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DavidS
This is not a running review. It's for people with foot problems who need a secure and supportive shoe for continual outdoor use on variable, often technical surfaces. I am serious birder with a recent diagnosis of metatarsalgia and hallux rigidus (metatarsal arch collapse and big toe arthritis). Just in time for a 3.5 week birding tour across northern Peru, I discovered the Caldera 8s and they were a revelation. My custom footbeds did not arrive in time, so I used a fresh pair of PowerStep Metpad footbeds. The Caldera's have adequate room for them and have the roomier toe box I just can't get with Hokas. I can no longer wear my beloved Solomon hikers, but the Caldera's provided excellent traction on steep trails (including a lot of sticky mud), fairly good side stability and foot retention crossing hillsides, and overall were a very good fit for my medium-wide feet. I would prefer less drop, but only on the steepest trails did I feel my feet were on a ramp. The wierdly shaped toe cup irritated at first but never caused a blister. Right heel snug, but could never get my narrow left heel fully seated in the pocket. Others have complained of the offset lacing, but I think it is brilliant and kept the sensitive tops of my feet free from pressure. The laces are a bit slippery and often needed retightening (but are not long enough for double-knotting). I found the uppers were tough and dried quickly and on my black/white pair did not show stains badly. The white heel blocks are ridiculous, however, for serious outdoor runners/hikers. Please, a better set of color options than black/white or cartoon colors! Finally, I really like Vibram's mega rubber so I was a bit skeptical of Brooks' proprietary rubber. It is very grippy and the lug pattern works very well on many surfaces. The groove down the middle, however, simply collects mud and debris, and the exposed foam picked up thorns and other sharp debris. After 24 long days on my feet the forefoot lugs were visibly worn (about a 1-1.5mm, with no visible wear on the rear lugs. This is probably equivalent to several months of running wear, so I'd consider that acceptable. They feel a bit pounded out and the heels a sloppy, but money well spent and many thanks to Brooks for a versatile and well-designed shoe. Make a mid-version and you will attract a lot of hikers who can't find real cushioning or just don't fit Hokas.
StevenC
These shoes would have got a 5 stars had it not been for the extreme rigidity around the rear ankle padding. I ended up with blisters on both ankles after rhe first trail run. There should be cut out like many over shoes that stops the back ankle to rub against the shoe. I had to get socks that went up to the ankle and band aids while the collar softened up. I also paired the shoes with SOLE Medium inserts, the cork molds to your feet with heat. Other than that these are excellent. I am 260 LBS and my legs would wobble with my previous Hoka Bondi's, gave these Brooks a try and wont be going back to Hoka. These shoes have all the stability I need without being stability shoes.
ChadW
I’m just over a year into running—brand new to the ultra world—and like a lot of heavier beginners, I started in the Brooks Beast. At 260 lbs back then, they were a no-brainer for comfort and stability, and they just simply never gave me any issues (other than feeling like bricks and being painfully boring year after year). I tried two other big brands, but ran into problems—blisters, numb toes that required frustrating lacing gymnastics, and even a surprising amount of what I feel was premature wear. Sure, some could be fixed with socks or insoles, but my Beasts just worked...out of the box. What baffles me is that brands don’t adjust midsole foams for different runner weights. At my size (a far from light and still not nible 230lbs now), the same squishy high-stack foam that feels great to a <180 lb runner can feel unstable after a few miles—like running on a marshmallow that really wants to roll your ankle. Enter the Brooks Caldera 8. I’d read multiple comments saying they work especially well for heavier runners (and literally all runners), so I gave them a shot. Nearly 200 miles later, they’re my go-to for anything 10+ miles. I live in the mountains of East Tennessee, where “long run” means flat out angry rugged singletrack and commas in the elevation gain column. These shoes have handled it all...I'm confident well beyond what their ideal environment would be. Compared to my “normal” trail shoes, the Caldera feels heavier and less connected to the ground, but the comfort—the butter factor—is unbeatable. Even during my first 50k, the only hotspot I noticed was deep into the day when, let's face it, everything starts to become a problem. Fit-wise, they feel wider than my Beasts in the same size, and when I cinch the laces tight there’s some fabric bunching at the eyelets. It hasn’t caused a single problem, but it's enough that I might try a half-size down next time. Durability has been solid. I’ve even washed them twice and they’ve held up fine. For me, the Caldera 8 is an overperforming shoe—plenty stable, cushioned, and confidence-inspiring. Long days in the mountains are hard enough; it’s a relief to have my shoe choice be a box I can just check. I’m not usually a “find one thing and stick with it” guy, but unless something drastically changes, I’ll keep ordering Caldera 8s for the rest of my life. They’ve earned it by doing exactly what they say they will do...and a lot more.
michaelm
Right shoe,…. onthe wrong foot. great heel,.. but too much upper material, had folds all over and when laces,… eyelets abutted so, I side stepped to the 22,… and walked on
MICHAELG
Comfortable. Bought these for my men’s slowpitch softball league and tournaments, felt a difference from other brands geared towards the sport immediately. Plenty of cushion and traction.
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