Brooks Caldera 6 Review
Published: August 29, 2022
Protection and Comfort Are in the Caldera 6's DNA
Likes
- Highly protective midsole
- Light on foot
- Surprisingly stable and nimble for its size
- Super smooth ride on trails and hard-pack roads
Dislikes
- Midsole lacks a level of excitement
- Geometry could be slimmed down
- Runs lighter but is still a heavy shoe
What's New
The Brooks Caldera 6 delivers everything you love about the Caldera in a completely new package, and this comfort-minded, highly-protective long-haul trail runner is ready to take on the trails.
Like other recent releases from Brooks, the Caldera 6 has been updated with a DNA Loft v3 foam midsole, and it is stacked 38 mm high to deliver dependable protection regardless of how far you run. The DNA Loft v3 foam also helps provide a new level of responsiveness to the Caldera, offering a smooth ride that never feels sluggish.
Raised midsole walls are another innovation from the Brooks team, helping the Caldera 6 provide all-new levels of stability. The raised walls allow the wearer's feet to sit securely in the shoe's footbed instead of balancing on top of the soft midsole, minimizing any unnecessary movement within the shoe. Top it all off with a lightweight, super secure quick-dry air mesh upper, and you are sure to enjoy your next trail run in the Caldera 6.
The Bottom Line
Hey trail runners! Meet the updated Caldera 6 and its excellent new DNA Loft v3 midsole. We think you will be great friends. This may be a bold assumption, but this popular trail option from Brooks has a lot to offer those looking for fun and comfortable trail shoes to accompany them on their long trail explorations.
What sets the Caldera apart from the competition? It is incredibly protective! The DNA Loft v3 midsole is excellent at absorbing the shock of foot strikes, and there's no need to worry about sharp rocks and rough terrain with 38 mm of foam underfoot, even without a rock plate. The midsole is also surprisingly stable, and Brooks' raised lateral and medial foam wall configuration is excellent at minimising slipping and rolling. Furthermore, the new quick-drying air mesh helps make your ride even more secure while also delivering lightweight breathability that is super-comfortable in various conditions.
The Caldera 6's TrailTack rubber outsole is worthy of the long-haul badge of approval, and this shoe will keep trekking along for miles. The traction is more than sufficient and feels just as smooth on dirt as it does on the pavement, so runners shouldn't have reservations about taking the Caldera from road to trail.
The Caldera 6 is not going to produce personal-best times or deliver race-level agility, but beginner runners will love all the protection and comfort they receive every time they lace up these trail juggernauts. More experienced runners will also enjoy countless miles in the Caldera 6, as its smooth ride is ideal when the workout calls for a long easy effort.
Specifications & Fit
How It Fits
| Sizing | True to size |
| Midfoot Volume | Medium to high |
| Heel Width | Medium |
| Arch Height | Medium |
| Toe Box | Medium to narrow |
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Liz: "The upper of the Caldera has a secure lockdown with enough room to accommodate my wider feet. The lightweight engineered mesh was incredibly breathable, which helped make it disappear on foot. The heel collar provided a plush hold of the foot with no irritation, and the thinner tongue had just enough padding for comfort without feeling thick or bulky. Overall, I never noticed the upper on this shoe; there was no abrasive irritation, no overheating on hot days, and no sliding around inside the shoe. That is a win, win, win!"
Connor F: "The upper is built up extremely well and was comfortable and secure from the first run. The materials are durable without being abrasive, and the way the midsole extends up the sides of the shoe adds to the secure feeling."
Grace: "The Caldera's new engineered mesh upper was breathable and had a secure lockdown on my runs. This shoe has an internal midfoot saddle that caused some slight irritation on the outside of my right foot and made me feel as if it was pushing my foot inward, causing me to overpronate. Since I only experienced discomfort on one foot, I wonder if it was just a defect. Regardless, once the shoes were broken in, the irritation was hardly noticeable."
Midsole
Liz: "Although the Caldera's midsole looks HUGE, I was surprised by how light and nimble this shoe felt. I still would not choose it for super technical trail runs or narrow trails, but it handled slightly rocky and moderately rough terrain without an issue. The high stack of DNA Loft v3 foam provides excellent protection underfoot, and runners will not need to worry about sharp rocks or debris while on the trail. Also, ultra runners will love the Caldera's impact protection for their long trail runs. The DNA Flash foam does not provide a cloud-like softness, but I found it incredibly comfortable. I loved that the shoe felt responsive and lightweight despite all the foam underfoot."
Connor F: "The Caldera has a soft feel without being sluggish. When looking at the shoe, the large stack makes it appear like your foot will sink into the midsole on each step, but in reality, the foam compresses quickly so it doesn't feel like you're running in sand. The nitrogen-infused midsole provides a semi-soft footbed that does not zap energy. This midsole will not rocket you down the trails, but it does provide enough energy return to feel light and nimble, which is impressive given the Caldera's specs."
Grace: "The Caldera's midsole provides maximum protection on the trails, and I never felt like I needed a rock plate. This is thanks to the thick 38-mm stack height of the new DNA Loft v3 foam. The nitrogen-infused foam gave the Caldera a unique softness while also helping reduce the shoe's overall weight. The midsole is on the softer side, so this is not a speedy shoe by any means, nor is it designed to be. This protective beast is best for long distances on groomed trails and is excellent as a road-to-trail option."
