Brooks Caldera 2

Women’s 225 g (7.9 oz.) Men’s 255 g (9 oz.) Drop ratio: 4 mm $160

The Caldera is Brooks’ lighter, more flexible take on a trail running shoe, albeit with max cushioning and a toothy outsole for muddy footing. Version two leaves the outsole and midsole pretty much as it was in its initial incarnation. The BioMoGo DNA midsole is still there (and super soft for long, easy runs in the woods), as is the hexagonal outsole pattern, which our testers felt worked well.

Where you see the big changes in version two is in the totally redesigned upper. The Caldera 2 now features a much lighter mesh construction with laminate strips to create the proper fit around the metatarsals of the foot. This new upper vastly improves the overall fit and responsiveness of the Caldera, making it a near perfect, full-cushioning trail ride.