Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

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Ready for plush cushion, even on hard-packed trails? Boasting thick, cushy midsoles and adaptable grip, the women's Brooks Caldera 4 trail-running shoes have you covered and comfy in any terrain.
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View the Brooks Caldera Product LineView all Brooks Women's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
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Trail-Running Shoe Type | Rugged-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Maximum Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 4 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Synthetic mesh |
Lining | Synthetic |
Midsole | EVA |
Outsole | Rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 7.2 oz. |
Gender | Women's |
5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 | |
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U.S. Women's | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 13 |
U.S. Men's | 3.5 | 4 | 4.5 | 5 | 5.5 | 6 | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11.5 |
EU | 35.5 | 36 | 36.5 | 37.5 | 38 | 38.5 | 39 | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45.5 |
Sizes along top of chart are U.S. Women's sizes. Correlating U.S. Men's sizes and EU sizes provided for clarity.
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I absolutely love these shoes! I have a relatively narrow foot and these hold nice and snug around the arch and ankle (no slipping) while still leaving room for my toes to wiggle and flatten out so I feel stable. These have been great for my usual run route that is a combination of gravel, sand, grass, and some old broken up concrete and I don’t notice any negative impact transitioning from one terrain to another. Since starting to run in these shoes, foot, ankle, knee, and hip pain is at a minimum and I find it easier to go on longer runs without noticing fatigue in those areas. Please keep these around, as they are my new go-to!
I’ve loved almost everything about these shoes except how they’ve held up. I got them in May and immediately loved them. I run about 25-30 miles a week and by July they both started developing holes on the upper fabric on the inside of my foot by my big toes. I don’t have a wide foot and don’t normally wear my shoes down in this spot. The soles have a lot of life left in them and I’ve liked everything about these shoes, but am disappointed in how they haven’t been very durable for trail shoes. My friend has the same shoes and wear spots in the same places on her shoes. I’m not sure if others have had this problem too.
I really want to keep trying to make these shoes work. I have been using them for 7 mile hike/ long walks in the trails. Cons: I developed abrasion on my right foot where the tongue touches my skin. I have to wear bandaid to make it work. Next: Must be narrower than my Adrenaline because I developed blisters on the side of my big toe. Pros: cushion and lugs are just what I wished for my Adrenaline’s to have. For short term run perfect but after sometime I get blisters .
I love these! I had previously ordered the Cascadia and hated them because they were super stiff and just felt really uncomfortable but these are great! I have wide feed and they’re super comfortable, big toe box, and good grip but still cushioned sole. They look a lot cuter than other trail shoes as wel! Ordered them because my HOKAS were not very supportive and i have fallen arches. I was having a lot of issues with shin splints and since getting these, although I’ve been easing back in to running, i already feel more supported and my shins don’t hurt! Would recommend over the Cascadia. I love brooks!
I was wearing size 10 Launch’s and ordered these in a 9.5 and they are perfect! This is my favorite pair of shoes ever! I’m an RN on my feet all day, I run in these and attend group step classes at the gym! I also wear Adrenaline 21’s and theses definitely wear differently. These are not as “cushy” they definitely are the “energize” shoe!!!! Woot! Thank you Brooks! I wear nothing else!
This is my first pair of Brooks and am super happy with them. I was skeptical, since the Cascadia doesn't work for me. I have been searching for a shoe that has a wider toe box, accommodates a high arch, and also provides enough cushion. I've found it! The upper is very comfortable and form-fitting, with a great "lacekeeper" strap on top. The mid foot is nice and fitted, which is often a problem when the forefoot is wider. The soles have held up extremely well on rough terrain (I've struggled with the HOKA Challengers in this regard). This higher-cushion shoe performs amazingly well on rocky/rough trail and off trail (I just used them in the Speedgoat 50k, and I have no complaints). I even like the colors : )
Best running shoes so far
Love the look, the tread is super bouncy, comfortable. The only issue I seem to be having is that they feel a bit tight, I used my normal socks, tooo tight, used thinner socks, my foot slides around, and the little strap they have to keep the laces secure doesn't help. My feet end up feeling way to hot. I do have wide feet. I dnt know, I didn't want to give a lesser stars simply because it may be me and not the sneaker. But they are uncomfortable in that aspect. To tight on the top of my feet, and my feet end up feeling like they are burning at 4 miles.
I have been a loyal Brooks Caldera trail runner since the first model was released and since then I have run thousands of miles through 9 pairs. I am so incredibly disappointed in the Caldera 4. These shoes are wide, the sole didn't even last 200 miles. There is something not right with the fit as I ended up with blisters and pain from pronation which I never had in the previous 3 versions. The sole is huge like a HOKA and it hangs over the sole of the shoe which seems very odd. I really wish you wouldn't mess with a shoe that had 4.5-5 stars for years. I have been able to get ahold of 2 pairs of the Caldera 3 for use in the coming months, but don't know what I will do after they wear out because I can't do this new version.
I can’t believe how much these shoes are doing to relieve my chronic lower-back pain. I walk 2+ miles daily, and, with my Calderas, my back is noticeably less sore after my morning exercise than it is before. Whatever you’ve put in the soles is just what I need. The thickness of the sole, the low drop, and the firm heel support give me a great “ride.” The soles’ super-grippy bottom encourages me to be intentional about lifting my feet as I step, a reminder I need. The Calderas seem a bit shorter than other Brooks I’ve worn, but not enough to need a larger size. One comment: the shoelaces are too long (I don’t use the extra holes) even with double knotting, and feel a little insubstantial. Otherwise, the shoes are perfect. Thank you!