Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Ultra cushioned for ultra distances, the women's Brooks Caldera 7 trail-running shoes have durable uppers, dynamic cushioning and a stable ride to help you push your limits on the trails.
Imported.
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) | 6 |
Heel Stack Height (mm) | 38.5 |
Forefoot Stack Height (mm) | 32.5 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Air Mesh |
Midsole | DNA LOFT v3 |
Outsole | TrailTack Green rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2.8 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 tried to get the Caldera shoes. 1st pair received came in 2 different sizes. I got a size 6 on the left and a size 7 on right. I submitted a request for another pair. Received an email I should expect it in 7 days. 4 days later ordered was cancelled due to inventory issues. I called this time and got another pair in different colors to be sent out. Got them in 2 days… AND again received 2 different sizes. I do not recommend buying shoes online because clearly they do not check sizes before packing them for delivery
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] These shoes add a fun color to my walking/running shoe rotation. These shoes are very comfortable and make you feel like you are walking on clouds. They are a little clunky, but that doesn’t take away from the comfort of the shoe. The bottom of the shoe is made for all types of terrain and helps you grip whatever path is beneath you. The only complaint with many new shoes is that the first couple times I wore these shoes, even with higher socks on, it gave me a blister. Would not recommend these shoes with low ankle socks. Overall I give these shoes a 4/5 and would buy again but maybe a pair not so bright and more neutral colors!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] The Caldera 7 running shoe is well made and sturdy, with a vibrant design. This shoe really excels at cushion and comfort, featuring an extremely thick sole. The flip side of this is that you lose a connection with the ground. I felt like I was unable to navigate technical terrain quickly due to the high lift from the cushion. There were points where it felt almost dangerous, like I would lose my footing. This isn’t what I expected from a trail shoe that boasts stability over uneven terrain. If you’re looking for a cushioned shoe for less technical terrain, maybe this will work for you better than it did for me!
I received these on July 17 and they are now worn out. I am not a marathon runner and I do not wear these all day. Max miles per day outside usage only approximately 6-7 miles 6 days a week. I have been wearing different styles of Brooks shoes for years however I have noticed within the past year that Brooks shoes are wearing out much quicker than normal. I previously purchased the Caldera 6 that were delivered on May 1st and by July 15th I had no choice but to order a new pair. I love how the Caldera fit however I cannot afford to continue to purchase a new pair every 10 weeks.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I got the Brooks Caldera 7 and they are incredible so far. I haven't been able to take them out on real difficult terrain yet as it has been really cold and snowy and icy for the past two weeks here but wearing them out for a light trail run in the snow has been a dream. Literally NO slipping, no sliding. The tread on these shoes and the traction is perfect! And the fit, they are supportive and hold your foot steady in place in the shoe without feeling too tight or restrictive. I love them! I can't wait to try these out on some rougher terrain once this bad weather breaks.
As a PT I was skeptical at first due to the cushioning and stiffness of the shoe, but as soon as I slid my foot in I was in love. I do have ankle problems and enjoy hiking and running a lot and my last hike before the shoes I fell a lot and was nursing a twisted ankle for about two weeks. These shoes helped me to rehab it and thankfully my hips were strong enough to compensate for my ankle instability as I was getting used to them. The wide toe box allows me to fully toe splay when climbing and running and my foot is still able to adapt the way it should. Now that my ankles are back to normal I look forward to every hike in my new calderas.
They COMPLETELY changed the shape/style of the shoe, especially the toe box. It's VERY narrow now and pinches the toes. I loved the Caldera because it gave me the desired max cushion and room for my toes to be free. I'd recommend that Brooks name it something different as it's misleading to the consumer to change the shoe shape entirely yet call it the same name.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Once a Brooks fan, always a Brooks fan. These shoes are no different. Solid, tried and true, stable running shoe. As someone who overpronates, the built up soles of these shoes provide a comfortable ride on even the most uneven terrain. I wore these while training for a half marathon that included some rocky, grassy, and muddy paths. These shoes were a dream to keep steady while I trained. Very comfortable, running slightly large. If you aren’t used to a bulky sole, these might not be for you, because these are stabilizers and best for those that overpronate or a neutral foot. You can’t go wrong with these if you are looking for solid stabilizing shoe to take a scenic run on an uneven path, or a trail run on a rocky terrain. Enjoy!
I absolutely love these shoes! They are like running on clouds, which is exactly what my arthritic knees were hoping for. They are pretty lightweight with a cozy wide toe box- definitely a stability shoe. So far I've had no problem with the shoestrings staying tied. They run true to size, I am a 7 and that's what I got and they're perfect. My only tiny complaint is the light color. I love the bright and vibrant pink and yellow colors, but the white is so hard to keep clean and sadly I have only been wearing these about 10 days and they're filthy. I really hope to see more colors, as the only other option is also a light color shoe.
I have about 70 miles on these shoes and my conclusion is that they're fine, but not favorites of mine. The good - These are a very stable shoe which gives confidence on uneven terrain and over long distances. The sole is pretty grippy and faired pretty well on PNW trails in the winter, which is high praise. The bad - These shoes just felt super clunky on my feet. I get that thats the tradeoff for higher cushion/stability, but these felt significantly clunkier than similar shoes (Hoka Speedgoats). I also didn't love the upper and felt like the fit was tough to dial in, but I also have very narrow/low volume feet. I'm not sure what the cause was but I got pain in the sides of my feet once going over ~14 miles in these, a problem I've never had with any other shoes. I generally love Brooks shoes but these missed the mark for me personally, and I ended up returning them.