The first thing that can be said about the Brooks Caldera 6 is that it certainly does not go unnoticed. Although the oversize midsole trend is no longer new in the running world, in this specific case it is definitely the feature that jumps out at you before any other.
You hold it in your hands and it feels huge. You put it on your feet and it feels huge. Mind you, this is not a judgment of merit, just a fact: it is huge. And while it’s true that size still matters, the Caldera 6 delivers exactly what you expect from such a shoe: absolute cushioning and comfort, thanks in part to DNA LOFT v3 foam with nitrogen-infused technology. The downside is that such a shoe inevitably cuts precision and sensitivity to running-you won’t feel stones, you won’t feel roots, you won’t feel almost anything. The way I run, for the technical descents I like, this is a limitation: but the truth is that the too-impervious trail is not its ideal habitat.
In fact, it is a shoe that was created for American-style trail running, a shoe for ultras: very long distances on terrain that is not overly technical. If you’ve been playing for a ticket in the Western States Endurance Run lottery this shoe might be for you. That is why I would like to say that despite its pachydermic appearance, we are still talking about a shoe with good traction, responsive and fast. In fact, it was when I had a chance to push it a little bit that it gave me satisfaction.
A long-distance test and full review soon.
