Brooks Caldera 8

The Brooks Caldera 8 is the American brand's maximalist trail shoe for runners who want cushioning and comfort over long distances and ultras. In Brooks' trail range, the Caldera 8 sits above the versatile Cascadia 19 and below the more aggressive and faster Catamount 4: it is the maximum-protection option for spending hours on not very technical terrain. It has the advantage of Brooks being a well-known brand, an easy choice for those who are comfortable (in every sense) with its fit and materials, but against it is the fresher, more modern image of brands such as Hoka with its Mafate 5, not to mention La Sportiva with the Prodigio Max. Brooks may well spend a fortune on advertising to try to level the playing field.

Compared with the Caldera 7, the changes are minimal: it keeps the DNA LOFT v3 midsole and the TrailTack Green outsole, and the only relevant change is a revised upper with quick-drying mesh and lacing straps shifted slightly towards the medial side to improve hold over the instep. The fit is still roomy and comfortable, with a generous toe box that lets the foot spread on long outings, and a sense of stability reinforced by midsole sidewalls that rise above the footbed. Brooks knows its target audience well; whether new runners will be drawn to Brooks is another matter.

The nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3 midsole keeps the line's maximalist profile, with a 6 mm drop and a very wide base that improves stability when landing on uneven ground. The TrailTack Green outsole uses rubber with 25% recycled content (perhaps from all the shoes left over when a new version comes out every year) and 4 mm lugs aimed at hardpacked ground, runnable trails and gravel sections, although the widely spaced design gets through muddy stretches without drama. Ideal for mid-weight to heavier runners who put comfort ahead of lightness on long outings or ultras.