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361° Running Shoes Explained: Everything You Need To Know
361° may not yet be one of the first names that comes to mind when UK runners think about running shoes, but it is a much bigger and more established sports brand than its profile in Britain might suggest. Founded in China in 2003, the company now produces everything from everyday road running shoes to trail footwear and lightweight carbon-plated racing models.
The range has also become increasingly sophisticated, using modern supercritical foams, specialist outsole compounds and carbon-fibre plates across different models. If you've seen a pair of 361° running shoes and wondered who makes them, what the unfamiliar technology names mean or which shoe might suit your running, here's everything you need to know.
The History Of 361°
361° was founded in China in 2003 and developed into one of the country's major sportswear companies. The business was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2009 before expanding its international presence more significantly from 2014.
The unusual name comes from the company's "One Degree Beyond" philosophy. A complete circle contains 360 degrees, so the extra degree is intended to represent going slightly further and doing more than expected.
Although 361° produces footwear and clothing for several sports, running has been an important part of the company's international range for many years. Its current running collection is considerably broader than many UK runners might realise, covering everyday road shoes, stability models, trail running shoes and specialist racing footwear.
Why Are 361° Running Shoes Becoming More Popular?
One reason 361° has started attracting greater attention is that its running shoes have moved beyond relatively conventional training footwear. The company now uses many of the technologies found across modern performance running shoes, including lightweight supercritical foams, high-stack cushioning and carbon-fibre plates.
The range also covers considerably more types of running than it once did. A runner can now choose between cushioned neutral trainers, stability shoes, trail models and lightweight race-day footwear rather than simply selecting between a handful of general-purpose running shoes.
Availability in Britain is improving as well. 361° now operates a dedicated UK website and has UK retailers listed through its store finder, making the brand considerably easier to buy than when it was first launched.
What Makes 361° Running Shoes Different?
One of the first things you'll notice when looking at 361° shoes is the number of different technology names. Terms such as Engage, Primo, CQT Extreme, GekkoGrip and H.A.R.T. can make the range look more complicated than it actually is.
The simplest way to understand it is to think of the different foams according to their purpose. Engage, also referred to as CQT Quick in some 361° material, is primarily used for durable everyday cushioning. Primo is a lighter and softer supercritical PEBA-EVA based foam aimed at higher levels of cushioning, while CQT Extreme is the company's performance focused supercritical PEBA foam used in faster shoes and some premium running shoes.
The technologies are often combined rather than used on their own. The Ventus 2, for example, uses Primo alongside CQT Extreme to provide both cushioning and greater responsiveness. This type of multi foam construction has become increasingly common in modern running footwear as manufacturers try to balance softness, stability and energy return within the same shoe.
What Are GekkoGrip And H.A.R.T.?
361° also uses several names for the rubber compounds found underneath its running shoes. GekkoGrip is designed to provide traction, particularly around the forefoot where the runner pushes away from the ground, while H.A.R.T. stands for High Abrasion Rubber Technology.
H.A.R.T. is generally positioned in areas that experience greater wear and is designed to improve durability as well as grip. Different combinations appear across the range depending on whether a shoe is intended for everyday road running, faster sessions or off-road use.
Trail shoes require a different approach because they need to cope with loose ground, mud, rocks and wet surfaces. Some newer trail models therefore use 361°'s APEX GRIP outsole technology, which is designed specifically to improve traction on more challenging terrain.
What Is Heel Drop?
Heel drop is the difference in height between the heel and forefoot of a running shoe. It can have a noticeable effect on how a shoe feels even when two models provide similar amounts of overall cushioning.
There isn't one standard heel drop across the 361° range. Current shoes vary according to their purpose, with models such as the Ventus 2 using an 8mm drop while some trail and racing shoes sit lower.
A lower drop isn't automatically better, and changing dramatically from the type of shoe you normally wear can place different demands on your calves and Achilles tendons. Fit, comfort and how naturally you run in a shoe remain more important than choosing a model because of one specification.
Does 361° Make Neutral Running Shoes?
Yes. Neutral road running shoes make up an important part of the 361° range, with models designed for everything from everyday training to higher-mileage and long-distance running.
