Brooks - Catamount Series

I have Brooks Catamount (Both 2 & 3) and I like them a lot. They loose some spring/cushion after a few hundred miles but they still look new. I don�t know that it�s realistic to expect the foam to stay bouncy for five hundred hard miles.

Brooks Catamount > Lone Peak

There are trailrunning shoes, lightweight trailrunning shoes and so called �road-to-trail� shoes.\ One should use at least 2 pair of shoes for rotation anyway.\ And there's always _n+1_ ??\ I use the Brooks Catamount 3 in a mix of road/trail runs.

Flat n fast makes me want to grab some road shoes, but I get what you�re saying about foot soreness in the rock sections, so maybe something with more midsole for absorption or nylon plate for protection and propulsion. Perhaps Endorphin Pro or Endorphin Edge. If you like less cush underfoot but like protection, TNF Enduris/Tecton/Challenger could be enough for ya. Also depends what you�re used to. If you like Brooks, stick with Caldera or Catamount for a trail version of what you�re used to. Have fun!

The trails I run on are mixed. Some are loose gravel/packed gravel, some are wood floor with lots of roots and muddy sections (depending on weather), I also came across some more difficult rock gardens recently.\ I forgot to add previously: I also bought the Brooks Catamount 3 on the same day.\ Catamount 3 feels superior. An amazing shoe.

Fine actually! Didn�t need to swap them once.

I�m still running in the Catamount 3. Great shoe for <50km or less. Haven�t tried the Caldera but would gladly give them a go once I decide to retire my Trabuco Max. Sadly, can�t seem to get them to fit very well but also keep forcing myself to run in them.

FWIW I did full 100k in the cat 3 with no issues.

I understand the thinking behind Gore-tex shoes. If water can't get in, it also can't get out. Recipe for blisters and skin damage (in longer distances). I've run in Brooks Catamount for everything from one-hour Sunday runs to 35-milers, including several races that were insanely wet and muddy. Paired with Feetures trail socks, I've never had a single problem. They drain really well.

I feel like my Glycerin's fit similarly to the Caldera, but the Caldera feels too soft and bulky for the rocky technical trails that I mostly run on. If you are on smoother graded paths, it might be excellent. I'll probably end up with a pair next year just to have them. The Catamount is a much sleeker shoe than the glycerin, but the upper fits me about the same. The foam seems similar, but it's not a plush shoe. It will be a great shoe for a shorter race like a 10k, but for a lot of longer slower runs, maybe you want something else. Watch some YouTube reviews and see what you think. I just got the version 3 on clearance for $50 and I like it a lot. I'll probably wear it for my next half marathon. I don't like the Cascadia, so no advice there. Both the catamount and caldera are 6mm drop, which will feel different from the 10mm drop of the glycerin, if that matters. As for other brands, the options are endless so I'm just talking Brooks here. Nike Pegasus Trail is a soft shoe with 10mm drop, so that's just a start for something more similar.

I know la sportiva kaptiva and use them for technical terrain. Akasha is a strange shoe for me � only works on forefoot. I also use speedgoat 5 and like it - can�t go wrong with 5 or 6. Mafate Speed also more for technical. I have also experience with catamount 1 and catamount 3. I don�t have any experience with saucony peregrine. Over all the catamount 3 ist for me the most interesting shoe right now: fast on forefoot, rolling in the center and a softer feel on the heel than the speedgoat. No Vibram but the rubber of the 3 feels pretty sticky. All in all a really great shoe of it�s not muddy. If la sportiva - I would give the prodigio or jackal boa a try. More modern kind of shoe. But: depending on your weight, fitness level, and your foot �

I weigh the same as you and I found I prefer foams that feel rather firm at first because they then break in to feel great. For road running and trail running Brooks and ascics typically fit the bill. I trained for my first ultra in brooks catamounts and loved them for their grip in all conditions and comfort on my feet for 30 miles even without a crazy stack height.

Hello. I come from the same issue. I had major issues with Plantar Fasciitis after running in the Speedcross and S/Lab Speed for many years. My first shoe was the Hoka Speedgoat Evo. That was an epic shoe, but sold out everywhere so quickly I only ever ran in one pair. Since then I�ve tried many similar shoes, looking for great grip, soft and bouncy ride, but good stability as I over-pronate, plus I recently developed osteoarthritisin my big toes. So, I really rate the following: - Hoka Mafate Speed 4. Good all rounder - Salomon S/lab genesis. A little narrow and unstable but speedy and shed mud quickly - La Sportiva Prodigeo Pro - great foam and good grip, lightweight. - Saucony Xodus Ultra - 1 and 3 are pretty good, ignore the 2. - Hoka Tecton X 3 - my go-to race shoe for hard packed trails and gravel I like the Speedgoat, Catamount, Fuji Lite, Ultra Glide too but they all have compromises that the shoes above don�t have in the same way.

Mafate 4 & Slab ultra glide for training Then hoka tecton x3, brooks catamount 3 & agil, puma nitro elite trail for racing, depending on distance and terrain.

I went from the New Balance Hierros to the Brooks Catamount 3, and I like how much ground feel I have with the Catamount. If you're in the US, you can get some pretty good deals on the Catamount 3 instead of the newer Catamount 4, too! I usually get at least 400 miles out of my pairs on some pretty technical trails and feel like they're a good value on a high performing shoe.

Second for the catamount 3s. My favorite shoes as of late to run in.

I have Brooks Catamount 3�used for 477 km. Because the shoe fit my feet, they are my favorite. Just got my secound pair of Brooks Catamount 3 and have used them in a short 20 km trail race.

Suprised they went with vibram. In my use of the catamount 3 and the caldera 7 I thought trail tack green was pretty good.

