Step 02 — The lineup
6 shoes scored across eleven metrics · Any purpose
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Brooks Caldera 8 — Max-cushion ultra trail shoe with a roomy fit for swollen late-race feet.
Sizing note
Everything here fits true to size. Leave a thumbnail of space at the toe.
Durability
Expect roughly 458 miles before the midsole flattens out.
Step 03 — Every metric
| Metric | Hoka Mafate 3 | Hoka Mafate Speed 5 | New Balance Fresh Foam Hierro v9(2024) | Nike ACG Mountain Fly 2 Low | New Balance Fresh Foam X More Trail v2 | Hoka Challenger 8 Low GTX | Brooks Cascadia 20 GTX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 340 g / 12.0 oz | 300 g / 10.6 oz | 298 g / 10.5 oz | 320 g / 11.3 oz | 320 g / 11.3 oz | 285 g / 10.1 oz | 315 g / 11.1 oz |
| Drop | 4 mm | 4 mm | 4 mm | 6 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 6 mm |
| Stack (heel) | 36 mm | 42 mm | 40 mm | 33 mm | 45 mm | 36 mm | 37 mm |
| Cushioning | |||||||
| Flexibility | |||||||
| Stability | |||||||
| Rocker geometry | |||||||
| Energy return | |||||||
| Responsiveness | |||||||
| Toe-box | Standard | Standard | Wide | Standard | Wide | Standard | Standard |
| Plate | — | — | Rock | Rock | Rock | — | Rock |
| Intended pace | 10:00–13:30 /mi | 9:30–13:00 /mi | 9:30–13:00 /mi | 9:00–13:00 /mi | 9:30–13:00 /mi | 9:30–12:30 /mi | 9:30–12:30 /mi |
| Purpose | Trail, Long run | Trail, Long run | Trail, Long run, Recovery | Trail, Long run | Trail, Recovery, Long run | Trail, Daily | Trail, Long run |
| Sizing | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size |
| Durability | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~500 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi | ~450 mi |
| Price | $170 | $190 | $165 | $150 | $170 | $170 | $180 |
Your reference shoe is shown first for context. Cushioning, flexibility and stability are rated 1–5.