The Meraki 7 (pictured above) is one of the brand's established neutral daily trainers, combining ENGAGE and PRIMO cushioning to provide a balance of comfort, durability and versatility. The Ventus 2 offers a more highly cushioned option, using PRIMO alongside CQT EXTREM3 foam to create a softer but more responsive ride aimed particularly at longer-distance running.
Neutral shoes are suitable for a wide range of runners and don't include the additional guidance features found in dedicated stability models such as the Kairos and Phoenix. As with any running shoe, however, the most important considerations are how well it fits, how comfortable it feels and whether it suits the type of running you intend to do.
Does 361° Make Stability Shoes?
361° has several shoes intended for runners wanting additional stability, with the Kairos and Phoenix among the most important current models.
Like many modern stability shoes, they don't rely entirely on the very firm medial posts that were once common in supportive footwear. Wider platforms, midsole geometry and the way the foot is positioned within the shoe can all contribute to creating a more stable running experience.
The Kairos is designed as an everyday stability trainer, while the Phoenix combines additional stability with a more highly cushioned feel. As with any running shoe, needing a stability model shouldn't simply be assumed because somebody has said that you pronate.
Many runners pronate naturally and run comfortably in neutral footwear, so trying different shoes remains important.
Does 361° Make Carbon Plate Running Shoes?
361° now has a substantial selection of carbon-plated racing shoes designed for runners looking for greater efficiency and speed on race day.
The Flame 5 is one of the most important current examples. It combines lightweight performance cushioning with 361°'s QU!K BONE-DYN+ and CARBON DOME technologies, using a curved carbon structure designed to assist smoother transitions and propulsion.
There are also more specialist racing models within the wider 361° collection. These demonstrate how far the company's performance footwear has developed, but most recreational runners don't need the lightest or most aggressive carbon shoe available. A comfortable daily trainer is still likely to account for the majority of your weekly running, with a plated shoe reserved for selected faster sessions and races.
Does 361° Make Trail Running Shoes?
Yes. Trail running has become an increasingly important part of the range, with several models designed specifically for off-road conditions.
The Futura is one of the more substantial trail options, combining cushioning with additional protection and an outsole designed for challenging terrain. The Lynx offers another approach, while the Taroko provides a versatile option designed to work across a mixture of surfaces.
Choosing a trail shoe depends heavily on where you actually run. A runner spending most of their time on forest paths and light trails may need something quite different from somebody regularly tackling mud, steep climbs and technical rocky terrain, so outsole grip can be just as important as cushioning.
Which 361° Running Shoes Should You Consider?
The 361° range covers everyday road running, performance footwear and specialist racing shoes. The models below represent some of the most important parts of the current collection rather than every 361° running shoe available.
Different generations can remain available at the same time, particularly within the brand's performance ranges. Starting with the type of running you want the shoe to handle makes the collection considerably easier to navigate.
361° Boundai 6
The Boundai 6 (pictured above) is one of the more straightforward everyday running shoes in the current 361° range. It combines substantial cushioning with a broad platform and additional stability, making comfort and regular mileage greater priorities than outright speed. The shoe has a 40mm heel stack and uses CQT Quick cushioning, while its wider last provides additional room across the foot. An asymmetrical midsole design is intended to increase stability, and a full length Diamond Grip rubber outsole provides traction and durability. This makes the Boundai 6 particularly relevant to runners wanting a highly cushioned everyday road shoe with a broad and stable base. It occupies a very different part of the collection from the lighter and more performance focused Flame models.
361° Miro SL
The Miro SL provides another performance focused option within the 361° road running range. It sits away from the more conventional everyday cushioning of models such as the Boundai 6 and forms part of the brand's increasingly extensive selection of lighter road footwear. Its role makes it relevant to runners looking beyond a straightforward daily running shoe but who do not necessarily want to move directly to one of the most specialist models in the range. The Miro SL also demonstrates how much the 361° collection has expanded. The brand now offers several different approaches to faster road running alongside its everyday and dedicated carbon plated racing shoes.
