Brooks Caldera 5 Review Analysis (2022)
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The Brooks Caldera 5 is a comfortable high-stack trail running shoe for long distances.
The Consensus
Technologies
Outsole
- TrailTack: a sturdy rubber-based outsole that gives an effective grip on uneven trail surfaces.
- The lugs maximize grip on trail terrains to tackle the most difficult conditions. Those rubber elements are multidirectional with an aggressive design.
Midsole
- The midsole uses BioMoGo DNA, the flagship foam from Brooks. It’s resilient, soft, created using recycled materials, and it equips the entire length of the shoe.
Upper
- The Brooks Caldera 5’s upper is an engineered mesh that comfortably and safely locks in the foot in the shoe while offering airflow, especially in warm seasons.
- The TPU Toe Bumper shields the forefoot from potentially harmful shocks on the trail terrains.
- The Mud Guard protects the foot from mud, water, pebbles and other debris. It also maximizes the robustness of the shoe to keep it in good shape longer.
- The attachment point for gaiters allows the athlete to quickly adjust gaiters for enhanced cover for the foot during the trail. Note that these are sold separately.
Facts
Technical Specs
| Terrain | Trail |
| Pronation type | Neutral |
| Drop | 4 mm |
| Heel stack height | 32 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 28 mm |
| Features | Gaiter attachment point, Recycled materials, Vegan |
| Weight (men) | 301 g/10.6 oz |
| Weight (women) | 266 g/9.4 oz |
| Release year | 2021 |
Cushioning
| Softness (1-5) | 3 – Moderate |
| Bounce (1-5) | 2 – Low |
Technologies
| Outsole | TrailTack, lugs |
| Midsole | BioMoGo DNA |
| Upper | Engineered mesh, TPU Toe Bumper, Mud Guard, attachment point for gaiters |
Use
| Speed | Slow, moderate |
| Distance | Mid, long |
| Workout | Daily runs, recovery |
Reference: Brooks Running
Comparisons – Brooks Caldera 5 vs.:
Brooks Caldera 4
Same stack height, same drop, same outsole: the main difference between these two models lies in the forefoot fit. It got a bit narrower on the C5, which may not be good news for everyone. It’s really a matter of trying out.
Brooks Cascadia 15
The Cascadia has a lower stack height and a more aggressive outsole featuring deeper lugs that work wonders in soft ground like mud. Therefore, the Cascadia seems a better option for the most technical trails and faster sessions. At the same time, the Caldera is the go-to option for comfortable long-distance training on easier paths.
Hoka Speedgoat 4
Testers noted that both shoes had a narrow profile overall, which may not be suitable for everyone. Beyond that, the Speedgoat has deeper lugs, which makes it better for more technical terrains. Also, its cushioning is more responsive, which is great for racing and speed workouts. If you’re eyeing an ultramarathon, this may be the better choice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, runners who tested this shoe confirmed that it fits as expected. Therefore, you can buy your standard size for trail running shoes. However, if this your very first pair of Brooks shoes, it’s better to give them a try in-store to be safe.
Yes, this model should be adapted even if you’re a heavyweight runner. Indeed, The Brooks Caldera 5 has a heel stack height of 32 mm, which is enough to support most runners, so you can use it even if you’re a heavyweight runner.
On paper, the high-stack cushioning of the shoe makes it suitable for long distances. However, the landscapes of ultramarathon races can be quite challenging, and some runners noted that the Caldera 5 didn’t perform particularly well over very technical terrains. It seems better to keep it for your daily workouts and choose a more advanced model for the ultramarathon (see the comparisons section below).
