The Brooks Catamount 4. All photographs: iRunFar/Alli Hartz
The most recent replace to the Catamount mannequin, the Brooks Catamount 4 ($170), comes with two millimeters of further stack top and updates to its midsole supplies and mesh higher. Its claimed weight of 9.5 ounces (269 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9 retains this path operating shoe moderately light-weight. Lastly, its 6-millimeter drop (now based mostly on a claimed 34-millimeter complete stack top on the heel) and three.5-millimeter lug depth are unchanged from earlier iterations.
The Catamount is Brooks’ gentle and quick path operating choice for fast ascents and responsiveness on a wide range of surfaces. Because the authentic Catamount launched in 2020, this shoe has developed a loyal following and has persistently held a spot on our listing of Finest Path Working Footwear.
I ran within the first-generation Catamount, and though I loved the shoe’s snappy light-weight really feel, I craved extra cushion for lengthy coaching runs and ultramarathons. Different runners have shared this want, and Brooks has responded with extra cushion in every shoe replace. This elevated stack top may alienate followers of earlier low-to-the-ground Catamount designs. Nevertheless, I discovered that the shoe retains its agency, light-and-fast really feel, even with the added cushion.
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Brooks Catamount 4 Higher
A lateral view of the Brooks Catamount 4.
Lacing up the Brooks Catamount 4 looks like readying for a race. The shoe’s single-layer mesh higher is made with TPEE fibers, a kind of thermoplastic elastomer identified for its flexibility and power. Certainly, the higher feels skinny, light-weight, and breathable, but sturdy sufficient for trails. It hugs my foot securely whether or not I’m on a rolling tempo run, lapping hill strides, or rock-hopping down a technical path. The textured laces keep put, and I may also tuck them out of the way in which utilizing the elastic band over the midfoot.
I’ve run in numerous fashions of Brooks path trainers, together with the Cascadia and the Divide most not too long ago, and I’ve seen that Brooks designs have a extra conventional match across the midfoot and toebox. Because of this the toebox isn’t particularly roomy, huge, or rounded, like many well-liked path trainers. My foot has a median width, arch profile, and instep top, and the Catamount 4 offers a comfortable match that doesn’t really feel restrictive in any respect. I ran on a mixture of grime, packed and slushy snow, rocky and icy trails, in addition to steep grades. I didn’t expertise any scorching spots or uncommon put on on the higher by means of the primary 85 miles of testing the Catamount 4.
Brooks Catamount 4 Midsole
A medial view of the Brooks Catamount 4.
As with earlier variations of this shoe, the Brooks Catamount 4 midsole is constructed with DNA FLASH nitrogen-infused foam and a SkyVault propulsion plate. Each applied sciences have been up to date to model two, with a said purpose of improved vitality return for uphill operating. The froth midsole now has an additional two millimeters of top, which can not seem to be a lot, however it may very well be a dealbreaker for runners preferring being nearer to the bottom. Adjustments to the SkyVault Plate embrace a curved design and placement inside the midsole to optimize responsiveness.
Throughout testing, the Catamount 4 felt responsive and nimble, although it doesn’t have the bouncy vitality return of Nike’s ZoomX foam, for instance. The midsole foam feels agency, reasonably than bouncy. Runners preferring a barely extra secure midsole foam could favor this shoe’s snappy responsiveness. I loved this shoe whether or not I used to be on a tempo run or out for a simple neighborhood loop with my canines. It’s the type of shoe that may work effectively as an on a regular basis coaching shoe and likewise really feel gentle and speedy on race day.
The SkyVault path plate is designed to assist with uphill propulsion. I don’t know that this expertise will make up for an absence of health, however I do suppose it feels agile sufficient on brief, punchy climbs and lengthy, gradual grinds. The shoe’s total light-weight really feel doesn’t damage, both.
Brooks Catamount 4 Outsole
The outsole of the Brooks Catamount 4.
The Brooks Catamount 4 incorporates the model’s TrailTack Inexperienced rubber and has 3.5-millimeter lugs. This can be a versatile outsole design that has carried out effectively in every thing that central Oregon winter has to supply: slushy, sloppy snow, packed snow and ice, mud, gravel, moist rocks, and — often — hero grime. I by no means had traction points in any of those circumstances. Since I repeatedly run on pavement from my home to entry trails, I admire that the outsole doesn’t really feel too clunky or sticky on roads.
Brooks Catamount 4 General Impressions
A prime view of the Brooks Catamount 4.
The Brooks Catamount 4 is designed for operating quick on trails, notably whereas going uphill. I agree that this can be a nice utility of this shoe, and with this mannequin’s added cushion, I’d push the space on this shoe as much as a path marathon or 50k. For longer distances, I’d nonetheless need plusher foam underneath my toes.
Even with the elevated cushion, particularly in comparison with the unique Catamount, this shoe nonetheless feels light-weight and nimble. I run on this shoe for each day miles, exercises, and would select it for shorter, extra technical races, like a sky race or vertical kilometer. In different phrases, this can be a versatile path operating shoe that’s enjoyable to lace up for nearly any run. In the event you’re in search of one shoe for each day operating, exercises, and races which are 50k or shorter, the Catamount 4 is value contemplating.
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- Have you ever tried the Brooks Catamount 4? What do you suppose?
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