong finish. I saw so many other runners with the shoes I was debating on wearing, and I passed many of them cussing, hurting, and walking due to not understanding the shoe-to-the-terrain.This shoe is slightly heavy, which will be different from your traditional " Cadillac" running shoe. However, if you are going to be on some rocky trails with some loose gravel of different sizes, whether you are walking or jogging on a trail, this shoe will offer foot support, comfort, style, and resistance needed to increase performance and minimize risk.NOTE: I am what you call clumsy and was so afraid of an ankle injury, the thought never came into my mind once the race started while wearing these shoes, also, no blusters.
These highly rated shoes (by professional reviews I have read are very comfortable, have great arch support, and are also very stable, something which is a good thing for those of us prone to turn our ankles. They are also much more reasonably priced than similar Hoka shoes of which I’ve owned quite a few. What’s not to like?
Great comfort and quality with enough room for my husband to add his full length arch insole. Looks even better in person too.
After buying a pair of Brooks Ghost Max's I was stunned at just how all-out comfortable they are. Right out of the box they had great cushioning but also decent support and there is a fine line between too much of one over the other. I felt that the Ghost Max's were as close to a perfect combination of both as I had ever seen before. With the crazy amount of sole on the Caldera 6's I assumed it would have a very similar cushioning. I was wrong.They aren't bad or uncomfortable by any stretch...but are they AS comfortable? Nope. Now that we have that out of the way, are they good? Yes. I mean they're Brooks, so you expect that, right? As well we should. The company has worked hard to foster a great relationship between their fans as much as most. They've managed to do that with hardly a budget whatsoever for advertising compared to Under Armour, Nike, Adidas and many others. Don't read into that as the company does not know how to make great shoes.The ARE comfortable. They have great support and even decent cushioning - just not as much as the Ghost Max's. I guess that makes sense because they also cost about 35% less so I get it. The truth is, I prefer the looks of the Caldera 6 to the Ghost Max, but prefer the comfort of the latter.Now keep in mind I'm not a runner. I do however love to hike and walk long distances and do so as often as decent weather allows. I'm looking for walking comfort, so what I expect and want from a shoe may not be what you're looking for, so please keep that in mind. If you're looking for a great trail running shoe, the Caldera 6's are really great. The soles are designed for trail hiking/running and work awesome. I mean they won't replace a pair of hiking boots, but they'll work in a pinch just fine.Great shoe overall.
At first I thought I made a mistake. These were uncomfortable and tight around the foot. Toe length was correct. After reading some reviews, I'm glad I didn't return these. I wore them around the house and gave them time to break-in. THESE ARE AWESOME! Extremely comfortable shoes. Buy some for yourself, just don't give up on them right out the box.
After running a total of 140 miles in Calderas - including a 50k trail race - I must retire these to the casual wear pile. Each run was distracted by the inability to lock my foot into the shoe completely. Cranking the laces as tight as possible doesn't alleviate issue either. No matter how many times I tie, untie and retie them before hitting the trail, my foot feels unsupported. It's frustrating because this shoe is amazing on chunky gravel fire roads, downhills and any trail with gradual turns. It also has great energy return and cushioning. However, if you're planning on running mostly technical single tracks with repetitive sharp turns, and rocky/rutty decents, you may want to try another shoe. These are also very slippery in muddy conditions. Everyone's foot and stride is different, so it may just literally be the wrong fit for me.
No more foot soreness after my morning 3 mile walks. Comfortable.
I'm about 300 miles into my current pair, reserved for single-track trails and racing.The shoe is exceptionally comfortable. The fit is roomy in the forefoot; but for a long distance race, swelling happens and this allows you the space. It's more responsive than plush. The fit in the heel is perfect. No movement no matter the distance.Just finished a mountainous 50k and this shoe was perfection for every minute of the run.