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BROOKS CALDERA 6: MAXIMAL COMFORT. +150 KM TEST BY HÉCTOR RUBIO
BROOKS CALDERA 6: MAXIMAL COMFORT. +150 KM TEST BY HÉCTOR RUBIO. Our TRAIL RUNNING SHOES section brings us today the in-depth analysis of these BROOKS CALDERA 6.
Let’s remember that these Caldera 6 they arrived with a price of € 150, a weight of 310gr and a drop of 6mm, with a stack height of 31mm in front, 25mm behind and the midsole as the soul of this shoe: made out of nitrogen infused foam for high durability, with excellent compressibility and outstanding energy recovery. Let’s go with the in-depth test of our #patroncarrerasdemontana Héctor Rubio.
BROOKS CALDERA 6: MAXIMAL COMFORT.
+150 KM TEST BY HÉCTOR RUBIO
BROOKS CALDERA 6: DATA SHEET
- Price: 150€
- Weight: 310 g.
- Stackheight: 31mm/25 mm
- Drop: 6 mm
- Midsole: Nitrogen-Infused DNA Loft V3 Cushioning
- Outsole: Full length Trail Tack Outsole Rubber Compound
- Sandwich Air Mesh
- 3D Fit Print
- Widened Base
- Split Outsole In Heel
- Internal Midfoot Saddle
- Ariaprene Tongue
BROOKS CALDERA 6:150 KM TEST BY HÉCTOR RUBIO
As mentioned above, i have mainly run in the Dolomites and the Alps with this Brooks Caldera 6 as part of my normal trainings during end of October and now in December, even on snow as you will see below.
The main terrain where I have run with them are the different mountain trails around the area where the shoes have behave much better than expected for a not so technical oriented shoe. However, the toe box in combination with the great grip of the outsole have revealed as a great positive surprise.
In the other hand, the volume and reactivity of the shoe, make them difficult to use when the terrain goes really up (stiff climbs) and downhill technical terrains.
As for the size, the number 43 that I usually wear, together with the space of the forefoot has made that in some descents a more closed adjustment is missed, but I insist, it has to do with the shapes of the foot of each one.
UPPER
The upper is made with a sandwich Air Mesh for breathability, quick drying, and long-wearing comfort. The 3D Fit Print offers flexible structure without compromising breathability and provide reinforcements to give greater support and fixation on top of protecting us from possible rocks.
The design of the tongue with a thin design adapts really good to the feet form to avoid any additional pressure at a particularly sensitive point due to the passage of tendons and fascias.
As you can see in the picture below, i have also used during the recent snows for about 15 km and it had a good performance, not been completely wet since the first minute.
Obviously, the upper has been designed for long, long runs where there es a need of a toe box that will not generate too much compression, so the feet can naturally get swollen without generating pressure/trigger points.
MIDSOLE
Featuring nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3, Brooks’ softest cushioning optimised for light weight, responsive, and durability with plush comfort:the midsole is the soul of this shoe.
And I have to say, that in a first impression, this nitrogen infused DNA has achieve high durability, with excellent reactivity and outstanding energy recovery closely resembles the comfort and return of energy of shoes such as the Hoka Speedgoat, or the New Balance More perhaps not with such a soft touch, but at the same time it is appreciated in certain more technical areas.
OUTSOLE
Full length Trail Tack rubber outsole compound provides great durability, whilst being sticky and grippy on uneven terrains. The widened base keeps you stable when your form starts to break down over time, and offers support during uphill/downhill descents.
After 150 km, the lugs are still in perfect condition, providing good grip even in wet and snowy terrain.
Obviously, the wet behavior is different but it is very close to more specific soles in wet such as Vibram Contragrip of the Hoka Speedgoat 5.
BROOKS CALDERA 6: CONCLUSIONS
The numbers of the shoe give a clear message: comfort to run miles and miles on the trails, thanks mainly to the new premium cushioning, nitrogen-infused DNA LOFT v3, and the reconfigured outsole.
It is a great shoe for ultrarunning in not very technical terrain, however the new outsole gives great adherence in any kind of surface even on wet surfaces.
What it is clear is the fact that maximalism seems to be more and more popular among all the big brands in the game: Salomon, HOKA , INOV8 or Saucony
Maybe the only thing to improve a little would be the space in the toe box and the fact that is still a shoe above the 300 grams range which many would consider a heavy shoe, however in this specific case I do not think it penalizes the runner as the other aspects such reactivity, durability and comfort are above those 310 grams.
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