361 Degrees Sensation 3

I haven't tried 361 before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I read a couple of reviews that sounded promising. The company labeled the sensation as a “mild stability workhorse.”

I can get behind that description. I am a heavy runner, and I enjoy something stable on my feet, so this shoe sounded like a good fit for me.

I pulled these shoes out of the box, and my first thought was, "that’s not what a foot looks like." At least that’s not what my foot looks like. Had I been at the shoe store, I would have returned them then and there.

Fortunately, I wasn’t at the shoe store. I had to give these shoes a fair try, and after some of the initial shock, these shoes really paid off.

They are stable, the mesh upper is light and breathable, and the grip never lets me down. I will be running in these shoes for some time.

Stability

The stability mechanisms in these shoes include a QU!K Spine (I’m just spelling it how they spell it people!) carbon fiber plate, Fitz-rite internal webbing, and dual-density EVA foam, going along with a rigid heel counter and full-length QU!KFOAM for cushioning.

That’s a lot of stuff! As a heavy runner, I tend to want/need more support during my runs.

My initial response to running in these shoes was that they were very rigid. The carbon plate seems to really stiffen this shoe at first, to the point that you almost feel like you’re running on planks.

It took a couple of miles to break them in, but once I did, the stability provided by the plate became quite comfortable for me. The medial post does not lead to an aggressive correction, and the arch is set to a very comfortable height.

The overall feel of the shoe is very stable. The rigid heel counter and tight locking webbing do a lot to secure your foot in place as well. These shoes feel like they are designed to go the distance with you.

With all the stability mechanisms and rigid plating, you might think this shoe would feel very heavy on your foot. This was not the case for me. The shoe weighs in at about 10.1 oz, and it rides quite light.

I was also happy about the amount of energy return I felt from these shoes, which I think was aided and abetted by the carbon fiber plate. I also think that the full ground contact outsole helps with the quick transition of the shoe.

Now the tradeoff for stability and energy return is a sacrifice in cushioning. I got into these shoes right after test driving the Brooks Glycerin, and let me tell you there was some shock.

I went from one of the softest, most pillowy rides to what felt like running on planks. It took some getting used to for me. I’m a die-hard Brooks Adrenaline fan, and I’m used to the Biomogo foam.

The foam in these shoes is nowhere near as soft. The QU!KFOAM did provide some cushion and was most pronounced in the heel strike.

The shoe isn’t really what I would call responsive, so I don’t think adding just a bit more foam would have killed them. Nor would adding a better insole, as these ones are just the run of the mill.

That being said, there is always an energy tradeoff when adding more cushioning, so you’ll just have to determine what you prefer.

Outsole

The outsole feels durable and grips well. I tried these shoes in rock, wet, dry, snow, and gravel, and I didn’t have much issue with slippage.

Actually, I’ll note that these shoes really felt good on rocky trails because the rigid mechanisms smoothed out a lot of imperfections in the road for me. I don’t notice aggressive wear on the outsole.

One thing that I appreciate is that the shoe seems to be wearing down quite uniformly, and I get the feeling that these shoes could last 350+ miles for me.

The elephant in the room here is the fit. The sensation was made to grip your foot tightly and hold you in place, so if you want forefoot splay, you are out of luck.

There just isn’t a lot of room in these shoes, which was sad to me because I even got a wide variant. If you’re used to wearing 4E’s, this might be a shoe to pass up.

I will also mention that these shoes were really not the kind I wanted to wear around the house or to work. They were just too stiff and tight to be comfortable for normal wear.

The stiffness felt very corrective and supportive during running, but it felt constricting during any other situation.

Upper

The pressure-free tongue took a lot of getting used to as well. While it says pressure-free, when I get into a lace lock, I feel a lot more pressure right under the top lace than I would on a normal tongue.

However, as soon as I start running, that sensation goes away, and the fit improves dramatically. I think that is a recurring theme with this shoe. When you put it on initially, it feels uncomfortable, but once you start running, you appreciate all of its features.

The mesh upper is seamless and works well at ventilating the foot during running. I will say that the shoes I bought picked up mud and dirt quickly and looked quite dirty after only a few runs.

That doesn’t really bother me because I will only wear these shoes on runs anyway. The style is visually appealing, in my opinion. I really like the reflective touches, and the 3 is quite unique looking. I might have preferred a different color scale, but the red/orange/black/white works fine.

Closing thoughts

These shoes are not marshmallow fluff. They are sturdy, stable, down to business shoes.

If you are serious about racking up miles in training for a long race or are just a fan of cross country runs, these shoes will probably fit you just right. But if you’re looking for more luxury, look elsewhere.

