//
Catamount 3
Tracked daily
Best price todayLowest tracked · 90d
Where to buy
Today's tracked prices
- 01Amazon11d ago£147.14£170.00−13%
- 02DerbyRunnerLIVE£160.00£170.00−6%
Prices and sizes can change, so always check the latest availability at the retailer. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Tracked daily
Price history
Expert review
Our verdict
The Brooks Catamount 3 is a lightweight trail running shoe built to be raced, not just run. At 269g with a 6mm drop, it sits at the fast end of Brooks' trail range: a nimble, propulsive shoe for runners who want to hold a hard effort over technical ground. This is not a plush ultra cruiser and it is not a rugged tank. It is a trail racer, tuned for tempo efforts, short-to-medium trail races and fast days on rolling singletrack. You get an energetic, connected ride that rewards a quick cadence, with enough underfoot protection to keep the sharp stuff at bay without deadening the trail. It is a neutral shoe at a race-day price, so it asks something of your legs and your wallet. In our view the Catamount 3 earns its keep if you actually race trails or push the pace on them. If you mostly plod easy miles, a softer, cheaper daily trail shoe will serve you better. As a fast trail shoe, we rate it highly.
Key features
- Lightweight 269g buildKeeps your legs quick and fresh so you can race trails and push tempo efforts without the drag of a heavier shoe
- 6mm drop, lower platformKeeps you connected to the ground for real trail feel and confident, sure-footed running on uneven terrain
- Propulsive, responsive rideGives you genuine pop through toe-off that rewards a fast cadence and comes alive when you push the pace
- Race-tuned lockdownWraps the midfoot and heel snugly so your foot stays planted on technical descents and fast, twisting singletrack
- Balanced trail protectionTakes the sting out of rocks and roots on tempo days without deadening the trail feel underfoot
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Trail racers who want a light, fast shoe for short-to-medium events
- Runners doing tempo and threshold work on rolling singletrack
- Neutral runners who like ground feel and a connected ride
- Fast-day runners who want protection without a heavy, plush platform
Good to know
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The Catamount 3 fits true to size for most runners, so order your usual Brooks number and you should be fine. The fit is performance-oriented: a snug midfoot wrap and a secure heel that lock the foot down for fast, technical running, which is exactly what you want when the ground is moving under you. The toe box gives enough room to splay on descents without feeling sloppy, but this is a race-leaning last rather than a roomy one. Runners with wide feet or those who like a relaxed, foot-shaped toe box may find it snug and should try before buying, or look at a roomier daily option like the Brooks Cascadia 19. For long ultra distances where feet swell late in the day, consider going half a size up. For racing and tempo work at your normal size, the lockdown is a real asset.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
The ride is quick and connected, the sort that makes you want to lift the pace rather than settle. There is a distinct pop through toe-off that rewards a light, rolling stride, and the shoe feels most alive when you are actually pushing. Hold an easy jog and it can read a touch firm and businesslike. Ask it to move and it comes into its own. The lower stack and 6mm drop keep you close to the ground, so you get genuine trail feel and confident footing on uneven terrain, at the cost of the pillowy softness you would get from a taller ultra shoe. Over rolling singletrack and climbs it stays lively and responsive from the first mile to the last hard rep.
Cushioning
Cushioning here is tuned for speed rather than plush comfort. There is enough underfoot to take the sting out of rocks and roots on tempo efforts and shorter races, but this is a firmer, more responsive platform than a maximal ultra shoe. On smooth to moderately technical trails it protects well and keeps your legs fresher than the low weight might suggest. Push into very long ultra distances or hours of relentless rock and you will start to want more foam under you. For its intended job, fast days and racing, the balance of protection and ground feel is judged nicely and the ride stays honest deep into an effort.
Stability
This is a neutral trail shoe with no medial posting, so it does not actively correct overpronation. What it does give you is stability through fit and geometry: the snug midfoot and secure heel keep your foot planted, and the lower, closer-to-ground platform makes it harder to roll an ankle than a tall, soft stack would. On technical descents and off-camber ground it feels planted and predictable, which matters more than any support post when you are moving fast over rough terrain. Runners who need genuine pronation control should look elsewhere, but for a neutral runner the Catamount 3 feels sure-footed and composed at pace.
Honest reviews by runners
Reviews
No reviews yet, be the first to review this shoe.
Sign in to write a review.
Common questions
FAQ
The numbers
Specifications
| Category | Trail Race |
| Surface | Trail |
| Drop | 6mm |
| Heel Stack | 30mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 24mm |
Keep looking