361 Degrees Futura Review

I've tried several 361 shoes now, and they all fit true to size. I can appreciate that, especially since many people have to purchase 361 online. There is plenty of room in the toe box and enough room for even wider feet to splay.

The knit upper is breathable with minimal overlays. It honestly fits and feels like a road shoe. If you are looking for the traction of a trail shoe but the fit of a road shoe, the 361 Futura is one of the best options. If you have a wider-than-average foot, the knit upper accommodates that, too. Another thing that trail running lacks is wide shoes. Hopefully, in the coming years we see our favorite trail models made in wide too. The Futura is a great option for someone with a wider foot since it's built on a wide last. 

Plus, the knit upper is made from 40% recycled yarn. I love it when brands take the initiative to use recycled products. Some brands don't use recycled materials well, but luckily, 361 does not have that problem. The Futura feels excellent, and the upper breathes well. I forgot it used anything recycled.

The best-running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and the 361 Futura is one of the most comfortable trail shoes I've worn in a long time. There is a bunch of padding around the heel, and the heel counter isn't too firm. It features a guested tongue with strategic padding that 361 calls a "pressure-free tongue." The tongue is finally and doesn't bother my foot. Finally, the Futura breathes well, and there are no hot spots. Living well is essential in trail shoes because you want that if you have stream crossings.

I wear a women's size 10-11 wide in running shoes. I've found the women's size 11 to fit perfectly. As mentioned, it's one of my most comfortable trail shoes.

The Futura was built to be the trial version of the 361 Centauri. I've been a big fan of the Centauri, so I was excited to see how the Fututa stacke dup. The stack has been increased to 38/33 compared to the 21/22 of the Centauri. To me, it feels like a buffer, Centauri. The materials in the Futura are thicker, more sturdy, and designed for the trails.

The 361 was considered a maximum cushioned trail shoe a few years ago. With the introduction of even more cushion in running shoes, it's now just a medium cushioned shoe.

The midsole of the 361 is made in the Engage TPE Supercritical form. This is the same material used in the 361 Centauri. There isn't a rock plate in the Futura, but the outsole is thick, and unless you are going into a super rocky area, you likely won't need it. I've run over 200 miles in the Futura, and there hasn't been a time I've thought, Wow, this would be much better with a rock plate.

I wasn't sure where the 361 Futura would fit into my rotation. Would it be a racing trail shoe, a daily trail shoe made for the dunes? The Futura is responsive enough to pick up the pace, and it's a "do-it-all trail shoe." It has plenty of cushion for long runs (like ultras), but you can still pick up the pace with no issue. The one thing to remember is if you like to "feel the ground"  when you run, you might find the Futura too bulky. The massive outsole keeps you more disconnected than many trail shoes.

Traction is one of the most essential pieces in a trail shoe, and you can see how much traction the 361 Futura has. The Futura features Vibram's Mega grip Rubber. There aren't cutouts or flex grooves; it's all Vibram Mega grip rubber. This means you get plenty of traction, but the Futura is heavier than similar shoes. It grabs the dirt well but doesn't make running on the road challenging. It's one of the few trail shoes I don't feel annoyed if I need to run a mile or two on the road.

I have noticed on muddy trails, it might have more mug cling than desirable. It doesn't shed thick mud as well as I would like. I've taken it out on muddy trails, sandy trails, and inclement weather days. It does grab the ground well and has excellent traction. My only concern is if you are running in super muddy areas, you might find it picks up a lot of mud.

I've now put about 200 miles on the 361 Futura with no issues regarding durability. Thanks to that thick outsole, it will last at least 400 miles.

The 361 Futura is one of the best trail shoes of 2023. It fits well and provides excellent traction. My only concern is running in areas with a lot of mud; you'll find it will pick up more than you prefer.

Who should buy the 361 Futura? If you are looking for an all-around trail shoe to handle some road running. Or if you want a trail shoe that "fits like a road shoe."

Who should not buy the 361 Futura? If you need a trail shoe, there aren't many reasons you shouldn't believe it. But it does pick up a lot of mud on wet and muddy trails.