I wear Brooks Ghosts on road runs.. Brooks Catamounts were a lovely transition to a trail runner. Would definitely recommend. I tried on Brooks Cascadias, but they were a little too bulky for my liking

I am on my third pair! Freaking love that shoe, and they are a great performing shoe that doesn't cost a fortune.

I had the catamount 2. Great for flat stuff, very snappy. Did a VK in them though and the heel slippage was so bad I thought I was gonna start bleeding from the chafe

I have almost 400km on my Catamount 3s and they are my default racer. Light, nimble, protective.

Good to hear that Brooks still has it. Catamount 4 was a big flop, even more coming from the 3 which was a stellar shoe. I would get this Caldera anyday before a Mafate X or something of the sorts.

Your 10k time is pretty fast - you can get more racing style trail shoes built short fast trail races . The brooks catamount is an example of that . ( I know this because I�m racing a trail half in July and looking for something !) However you�ll wear the lugs out more quickly on the road hence if it�s basic trail , dry and not technical - and more road - you might be better off just wearing your normal racing shoes and saving a few quid .

Oh man Catamounts were horrrrrendous for me. I used to run and hike in Cascadia 8s or 9s so when I found them on a good sale I decided to give the Catamounts a try for getting back into trail running after many years off. I could barely walk let alone run a mile and a half without getting the worst shin splints I've ever had. I used to always wear La Sportiva approach shoes for climbing so gave the Prodigios (regular, not Pro) a try and they've been amazing. To OPs question on other gear - no name Amazon shorts with a built in compression boxer ?? no chafing and half the price of the name brands. Carefully husbanding my last two Arc'teryx Velox tees though - still to this day the best hot weather running/hiking/MTBing shirt out there imo and mine are definitely getting a bit threadbare after the 12 years or whatever I've had them. I hope when they give up the ghost I can find something else with a similar ultralight dotted/pucker weave.

I love the Brooks Catamount 2. I�m trying the Catamount 3 right now but will probably end up ordering a few pair of the 2�s to use until they�re nla.

I've been running ~200 km with the Catamount 3. Apart from its outsole not being as grippy as the one on the Salomon Speedcross shoes I used to wear, I've no complaints.\ The Catamount is a fast shoe on gravel, I appreciate it.

I do very well with Brooks Catamount 3 (the 4s injured me) for my characteristics and preferences.

I wear size 42 (EU), I've been to the brick & mortar store where I bought my pair of Catamount 3 in March 2025. Sadly, my size wasn't up for grabs anyway. Had to order online. Well, as long as I get a pair...\ Yeah, I've heard from several people now that there's a noticeable change between C3 and C4. I've seen a version of Catamount 3, called �Agile� supposedly even lighter and meant for trail races. Very interesting. I rarely come across a shoe which fits like a glove, figuratively speaking, immediately at the first try.

I hear y'all. Being in the Bison class club at a mere 235lbs and six foot, I don't necessarily want a 35mm heel stack while running the trail. I am game for test driving every shoe at REI. Right now, I'm on a three shoe rotation: Altra LP 8, Brooks Catamount 3, and Saucony WC. I'll probably move into the LP9s here soon.

For uphill: Scarpa Spin Race - superlight, fast, Vibram outsole. Verry direct and less toe protection for downhills or when you get a bit tired. Scott Supertrac RC 3 - for technical up and downs, mudd, wet blocks wet roots � slim, light and awesome grip and deep lugs. Top upper - a beast! For more runnable terrain i like the la sportiva prodigio. It�s like a rockershaped running shoe with great cushion under heel and midfoot - great grip! Brooks catamount 3 - great fit and cool in uphill through their plate, fast, agile but I use them just when conditions are dry. Fast shoe.

I have a really narrow midfoot and heel. Like a really narrow heel and brooks has the best heel lock down, better than everything else. Even the brands known for having narrow shoes like Salomon and La Sportiva. If brooks road shoes fit you really good I�d try the caldera and catamount. Both last years models can be had for about $100. Caldera for long slow days, catamount for faster. Could be catamount for everything if you like a little bit lower to the ground shoe.

I have 400km on the pair I bought new and ~50km on a pair I bought with 200km. I rolled my ankle badly with them last weekend though. They are the most stable show I have, they give me too much confidence on technical descents compared to my actual technique.

My most stable but still somewhat cushioned trail running shoes are the Brooks Catamount 3. I'm staying away from the 4 as it seems taller, but just ordered another pair of 3. It's my main racer.

I�m in the rocky/rooty Southeast and primarily run in my Brooks Cascadias, and for smoother/faster stuff switch to the Catamounts. Love them.

The best ones I had for me were Long Sky 2 Matryx and Catamount 3. I don't do well with too much height or too much cushion.

I've been dealing with insertional Achilles tendonitis recently and similar pain at the back of the heel. The most comfortable shoe in my rotation is Salomon S/lab Pulsar. It has a soft and pliable heel counter. The second most comfortable is probably NNormal Kjerag. Also I have an old pair of Brooks Catamount, which is the 1st version of the shoe. It is pretty comfortable too.

The Catamount is a much lighter weight shoe with less cushion. To me, it feels much faster and more nimble. Even though there's less cushion, I've still worn it for 50 mile races with no issues. I like that it's a high performing shoe that is still relatively affordable and I can get a decent amount of miles out of before they start wearing down too much. It also runs pretty well on the road, so it's pretty versatile as a road to trail shoe or just strictly trail. But as others have said, the best shoe for you is the one that fits your feet the best. Find places with good selection or good return policies to see what works best for you!

Brooks Catamount 3. Georgeous shoe.