Brooks Caldera 5 Review
Rugged and Protective Cushion for Easy Kilometres
Likes
- Soft and protective cushioning
- Excellent grip
- Versatile usage
Dislikes
- Slightly unstable on the medial side
- Stiffer midsole
- Could provide a little more spring
What's New
The Brooks Caldera 5 features much of the same technology that runners loved in the Caldera 4, but slight upgrades to the upper design promise to deliver a more secure lockdown and a comfortable fit on long trail runs. The shoe is equipped with the same BioMoGo DNA midsole that balances softness and underfoot protection withoug feeling sluggish, and with it's aggressive outsole design, you can confidently tackle loose trails. Ultimately, if you liked the Caldera 4, then you will not be disappointed with the 5.
The Bottom Line
Brooks has not made a lot of changes to the Caldera with its newest release, and it still delivers a soft cushioned ride that is a joy to take out on the trails. Improvements have been made to the upper to enhance the overall fit and security, which is comfortable for a variety of trails but the shoe still lacks the top-end support necessary to tackle highly technical terrain. Furthermore, a noticeably more rigid midsole does make it a bit challenging to attack hills. However, the Caldera 5 has exceptional traction with the utilisation of Brooks' TrailTack Sticky Rubber and High Surface Area Lug technology, so runners should experience little difficulty maintaining their grip while out on the trails. The BioMoGo DNA midsole is stacked high and offers runners high-level protection, as well as a smooth ride that makes coasting through the countryside a blast. Plain and simple, the Caldera 5 is a capable trail shoe that brings a smile to the faces of those who wear it for easy trail runs, or even for hiking. It may not be your trail racing option, but it will supply everything you need for a variety of runs, which is why it is an excellent beginner trail running shoe or a casual option for more experienced trail runners.
Shoe Performance
Softness i
Ride/Energy Return i
Underfoot Protection i
Flexibility i
Upper Support i
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Toe Box | Width: Medium to narrow | Height: Medium to low | |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to low | |
| Heel Width | Medium | |
| Arch Height | Medium to high |
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 10.6 oz (size 9) | Women's: 9.4 oz (size 8) | |
| Stack Height | 33 mm (Heel), 29 mm (Forefoot) | |
| Terrain | Trail | |
| Stability | Neutral | |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Our In-Depth Look
Shoe Softness i
Kaleb: "I thought the Caldera 5 had a nice and plush step-in feel. The soft cushioning was really comfortable throughout all my runs no matter the trail type."
David: "This shoe offers a ton of plush cushioning that feels soft without being mushy. It’s very comfortable to run in, especially on firmer surfaces like fire roads or concrete. I would even venture to say that it is softer than most of Brooks road shoes."
Ride/Energy Return i
Kaleb: "The midsole of the Caldera 5 was designed more for comfort and protection rather than energy return, yet the foam had a bit of responsiveness that made trail adventures really fun."
David: "The cushioning feels lively and responsive. Not only is it soft, but the midsole has a bounce to it that makes this shoe feel easy to run in."
Underfoot Protection i
Kaleb: "I felt like there was more than ample underfoot protection in these shoes. My legs did not feel beat up after runs, regardless of trail type, duration, or pace. Also, I felt like I had great traction while running on packed trails, loose gravel, and even on wetter trail conditions."
David: "With 33mm in the heel and 29mm in the forefoot, this shoe provides plenty of underfoot protection. I took it on mixed trails and fire roads and could hardly feel the ground. Also, the outsole lugs allow for tons of grip and extra protection over loose debris."
Underfoot Flexibility i
Kaleb: "The Caldera 5 offered a little bit of flex which helped smooth out the ride a bit. The slight flex was well-balanced with the level of cushion to create an efficient ride that was really fun to run in."
David: "This shoe doesn’t offer much in terms of flexibility. Also, there are no flex grooves which limits its climbing ability."
Upper Feel i
Kaleb: "The upper of the Caldera was great! I did not experience any issues with lockdown or stability during any of my runs. I felt like I was able to manoeuvre around the trails without hesitation. Although to be safe on more technical trails, I would avoid truly opening up while running downhill."
David: "The upper feels comfortable and looks more like a road shoe. There is plenty of padding around the heel collar and a gusseted tongue for a secure fit. The only issue I experienced was that on steep descents my toes would get jammed up against the front, otherwise it worked well."
Individual Thoughts
I have really enjoyed testing the Brooks Caldera 5. I thought the soft cushioning in the midsole was very comfortable and highly protective, which made trail runs very enjoyable. The midsole also had enough energy return to infuse a little bounce into every stride. Although the Caldera 5 can handle a myriad of paces and runs, I would recommend it for runners looking for a comfort-focused shoe that can last the duration of easy-going trail adventures.
Softness
FirmSoftRide/Energy Return
Less SpringyMore SpringyUnderfoot Protection
LowHighFlexibility
RigidElasticUpper Support
StructuredAdaptable
The Brooks Caldera 5 is a highly cushioned trail shoe with plenty of grip and underfoot protection. My favourite part of this shoe is the midsole cushioning, which feels soft without being mushy and can take on all of the extra kilometres that you want to throw at it. I would even venture to say that the cushioning is softer than the majority of other Brooks shoes and would love to see the cushioning used in some of their road-specific shoes as well. The upper design is heavily padded and very comfortable on my feet, though, it could be stripped down to minimise the overall weight of the Caldera 5.
I enjoyed the Caldera 5, but I did find a few issues with the shoe that are worth noting. My main issue with the Caldera is that it does not climb well. Although the grip never failed on loose debris and steep ascents, the lack of flexibility made it difficult to dig into climbs for extended periods of time. The other main issue was that the Caldera 5 lacked stability along the medial side (arch side) when running on uneven terrain and at one point my foot kept collapsing inwards. I think the Caldera 5 is a solid trail shoe that can go for kilometres on easy trails and fire roads, but I think runners will want a different footwear option for more technical terrain where nimble movement is required. I would highly recommend this shoe for runners looking for extra comfort and protection on their mellow trail runs, hikes, and walks.