REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable upper
Tacky outsole
Updated breathability
Energetic plate
Balanced minimalism
REASONS TO AVOID
Still lags behind competitors
Firm midsole
Brooks Catamount 4 - Women's Review
A firmer midsole, reliable traction, and eco-conscious touches make this model a solid pick for narrow-footed runners seeking speed and versatility
The Catamount is a strong trail running contender for moderate terrain and shorter distances.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
RELATED: Best Trail Running Shoes for Women
Our Verdict
The irony of the new Brooks Catamount 4 is that it's likely the best version of the Catamount that Brooks has released, yet it still struggles to compete with top-tier trail shoes. With a noticeably firm midsole, responsive and protective SkyVault plate, reliable TrailTrack Green outsole, and a 7 mm drop, the Catamount 4 is a solid option for runners with narrow to average feet — though this iteration is slightly wider than past versions. It offers a good midfoot lock, some eco-friendly materials, and a more accessible price than many of its high-performing peers. If you're after a do-it-all trail shoe with a streamlined profile for shorter, speedier trail running, the Catamount 4 is worth taking for a spin.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Brooks Catamount 4 - Women's | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Best Overall Trail Running Shoe for Women |  Best Wide Toe Box Option | Best for Long Distances on Technical Trails |  Best Bang for Your Buck | |
| Price | $132.24 at Amazon Compare at 2 sellers | $185.00 at REI Compare at 2 sellers | $111.93 at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $190 List $142.46 at Backcountry | $140.00 at REI Compare at 3 sellers |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | While this version improves on fit and performance with better responsiveness and a strong outsole, it still falls just short of standing out among elite trail running options | Offering exceptional traction, comfort, and versatility, this shoe combines a nimble build with rugged protection, making it ideal for trail runners of all levels | Though not the most agile, this shoe shines in comfort, traction, and all-day trail durability | A unisex shoe that offers superior performance across the board, boasting a protective yet sensitive ride with a grippy outsole and exceptional durability | With a reliable build, lightened weight, and road-shoe fit, this shoe remains a go-to for trail runners who value consistency over flashy upgrades |
| Rating Categories | Brooks Catamount 4... | Hoka Mafate Speed 4... | Topo MTN Racer 3 -... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... | Saucony Peregrine 1... |
| Comfort and Fit (25%) | |||||
| Traction (20%) | |||||
| Stability (15%) | |||||
| Foot Protection (15%) | |||||
| Weight (15%) | |||||
| Sensitivity (10%) | |||||
| Specifications | Brooks Catamount 4... | Hoka Mafate Speed 4... | Topo MTN Racer 3 -... | Salomon S/Lab Ultra... | Saucony Peregrine 1... |
| Measured Heel Stack Height | 30 mm | 36 mm | 32 mm | 27 mm | 30 mm |
| Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop | 7 mm | 3 mm | 6 mm | 9 mm | 4 mm |
| Rock Plate | SkyVault plate | No | No | Not disclosed | Yes |
| Measured Lug Depth | 3.4 mm | 5.3 mm | 4.3 mm | 3.5 mm | 5.6 mm |
| Measured Weight | 7.60 oz | 7.96 oz | 7.80 oz | 8.05 oz | 7.80 oz |
| Upper | Mesh | Jacquard mesh | Mesh | Anti-debris mesh with sockliner | Mesh |
| Midsole | DNA Flash v2 | ProFly+ | ZipFoam | Energy Save PU foam with Profeel Film rock protection | PWRRUN foam |
| Outsole | TrailTack Green | Vibram Megagrip with Litebase | Vibram | Salomon Contagrip MA | PWRTRAC |
| Sizes Available | 5 - 12 US regular | 5 - 11 US | 6 - 12 US | 4 - 14 US regular |
5 - 12 US regular, wide, GTX |
| Heel Tab Type | None | Finger loop | Extended heel pull | None | Finger loop |
| Claimed Heel-to-Toe Drop | 6 mm | 4 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm | 4 mm |
Our Analysis and Test Results
At 7.60 ounces (women's size 6.5 shoe) with a 7 mm drop, a SkyVault plate for propulsion, and an overall slender fit, the Brooks Catamount 4 has the makings of a trail racing shoe. Brooks has made substantial updates to the Catamount, though it still lacks some of the burly tech of its trail running counterparts.
The new Catamount has some of the shortest lugs we've tested, but the stickiness of the outsole works well to keep you upright on slick surfaces.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Comfort and Fit
The updated Brooks Catamount is noticeably comfortable, though it does run slightly on the narrow side. Brooks added a bit of additional cushion to the midsole, but they seem to have redesigned their foams to be a bit more rigid underfoot. The result is a firm yet well-cushioned shoe that stands 30 mm off the ground in the heel — only 2 mm higher than its predecessor. This extra cushion allows the Catamount to be a longer-distance running contender in ways that previous versions couldn't. Even still, the Catamount is best suited for shorter distances. The upper mesh is profoundly breathable, adding a nice level of breathability during warm-weather running. Even with the updated comfort features, the Catamount is a more minimal take on a trail racing shoe. It's a lower-volume shoe, so runners seeking a beefy heel collar need not apply here. I found the Catamount to be perfectly comfortable on both long and short runs, though its comfort still lacks some of the spark of other trail running shoes.
