Asics Trabuco Max 5 vs Brooks Caldera 8
Asics Trabuco Max 5 vs Brooks Caldera 8: weight, drop (5 mm vs 6 mm), cushioning, lugs and which races each one suits best.
Quick verdict
On paper they are almost identical: fit and feel decide.
AsicsAsics Trabuco Max 5Trail de máxima amortiguación con FF Blast Plus, 5 mm de drop y tacos de 3,5 mm.
Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Asics Trabuco Max 5: specs and races
BrooksBrooks Caldera 8Zapatilla de trail de máxima amortiguación de Brooks para distancias largas.
Check price(se abre en una pestaña nueva)Brooks Caldera 8: specs and racesSpec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | Asics Trabuco Max 5 | Brooks Caldera 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Weight (per shoe) | – | 309 g |
| Drop | 5 mm | 6 mm |
| Heel stack | 38.5 mm | 36.7 mm |
| Forefoot stack | 33.5 mm | 27.9 mm |
| Lug depth | 3.5 mm | 3.6 mm |
| Fit | – | – |
| Stable platform | – | – |
| Waterproof | – | – |
| Carbon plate | – | – |
| Terrain | smooth, mixed | smooth, mixed |
Brand-stated specs or values measured by independent sources. Green marks the better value when one is clearly better.
Which races does each one suit? Checked against 249 races
For each race we look at the terrain, the distance and the average rainfall around race day in recent years, and see which shoe fits best.
Tied in 249
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| Race | What it needs | Asics Trabuco Max 5 | Brooks Caldera 8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Raid de La Réunion180 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
| L'Infernal Trail des Vosges205 km | Likely mud | Not its terrain | Not its terrain |
| Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB168 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
| Topo Athletic Bibracte Ultra-Trail185 km | Likely mud | Not its terrain | Not its terrain |
| Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls185 km | Likely mud | Not its terrain | Not its terrain |
| Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs176 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
| Ultra Trail Gran Vuelta al Valle del Genal167 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
| UTMB Mont-Blanc174 km | Ultra: cushioning | Built for it | Built for it |
Criteria: mud when it often rains around race day on soft ground; rock for skyrunning and vertical kilometres; ultra from 50 km; mixed otherwise.
Analysis: where they really differ
Two max-cushion shoes for ultras on fire roads and runnable trail, with very similar numbers: 38.5 mm heel stack and 5 mm drop on the Trabuco Max 5, versus 36.7 mm and 6 mm drop on the Caldera 8. Here fit is the deciding factor.
Choose the Asics Trabuco Max 5 if…
- You want a touch more foam under the heel.
- You prefer a slightly lower drop (5 mm).
- The Asics fit works for you.
Choose the Brooks Caldera 8 if…
- The Brooks fit works for you.
- You want a stated weight you can rely on (309 g).
- You want a bit more foam under the forefoot (27.9 mm).