
19 in Trail Running Shoes
Brooks - Catamount 3
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Reddit Reviews:
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Based on 1 year's data from Feb 25, 2026 How it works
Liked most:
6
1
"Great ground feel and plenty of protection."
"Could be catamount for everything if you like a little bit lower to the ground shoe."
"they give me too much confidence on technical descents compared to my actual technique."
8
0
"The Catamount 3 makes (me at least) go faster downhill. It's unlike any running shoe I've worn before."
"for smoother/faster stuff switch to the Catamounts ... Love them."
"they are my default racer"
4
3
"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 give me too much confidence on technical descents compared to my actual technique."
"loved them for their grip in all conditions"
7
2
"Even though there's less cushion, I've still worn it for 50 mile races with no issues."
"Because the shoe fit my feet, they are my favorite."
"comfort on my feet for 30 miles even without a crazy stack height"
5
0
"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."
"Go with the catamounts. ... Been doing so for 2.5 years. ... Get you a girl that can do both"
"It also runs pretty well on the road, so it's pretty versatile as a road to trail shoe or just strictly trail."
Disliked most:
2
1
"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."
2
3
"I used Catamounts for my 50 miler last weekend in the San Juans and they’re great, but on their last life"
"you’ll wear the lugs out more quickly on the road"
"They loose some spring/cushion after a few hundred miles"
0
1
"Catamounts were horrrrrendous for me. ... I could barely walk let alone run a mile and a half without getting the worst shin splints I've ever had."
0
2
"Apart from its outsole not being as grippy as the one on the Salomon Speedcross shoes I used to wear"
"its outsole not being as grippy as the one on the Salomon Speedcross shoes I used to wear"
"when it’s slick out the grip could be better."
I wear Glys and wear trail runners, if you just like brooks try the catamount 2s or 3s, great beginner trail shoes. If you are looking outside the brand I really like the Nike zegama 2s, I plan to wear those on my next ultra
I am on my third pair! Freaking love that shoe, and they are a great performing shoe that doesn't cost a fortune.
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.
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!
Second for the catamount 3s. My favorite shoes as of late to run in.
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 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 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.
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.
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.
Suprised they went with vibram. In my use of the catamount 3 and the caldera 7 I thought trail tack green was pretty good.
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.
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.
I have almost 400km on my Catamount 3s and they are my default racer. Light, nimble, protective.
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 do very well with Brooks Catamount 3 (the 4s injured me) for my characteristics and preferences.
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.
I have over 400km on version 3. Sold version 4 after 3 runs. Stiff plate, dead foam, injured my calf trying to get some response out of it.
I’ve had 4 pairs of Catamount 3, absolutely loved them. Size 44.5 (EU). I wanted to give a try to the Catamount 4, same size 44.5 and they were too small. They changed the fit I guess the shoes won’t work for me anymore. Unfortunate, because they were really a stunning pair of shoes for me!
FWIW I did full 100k in the cat 3 with no issues.
Fine actually! Didn’t need to swap them once.
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