Brooks - Catamount Series

I wear the Brooks Catamount and I'm really happy with it!

Some already said, but I'd look at the: * Topo MTN Racer 3 - tried them on in store and thought they felt great * Brooks Catamount 3 or 4 - I run in the 2's right now and have the 3's waiting in the wings. This is my favorite trail shoe, although it is a little narrow. * Nike Zegama 2 - I didn't like them because I thought the heel drop felt like too much for the trails and would cause stability issues for myself. Foam felt great though. * North Face Summit VECTIV Sky 2 - heard good things about this one that's about to come out. The one might go on sale soon. * adidas Terrex Agravic 3 - heard good things but too narrow for me * adidas Terrex speed - heard good things but too narrow for me * nnormal kjerag - heard good things and is a sustainable brand * Altra Monte Blanc - heard good things from people who have no heel slippage problems, although the heel didn't work for me at all

Im ~85kg and found that i prefer firm and responsive when running (short) races, with a not-too-stretchy upper. I think the brooks catamount could be a good option - they feel fast, stable and sturdy (i have the 2’s). The kjerags works well for me too i must say.

Given your experience with Salomon and Brooks combined with the desire for stability: Try Salomon Genesis or Brooks Catamount 3. The Genesis is one of Salomon's most stable trail running shoe I've had, while the Brooks Catamount runs incredibly well and stable on moderate trails. The Genesis is softer and has better grip, while the Catamount is more responsive. Horses for courses, really. Since you also have La Sportivas: I can recommend looking at the Prodigio, which is a well rounded shoe that I like picking up for versatility in terrain that is mixed.

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 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’ve had multiple pairs of both brands & have a pair of 1st gen Catamounts still. It’s a real hard choice, love my Catamounts. Also love my Triumphs!

With you. A lot of my running is in Brooks Catamounts, but when it’s muddy and wet the Speedcross come out. They are great shoes. But that is their main use, I wouldn’t use them for anything else.

Agreed! I have a pair of Catamount 2s and I really like them as well.

Try looking for a pair of Brooks catamount 2s, or cascadia 16s. You can find them for decently cheap and they will be much better than these acics.

Brooks Catamount > Lone Peak

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 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 really love my catamounts. I did an extremely technical half marathon w/ 4500ft of gain/loss during the rain and they never slipped a single time and felt nimble all the way

Had the same issue, none of the “recommended” fit properly. Brooks Catamount 3 work for me & my feet - they feel firm and have a spacious toe box (at least I would say so) without running too wide. Felt like having a firm shoe that still provides feedback of the ground and with that means more stability while hiking. You need to find something that works for you, please consider this just an additional idea and not as recommendation. Shoes should feel/ fit right out of the box. I would decide fit/ use > durability. I rather spend more often than ruining my feet tbh. It is the only connection to the ground.

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 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 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.

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.

The quickest trail shoe that I never rolled an ankle with is the Hoka Tecton X2. Very planted and stable for how propulsive it is. For reference my other trail shoes are Evadict MT2, Brooks Catamount 3, Merrell Skyfire 2 and Hoka Challenger 7.

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 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 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.

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 .

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.

I don’t love the Catamount 3s as much, I feel like they’re a little more flimsy. BUT they did get me through a 100 miler😂 I usually go back to my 2s though.

I don’t love the Catamount 3s as much, I feel like they’re a little more flimsy. BUT they did get me through a 100 miler😂 I usually go back to my 2s though.

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.

001 for the Long Haul, Brooks Catamount for the quick dirt, Salomon S/Lab Genesis when I want some cushion and it’s not wet (for some reason that contragrip doesn’t grip on the VT mountains with even the littlest bit of moisture), 002 sometimes but not often

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.

I’m shocked. I run trails in the Catalinas and Rincons half the year and I tear through my Brooks Catamounts in like 200 miles. I need to try these.

I use the catamount 3s and absolutely love them. Only complaint I’ve had is when it’s slick out the grip could be better. But for everything else they’ve been great.

Brooks Catamount or Catamount 2. I haven’t tried the 3s so can’t recommend them. What didn’t work on the SG5’s? For me it was the width. Will have to get wide if I go there again. EDIT: missed the bit about treadmill. Have no idea but a little road and mostly trail is perfect for Catamounts.

Catamount 3 are my favorite trail shoe at the moment. On my second pair. Available on Amazon and elsewhere for under $100. Lighter than calderas, much more nimble. Great traction. Plenty of room for my toes to spread out. Great ground feel and plenty of protection. Currently love the Hyperion max for roads as a frame of reference.

Northeast trail runner here as well, and am all too familiar with the hunt for the perfect shoe. I’m presently in Brooks Calderas. They’re tanks, and I love them because of it. Tons of protection underfoot and toe for all those pointy rocks and roots we deal with. They’re great for eating up high mileage days, and feel light enough for shorter midweek runs. For shorter, 25k or less, races I’m using the Brooks Catamount Agil. Love those as well, they’re like a beefed up XC spike; and just make you want to go fast! Super confident footing and good toe protection as well.

I picked up some Gel Trabucos here recently and love them. Other shoes I have been wearing are xodus ultras, mtn racers and brooks catamount. Fit wise I love them, they feel stable and enough cushion while not being clunky like my catamounts.

Big fan of Brooks Catamount. You can usually find last years models at deep discounts. Great all arounder.

Amazing on all types of terrain. Hard rock, mud, hard trail. You name it, Cascadia can do it. It's my big mountain shoe, with Catamount being my daily hard trail lap shoe.