Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 103, February 2018 | Page 41

Brooks Caldera 2
Category: Trail (Endurance)
Heritage: Caldera
Key features: BioMoGo DNA midsole, Sticky Traction Rubber outsole, Ariaprene and
Cordura AFT mesh in upper, gaiter tab, lacing garage
What has changed: This is another Brooks shoe with most of the changes made
to the upper, while the tooling below stays the same. Therefore, if you ran in and liked the first
version, you’ll love this lighter, sleeker update.
Wear-testing notes: The Caldera is designed to be a comfortable long-distance
trail shoe, offering good cushioning and grip for smoother trail surfaces thanks to its BioMoGo
DNA dynamically energised cushioning midsole that adapts to your stride, and a multi-lugged
Sticky Traction rubber outsole. The shoe handles rocky descents well, with the outsole lugs
gripping the ground effectively.
Protection of the foot is also good, thanks to a well built-up footbed, and our take on this shoe is that it is a solid blend of all the different trail running needs – depending on
your running style, distance or terrain, you could train or race in it, as it is quite light in spite of the prominent outsole.
The upper is made from water-repelling Ariaprene mesh, coupled with Cordura AFT top mesh to maximise durability and the upper’s ability to breath in hot temperatures,
or dry quickly following a water crossing. The picture is rounded off with 3D Fit Print rubber overlays that allow the upper to stretch strategically to fit the foot snugly. Nice
extra touches are the lacing garage on the tongue, to safely store the laces out of the way, and a Velcro tab on the outer heel cup where you can attach gaiters if running in
a sandy area.
Weight: 281g (Men) & 255g (Women)
Heel Drop: 4mm
Colours: Blue/Nightlife/Black (Men) & Navy/Plum/Ice Blue
Recommended Retail Price: R2599 (Men) & R2599 (Women)
In Store Date: March 2018
(Women)
Brooks Mazama 2
Category: Trail (Speed)
Heritage: Mazama
Key features: BioMoGo DNA midsole, forefoot propulsion plate, Sticky Rubber
outsole, 3D Fit Print upper, toe protection, lace garage on tongue
What has changed: One or two testers of the original Mazama found the upper
a touch long and narrow, thus squeezing their feet a bit, and the new model’s upper is a notable
improvement, and is the key highlight of the update, because the tooling (midsole and outsole)
are completely unchanged. It wasn’t broke, so it didn’t need fixing…
Wear-testing notes: These fast, light and responsive shoes make it impossible to
hold back on the trail. The fast-draining upper, sticky rubber outsole and a protective propulsion
plate in the forefoot work together to keep you moving quickly over varied terrain, while the BioMoGo DNA midsole dynamically adapts to your stride and cushions your foot-strike.
This shoe is best suited to shorter trail racing on less technical surfaces, where that propulsion plate really makes the shoe jump off the ground, especially when you’re
battling up a steep hill. The plate also protects against rocks digging into your feet. Sure, the shoe can still handle more, but some runners may prefer a bit more cushioning
on routes with longer downhills. But if you’re racing on a shorter trail, strap these on and go!
The single layer mesh upper with 3D Fit Print overlays has a bit more flexibility than before, so it hugs the foot more securely and will accommodate more varied feet,
while also ensuring breathability and drainage in wet conditions, and also saving weight. The heel counter is minimal, but holds the heel securely in place, and one more
noticeable feature of the upper is a prominent toe bumper – always a good thing to have when small rocks or roots lie in wait!
Weight: 264g (Men) & 224g (Women)
Heel Drop: 6mm
Colours: Blue/Black/Nightlife (Men) & Pink/Plum/Navy (Women)
Recommended Retail Price: R2499 (Men) & R2499 (Women)
In Store Date: January 2018
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