{"id":45143,"date":"2024-02-08T08:47:56","date_gmt":"2024-02-08T13:47:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/?post_type=reviews_trail&p=45143"},"modified":"2024-04-03T09:05:32","modified_gmt":"2024-04-03T13:05:32","slug":"brooks-caldera-7-review","status":"publish","type":"reviews_trail","link":"https:\/\/www.runningshoesguru.com\/reviews\/trail\/brooks-caldera-7-review\/","title":"Brooks Caldera 7 Review","author":106,"featured_media":45159,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"brands":[53],"shoes_type":[235],"shoes_family":[],"_stcr@_rolfkleinfeld@hotmail.com":null,"review_3_website_name":null,"test_trail":null,"_test_trail":null,"usd":null,"_usd":null,"aud":null,"_aud":null,"cad":null,"_cad":null,"gbp":null,"_gbp":null,"eur":null,"_eur":null,"shoe_brand":null,"_shoe_brand":null,"shoe_name":null,"pros":"4","cons":"2","verdict":"The Brooks Caldera 7 is a highly cushioned trail shoe designed for medium to long distances. Built for supreme comfort and stability, this shoe will keep you feeling fresh on almost any terrain.","weight":null,"heel":null,"toe":null,"heeldrop":null,"reccomended_for":null,"rrp":null,"review":null,"keywords":"Brooks Caldera 7, Brooks Caldera 7 Review,Brooks running shoes review, best Brooks running shoes, Trail running shoes,","description":"The Brooks Caldera 7 is a highly cushioned trail shoe designed for medium to long distances. Built for supreme comfort and stability, this shoe will keep you feeling fresh on almost any terrain.","professional_image":"45160","_professional_image":"field_5d9574dae3414","usage":"","_usage":"field_5943593f1d1c2","rsg_subtitle":null,"subtitle":null,"_subtitle":null,"introduction":"[caption id=\"attachment_45156\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nLast year, Brooks redesigned the Caldera 6<\/a> and based on many reviews, it was a major improvement. By all indications, the Caldera 7 is even better<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nThis shoe sits firmly in the maximal trail category and is purpose built for long distances or long days on your feet.\r\n\r\nRight away, you\u2019ll notice the changes to the upper which is lighter and more breathable than the 6\u2019s. It also appears that Brooks widened the toe box to allow for more toe splay which results in added comfort.\r\n\r\nThe price holds steady at $150 which gives this shoe a ton of value when you consider the features and long term durability that you receive. \r\n\r\nA comparable alternative would be HOKA\u2019s Stinson 7<\/a>. Both are max cushion, stability trail shoes built to be used for longer distances up to ultra marathons.\r\n","introduction_text":null,"conclusions":"[caption id=\"attachment_45152\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nI can\u2019t remember the last time I liked a shoe as much as the Caldera 7\u2019s<\/strong>. \r\n\r\nThey really do check all of the boxes for what a long distance shoe should do. Brooks has a shoe that can compete with the likes of Hoka and other well known maximal trail shoes, which is exciting to see. \r\n\r\nI would highly recommend the Caldera 7 to any runners looking for a shoe that can handle mile after mile but still maintain the attributes that make it great.\r\n","model":"Caldera 7","_model":"field_5c1600ad0113f","who_is_it_for":"This shoe is ideal for runners logging a high number of miles that need maximum cushion, stability and above average traction.","pros_0_pro_line":"Incredible value","_pros_0_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_1_pro_line":"Lots of energy return and cushion","_pros_1_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_2_pro_line":"Effortless ride","_pros_2_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","cons_0_cons_line":"Still heavier than competitors","_cons_0_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_1_cons_line":"Odd color options?","_cons_1_cons_line":"field_5c16011c70a57","cons_2_cons_line":null,"_cons_2_cons_line":null,"water_resistance":"Adequate","_water_resistance":"field_5c19b989685e9","pros_3_pro_line":"Above average durability","_pros_3_pro_line":"field_5c16011c4fed6","pros_4_pro_line":null,"_pros_4_pro_line":null,"cons_3_cons_line":null,"_cons_3_cons_line":null,"cons_4_cons_line":null,"_cons_4_cons_line":null,"in_page_subtitle":null,"_in_page_subtitle":null,"image":null,"_image":null,"cushioning_type":"balanced\/plush","_cushioning_type":"field_594357fba24e6","cushioning_amount":"Highly cushioned","_cushioning_amount":"field_5c1a16c4d4c23","sizing":"0","_sizing":"field_59435b58fd832","heel_fit":"normal","_heel_fit":"field_59435bbc45b07","midfoot_fit":"normal","_midfoot_fit":"field_59435d1684838","toebox_fit":"normal","_toebox_fit":"field_59435d1484837","flexibility":"medium","_flexibility":"field_59435d1284836","stability":"very stable","_stability":"field_5944aca41583c","midfoot_fit_copy":null,"_midfoot_fit_copy":null,"best_for":"","pe_timestamp":null,"ds_query":"+brooks +\"caldera 7\"","_ds_query":"field_5c1600ad01052","release_date":"","_release_date":"field_5c176d6fffe21","weight_oz":"10.6","_weight_oz":"field_5c176d34ffe1f","heel_drop_mm":"6","_heel_drop_mm":"field_5c176d57ffe20","intro_to_the_shoe":null,"_intro_to_the_shoe":null,"main_text":null,"_main_text":null,"protection":"[caption id=\"attachment_45150\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1440\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBrooks never seems to lack in the area of foot protection. In fact, maybe sometimes they overdo it. This shoe has the right amount of protection where you need it. \r\n\r\nOverlays wrap the toe box and guard the front of your foot from protruding rocks, roots and whatever else is in your path.