I would like to see the sizing on these shoes adjusted, perhaps adding a 4E option would be beneficial. I’d also like just a tad more cushioning.

All things said I would be utilizing these shoes in my rotation, and give them solid marks as a true workhorse of a shoe.

My very first thought when I opened up my new 361-Sensation 3 shoes:

"Wow, this is a really great-looking shoe!" 

“Hmm...I wonder how it will perform?"

The 361 Degrees-Sensation 3 did not disappoint!

Weight

Even though the 361 Sensation 3 is listed at 9.8 oz. for men (8.4 oz. for women), I was surprised at how light the Sensation 3 feels on my feet. The mesh upper in the forefoot feels light and airy. 

The shoe feels like an extension of my foot and has not felt bulky or heavy even in the rain. The Sensation 3 has a 9mm drop and feels very comfortable running or walking. 

Construction

Insole and midsole

The 361 builds the Sensation 3 on a "QDP System" (Quick, Dynamic and Performance). It is a three-tiered system incorporating a QU!KFOAM insole, QU!KFOAM midsole, and a stable EVA which provides an overall stable and supportive platform.

It also adds to the flexibility, long-lasting cushioning, and helps dampen shock on impact for both shorter speed work and longer runs. The Sensation 3 impressed me as over the 100 miles in the shoe, the QU!KFOAM has not lost its spring or cushion!  

QU!KFOAM is a great blend which provides very comfortable cushioning but does not sacrifice on responsiveness or flexibility. 

It also provides an excellent protective base which has not suffered due to extremes in the weather for the 100 miles I have put on the shoe. The base (once cleaned off) still looks the same as when I took it out of the box.   

I found the shoe always provides full contact with the ground supported by the QU!K Spine carbon fiber plate adding confidence and stability to the midfoot.  

The toe box is considered narrow, however, the flexible and very comfortable mesh upper provided good space for my wide feet. It also provided me plenty of room for a balanced contact, foot strike and toe-off. 

I found the shoe to provide a solid base for quick acceleration as well as comfort and cushion for longer runs. The 361 Degrees lists a "W" model for both men and women and I would like to try the W myself as the regular fits nicely for my wide feet.  

The outsole rubber was firm but flexible and I found the Sensation 3 to have great traction on the road, in the rain, on packed trails or in regular trails.

Cushion and comfort 

Fitz-Rite: As this is my first 361 Degree shoe, I quickly came to appreciate the Interactive FIT System which combines soft internal webbing, a lightweight and molded counter and the Pressure Free Tongue which keeps my foot secure, my heel nicely in place, and a really well-cushioned ride.  

Upper

The mesh upper helps the shoe breathe and adds to the comfort of the shoe in both cold and warm weather. I ran in freezing temperatures and humid warm temperatures and the mesh kept my foot warm and cozy in freezing cold temperatures and well-ventilated in the hot/humid temperatures.  

Perspiration evaporates quickly and keeps the foot cool and dry for shorter or longer runs on both road and trail.  

The Pressure Free Tongue provides great comfort and I was able to run both with and without socks and the shoe was very comfortable. It was actually quite soft all around my foot. 

The lacing system is normal and the Pressure Free Tongue helps the laces and the foot stay well in place.  

The mesh forefoot upper can attract dirt and dust and soils more easily, but I found it is a shoe that cleans up easily with a little work and soap. 

Use

The 361 Degrees Sensation 3 worked great for me on both road and trail and I have found it a solid shoe for both longer endurance distances as well as shorter tempo and speed challenges.  

I also wore it walking through zoos, carnivals, and shopping. It worked great as a walking shoe as well.  

Price

The 361 Degrees Sensation 3 is priced at $120-130 dollars. It is priced competitively with the Brooks Ravenna, Saucony Guide, and Mizuno Wave Inspire.  

I prefer the comfort and stability of this shoe and find it a much better investment for a solid, stable, and good-looking workhorse!  

Pronation  

Support is stability. Runners with low arches may enjoy this shoe more, however, my high arches felt very comfortable in these great-looking shoes.  

Pros

• Great comfort
• Great looks
• Great performance
• Feels lightweight, but solid
• Competitive pricing
• No-slip or slide from the rubber sole

Cons

• Upper mesh soils easily
• Limited colorways
• Heel-heavy

What do I think? This shoe is a fantastic weapon in my running arsenal. Works great for both shorter speed work, but also a very reliable friend/companion for long distance and endurance.

It is a great-looking shoe and can be worn and appreciated as a comfortable shoe for kicking around! I will even wear it around the house for comfort! I have enjoyed this shoe so much, I am looking to purchase a second pair (partial to the lime green) or try another of 361 Degrees shoes!