361° Flame 5
The Flame 5 (pictured below) sits firmly within the performance side of the 361° road collection and is designed for faster running and racing. It combines lightweight cushioning with a full length carbon plate to create a more propulsive experience than the brand's everyday running shoes. The shoe uses nylon based cushioning alongside a carbon plate designed to improve transitions and propulsion. A lightweight upper and durable outsole continue the emphasis on reducing weight while retaining the structure required for racing. The Flame 5 therefore makes most sense for runners looking for a dedicated 361° performance shoe rather than something primarily intended for everyday mileage.
361° Flame 5 Future
The Flame 5 Future moves further towards specialist racing performance. It combines responsive cushioning with a full length carbon plate and weighs approximately 200g, with its construction centred on energy return, propulsion and lower weight. The shoe has a 36mm heel and 30mm forefoot stack, producing a 6mm heel to toe drop. Its lightweight upper and performance focused geometry continue the emphasis on creating a shoe specifically for faster road running and racing. The Flame 5 Future is therefore one of the clearest choices for runners looking for a specialist 361° racing shoe. Its purpose is considerably narrower than an everyday model such as the Boundai 6, with performance taking priority over general versatility.
361° Furious Future 2.5
The Furious Future 2.5 provides another high performance option within the current 361° collection but takes a different approach from the Flame family. It combines responsive cushioning with a curved carbon plate designed to contribute to stability, propulsion and smoother transitions. Its lightweight upper is designed to combine breathability with secure foot hold, while the outsole provides the traction and durability required for road running. The complete construction places the shoe firmly towards the performance end of the range rather than everyday training. The Furious Future 2.5 therefore gives 361° another specialist option for faster road running. Alongside the Flame 5 and Flame 5 Future, it demonstrates how extensively the brand's performance range has developed beyond its everyday running shoes.
Are 361° Shoes Sustainable?
Like many running shoe manufacturers, 361° has started incorporating recycled and lower-impact materials into parts of its footwear range. The Meraki 7, for example, uses 26% recycled mesh in its upper, while the Ventus range also incorporates recycled yarn.
Some of the company's performance shoes use other approaches. The Flame 5 incorporates recycled and corn-derived materials into its upper, while the Miro Nude 2 uses C!LK yarn that 361° says is engineered using recycled CO₂.
That doesn't make running shoes environmentally neutral. Footwear remains difficult to manufacture sustainably because each shoe combines multiple foams, rubbers, fabrics, adhesives and other materials. It is therefore more accurate to say that 361° is introducing recycled and lower-impact components into parts of its range rather than describing the shoes themselves as sustainable.
Are 361° Running Shoes Worth It?
361° is certainly worth considering if you are looking beyond the running shoe brands you already know. The current range is much more developed than its relatively low UK profile might suggest, with genuine choices for neutral runners, runners wanting stability, trail runners and those looking for carbon-plated racing footwear.
The biggest challenge may simply be familiarity. Many runners know what to expect from shoe families they have worn for years, whereas names such as Meraki, Ventus, Kairos, Phoenix and Flame may mean very little until you've seen them in a specialist running shop.
That shouldn't be a reason to dismiss the brand. The best running shoe isn't determined by how recognisable the logo is, but by whether the shoe fits properly, feels comfortable and works for the type of running you intend to do.
Final Thoughts On 361° Running Shoes
361° may still be relatively unfamiliar to many UK runners, but it is no longer a brand that can be dismissed as a minor player in running footwear. Its current line-up includes everyday neutral trainers, stability shoes, highly cushioned models, dedicated trail footwear and increasingly sophisticated carbon-plated racing shoes.
Understanding the range is much easier once you look past the unfamiliar technology names. Meraki and Ventus cover much of the neutral road-running territory, Kairos and Phoenix provide additional stability, Futura, Lynx and Taroko cater for different types of trail running, while Flame sits at the faster end of the collection.
If you're considering 361° running shoes, the same rule applies as with every other brand. Start with the type of running you do, find the model designed for that purpose and then concentrate on fit and comfort rather than choosing a shoe simply because it contains the newest technology.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, Sapphire Running Zone may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.
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