Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Extra-cushioned for all-day comfort, the women's Brooks Caldera 8 trail-running shoes are built for miles of smooth, adaptable running. They pair durable, breathable uppers with stabilizing outsoles.
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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 | Moderate 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 | Rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Vegan | Yes |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 2.6 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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[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve had the Caldera 8 for a few weeks now and I’ve gotten so many compliments on them while running! The bold colors are really fun. They also fit true to size for me. I love the tread on these shoes… it’s wintertime here and I tend to get a little nervous running on wet pavement in the cold for fear of hitting an icy spot. These have awesome traction and I feel very stable and safe running on snow or wet pavement. The wide toe box is really nice and my feet feel secure without being constricted. The fabric is very durable and easy to clean. They’re currently in my shoe rotation, but I’m finding myself choosing these over my other shoes all the time!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve been wearing these for a few weeks now, and I’ve gotta say, they’re pretty amazing. The wide toe box is a total win, my toes finally have some breathing room, even on long hikes. The traction is seriously impressive too. Whether I’m on rocky trails or slippery paths, these shoes have me covered. And can we talk about the color? Bold and beautiful, they really pop! The only downside? I wish I’d ordered a half-size up. I’m usually a women’s size 10, but these feel a little shorter than most. So if you’re thinking about grabbing a pair, I’d suggest sizing up for a better fit. Overall, they’re awesome shoes – comfy, grippy, and stylish – just make sure you get the right size!
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Normally Brooks run a little narrow for me. However, I was surprised to find these roomy enough. The Brooks Caldera 8 is an outstanding trail shoe that delivers top-tier traction and comfort in winter conditions. Whether navigating icy trails or tackling slushy, snow-melted paths, the grip is reliable and confidence-inspiring. I felt stable every step of the way, and the nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 foam kept my feet comfortable and free from soreness, even on longer runs. With winter in full swing here, I’ve been impressed with how well they handle tough conditions, and I can’t wait to test them out even more this spring and summer! Brooks running gave me this product free to try.
As a Caldera 6 & 7 fanatic, the 8s are not up to standard compared to the 7s. I love the stability Calderas offer on my ultras. Biggest issue is water & sweat retaining in the shoes. Never had an issues with past versions. After a creek crossing, these shoes would not drain or dry. Had soppy wet feet for miles which caused some blisters & extremely water logged feet. Now that the heat & humidity is up, I'm sweating and my shoes are retaining sweat causing squishy Soles & wet feet constantly. Love the traction on the technical trails but these shoes are useless if I can't run without having chronic wet feet from water or sweat.
I have this sneaker in the black and white option and I love the look of them!! I did go in store and try on a pair before purchasing, to get an idea of the fit, and I ordered a half size up (usually a 7, ordered a 7.5) The width is great, it's not narrow and not too spacious when I feel like I'm sliding around. The toes have room to wiggle and breathe! The feel of this sneaker is like walking on a cloud. The grip/tread is just right and it doesn't rub the back of my ankle like some sneakers do. Over all, I would absolutely order these again. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Being a postpartum mom my trail running is scarce these days, but what I love about these shoes is they feel comfortable for anything from trails to just walks around the neighborhood. The grip on the soles is amazing, and I love the bright, modern colors for the trail shoes over most that are pretty neutral and bland. I would recommend going a half to full size up in this shoe! The toe box is wide which I love, but my toes were hitting the end of the shoe when wearing my regular tennis shoe size (so just size up and all should be well!)
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I’ve used these shoes for both running and hiking on dirt trails (with the occasional pavement mixed in) and right off the bat, I noticed how grippy the soles are. I felt confident that I wouldn’t slip on loose gravel or muddy spots. While they’re a bit more squishy than other trail shoes I’ve used, they still feel stable enough that I can feel the solid ground beneath my feet (rather than feeling like I’m floating above it!) I usually wear a size 7.5-8 (EU 38), and have these in a size 8. The toe box is pretty roomy, and since I have narrow feet, they feel slightly too wide for me. Overall, I think this is a good shoe for long easy trail runs. It’s a little bulkier than I’d normally prefer, but it’s undeniably comfortable. [Brooks Running gave me this free product to try.]
This review is based on out of box experience. They absolutely run small, at least a half size. They seem bulky and there is a lot of material around the ankle and heel. I purchased these for hiking and don't think I'll size up or order another size. There is a whole lot of shoe. The toe box is large and I'm thinking a bigger size will just be way too roomy, despite the need for extra length. I plan on attempting to try a 10 in store but can't see myself wanting to keep it. It has a lot of cushion but just feels like a ton of shoe. I've run in other brook max shoes and there is more of a sleekness in them.
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] Super stylish and comfortable to wear for work, they are essentially perfect for walking my dog on a snowing/rainy day as they have a great bottom grip. This is my main use for them right now. The front fit is amazing, holding you tightly but with enough space for stretching your toes. The back of this shoe (near the Achilles tendon) is super firm/cushioned so it feals a bit uncomfortable until you get used to it. Overall awesome shoe, recommended.
First let me say I love the Calderas. I’ve had 11 pairs between the 6 and 7s, I recently switched into the 8s. I ran one race in them and started to feel a little knee pain. After a second race, that pain worsened, and I’ve now been out of running for a month. This version of the shoe is definitely different in how it distributes weight, especially if you’re a heavier runner. I’m actually having to break up with my Calderas, which breaks my heart because I’ve been such a loyal fan. I chatgpt’d it and meniscal pain due to differences in shoe is a thing. The fit feels different. The ride feels different. In my opinion, it’s just not as good, and that’s really hard for me to say.