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Why It’s a Good Deal
Red Alert: One of my favorite hiking shoes is on sale with a huge discount. The Brooks Caldera 8, which I put to the test during a hiking trip in British Columbia last year, is available on Amazon right now for nearly 40% off. If you’re looking for a shoe that combines low weight, plush cushioning, and gecko-like grip on the trail, this is it.
The Brooks Caldera 8 is on sale for $95, a 37% discount, across a wide spread of sizes and colorways on Amazon. This model is a well-cushioned hiking sneaker built for trail running with a tough-yet-breathable upper and a super grippy rubber outsole, and it has earned nearly 200 five-star reviews from Amazon shoppers. The final price will ultimately depend on the color and size you choose, but the vast majority in the Dusty Olive/Lime/Oyster colorway are going for $95.
Brooks Caldera 8, $95 (was $150) on Amazon
Pros
- Well-cushioned midsole design
- Wide, stable sole design
- Great traction
- Breathable
Cons
- Not waterproof
The Caldera 8 has an appealing resume: At under 11 ounces, it’s quite light for a hiking shoe, and it also offers top-tier cushioning and excellent grip. The Caldera features a midsole made from DNA Loft v3, a nitrogen-infused foam used in Brooks’ running shoes, like the Glycerin.
Instead of regular old EVA foam (a common ingredient in hiking footwear), this foam is infused with tiny bubbles of nitrogen gas. The bubbles compress on impact and then spring back into shape, creating a pillowy underfoot feel, and they also reduce the shoe’s overall weight (gas is lighter than foam).
That means you’ll get running shoe-like cushioning as you hike. Other highlights include the upper, which is a breathable synthetic mesh beefed up with durable overlays to resist scrapes, and the outsole, which is studded with toothy lugs for sure grip on loose surfaces.
Related: Amazon Sells a $53 Podiatrist-Approved Hiking Sneaker With Excellent Grip and Support
My Honest Thoughts
Last summer I traveled to Whistler, British Columbia for a bachelor party, and I brought along a brand-spanking-new pair of Caldera 8s. I laced them up for a challenging 14-mile hike with over 3,200 feet of elevation gain, and they performed so well I barely noticed the mileage.
The Caldera’s cushioned design kept me comfortable; the grip never faltered, even on slick exposed rocks, and the wide, gently rockered sole shape gave my feet plenty of room and kept me stable on the trail.
This was a big hike for me, and I hadn’t done any training—I was in the middle of a cross-country move when this trip took place (not great timing, I know). Yet instead of feeling tired and sore, the Caldera kept me going and feeling comfortable the whole way.
Related: REI Has a Secret Stash of Prana’s Iconic Zion Hiking Pants on Sale for Only $65
What Other Hikers Are Saying
Shoppers called the Caldera 8 “so comfortable” and loved its midsole, with one reviewer saying “the cushioning is extraordinary.” It’s also an incredibly robust design—lightweight on the foot yet exceptionally durable. One reviewer who has used many brands’ shoes called the Caldera more durable than Topo Athletic, Hoka, and Altra shoes. Overall, “the traction is fantastic, and they are very breathable,” making them a great pick for day hikes and longer trail adventures, too.
Brooks no longer makes the Caldera 8, so once it’s gone, it’s gone for good—snag your pair for 37% off now before Amazon sells out.
Shop More Deals
- Adidas Terrex Anylander Mid Rain.Rdy Hiking Shoes, $72 (was $100) at Adidas with code SPLASH
- Proof x Danner MTN45 Low Shoes, $154 (was $220) at Huckberry
- Merrell ProMorph Hiking Sneaker, $72 (was $160) at Merrell with code EXTRA40
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