Though this version is a bit more well-suited to the average runner, the Catamount has always been a bit on the narrow side, making it less appropriate for wide-footed runners or those who want extra toe box space.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Traction
The reconfigured outsole of the Catamount is pretty awesome. The TrailTack Green materials come together to throw lugs in all directions, ensuring a 360-degree confidence check on most terrain types. Each of the dual-paned chevron-shaped lugs stands at 3.4 mm high. The Catamount doesn't have the tallest lug profile around, but its well-placed lugs with sharp edges veering in all directions offer a secure hold on most moderate terrain types. Much like the Catamount 3, with its multidirectional lugs and a touch of outsole flexibility, this version handles singletrack trails and fire roads with ease. Its fit and outsole design support agile movement, making it an excellent pick for fast, focused trail runs with only moderate technicality.
The TrailTack Green material and well-designed spread of lugs helps make the outsole of the Catamount highly functional on loose terrain.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Stability
The Catamount 4 delivers a surprisingly stable ride, partly thanks to its firm sidewalls and secure heel collar. Its trim fit, especially in the rearfoot, helps lock things in place, giving runners confident control on twisting trails. Designed as a neutral shoe, the Catamount skips added support structures in favor of a smartly designed mesh upper that holds the foot securely. It's a solid match for runners who want a light, responsive feel without sacrificing precision or stability during quick shifts and turns on flowy singletrack.
The low-riding profile and strong heel cup help you steer the Catamount with confidence and stability.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Foot Protection
The Catamount 4 features a 30 mm stack in the heel and 23 mm in the forefoot, and features a SkyVault plate giving it decent underfoot protection. While the forefoot rides low, the midsole materials work well together to provide a balance of cushioning and trail feel. Up top, the thin, breathable upper sacrifices some structure and can feel a bit porous. The thin weave of the upper mesh is super comfortable, but not the most protective. The low-profile heel collar isn't especially padded, which may allow trail debris to sneak in, depending on your foot shape. Up front, the toe cap is minimal but effective, delivering just enough protection for moderate terrain without adding extra bulk. The Catamount's foot protection, traction, and moderate weight make it a nearly ideal shoe for sandy single tracks.
The SkyVault plate adds firm yet comfortable underfoot protection while the minimal toecap helps protect toes.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Weight
Each women's size 6.5 shoe weighs 7.60 ounces, making the Catamount lighter than many of the more rugged trail shoes we've tested. Even though this version of the Catamount weighs more than its predecessor (which was 7.19 ounces per shoe), I love how it is a moderate trail shoe that doesn't needlessly add weight or bulk. The Catamount's medium-low weight is great for days when you want to pick up the pace and see what kind of power may be lurking in your legs.
The upper of the Catamount helps keep it feeling light and fresh when you're looking to increase your leg turnover speed.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Sensitivity
The propulsive SkyVault plate of the Catamount is noticeable, which is about the only thing impeding this shoe's sensitivity. The touch of firmness underfoot allows the undercarriage of this shoe to provide adequate protection while still delivering the trail information you need as you run. The Catamount isn't the most ground-connected shoe out there, but it delivers right where it counts if you're a runner seeking moderate trails who wants solid sensitivity.
Shoes with thick plates don't always score well in the sensitivity metric, but the Catamount is a rare kind of shoe in that it delivers both elements in a rather balanced way.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Should You Buy the Brooks Catamount 4?
Brooks has made some serious strides with its updates to the Catamount. While this shoe doesn't exactly top our short list of trail shoes to race in, it is getting there. The SkyVault plate offers a nice amount of propulsion, and the overall price tag of the shoe isn't as daunting as other plated options. If you have wide feet, we recommend a different shoe, but runners with slender to average feet will likely succeed in the breathable and spry Brooks Catamount 4.
The Catamount offers a lot to love, though it is far from a perfect trail shoe. Runners who want a bit of speed for moderate terrain running might find that this version of the Catamount offers exactly what they need.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
What Other Trail Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The La Sportiva Prodigio Pro is a higher-tech feeling trail shoe offering nearly the same metrics spread as the Catamount. With a bit more comfort and a more secure heel collar, the Prodigio Pro is a shoe that is more well-equipped for technical running. If you love the idea of a plated shoe but want something with a bit more cushion, the Hoka Tecton X 3 is a great contender to consider. The Tecton X3 is a bit heavier but offers stronger comfort with a thinner underfoot plate. Finally, if you want to rip up single tracks with ease but aren't interested in a rigid underfoot experience, the Salomon S/Lab Ultra 3 is our go-to recommendation for you. It offers a tacky traction pattern, an impenetrable upper, and prestigious durability.
—Ally Arcuri
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