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The RW Takeaway: A neutral daily trainer for runners who want supportive, pleasingly bouncy cushioning without the big price tag and tall stack height.
Key Tech: TPE-based Engage midsole foam, Ortholite sockliner
Pros
- Sturdy heel counter provides good rearfoot stability
- Secure midfoot lockdown with roomier toebox
- Durable outsole
- Well-cushioned without feeling too soft or mushy
Cons
- Feels best after short break-in period
- Slightly short tongue lacks gusset
Key Specs
| Weight | 10.2 oz (M), 8.4 oz (W) |
|---|---|
| Drop | 9 mm |
| Type | Neutral Road |
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Historically, wide-footed testers saw cramped toes written in their stars anytime they squeezed into a 361. The brand’s narrow fit kept those with broad, flat feet away from early models. However, a completely new last in the Centauri opens up the toebox and widens the fore- and midfoot. Paired with its thick Ortholite insoles and softer mesh upper, the redesign earned an average comfort score of 5.8 out of 7 from our testers, with several likening the shoe to notable daily workhorses like the Brooks Ghost and Nike Pegasus.
“This is just a cushiony, comfortable trainer that felt good on my feet on days when I wasn’t looking to run fast,” he said. “It doesn’t offer the flash or spring of a nylon- or carbon-plated shoe, but it still produces a good amount of bounce.”
Credit that bounce to an overhauled midsole. It’s a full-length layer of TPE-based Engage foam—still firm, but noticeably softer than the brand’s previously used EVA—with an upturned toe and heel. It’s not nearly a rocker shape, and heel-strikers told us it feels a bit blocky. But give it some time. After a handful of break-in miles, the foam compresses for smoother landings.
“The Centauri provides a nice, responsive cushion for midfoot-strikers like me,” one tester said. “I’ve had calf issues the last couple months. Compared to my Hokas, the slightly higher drop has helped without me having to reduce my weekly mileage.”
More Tester Feedback
Aaron B. | Tester since 2021
Arch Height: Medium | Pronation: Neutral | Footstrike: Heel
“As a first-time wearer of 361 Degrees shoes, I found the Centauri to be a solid and supportive shoe. The forefoot volume was high, similar to that of Brooks’s trainers. The ride was slightly clunky and stiff at the rearfoot. But the shoe fit me true-to-size—highly secure in the heel with extra volume and width as you move toward the forefoot. I only ever felt slight movement in the forefoot (which I believe is good for toe comfort) while the heel and midfoot always felt secure.
“My preferred use for this shoe is as a daily trainer to log easy miles on road, gravel, and the treadmill. It’s cushioned and comfortable enough for the long haul (just beyond 10 miles for me), but it’s not the quickest or speediest for track work. As they broke in over the first couple weeks, I was able to lace these shoes up and forget about them.”
