Brooks Catamount 4 Review
The Brooks Catamount 4 ($170) is our favorite offering from Brooks’ trail lineup, built for runners who want a light, firm, fast-feeling shoe. It delivers a stable, close-to-the-ground ride with a locked-in fit, plus impressively consistent traction on everything from slick rock to wet leaves and even packed snow. And despite its lightweight build, durability is excellent. But make no mistake: this isn’t a plush, high-mileage comfort shoe. The firmer cushioning can leave feet feeling exposed and legs tired on long days, and it doesn’t have the springy pop of some faster-feeling competitors (or older Catamount versions).
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
Best for
All-around
Weight
1 lb. 1 oz.
Stack height
34/28mm
Upper
Engineered mesh
Midsole
Nitrogen-infused EVA & TPE plate
Outsole
TrailTack Green (3.5mm)
Pros
Cons
Brooks Catamount 4
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Trail Running Shoes.
The Brooks Catamount 4 offers moderate cushioning, with firm foam measuring 34 millimeters at the heel and 28 at the toe. Based on the feel of the shoe, these numbers are higher than I would have guessed—in contrast to plush, max-cushioned trail runners, the Catamount delivers a firm, speed-minded ride with a responsive feel and a solid connection to the ground. Brooks even bumped the cushioning by 2 millimeters in the update from the Catamount 3 to the 4, but the difference is barely noticeable, as they also substituted a firmer foam. The result is a shoe that feels sensitive and efficient rather than plush and impact absorbing. As Brooks claims (and I concur), this makes the shoe especially great for uphill efforts, when the former characteristics matter much more than the latter.
The Brooks Catamount 4 pairs its low-slung cushioning with a full-length Pebax plate designed primarily to add propulsion, but it also helps boost the shoe’s underfoot protection. There’s still plenty of ground feel—which I like for stability and precision on technical terrain—yet enough insulation from sharp rocks and trail chatter for my liking. I can careen down a steep 4x4 road on one of my go-to routes without overthinking every foot placement.
I often reach for the Catamount 4 for trail runs around 10 miles and under near my home, and I’d happily take it out for a longer weekend run (20ish miles), too. But when I was preparing for a 100K race this past fall, I didn’t have to think twice about choosing the La Sportiva Prodigio Pro over the Catamount as my race-day shoe—the Catamount simply doesn’t offer the underfoot comfort I want for truly high-mileage days. In wearing it back to back with the Prodigio Pro, my feet feel more exposed in the Catamount given its lower stack and increased ground feel. It’d be a great pick for something like a fast 50K, but it’s not a trail running shoe that’s going to soak up impact and keep your legs fresh for the long haul.
The Catamount is Brooks’ lightest, fastest trail shoe (that is, until the much-awaited Cascadia Elite hits the scene in spring 2026), and it feels built to move. There’s a lot going on underfoot—most notably a Pebax plate paired with nitrogen-infused foam—which gives the ride a firm, efficient snap that returns energy rather than simply soaking it up like a plush, max-cushioned trainer. It’s the kind of responsiveness that feels purposeful on uphill efforts or short, fast races, where you want the shoe to encourage turnover instead of muted comfort.
That said, it’s not quite as poppy as I remember the Catamount 2 being (a shoe I loved and wore for my first 50-miler). The current foam feels firmer and a bit less lively than earlier iterations—and uber-responsive models like the On Cloudultra Pro and Mount to Coast H1—which slightly dials back that springy “let’s go” sensation. It was honestly a bit of a disappointment, as I was eager to relive my Catamount 2 love affair with the new 4. Still, in the context of today’s trail market, the Catamount 4 is more poppy than ploddy.
For the technical trails I like to run, I need a shoe with a locked-in fit and a precise ride that doesn’t feel top-heavy or squirrely. The Brooks Catamount 4 delivers, which is why it’s become one of my go-tos among all the models I’ve had slated for testing this year. Its moderate dose of firm cushioning keeps me closer to the ground, making foot placements feel intuitive and the ride stable and predictable on rocks, roots, and steep stretches of trail. Foothold is a standout too, thanks to a minimally padded gusseted tongue and ribbed laces that rarely come loose—my foot feels genuinely held in place, which makes it easier to move confidently through tricky terrain.
