The Catamount has been a dependable trail offering from Brooks since 2014, and now is joined by a trail racing counterpart, the new Catamount Agil. Building from the ground up, the forefoot and heel have independent capabilities. The forefoot lugs are aimed toward the rear, to maximize forefoot grip on a variety of trail surfaces from mud to gravel, hardpack to blacktop, even gripping rocky surfaces thanks to its sticky-ish Trail-Tack Green rubber. While the rearfoot lugs manage the downhills flexible shank supports fork to the medial and lateral sides of the forefoot for a kind of catapult-like snappiness. The upper features stretchy mono-sock construction at the ankle with meshy inserts in the saddle to let the working foot breathe, while giving a supportive midfoot fit. Friction loops on the edges of the laces and a stretchy lace keeper give additional safeguards to the laces staying tied and in place. The result is a trail speedster geared to performance, at any speed.
New shoe
Price: $180 • Sizes: Unisex sizing (Men 5–13; Women 6.5–14.5) • Weight: 7.7 oz. (men’s 9); 5.3 oz. (women’s 7) • Shape: semi-curved • Construction: Strobel slip-lasted, Monosock upper • Drop: 6mm • Recommended for: low- to high-arched feet with neutral biomechanics.