Fans of the Caldera will appreciate this new iteration. With new tweaks that have improved its forefoot space, cushioning, and durability, it might just be the hiking or running companion you take with you to conquer the trail, especially if you’re looking for a lightweight, speedy, yet moderately protective trail shoe.

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The Brooks Caldera 4 was designed for you to discover your inner mountain goat. We consider it a runner up to the Hoke One One Speedgoat 4. It has retained most of the old favorites from its previous iteration, but now the Caldera 4 adds a new midsole design with 3mm more cushioning, a wider toe box, and an upper, which is more resistant to wear and tear.

Grip & Foot Protection

The Brooks Caldera 4 is kinder to your joints, because the Brook’s BioMoGo DNA plush midsole absorbs most of the shock that otherwise would affect your lower limbs. If you’re a runner or hiker who is constantly experiencing pain while on the trail, the joint safety the Caldera 4 brings will appeal to you. You can still go the distance while your joints take it easy

The stack height of this trail shoe is about 27mm. Not only is the plush midsole good for your joints, but it also delivers a sufficient amount of underfoot shielding as there is plenty of material between the ground and your foot. With this much material, you don’t really need a rock plate to protect you from the pain of stepping on sharp objects while hiking or running.

As for your toes, you have the Caldera 4‘s toecap, which is made of TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). TPU rubber is considered a bridge between rubber and plastic. It’s flexible, smooth to the touch, and, most importantly, abrasion- and wear-resistant. Since it forms the toecap, it does an adequate job of protecting toes from the impact of bumping into rocks, sticks, or stumps on the trail.

The full-length outsole has geometric lugs that face the opposite direction to supply the runner or hiker with a multi-directional grip on different terrain conditions. These lugs are made of a material called TrailTack Sticky, which is a Brooks rubber compound that aims to provide traction on wet or slippery surfaces. Despite its clever design, the traction isn’t as reliable as the traction that you would get from a grip-focused outsole like on the Salomon Supercross 5. The outsole of the Caldera 4 can handle moderately technical terrain, but it most likely won’t prevent you from experiencing slick moments, especially on wet rocks.

Durability

The main component that received the biggest revamp is the upper of the Brooks Caldera 4. A number of synthetic overlays that were introduced to give the upper some structure and to protect the mesh from early tearing. These overlays are not only tear-resistant, but they also prevent mud or liquid from getting into the shoe.

The lugs on the outsole are not very thick or long. Depending on the trail condition and your frequency of use, it’s possible for the lugs to wear out early. However, because of the quality of the TrailTack rubber that covers the bottom of the shoe, you’ll cover a reasonable amount of miles before you see any signs of breaking down.

Stability

Maximalist shoes don’t typically deliver a very stable ride because of how far the foot is from the ground. With Brooks Caldera 4, however, the thicker midsole has been segmented by large grooves, resulting in a more adaptable ride despite the plushness, thereby improving the runner or hiker’s balance.

Also, some users feel that the midsole is not as cushy as other maximalist trail midsoles. Some stiffness is good to make your runs and hikes more responsive, ensuring that you have a good feel of the ground with every step or stride.

Comfort & Fit

Although the engineered mesh has been reinforced by several overlays, it did not affect the breathability of the shoe. You can run comfortably without worrying about hot spots. In addition, since mudguards have been added, you don’t have to worry about gunk getting into your shoe and affecting your run or hike.

Compared to its previous version, the toe box is roomier. The fit will definitely depend on how your foot is shaped, but it is not lacking nor restricting. There is enough room for your toes to splay naturally with your midfoot and back foot firmly held into place.

When it comes to comfort, the Brooks Caldera 4 won’t deliver a slipper-like feel unlike the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 36 Trail. However, it is a moderately comfortable trail companion with all the right features.

Versatility & Value for Your Money

Overall, the Brooks Caldera 4 is a well-rounded trail shoe that works well for training. It can be used as a transition shoe (from road to trail), or the shoe might become your favorite comforting and protective pair for long hikes.

It’s important to keep in mind that the Caldera 4 is more suited for moderately technical terrain. For a lower price, you can get a pair that’s more suited for trail conditions that are more challenging. With all of the features that this shoe is packed with, you need to keep in mind what it is that you want out of your trail shoes to get value for your money.

Additional Features

Those who already have gaiters will be glad to know that there are rear and front attachments on the Caldera 4 that you can connect your gaiters to. The back attachment is easy to spot, but on the front, the attachment is very low-profile. You will find it in the area where the shoelace ends, going towards the tip. 

There’s also a lace keeper that’s right in the middle of the shoelaces. When you have excess slack, you can tuck them under the lace keeper to prevent them from snagging on branches or plants on the trail. The back of the shoe also has a similar catch.

The Bottom Line

In summary, if you’re looking for a well-cushioned, door-to-trail, fairly light trail shoe, the Brooks Caldera 4 ticks all of the boxes. With an adaptable midsole, it’s comfortable and protective enough to take on daily hikes or runs. Though it is packed with different trail-specific features, it’s more appropriate for moderately technical terrain where grip and traction won’t be much of an issue.

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