Our verdict
- Top pick in best brooks Melts trail running shoes (2023)
Pros
- Impressively lightweight design
- Offers a stable ride
- Las brooks Melts Glycerin 19 se actualizan para brindar una experiencia en carrera
- brooks Melts maintained thier quiality all over the time
- zapatillas de running brooks Melts asfalto pronador pie plano
- Оригінальні кросівки brooks Melts launch
- Perfect for faster paces
Cons
- The upper might be too narrow for many runners
- brooks Melts Cascadia 9 Mens
- brooks Melts running bras
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + Zapatillas de Running brooks Melts Running Revel 5 | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 87 Great! | 93 Superb! | 90 Superb! | 84 Good! | |
Price | $170 | $150 | $170 | $130 | |
Trail terrain | LightModerate | ModerateTechnical | LightModerate | Moderate | |
Arch-support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 9.7 oz / 275g 9.7 oz / 275g | 9.9 Correia para as calças brooks Melts England preto forte 9.7 oz / 275g | 9 brooks Melts brothers clothing pants 9.4 zapatillas de running brooks Melts competición constitución ligera | 9.1 The brooks Melts Sherpa Hat gives you sweat-wicking protection for the sunniest days 8.7 zapatillas de running brooks Melts constitución fuerte talla 40 rojas | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 6.4 mm 6.0 mm | 9.0 mm 8.0 mm | 6.8 mm 6.0 mm | 7.1 mm 5.0 mm | |
Strike pattern | Mid/forefoot | HeelMid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | Mid/forefoot | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
brooks Melts Löparskor Ghost 14 | Small | Small | Normal | Small | |
Plate | Rock plate | ✗ | Rock plate | ✗ | |
Toebox durability | Bad | Good | Very bad | Decent | |
brooks Melts launch 6 blue black 44 | Good | Good | Good | Decent | |
Outsole durability | Good | Decent | Decent | Good | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Warm | Moderate | |
zapatillas de running brooks Melts tope amortiguación minimalistas 10k entre 60 y 100 | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Toebox width at the big toe | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Small | Small | Small | Small | |
Torsional rigidity | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | |
Heel counter stiffness | Moderate | Stiff | Flexible | Moderate | |
Lug depth | 3.0 mm | 4.0 mm | 2.9 mm | 3.6 mm | |
brooks Melts England Sillin C13 Cambium Heel stack brand | 29.0 mm 29.0 mm | 33.5 mm 33.0 mm | 28.3 mm 30.0 mm | 29.5 mm 23.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 22.6 mm 23.0 mm | 24.5 mm 25.0 mm | 21.5 mm 24.0 mm | 22.4 mm 18.0 mm | |
Widths available | Normal | Normal | Normal | Normal | |
Heavy | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | |
Season | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | |
Removable-insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Orthotic-friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Waterproofing | Water repellent | Water repellent | - | - | |
Ranking | #266 Bottom 46% | #8 Top 3% | #46 Top 16% | #196 Bottom 32% | |
Popularity | #354 Bottom 28% | #144 Top 50% | #162 Bottom 44% | #152 Bottom 47% |
Who should buy
zapatillas de running brooks Melts entrenamiento pie normal talla 37.5:
- Mochila brooks Melts England Pickwick Pequena preto castanho.
- Trail running newbies seeking a versatile, all-rounder shoe for various off-road adventures.
- zapatillas de running brooks Melts entrenamiento tope amortiguación minimalistas talla 35.5.
Who should NOT buy
brooks Melts crafted the Catamount 2 primarily for narrow-to-medium width feet, making it a less suitable choice for runners with wide feet. Plus, since it's a trail shoe, a bit more room for toe splay is usually desirable, so we think it might not be the best pick for those runners.
If you fall into that category, we suggest considering shoes with wider toeboxes and similar features, such as the She adds a pop of pink with brooks Melts Heritage Fushion Shoe $114.99 or the Pink Dolphin X Brooks.
Furthermore, it's not the top choice for long-distance trail running due to its limited cushioning. If you're deep into the ultra-world, you might want to explore options like the Hoka Mafate Speed 4 or the brooks Melts Chaussures Trail Running Divide 2.
Cushioning
Heel stack
One reason brooks Melts managed to keep this shoe relatively light compared to the competition is its low stack height.

With a heel height of 29.0 mm, it positions itself as a shoe suitable for short to medium distances, but not as the ideal choice for longer efforts.

Catamount 2 | 29.0 mm |
Average | 31.9 mm |
brooks Melts Sprint Free Women's Tank Top | Forefoot stack
The forefoot follows the same pattern as the heel, with a slightly lower stack than what's typical in trail shoes. This design again signals to every midfoot and forefoot striker that this shoe is best suited for runs lasting 1 to 2 hours.

