I was excited to try the 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5. It seemed like a very quick turnaround between the debut of the Furious Future 1 and 1.5. Many are unfamiliar with the brand 361 Degrees or haven’t even heard of it. Situated in Southern California, 361 Degrees has been endorsed by Olympic medalists like Katie Z. Their products tend to be more budget-friendly than other brands, yet this doesn’t compromise their quality; they are simply more cost-effective.
Before trying the 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5, I had a couple of questions:
- What has changed in the 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5? They changed the upper to be better fitting and more accommodating. I actually really appreciate this and do like the Furious Future 1.5 a bit better.
- Is the midsole the same in the 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5? Yes. Nothing else has changed except the upper. That’s why they labeled it “1.5” and not “2”.
I recently ran with mine at the OC Half Marathon with no issues. They are made for speed. Finally, some other 361 shoes I’ve reviewed:
- 361 Degrees Furious Future: The original version. It only came out recently!
- 361 Futura Shoe: Made for trails!
- 361 Degrees Centauri: Made for daily running on the roads.
361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5 Quick Facts:
- Weight: 7.03 oz
- Heel to Toe Drop:
- 8 mm Price: $180
361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5 Fit:
The Furious Future 1.5 is just as bold as the original version. At the time of the review, the color out was a pink/starburst color. Nice and bright. I always love a bright racing shoe, so I get excited when brands do that. Anyway, since the upper is the big thing updated (and only thing LOL), we should start there.
361 Degrees made the Furious Future 1.5 upper thinner and lighter. The Furious Future 1.5 has removed the asymmetrical lacing system. It offers optimal lockdown and fit with its updated tongue and lace design. The soft Jacquard & Flyknit upper also helps in weight reduction as well as breathability. I was a bit worried about the thin and sharp tongue, but I haven’t had any issues of it cutting into me.
The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and the Furious Future 1.5 did just that. I haven’t had any issues with the shoe sliding around or being annoying.
In running shoes, I typically wear between a size 10-11 wide. In the 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5, I found the men’s 9.5/women’s 11 to fit best. As I age, I prefer my shoes a bit looser. 361 Degrees does recommend going down a half size, but because my feet are wide in the front, I preferred staying at my usual size.
361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5 Ride:
The Furious Future 1.5 features a PBA midsole, somewhat akin to Nike’s ZoomX foam. Like any carbon-plated shoe, it offers plenty of energy return. What sets the Furious Future 1.5 apart? Its softness. This is one of the softest carbon-plated shoes I’ve tried. If you find carbon-plated shoes generally too stiff, the Furious Future 1.5 might be a revelation. I ran the LA Marathon in the Furious Future original, and my feet felt fine the entire time. They are well cushioned and feel great.
The Furious Future 1.5 is engineered to be a fast racing and workout shoe, and it excels in these roles. It’s one of my favorites due to its softness and forgiveness. Unlike many carbon-plated shoes that feel uncomfortable initially, the Furious Future 1.5 was comfortable right away. I felt like I could run a marathon in them straight out of the box—though, realistically, I’d likely injure myself as I’m not prepared for that yet. The carbon plate is so comfortable that it’s almost forgettable. The shoe does feel a bit clunky at slower speeds, but it’s not intended for slow running.
Outsole:
The 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5 offers excellent traction, and I’ve used it on rainy runs as well as on desert trails without any issues. While it’s not my primary choice for trail running, it handles fast trail runs adequately. Most carbon-plated shoes last about 100 miles, but the Furious Future 1.5 feels like it could go further, perhaps up to 150 miles.
361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5 Conclusion:
It still shocks me that the Furious Future 1.5 is only $180, as it competes with the most expensive carbon-plated shoes. I don’t really have anything negative to say; it’s just remarkable how much more affordable it is. My only advice is to consider sizing down half a size from your usual racing shoe size. I am always shocked that I like this shoe as much (actually more) than some of the $250-$300 shoes.
Who should buy the 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5? Anyone looking for a fast, affordable racing shoe.
Who should not buy the 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5? It’s not suitable if you’re seeking a daily trainer, as it’s not designed for that.
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, Tracksmith Eliot Runner, New Balance 1080v12 , Newton Gravity 12, , ASICS Superblast
Speed Work: 361 Degrees Furious Future, Nike Tempo Next%, Reebok Float Ride Run fast Pro, Nike ZoomX Streakfly
Long Runs: ASICS Superblast
Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura, Hoka Tecton X2 Shoe Review Speedland SL: PDX,
Races: 361 Degrees Furious Future 1.5, Hoka Cielo X1, New Balance Fuelcell 5280, Reebok Run fast Pro , Nike Vaporfly 3 , ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris
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:
Have you tried 361 Degrees?
What is your favorite running shoe?
361 out here making a name for themeselves.
Come to SoCal, they are all over the place. 🙂