The Brooks Catamount 2 Is Built for Trail Racing: The Ricochet 2 rides lighter than its predecessor and delivers on energy return, yet firm cushioning could be a dealbreaker for some.
- which solely have DNA Amp midsoles
- Cushioning too firm for some
- Health - Injuries
Price: $120
Type: Road
Drop: 10mm (M), 8mm (W)
Weight: 9.4 oz (M), 7.9 oz (W)
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The Ricochet 2 looks fast and feels fast. A combination of Brooks’s two proprietary midsoles, DNA Amp and BioMoGo DNA, lends a springier and speedier ride. Paired with an updated flat-knit upper, the shoe fits like a second skin as it delivers high rebound on your run.
Despite the original Ricochet’s moderately heavy weight (10.1 oz, men; 8.4 oz, women), our testers remarked that the shoe felt light. Still, for some runners, like myself, the first model felt too brawny and stiff.
This second iteration shaved off some of that extra weight and is more flexible, while still retaining the first model’s best attribute: high energy return.
Like a Sock
Most of our testers liked the shoe’s sock-like upper: a two-piece, flat-knit design with a hidden heel wrap that ensures a streamlined fit. The heel tab, a new feature, makes it easier to wiggle your foot inside the integrated collar opening. It’s a tongueless wonder; no fabric bunching up or sliding off-center on a run. The knit upper is stretchy and breathable, as well, and caused no overheating or hotspots.
Loops have replaced the slit eyelets, creating a snugger fit; a tester even remarked the lacing system was too effective and found it easy to over-tighten the lacing, which caused pressure on his instep.
The Ricochet 2 has a more true-to-size fit than the first Ricochet, which pinched by the toes and felt too loose around the ankle. I’m still apprehensive about that sock-like upper, however. Believe me, I’ve tried to give into the sockside; and yet, my Achilles still feels some friction when I wear no-show socks. But the responsive midsole alone is what drives me back to these shoes, even past the testing cycle.
Midsole DNA
The source of that responsiveness is DNA Amp, a polyurethane foam coated with TPU that is more durable and gives back more energy than industry-standard EVA foam. In addition to DNA Amp, Brooks also used BioMoGo DNA, a biodegradable foam that adapts to the runner’s stride and footshape. This combination of foams makes the shoe lighter compared to the other shoes in the energize line, the Levitate and Bedlam, which solely have DNA Amp midsoles.
The midsole promotes high energy return but in turn, cushioning is compromised; the ride becomes harsh on long runs. As fast as my feet would go, and as exhilarated as I’d feel, there was a rawness that would creep in before I’d hit 10 miles. I felt it mostly on the pads of my feet.
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“The sock-like fit, flat-knit upper, and lack of a tongue made the uppers the favorite part of the shoe. It was enough support to hold my foot in place while also allowing room for my toes to spread out. It also allowed enough breathability to keep my feet cool on fast workouts. I really appreciated that it did not come up to high around the ankles, which kept my ankles from rubbing. This upper also allowed for a lightweight, snug feel without being too tight, giving a greater sense of control in the shoe for quicker turns when running at a higher speed.”
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“The cushioning makes this shoe very fun to run in. It was hard and responsive offering a very ‘quick’ feel. That said, I would leave these on the shoe rack if lacing up for anything over 10 miles. Mid-distance—5 to 8 miles—is where this shoe shines for me. I can do this distance day after day with these with no foot pain. Anything more though and I would need rest days for my feet to recover.”
Amanda is a test editor at Runner’s World who has run the Boston Marathon every year since 2013; she's a former professional baker with a master’s in gastronomy and she carb-loads on snickerdoodles.