Lately, I’ve been trying to eke out miles in Washington’s Central Cascades despite the onset of winter, and the Catamount 4 has been an excellent tool for snowy, icy trails around town. It keeps me planted without the tippy feeling that can come with softer or higher-stack shoes, which is a welcome trait when I'm trying to save a slip on ice (more an inevitable byproduct of running downhill on ice than a traction issue).
The Catamount 4 uses Brooks’ TrailTack Green rubber with 3.5-millimeter lugs. It’s an unflashy proprietary compound, and the lugs are fairly shallow for a trail shoe, but the Catamount still delivers impressively consistent grip across a wide range of terrain. Brooks did shave some weight by skimping on rubber around the midfoot, where there’s a small patch of exposed foam (for reference, much smaller than that of the Hoka Challenger 8). I haven’t noticed any traction deficits due to this patch—it seems to be perfectly placed.
Over the course of my testing, I’ve been impressed with how the Catamount 4 feels legitimately sticky on rock, stays dependable on wet leaves and in light mud, and has few issues in winter conditions. I’ve taken it on downhill sections of trail covered in packed snow and ice, and it’s kept me solid on my feet in all but the most slippery of surfaces (where any shoe would fail). And if the truest test of traction is off-trail travel, the Catamount passes with flying colors. I wouldn’t hesitate to take it mountain running—an honor I usually reserve for shoes with Vibram Megagrip or La Sportiva FriXion rubber. I’d trust the Catamount on slick slab, while boulder hopping, and across mixed snow patches. In addition to its outsole, the shoe’s planted, close-to-the-ground feel (more on that in the stability section above) helps to boost my sense of a secure hold underfoot.
I’ve always felt that Brooks knows how to make a good running shoe—it’s the heart of what they do. The Catamount 4 is a sleek, modern-looking trail running shoe that just looks fast. Its upper uses a single layer of TPEE-reinforced mesh that’s lightweight and breathable, yet impressively durable and far tougher than a standard mesh build.
I’ve put over 100 miles on my pair so far, and it shows virtually no signs of wear (aside from being covered in dirt right now). The midsole and outsole have held up just as well as the upper, including—surprisingly—the small patch of exposed blown foam in the midfoot that extends toward the heel. Brooks clearly placed it where it’s unlikely to take a beating, and it hasn’t been abused in my testing. The Catamount 4 doesn’t earn a perfect 5 out of 5 as it lacks a full rubber outsole and the upper isn’t in the same abrasion-resistant league as Dyneema, but for most runners and most terrain, its durability is more than serviceable.
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Brooks advertises the women’s Catamount 4 at 1 pound 1 ounce, and my well-used (read: dirty) women’s 8.5s came in just above that at 1 pound 1.4 ounces. The men’s version checks in at 1 pound 3 ounces. It’s the lightest shoe in Brooks’ trail lineup and on the light side of average for the broader trail running market.
That weight feels very intentional. The Brooks Catamount 4 is built for speedy efforts—especially uphill, where saving ounces matters and a quick turnover is the point—and it delivers that lean, go-fast vibe the moment you start moving. I notice the low weight every run, and the firm midsole only amplifies that sensation. It’s far from minimalist, but in a market full of plush, bulky designs, the Catamount feels sleek and chiseled.
The Catamount 4 uses a single-layer mesh upper woven with TPEE fibers (a tough, flexible thermoplastic elastomer), and it nails that rare combo of feeling airy and light without seeming fragile. Despite the breathable feel, it also does a surprisingly good job keeping trail grit from sneaking in, and reinforcements at the toe and along the sides help fend off scuffs and stray kicks.
On foot, the upper is supple and wraps snugly around my foot, with an unpadded, gusseted tongue that completes the secure, locked-in hold. The textured laces stay put, and the little elastic lace garage is a nice touch for keeping things tidy. The heel cup is the only real question mark I have with this shoe—it has a gauzy, padded design that feels noticeably more old-school than the rest of the sleek, modern upper. While the midfoot feels nicely locked down, the heel is roomy and bulky, and doesn’t offer a close fit.
