Earlier than diving into the evaluate of the Brooks Catamount 3 ($170), let’s take a second to replicate on its predecessor, the OG Brooks Catamount – see our authentic Brooks Catamount evaluate. I had a keenness for that shoe. Nevertheless, extended runs exceeding three hours typically resulted in foot soreness, prompting me to seek for another, ultimately touchdown on The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky – see our The North Face Summit Vectiv Sky evaluate.
Consequently, I missed the chance to expertise the Brooks Catamount 2 – see our Brooks Catamount 2 evaluate, which boasted vital updates from its forerunner, and was deemed worthy of inclusion in our Greatest Path Working Footwear article.
Intrigued by the critiques of the Catamount 2, I used to be desperate to assess whether or not the Catamount 3 fulfilled all my standards for a super path operating shoe: light-weight, reasonable traction, and responsive, but providing adequate cushioning to forestall soreness throughout prolonged runs.
The Brooks Catamount 3 boasts spectacular specs tailor-made to path runners searching for a light-weight and quick path shoe. With a claimed midsole peak of 16 millimeters within the forefoot and 22 millimeters within the heel, the Catamount 3 supplies modest cushioning and help to deal with rugged terrains, whereas the midsole drop of 6 millimeters promotes a pure stride. With a claimed weight of 8.4 ounces (238 grams) for U.S. girls’s dimension 8.5 and 9.4 ounces (266 grams) for a U.S. males’s 9, the Brooks Catamount 3 strikes a stability between sturdiness and agility, making it a flexible selection for path runners in search of efficiency and luxury.
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The Brooks Catamount 3. All images: iRunFar/Reese Ruland
Brooks Catamount 3 Higher
The Brooks Catamount 3 introduces vital updates to its higher development, promising enhanced efficiency and luxury on the paths. Constructing upon the inspiration laid by its predecessors, the Catamount 3 boasts a revamped design that prioritizes flexibility, light-weight really feel, and flexibility to numerous terrains.
Not like the Catamount 2, which featured a dual-layer cloth higher, the Catamount 3 opts for a single, versatile, and light-weight single-layer TPEE mesh for sturdiness and luxury. This streamlined development permits the supplies to evolve extra seamlessly to the foot’s pure actions, facilitating a smoother expertise throughout uphill climbs and lateral maneuvers.
The comfortable match of this shoe feels refreshing for a Brooks mannequin, because the model typically leans in the direction of a roomier match. I skilled a way of safety with my foot comfortably nestled within the shoe, permitting me to tighten the laces with out creating any discomfort or sizzling spots. Even on technical trails, my foot remained firmly in place with none sensation of looseness or motion.
The laces on the Catamount 3 are an improve over the Catamount 2. Brooks opted for textured, virtually braided, laces. They remained tight and tied throughout all of my runs. Plus, the lace bungee on the tongue of the shoe saved them from flapping round.
Just like iRunFar’s evaluate of the Catamount 2, I discovered that the Catamount 3 toebox was barely shallow and my massive toe barely rubbed up in opposition to the highest. It didn’t trigger any main points, and appeared to enhance as I broke the shoe in.
A lateral view of the Brooks Catamount 3.
Brooks Catamount 3 Midsole
The Brooks Catamount 3 is much like the Catamount 2 in that it additionally options Brooks’ two distinctive applied sciences within the midsole — DNA FLASH and the SkyVault path plate.
The DNA FLASH midsole know-how is infused with nitrogen, making it light-weight and offering runners with a responsive and agile expertise on trails. Whereas I did discover the shoe to be extra snug and extra responsive than the unique Catamount, it nonetheless felt like I needed extra “oomph” from this shoe.
It’s vital to notice that the shoe could really feel harsher when used on roads or gravel paths. Not like footwear with related cushioning, the shoe doesn’t present the identical pop on these surfaces. At occasions I discovered the shoe to be stiff slightly than responsive.
The SkyVault path plate enhances uphill effectivity, which Brooks claims will assist runners preserve a brisk tempo and simply conquer peaks. I’d additionally say coaching on hills will try this as properly — that’s what I inform myself.
I can’t say I observed an enormous distinction to earlier iterations on the uphills. The shoe is light-weight, with a claimed weight of 9.4 ounces (266 grams) for U.S. males’s dimension 9, making going uphill really feel a lot much less arduous.
With a claimed midsole peak of twenty-two millimeters on the heel and 16 millimeters on the toe, and a midsole drop of 6 millimeters, the Catamount 3 falls proper in the course of the cushion scale, and I discovered that the shoe supplied a welcomed path really feel. I wasn’t disconnected from what I used to be operating over, however I used to be protected against a lot of the bumps.
Moreover, the bottom or platform width of the shoe was simply the right dimension. I discovered this helped the shoe give me stability with out being corrective.
A medial view of the Brooks Catamount 3.
Brooks Catamount 3 Outsole
The Brooks Catamount 3 integrates a TrailTack Inexperienced rubber outsole that exemplifies the model’s dedication to sustainability and efficiency. Crafted with 25% recycled content material, this revolutionary outsole not solely reduces environmental impression, however Brooks claims it additionally delivers distinctive traction on varied surfaces, whether or not moist or dry.
Getting examined within the winter, the Catamount 3 went by way of the wringer. I used these footwear on the highway, gravel paths, ice, snow, bike paths, tough trails, and dare I say it: the treadmill. (It was −25 Fahrenheit out, so this was a final resort.)
I used to be nervous the outsole would get worn out sooner than regular, however was shocked at its sturdiness. The shoe’s outsole remains to be in nice situation, and I haven’t observed any lower in traction.
The Catamount’s 3.5-millimeter lugs aren’t overly aggressive, but they managed to maintain me safe and assured, even on snowy trails.
The outsole of the Brooks Catamount 3.
Brooks Catamount 3 General Impressions
The Brooks Catamount 3 emerges as a standout all-purpose path shoe, skillfully balancing traction, cushioning, and modest responsiveness. Notably, it’s not overly corrective or excessively cushioned — providing stability, a comfortable match, and commendable efficiency throughout varied trails. It’s a excellent selection for these searching for a light-weight and quick path shoe.
Whereas Brooks means that the shoe is finest suited to 50k to 100k races, I really feel that the 50k distance could be pushing the higher restrict for me. Just like the suggestions from reviewers of the Catamount 2, which was one in every of our favorites in our Greatest Path Working Footwear article, I additionally encountered some foot soreness throughout longer runs with the Catamount 3.
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