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Catamount 4
Brooks' fast trail shoe with a SkyVault plate and good grip.
Today's tracked prices
- 01Start FitnessDEALLIVE£70.00£159.99−56%
- 02Direct RunningLIVE£112.40£159.99−30%
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Price history
Our verdict
Reviewers split hard on the Catamount 4, and the spec sheet shows why. Brooks raised the drop to 8.4mm from the 6mm of the Catamount 3 and stiffened the SkyVault plate, so this fast trail running shoe now rolls you through the stride instead of bending with the ground. Some testers liked that a lot. iRunFar found it nimble enough for training, workouts and races up to 50K, and one lab review rated its stability among the best on the trail market. The Believe in the Run team went the other way: a harsh midsole, a heel that wouldn't lock down, and a step back from version 3. We land between them. It weighs 270g, almost exactly what the Catamount 3 did, and nearly everyone liked the grip. If you land on your heel and want a steady platform at speed, it makes sense. If the old shoe's flex was the reason you bought it, try this one on before you commit.
Key features
- SkyVault plateStiffens the shoe for a quicker, rolling toe-off and puts a layer between your foot and sharp rocks, though you give up flex to get it.
- 8.4mm dropSits your heel higher than the Catamount 3's 6mm did, which lab testing felt suits you if you land on your heel, but it changes how the shoe feels at speed.
- Grippy outsoleEarned praise from reviewers on wet rock, mud and snow. The lugs are shallow, so one lab review rates it best on paths and gravel rather than very technical ground.
- Wide, supportive platformKeeps your foot steady when you're moving fast on uneven trail, without being a stability shoe.
Who it suits
Who should buy it
- Heel strikers who want a quick trail shoe with a higher drop and a steady platform.
- Runners racing trail distances up to about 50K who value stability over bounce.
- Hilly routes, where a couple of testers felt the stiff plate helped on climbs.
- Narrow to average feet that like a snug, locked-in forefoot.
Who should not buy it
- You loved the Catamount 3's flexible ride, because this version is noticeably stiffer.
- You want soft cushioning for ultras beyond 50K, since even fans found it firm for that.
- You have wide feet or need toe room, as the toe box sits low.
- You're prone to heel slip, which some testers couldn't fix with lacing.
Best uses
Extra information
Fit & sizing
The heel is where the reviews part ways. One lab review found the upper locked the foot down securely, while several testers on one review panel said the more padded heel never snugged down and slipped on steep climbs, even with the laces cranked tight. That's worth taking seriously if heel slip has bothered you in other shoes. Length is less contentious. Most sources had it true to size, and one tester thought a half size up might have helped. The toe box is average in width but sits low, so it feels locked in rather than roomy, and one reviewer found it tightened up as the run went on. Thin socks help. Narrow and average feet do best here. If you need real toe room, a foot-shaped shoe like the Lone Peak 9 is a very different kind of trail shoe but a far roomier one.
Performance breakdown
Ride & feel
Firm and planted is the common thread. The stiffer plate gives a rolling toe-off, and a couple of testers felt it earned its keep on climbs, where turnover came quicker. What you lose is agility. Lab testing called it less nimble than the Catamount 3, and one reviewer described it as clunky next to the old shoe, though they noted the midsole loosened up over time. On paper the higher drop and firm platform suit runners who move fast on smoother, flowing trail more than those picking a line through rocks and roots.
Cushioning
There's a little more foam than before (31.5mm at the heel on our spec sheet, against 30mm on the Catamount 3), but it still rides firm. Reviewers who liked it called the cushioning moderate and protective, with the plate doing extra work as a rock shield. Those who didn't found it hard, with little give. Nobody called it soft. For ultra distances, even the positive reviews wanted more; if long days are the plan, the Tecton X 3 stacks far higher.
Stability
This is the Catamount 4's strongest suit. It's a neutral shoe, but the wider platform and supportive sidewalls gave one lab review enough confidence to call it one of the most stable trail rides around. The firm foam helps too, since there's little squish to tip over on. The one caveat is the heel: if it slips on your foot, as it did for some testers, that undercuts the stable base underneath.
Upper & comfort
Opinions were more muted here. One reviewer wanted more breathable mesh, and there are no gaiter attachment points, which matters if you race in scree or sand. Lab testing rated the heel padding durable, but the extra padding is the same thing some testers blamed for poor heel hold. There's nothing reflective on it either, if you run early or late.
Reviews
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FAQ
Specifications
| Category | Trail Race |
| Surface | Trail |
| Drop | 8.4mm |
| Heel Stack | 31.5mm |
| Forefoot Stack | 23.1mm |
| Weight | 270g |
| Carbon Plated | No |
| Stability | No |