\r\n\r\nThey also extended the midsole a bit higher up the shoe acting as a shield on both inside, outside and the heel of the 7\u2019s. DNA LOFT v3 handles keeping the bottom of your feet safe. \r\n\r\nThere is no rockplate and I think this was a good move by Brooks. It keeps the shoe lighter and more flexible to help your foot adapt to the terrain. \r\n\r\nIf you live or run in an especially rocky area, I would find a shoe with a rockplate. Otherwise, the Caldera 7\u2019s are more than sufficient for the occasional rocky section. \r\n","_protection":"field_634686bca261b","durability":"9","_durability":"field_6272de0b5fdf5","responsiveness_&_speed":null,"_responsiveness_&_speed":null,"comfort_and_fit":"[caption id=\"attachment_45148\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1920\"]\"Picture<\/span>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThere\u2019s always a compromise with max cushion running shoes. You give up weight, speed and agility but gain cushioning, protection and stability. The nice thing about the Caldera 7\u2019s though is they wear lighter than they look. There\u2019s not a noticeable heaviness which makes the compromise even less.\r\n\r\nThe size 11\u2019s fit true to size which is consistent with what I\u2019ve seen with Brooks over the years. They were pretty typical in the area of width as well. All of the perceived wideness comes in the midsole foam and outsole. \r\n\r\nI was also happy to see the toe box had some wiggle room. There was no restricted feeling that I\u2019ve seen in other trail shoes, or any shoe for that matter. It does seem like this was intentional because reviewers of the Caldera 6 complained about the narrow toe box.\r\n\r\nLast but not least, as you\u2019ve heard by now, the DNA LOFT V3 midsole foam is oh so soft and comfortable. It gives quite a bit, which helps save your feet during high mileage adventures.\r\n","_comfort_and_fit":"field_634686bca275d","lugs":"Provide Traction","_lugs":"field_5c186dedc4a82","rockplate":"Not present","_rockplate":"field_5c188313bda95","good_for_running":["moderate trails","muddy areas","through creeks and streams","through snowy or icy sections","dirt trails","paved trails","through grassy sections"],"_good_for_running":"field_5c19b9e8c4926","previous_model":"43149","_previous_model":"field_5c1a17279c9f9","usage_these_shoes_for":["max cushion"],"_usage_these_shoes_for":"field_5c19baed9d8a3","rrp_us":"149.95","_rrp_us":"field_5c176dba632ff","rrp_au":"","_rrp_au":"field_5c176dd363300","rrp_ca":"","_rrp_ca":"field_5c176df863301","rrp_gb":"","_rrp_gb":"field_5c176dfe63302","rrp_de":"","_rrp_de":"field_5c176e0d63303","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","_purchased_from_name":"field_5c374d8cdb87d","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/Brooks_Caldera_7\/descpage-BR7CAM0.html?from=guru","_purchased_from_url":"field_5c374d9bdb87e","heel_mm":"39","_heel_mm":"field_630506e911fdf","toe_mm":"33","_toe_mm":"field_630506f011fe0","carbon_plate":"no","_carbon_plate":"field_63065e4848c57","360":"","_360":"field_630662fb826e3","_video":"field_63066304826e4","who_should_buy_it":"This shoe is ideal for runners logging a high number of miles that need maximum cushion, stability and above average traction.","_who_should_buy_it":"field_634fec772df57","who_should_not_buy_it_":"I wouldn\u2019t recommend them as the first choice for runners performing in short distance trail races. Also, runners that prefer a close to the ground feel may not find it in the Caldera 7.","_who_should_not_buy_it_":"field_634fec8d2df58","build_quality":"9","_build_quality":"field_6272ddc1b33de","comfort":"10","_comfort":"field_6272dd6fa6b88","value_price":"9","_value_price":"field_6272de0a5fdf4","third_shoe":"44177","_third_shoe":"field_630bbf8341294","upper_rate":"9","_upper_rate":"field_6272de2a5fdfb","sole_unit_rate":"9","_sole_unit_rate":"field_6272de295fdfa","landing":"9","_landing":"field_6272de285fdf9","transition":"9","_transition":"field_6272de285fdf8","toe_off":"9","_toe_off":"field_6272de275fdf7","traction":"8","_traction":"field_6272de265fdf6","first_impressions":null,"_first_impressions":null,"sole_unit":null,"_sole_unit":null,"custom_fields":{"model":"Caldera 7","cons":[{"cons_line":"Still heavier than competitors"},{"cons_line":"Odd color options?"}],"pros":[{"pro_line":"Incredible value"},{"pro_line":"Lots of energy return and cushion"},{"pro_line":"Effortless ride"},{"pro_line":"Above average durability"}],"vote":"9","weight_oz":"10.6","heel_drop_mm":"6","heel_mm":"39","toe_mm":"33","purchased_from_name":"Running Warehouse","purchased_from_url":"https:\/\/www.runningwarehouse.com\/Brooks_Caldera_7\/descpage-BR7CAM0.html?from=guru","comfort":"10","build_quality":"9","upper_rate":"9","sole_unit_rate":"9","landing":"9","transition":"9","toe_off":"9","traction":"8","durability":"9","value_price":"9","who_is_it_for":"This shoe is ideal for runners logging a high number of miles that need maximum cushion, stability and above average traction.","verdict":"The Brooks Caldera 7 is a highly cushioned trail shoe designed for medium to long distances. Built for supreme comfort and stability, this shoe will keep you feeling fresh on almost any terrain.","who_should_buy_it":"

This shoe is ideal for runners logging a high number of miles that need maximum cushion, stability and above average traction.<\/p>\n","who_should_not_buy_it_":"

I wouldn\u2019t recommend them as the first choice for runners performing in short distance trail races. Also, runners that prefer a close to the ground feel may not find it in the Caldera 7.<\/p>\n","introduction":"

\"Picture