Brooks Caldera 6

Review Score
84%
πŸ… Highly Rated
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Brooks Caldera 6: Review

β€œA maximalist trail running shoe designed for long distances and ultra marathons.”

Overview


The Brooks Caldera 6 is a trailblazing addition to the Brooks Caldera family, designed for running enthusiasts. This shoe is a blend of comfort and protection, making it ideal for long runs and ultra distances on moderate trails. The Caldera 6 features a wider platform, lively Loft V3 foam, and a new upper shape with more volume for long ultra distance efforts. It's a great choice for runners who prefer a maximalist shoe with a wide toe box. The shoe's mesh material ensures breathability, while its neutral support type caters to runners with neutral pronation.

According to our analysis of reviews from experts around the world, it averages a review score of 84%. This puts it in the highest rated 40% of comparable running shoes. According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's just above the median price of running shoes.

Verdict

The consensus on the Brooks Caldera 6


The Brooks Caldera 6 is a reliable choice for runners seeking a shoe that offers bottomless cushioning, a smooth ride, and excellent stability. It's particularly well-suited for daily running on moderate trails and long, slow training runs. However, its wide platform may not be ideal for technical terrain. Despite its slightly heavier weight, the Caldera 6 remains a top choice for its durability and excellent road behavior. Overall, the Brooks Caldera 6 offers a responsive and protective ride for long miles, making it a worthy investment for dedicated runners.

Updates to Brooks Caldera 6


The Caldera 6 is a new version of the shoe in the Brooks Caldera line. It offers a wider platform, lively Loft V3 foam, and a new upper shape with more volume for long ultra-distance efforts. These updates provide improved comfort and protection, making the Caldera 6 a step up from its predecessors.

Comparable Shoes


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Compared to the BrooksCaldera 5, the Caldera 6 offers a wider platform and a new upper shape. It also features the lively Loft V3 foam, providing improved cushioning and responsiveness. However, like the Caldera 5, the Caldera 6 is not well suited for technical terrain.

6 Brooks Caldera 6 Pros & Cons


3 Pros

The Brooks Caldera 6 offers bottomless cushioning and protection, making it ideal for long runs and ultra distances.
The shoe provides a lively and smooth ride, thanks to its Loft V3 foam.
The Caldera 6 is extremely broad and stable, offering excellent road behavior.

3 Cons

The wide platform of the Caldera 6 is not well suited for technical terrain.
The shoe is slightly heavier compared to other running shoes.
The Caldera 6 has a voluminous upper, which may not suit everyone.

In Depth


Upper

The Brooks Caldera 6 features a new upper shape designed with a technical mesh material. This ensures a secure fit and excellent ventilation, keeping your feet cool and comfortable during your run. However, some users have noted that the upper could use more protection.

Midsole

The midsole of the Caldera 6 is equipped with DNA LOFT v3 foam. This provides excellent cushioning and durability, making the shoe suitable for long runs, marathons, and ultra marathons. The foam is light and responsive, offering a springy and smooth ride.

Outsole

The outsole of the Caldera 6 is made of Trail Tack rubber. This offers improved durability and traction, ensuring a stable and secure grip on various terrains. The shoe performs well on moderate and below trails, providing comfort and preventing fatigue.

Size/fit

The Caldera 6 is true to size lengthwise but has a wide midfoot fit. This may be too accommodating for runners with narrower feet. The wider platform and lack of lateral security can make navigating technical terrain a bit challenging.

Comfort

The Caldera 6 is praised for its comfort, thanks to its bottomless cushioning and nitrogen-infused foam. The shoe is stable and energetic, making it easy to maintain faster paces. However, its voluminous upper may not suit everyone.

Cushioning

The Caldera 6 offers bottomless cushioning, providing excellent protection during long runs and ultra distances. The lively Loft V3 foam in the midsole adds to the shoe's comfort and durability, making it a great choice for runners who prioritize cushioning.