Outsole
Liz: "The outsole of the Caldera does its job. Because of the low lug depth, it is not the best option for looser or softer trails, but I never had any issues with slipping or grip on my regular trail runs. While I would probably have preferred deeper lugs with slightly less midsole cushioning, I think many will appreciate how smooth the outsole makes this shoe feel on groomed trails, fire roads, and even pavement on the way to the trail."
Connor F: "The Caldera has a full rubber outsole that is wide and long. It has cutouts through the outsole to help shave some weight off the bottom. The lugs on the bottom are not the largest, but the grip felt good on everything but super loose dirt or mud. The lower profile of the lugs also gives this shoe a much smoother ride on the road and harder-packed surfaces. I have found that the Caldera is a great door-to-trail shoe, and the outsole is not wearing down after many miles on pavement."
Grace: "The outsole layout provided a good amount of traction. The lugs are not super aggressive and felt just as comfortable on the road as they did on the trails making this the perfect shoe for the all-terrain category."
Comparable Shoes
Liz: "There is not another trail shoe like the Caldera 6 on the market right now. The high stack of supercritical foam makes it stand out. It is very protective while remaining light and responsive. Compared to other highly cushioned trail running shoes, the Caldera feels lighter, firmer, and more responsive, especially when compared to the HOKA Speedgoat. Though the Caldera is less responsive than the Altra Mont Blanc, it feels slightly more protective. Despite this, I still feel that the Caldera 6 is more oriented toward smooth terrain than the Speedgoat or Mont Blanc. The shallow lugs and wide base would make me hesitant to choose it for highly technical terrain. I would say that the New Balance More Trail v2 is similar to the Caldera in terms of being ideal for road-to-trail runs and highly groomed trails."
Connor F: "The Caldera 6 is almost exactly what I was hoping the Speedgoat 5 would be; a protective shoe with a fun ride great for long trail runs. While I did not find the DNA Loft v3 midsole to provide the best energy return, it decompresses much more aggressively than the Speedgoat 5. The Speedgoat performs much better on technical terrain because of its smaller size, but on smoother trails or bombing downhills, the Caldera 6 is a dream and feels almost like a full-suspension downhill bike."
Grace: "The Brooks Caldera 6 reminds me of a HOKA Stinson ATR 6. The stack height of the Brooks Caldera is 38 mm with a 6-mm drop, while the HOKA Stinson has a stack height of 39 mm with a 5-mm drop. Both shoes are highly cushioned and protective, yet the Caldera fits my foot type much better. I have a narrow foot and always had issues with my heels slipping and foot sloshing around in the Stinsons. The Caldera is also lighter at 9.9 oz/ 280 grams (women's size 8) compared to the HOKA Stinson's 10.4 oz/ 294 grams, which is always appreciated."
Women's Brooks Caldera Running Shoes
Brooks Men's Caldera
Individual Thoughts
LizOverall Score: 8/10
I enjoyed running in the Caldera, but I still am uncertain how I feel about the shoe. It is protective, surprisingly lightweight, and has a great fit, but it was missing the wow factor I was expecting from the DNA Flash foam. The midsole foam doesn't have much bounce, but it enables me to pick up the pace without feeling bogged down. While I took it on some incredibly rocky trails and didn't have any issues with stability, the shallow lugs and high stack orient the shoe toward smooth, loamy trails and fire roads. I would love to see a trail shoe from Brooks with the nitrogen-infused foam that sits between the Catamount and the Caldera in terms of stack height and with more aggressive lugs. For me, that would be a perfect combination.
Overall, I think the Caldera 6 is a great trail shoe for those who want a high level of protection in a lightweight package. I was incredibly impressed by the shoe's ability to disappear from my mind while running. Everything about the shoe is light and comfortable on foot, and I was able to focus on the trails around me and enjoy my runs. I don't know if you can ask for much more.
ConnorOverall Score: 7/10
The Brooks Caldera 6 is a much better shoe than the previous models of the Caldera. The outsole's traction is perfect for different types of runs, and the midsole is protective with a smooth ride that works well on hard-packed trails and mild technical single tracks. The build quality of the Caldera is immediately present when you put it on foot and begin to warm up into a run. While running, the Caldera 6 feels lighter on foot than its listed weight and was comfortable from step-in to the final test mile. Though, I feel like Brooks could shave down the width of the midsole to unleash the true potential of the DNA Loft v3 foam in future iterations of the shoe. Overall, the Brooks Caldera 6 is a highly protective trail shoe that works amazingly for long trail adventures and is still a capable companion for quicker outings on trails.
Reviewer Picture
Grace
I was pleasantly surprised by the Brooks Caldera 6. When I am training for a race, I typically wear other brands because I am not the biggest fan of higher heel-to-toe drops, which is typical of Brooks shoes, but their trail collection is much different. With only a 6-mm drop and a highly cushioned midsole, the Caldera 6 is the kind of shoe I typically gravitate to because it is a long-distance trail shoe that is protective and comfortable.
Unfortunately, the midsole was not the most responsive, but the Caldera 6 was not designed to be a speedster. I like using the Caldera on my long training runs when I do not want to feel the ground underfoot and when I need to run from road to trail without skipping a beat. Even though this shoe is lighter than the HOKA Stinson, it is still on the heavier side, but given the amount of protection it provides, the lack of responsiveness is not a deal breaker. Overall, I enjoyed testing the Brooks Caldera 6 and will keep it in my shoe rotation.
