Brooks Catamount 3 Introduction
The Brooks Catamount 3 is a velocity path shoe that lets you push the tempo. It’s extraordinarily mild however responsive, which makes it an excellent race day shoe.
I’m an enormous fan of this shoe.
At first, I used to be a bit skeptical as a result of in my thoughts a long-distance path shoe must have extra cushioning however Brooks delivers with the shoe. Ideally, I don’t assume I might use them for a distance longer than a marathon however I don’t have any doubts it could’t deal with 100ks like Brooks boasts about.
I’ve not examined it out on these excessive distances. I’ve examined out their highway footwear the Brooks Hyperion Elite 3 and the Hyperion Tempo. The Catamount feels and appears similar to the Hyperion Tempo.
I really like the light-weight really feel they must them. It was a change from a bulkier path shoe I used to be carrying. Particularly when your legs and ft are getting heavy, you don’t need cumbersome footwear tripping you up.
It is going to value you $170. Which is steep however it’s proper in step with different path footwear.
This one affords many new expertise updates comparable to propulsion cushioning that has nitrogen-infused DNA FLASH midsole, Sky Vault path plate, and their TrailTack Inexperienced rubber outsole. All well worth the fairly price ticket.
Brooks Catamount 3 Impressions
This path shoe does all of it. The shoe trade is taking the path shoe sport to a different stage. They’ve a path shoe for any kind of terrain you’ll encounter.
Looking for a path shoe that will probably be versatile and cozy sufficient to satisfy your wants is tough. You’re overwhelmed with so many choices, however in the event you take the time to offer the Catamount 3 a attempt, I promise that you’ll like it as a lot as I do.
I pulled them out of the field laced them up for the primary time and did 10 miles. No break-in interval was wanted and on that first run, I used to be hooked.
My typical go-to path footwear can be the Salomon Extremely Glide 2 proper now, with a giant comfortable midsole and larger stack peak.
The Brooks Catamount is the alternative of all the things I take pleasure in about path footwear and I’m so completely happy I received an opportunity to expertise them. It’s an actual eye-opener.
That is Brooks third model of the shoe clearly and though I’ve not examined out the previous two variations, I can say from speaking to others and studying about them that Brooks has had a glow-up with their newest mannequin.
The Catamount 1 was the primary path shoe to have a nitrogen-infused foam. Transferring to the Catamount 2, the most important space of enchancment that was wanted was the higher however additionally they made it a more adept path shoe by including a Skyvault plate and a nitro-infused DNA Flash midsole.
Right here comes the Catamount 3 and it takes all of the previous iterations and improves as soon as once more. You’ll nonetheless have the DNA Flash midsole and the Skyvault plate, however they added a model new system of TrailTack Inexperienced rubber on the outsole.
One other space that’s splendidly improved is the higher, it’s now a single layer of woven engineered mesh.
Brooks Catamount 3 Safety
Although it doesn’t appear like a lot safety, the Catamount delivers.
The higher has been up to date to be extra versatile and feels such as you’re carrying a highway shoe. It’s very comfy and has further overlays alongside the toebox/forefoot to assist keep a safe match and provide safety.
The midsole is 22mm thick within the heel and 16mm thick within the forefoot. It’s made out of Brooks Nitrogen-infused DNA Flash, which is similar midsole materials used for the earlier mannequin. That makes it a 6 mm heel-to-forefoot drop, an excellent alternative for midfoot strikers.
Nitrogen-infused midsoles are primarily ‘sealed’. That helps to maintain the air from escaping the midsole. This course of additionally makes it so no water can get into the midsole and weigh the shoe down. Which means the air can’t get out of the midsole
The outsole is made out of Brooks’ Inexperienced TrailTack. It is a sticky sturdy rubber that lets you have traction on moist surfaces. These are usually not a pair of footwear I might choose for an excellent muddy path. The lugs are pretty brief, coming in at 3.5mm in size.
Within the forefoot, there’s a protecting plate. Brooks has referred to as this the Sky Vault Path Plate. It’s agency however permits for some propulsion when working uphill.
Brooks Catamount 3 Sturdiness
There was little to no put on that I can visibly see on them after properly over 50 plus miles.
The higher that has been up to date appears and feels skinny. However there was no signal of tearing and so they have taken a beating.
It’s a one-piece higher that’s made with TPEE mesh which makes it smooth and sturdy. I’ve run by streams whereas carrying them and so they drained in a short time There’s a mudflap on the toe for added safety and overlays for further safety.
Brooks Catamount 3 Responsiveness & velocity
The Catamount is constructed for velocity.
It handles something you place in entrance of it just about. You’ll not solely hit prime velocity on descents however may even expertise propulsion uphill.
The midsole is curved and with this rocker form, it makes positive when your foot hits the bottom it doesn’t cease transferring.
Two areas that this shoe doesn’t shine can be the additional muddy terrains and snow that has been packed down.
On barely muddy trails you’ll haven’t any downside getting a grip however because the lugs are usually not very lengthy, I tended to slide so much when carrying them on overly muddy trails.
For muddy programs, I might counsel discovering a path shoe that has longer lugs.
Brooks Catamount 3 Consolation and match
If you happen to like an opulent shoe, this won’t be a shoe for you. Though very comfy, it doesn’t have a pillowy cushioned really feel to them. They’re agency however provide consolation that may final for no matter distance you’re utilizing them for.
Out of all my path footwear, these are my most minimalist feeling however they ship like a bulkier shoe. I had no issues with them missing in consolation or safety.
They do match on the tighter aspect however provide loads of room within the toe field on your toes to splay however steady.
Operating on trails that have been slanted a technique, I typically have bother with footwear pushing my foot to the skin. I didn’t expertise that with the Catamount.
Brooks Catamount 3 Conclusions
The Brooks Catamount 3 is mild and quick. But it’s also cushioned sufficient to be comfy to put on for longer runs.
It offers you a pleasant easy trip on all surfaces. The shoe is a stable alternative for runners who steer in the direction of a shoe with good floor really feel.
