The 361 Degrees Furious Future is a brand-new and fast shoe from 361 Degrees. At just 7.3 ounces and $180, it’s one of the cheapest and lightest carbon-plated running shoes. But is it good? I had several questions about the Furious Future before trying them:
- Is the 361 Degrees Furious Future a good running shoe?
- Is the 361 Degrees Furious Future fast?
- How is the 361 Degrees Furious Future only $180 when most carbon-plated running shoes are $250+?
Join me as I discover these answers for myself.
Many people don’t know about the brand 361 Degrees or have never heard of them. Based in Southern California, 361 Degrees has had Olympic medalists like Katie Z. as endorsers. Many of their options are cheaper than other brands, but that doesn’t mean the quality is worse; they are just more affordable. Some of my favorite shoes include:
- 361 Futura (for trails)
- 361° Flame ST (for workouts)
- 361 Degrees Centauri (for daily training)
361 Degrees Furious Future Quick Facts:
- Weight: Approximately 7.3 oz
- Heel to Toe Drop: 8 mm
- Price: $180
361 Degrees Furious Future Fit:
Right off the bat, the Furious Future is loud. My bright orange pair definitely stands out, and it’s hard not to look at them. Designed with a “knitted sock construction,” it is soft and breathable. The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and I’ve found the Furious Future to do just that. It does fit slightly long, so some people might need to go down a half size. The breathable upper has been ideal for workouts because my feet get so sweaty, and it’s not even summertime yet.
The lacing system is asymmetrical to avoid the protruding blood vessels on the inside of the instep. If you’ve ever tied your shoes too tight and thought you had a stress fracture (LOL, just me), then you realize this is a really good thing. It also helps those with high arches so that the shoe laces aren’t rubbing on top of that.
In running shoes, I usually wear between a size 10-11 wide. In the 361 Degrees Furious Future, I’ve found the men’s 9.5/women’s 11 fits the best. I think the older I get, the looser I like my shoes.
361 Degrees Furious Future Ride:
The Furious Future features a PBA midsole that is actually somewhat similar to Nike’s ZoomX foam. Like any carbon-plated shoe, there is plenty of energy return. What makes the 361 Degrees Furious Future different? Its softness. This is one of the softest carbon-plated shoes I’ve tried to date. If you are someone who thinks carbon-plated shoes are too rigid, you might really appreciate the Furious Future.
The 361 Degrees Furious Future is designed to be a fast racing and workout shoe, and that’s exactly what I use it for. It’s one of my favorites because of how soft and forgiving it is. Many carbon plated shoes don’t feel comfortable when you first wear them, but immediately I found the Futurious Future comfortable. I felt like I could run a marathon on their first go (LOL and likely injure myself because I’m not prepared for that yet). I’ve almost forgotten there is a carbon plate because it’s so comfortable. It does feel clunky at slower speeds, but that’s not what the shoe is designed for.
Outsole:
There is plenty of traction on the 361 Degrees Furious Future, and I’ve used it to run in rainy conditions as well as on desert trails with no issues. Now, it’s not my first choice to run on desert trails, but if I’m running fast on the trails, it can handle them. Most carbon-plated shoes last about 100 miles, and it honestly feels like the 361 Degrees Furious Future might last a little longer. My guess is around 150 miles.
All testers agreed on the excellent grip and performance of the outsole, particularly in wet conditions. They noted its superiority to some competitors, especially in terms of traction and durability.
361 Degrees Furious Future Conclusion:
It’s still somewhat crazy to me that the 361 Degrees Furious Future is only $180 because it contends with the most expensive carbon-plated footwear. I don’t really have anything negative to say about it; it’s just crazy how much cheaper it is. The only piece of advice (well, actually I have two) is to consider sizing down a half size from your usual size of racing shoes and wear sunglasses because the shoe is so bright.
Who should buy the 361 Degrees Furious Future? If you are looking for a fast racing shoe and want something affordable.
Who should not buy the 361 Degrees Furious Future? There’s no reason not to buy unless you are looking for a daily trainer, and it’s not designed to be that.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Antepes Muscle Runners, Tracksmith Eliot Runner, New Balance 1080v12 , Newton Gravity 12, 361 Degrees Centauri, ASICS Superblast
Speed Work: Hoka Solimar, Altra Vanish Carbon, 361 Futurious Future, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly
Long Runs: ASICS Superblast
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Brooks Caldera 6, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: Nike ZoomX Streakfly, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro , Nike Vaporfly 3 Hoka Rocket X 2 ASICS Metaspeed Edge+
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Questions for you:
What is the brightest running shoe you own?
What is your favorite racing shoe?
361* be out here tearing up the streets, first they get Nikola Jokic on the basketball side and then this. Yikes.