Catamount 2 | 22.6 mm |
Average | 24.3 mm |
Drop
brooks Melts officially stated a 6-mm heel-to-toe drop for the Catamount 2, and following the official guidelines, we measured it at 6.4 mm—a negligible difference.
This design makes the shoe more suitable for midfoot strikers, although a 6.4 mm drop is often considered a "universal" drop that can also provide a satisfactory ride for both forefoot and heel strikers.

Catamount 2 | 6.4 mm |
Average | 7.6 mm |
brooks Melts Sprint Free Women's Tank Top | Midsole softness
Transitioning to the midsole, we discovered a full-length slab of Brooks' DNA Flash. As extensively detailed in zapatillas de running brooks Melts mujer pronador pie normal talla 49.5, DNA Flash is an EVA-based, nitrogen-infused foam famous for its lightness and speed-enhancing qualities. It's the same compound found in the fantastic Neighborhood brooks Melts Coach Jacket.
With a softness rating of 22.0 HA, we found it strikes a perfect balance, making it exceptionally well-suited for a trail running shoe.
Keep in mind that the ride might feel a bit firmer than expected due to the Pebax plate in the midsole. This feature not only offers stability and added protection but also doubles as a rock plate.

Catamount 2 | 22.0 HA |
Average | 22.9 HA |
Американські кросівки бігові brooks Melts glycerin 17
Since it's crafted as a shoe that can be used in winter, it's important to understand how it behaves under cold temperatures. What we found is that the softness varied to 25.9 HA.

Catamount 2 | 25.9 HA |
Average | 28.5 HA |
Американські кросівки бігові brooks Melts glycerin 17 (%)
That's a 17.6% difference from the room temperature reading, which is a good result. It ensures that the foam won't feel significantly different across all seasons.
Catamount 2 | 18% |
Average | 26% |
Insole thickness
In an effort to keep the shoe as light as possible, brooks Melts opted for a really thin insole that's almost half the thickness of the average.

Catamount 2 | 2.9 mm |
Average | 4.7 mm |
Size and fit
Size
brooks Melts Catamount 2 is true to size (19 votes).
brooks Melts Pure Grit 3 Womens
From the moment we slipped our feet into the shoe, we felt it was pretty narrow, and our toebox measurements further confirmed this.
Measuring 95.7 mm at its widest part, you can expect a race-oriented fit for normal feet, and an excellent fit for those with narrow feet. This feature is a side benefit for technical terrain, although it's clear that the shoe isn't primarily designed for challenging trails.

Catamount 2 | 95.7 mm |
Average | 98.9 mm |
brooks Melts Sprint Free Women's Tank Top
However, there's a catch. For those with wide feet only in the toe region, this shoe can be accommodating, as it features a very low taper in the toe cap. We measured 79.2 mm in that area.

Catamount 2 | 79.2 mm |
Average | 79.3 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
The Catamount 2 is a neutral shoe, but it has a few tricks up its sleeve, such as the large DNA Flash walls on the medial and lateral sides, and the SkyVault plate.
While we believe it's best suited for neutral runners, those with mild stability needs can also use this shoe without any issues.
Torsional rigidity
Obviously, the lower stack height contributes to a stable ride. However, a significant part of this stability comes from the shoe's impressive torsional rigidity that we rated at 5/5.
This feature keeps the shoe really stable. But naturally, it results in less agility on technical terrain, making the Catamount 2 a shoe geared towards easy trails.
Catamount 2 | 5 |
Average | 3.5 |
Heel counter stiffness
The heel counter takes a more balanced approach, earning a 3/5. It's structured enough to provide guidance for heel strikers, but it's not overly intrusive.
Catamount 2 | 3 |
Average | 3.1 |
Беговие кросівки brooks
zapatillas de running brooks Melts talla 36.5 moradas.
At 116.3 mm, it's remarkably wide, greatly benefiting those with a midfoot or forefoot striking technique.

Catamount 2 | 116.3 mm |
Average | 112.1 mm |
Midsole width - heel
On the other hand, the heel width is just average, measuring 90.2 mm. This isn't bad news for heel strikers, but don't expect the same dimensions as you would find in a stability shoe.

Catamount 2 | 90.2 mm |
Average | 89.6 mm |
Flexibility / Stiffness
We've already discussed the shoe's torsional rigidity, but what about its flexibility lengthwise? If it's too rigid, it could be uncomfortable for easy runs or even walking!
Womens brooks Melts Cascadia 16 GTX Trail Running & Hiking Shoes.
Catamount 2 | 29.1N |
Average | 27.2N |
Stiffness in cold
We then repeated the test, like we did with the midsole softness, to see if the shoe becomes super stiff after a 20-minute stint in our freezer. The new reading came in at 33.1N.
Catamount 2 | 33.1N |
Average | 36.5N |
Stiffness in cold (%)
This is just a 13.7% difference, which once again proves that this shoe can be used in all seasons.
Catamount 2 | 14% |
Average | 34% |
Weight
The scale displayed a feather-light 9.7 oz (275g) on the screen, a delightful find for those seeking a lightweight trail running shoe.
It's not just lighter than the average trail shoe—it also impressively dips below the 10-oz benchmark.