Breathability

The Caldera 6's upper is made of a breathable mesh material, ensuring good ventilation during your run. This helps to keep your feet cool and dry, enhancing your running experience.

Stability

The Caldera 6 offers excellent stability, thanks to its wide platform and Trail Tack rubber outsole. This makes the shoe a reliable choice for runners who need a stable and secure grip on various terrains.

Durability

The Caldera 6 is a durable shoe, featuring a strong and abrasion-resistant upper. The midsole shows no signs of compression, and the Trailtack outsole is holding up well, making it a long-lasting investment for runners.

Grip

The Caldera 6's outsole is made of Trail Tack rubber, providing excellent traction on various terrains. This ensures a stable and secure grip during your run, enhancing your performance and safety.

Who should buy the Brooks Caldera 6?


The Brooks Caldera 6 is a great choice for runners who love a door-to-trail option that provides a responsive and protective ride for long miles. It's particularly suitable for those who prefer a maximalist shoe with a wide toe box. If you're a runner who prioritizes cushioning and stability, this shoe is for you.

Who should not buy the Brooks Caldera 6?


The Caldera 6 may not be the best choice for runners with a narrower foot, as it has a wide midfoot fit. It's also not ideal for those who prefer running on technical terrain, due to its wide platform. If you're looking for a lightweight shoe, you might want to consider other options as the Caldera 6 is slightly heavier compared to other running shoes.

Brooks Caldera 6: What's it good for?


The Brooks Caldera 6 is good for long runs, marathons, and ultra marathons. It's also suitable for daily training on moderate terrain, offering energy, responsiveness, and stability. The shoe performs well on moderate and below trails, providing comfort and preventing fatigue.

4 Brooks Caldera 6 FAQs


Is the Brooks Caldera 6 suitable for technical terrain?

The Brooks Caldera 6 is not well suited for technical terrain due to its wide platform. It's more suitable for moderate trails and long, slow training runs.

What type of runners is the Brooks Caldera 6 designed for?

The Caldera 6 is designed for runners who prefer a maximalist shoe with a wide toe box. It's particularly suitable for those who prioritize cushioning and stability.

What are the major updates in the Brooks Caldera 6?

The Caldera 6 offers a wider platform, lively Loft V3 foam, and a new upper shape with more volume for long ultra distance efforts. These updates provide improved comfort and protection.

How does the Brooks Caldera 6 compare to the Caldera 5?

Compared to the Caldera 5, the Caldera 6 offers a wider platform and a new upper shape. It also features the lively Loft V3 foam, providing improved cushioning and responsiveness.

Brooks Caldera 6 alternatives

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Released
Apr 2022
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Weight
Weight
M: 301 g
W: 266 g
M: 312 g
W: 252 g
M: 301 g
W: 298 g
M: 323 g
W: 261 g
M: 281 g
W: 235 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
29 mm
31 mm
33 mm
26 mm
24 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
6 mm
6 mm
6 mm
10 mm
10 mm
8 mm
Heel
Heel
35 mm
37 mm
39 mm
37 mm
35 mm
32 mm
Terrain
Terrain
Trail
MudTrailMudTrailTrailTrailTrail
Brand
Brand
Brooks
New BalanceMerrellNikeNikeNew Balance
Strike Type
Strike Type
Heel strike
Fore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
ComfortableMaximalist
ComfortableMaximalistComfortable
Comfortable
Breathable
Breathable
Rocker
Rocker
Rock plate
Rock plate
Techs
Techs
New Balance Fresh FoamVibram
Gore-Tex
Waterproofings
Waterproofings
Waterproof
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
SustainableSustainable
Sustainable
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Brooks Caldera 6: what the experts say (3 reviews)

Brooks Caldera 6: 4 Expert video reviews

Brooks Caldera 6 characteristics and specifications

Specificationsvs Average
Model
6
Released
Apr 2022
Measurements
Weight
M: 301 g
W: 266 g
Heel to toe drop
6 mm
Heel
35 mm
Forefoot
29 mm

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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