I’m typically a women’s US 8.5, but I often size up in trail running shoes to leave room for foot swelling and fast, high-impact movement. I don’t usually need to size up in brands like Hoka (an 8.5 tends to give me plenty of space), but I often do in brands like The North Face and Brooks. In the Catamount 4, I wore a women’s US 9 and was happy with the fit.
Fit is a real highlight of this shoe. Between the thin upper, sleek tongue, and secure lacing, it stays nicely locked down, which plays a significant role in how stable and precise the Catamount feels on technical terrain. And while I still think the heel cup is a bit of a head-scratcher design-wise, in practice it hasn’t detracted much from the experience—and the extra structure does help me feel a bit more protected on downhills. Given the firm midsole and moderate cushioning, I wouldn’t call the Catamount “plush,” but it’s comfortable enough that I can run in it for 30 miles without fixating on my feet. For me, that's a win.
Nnormal Kjerag 02 ($195): Grab Your Dancing Shoes
The Catamount is fast, but have you met the Nnormal Kjerag 02? With its low stack, lack of an insole, and Vibram Megagrip Litebase outsole, it’s a hyper-precise trail shoe that feels like an extension of your foot. While the Catamount relies on a TPE plate and firm foam for its nimble, energetic feel, the Kjerag gets its pop from supercritical foam and a low weight (1 lb. 0.2 oz.). It also boasts impressive durability and has been known to last more than 800 miles. But compared to the Catamount’s accommodating fit and confidence-inspiring underfoot protection, the Kjerag feels harsher on hard surfaces and during longer runs, and its snug, low-volume fit won’t work for everyone. For more, read our review of the Nnormal Kjerag 02.
La Sportiva Prodigio Pro ($225): Put a Grin on Your Face
If you want a shoe that feels as fast as the Catamount 4 but adds maximum cushioning, the Prodigio Pro is a big upgrade. It’s still impressively light for the amount of shoe (1 lb. 1.8 oz.), but delivers a much more pillowy, energetic ride thanks to its nitrogen-infused TPU/EVA midsole. It’s the better pick for runs longer than about 20 miles and efforts where you want to stay fresh as the miles stack up. Traction is also a standout: La Sportiva’s FriXion XF 2.0 rubber is legitimately sticky and confidence-inspiring across rock, dirt, and mixed conditions. Pick the Catamount if you want a firm, stable, uphill-leaning speed shoe with great ground feel; go with the Prodigio Pro if you want more cushioning and bounce without sacrificing technical performance. For a deeper dive, read our La Sportiva Prodigio Pro review.
The Brooks Catamount 4 is a light, firm, fast trail shoe built for locked-in precision in technical terrain. It shines on steep climbs and rowdy surfaces thanks to its planted ride and sticky outsole. Just don’t expect plush comfort for ultra-long days.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
The Kjerag 02 is a minimalist, ultralight trail shoe built for speed and precision on technical terrain. It offers a sprightly feel on smooth trails and is incredibly stable and grippy on rock. However, underfoot protection is limited, and the shoe runs snug in the forefoot.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
The La Sportiva Prodigio Pro is a rare do-it-all trail shoe. It boasts maximum cushion and is wildly energetic, yet genuinely grippy and stable. It's a high performer for just about any distance, speed, or terrain. Just be aware that the fit runs short and snug, and there’s no rock plate for extra underfoot armor.
Cushioning
Responsiveness
Stability
Traction
Durability
Sustainability
Is the Catamount 4 for You?
The Brooks Catamount 4 is for trail runners who want a fast, firm, precision-oriented shoe for technical terrain, steeper routes, and days when efficiency matters more than plush comfort. If you like a close-to-the-ground feel and a responsive ride that shines on climbs and encourages quick turnover, it’s an excellent pick—and its stability/traction combo adds a confidence boost when conditions get messy. The Catamount 4 is not for you if you’re chasing a soft, max-cushioned cruiser for ultra-distance comfort or recovery-day impact absorption. Its firm cushioning and sensitive underfoot feel can leave feet feeling more exposed. But if your sweet spot is anything from daily technical trail runs to a speedy 50K, and you prefer “sensitive and snappy” to “cushy and mellow,” the Catamount 4 is absolutely worth a look.
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