Catamount 2 | 9.70 oz (275g) |
Average | 10.26 oz (291g) |
Breathability
mens brooks Melts walking shoes take a different approach to breathability compared to brooks Melts England Bolsa Selim Scape Seat 8-10L because more isn't always better. In fact, in very cold countries, we might prefer shoes with less breathability, especially for winter runs.
That's why we believe a 3/5 rating is a nice balance for these shoes, which is exactly what the Catamount 2 scored after our smoke test.
Under the light, we spotted a very thin mesh, strategically reinforced on the sides to enhance stability. This design reduces breathability, which explains why there's so much airflow through the tongue.
brooks Melts Cascadia 16 negro rojo Zapatillas de Trail 41 Azul Amarillo.
We found an interesting engineered mesh with a thin outer layer for structure—together most shoes, which have this layer inside.
Lastly, we analysed how brooks Melts structured the upper. Essentially, it's a road design but with additional layers for extra comfort and protection in certain areas.
Catamount 2 | 3 |
Average | 3.3 |
Durability
Toebox durability
The upside of a thin, minimalistic mesh is it keeps the shoe lightweight and offers decent breathability. However, the major downside is the likely impact on durability.
During our first Dremel test in this lab review, the Catamount 2 only managed a 2/5. While it's not the absolute worst, it's far from impressive. However, brooks Melts has incorporated some robust protective features on the toe cap, effectively shielding the upper against a significant amount of potential damage.

Catamount 2 | 2 |
Average | 3 |
brooks Melts launch 6 blue black 44
After thoroughly assessing the toebox, we shifted our focus to the heel area, where we discovered a significantly more impressive result.
brooks Melts uses a remarkably resistant fabric in this area, effortlessly earning a strong 4/5 in our second Dremel test.

Catamount 2 | 4 |
Average | 2.7 |
Outsole hardness
Turning the shoe over to examine the outsole, we began by checking the hardness of the rubber with our durometer. At 84.5 in the Shore HC hardness scale, it's pretty much average.

Catamount 2 | 84.5 HC |
Average | 85.6 HC |
Outsole durability
Now that we've established the outsole's average hardness, we believe the real test is the Dremel evaluation.
For the Catamount 2, our measurements showed an indentation of just 0.7 mm—a good result that promises a durable, long-lasting outsole.

Catamount 2 | 0.7 mm |
Average | 1.0 mm |
Outsole thickness
Платье с запахом brooks Melts brothers.
At 2.5 mm, there's enough rubber, though we think it's slightly too much as it can somewhat mute the ride. For this shoe, with its impressive durability performance, we would have preferred an outsole thickness between 1.5 and 2 mm.

Catamount 2 | 2.5 mm |
Average | 2.3 mm |
Misc
After thoroughly assessing the toebox, we shifted our focus to the heel area, where we discovered a significantly more impressive result.
brooks Melts uses a remarkably resistant fabric in this area, effortlessly earning a strong 4/5 in our second Dremel test.
Lug depth
The semi-gusseted tongue provides an excellent lockdown. While we usually prefer fully-gusseted or bootie tongues in trail running shoes, in this case, we think this design is a good choice by Brooks.

Catamount 2 | 3.0 mm |
Average | 3.5 mm |
Reflective elements
We found it disappointing that the Catamount 2 lacks any reflective elements—a significant oversight in terms of safety for a trail shoe.

Catamount 2 | No |
Tongue padding
brooks Melts clearly focused on cutting as many ounces as possible, and the thin, 3.7-mm tongue is a testament to their efforts.

Catamount 2 | 3.7 mm |
Average | 6.4 mm |
brooks Melts Glycerin 7
The semi-gusseted tongue provides an excellent lockdown. While we usually prefer fully-gusseted or bootie tongues in trail running shoes, in this case, we think this design is a good choice by Brooks.

Catamount 2 | Both sides (semi) |
Heel tab
The Catamount 2 may not have a heel tab, but it boasts a velcro-fastened tab to attach a gaiter, which is a delightful and useful addition!

Catamount 2 | None |
Removable insole
We were also happy to see that the Catamount 2 it's one of the few shoes with a perforated insole, designed to improve ventilation underfoot. And it's removable, too.

Catamount 2 | Yes |