The RW Takeaway: The 361 Degrees 361-Pacer ST is a firm, go-fast trainer that won’t slow you down (or cause your legs to ache as much as many dedicated racing flats).
- Best Value Running Shoes: Revel 7 vs. Launch 11
- Summer Running Gear
- Firm, responsive cushioning
Price: $120
Weight: 9.4 oz (M), 7.6 oz (W) (claimed)
Drop: 9mm
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361 Degrees’s latest go-fast shoe exists somewhere between a dedicated racing flat and a lightweight trainer. The 361-Pacer ST uses a midfoot propulsion plate to stabilize the shoe and put some snap in your stride, and the midfoot is a mixture of lightweight EVA foam and Qu!kfoam, a high-rebound EVA/rubber blend. A blown-rubber forefoot adds some extra cushioning to the front of the shoe, and high-abrasion carbon rubber toward the rear of the shoe helps you pile on the miles without wearing through the sole.
The cushioning system feels firm and responsive; some testers appreciated the sportiness, although all said they’d prefer more cushioning for a daily trainer. But the 361-Pacer ST is intended for fast days, and the firmness works for the intended purpose. The shoe also seems to fit narrow and long, according to four of the five wear testers who tried it.
361-Degrees 361-Pacer ST
Pros
- Lightweight
- Summer Running Gear
Cons
- oz M, 7.6 oz W claimed
All-New Midsole
From the midsole down, the 361-Pacer ST looks identical to the Feisu 2 racing flat; the shoes share the same midsole geometry and outsole rubber pattern. But whereas the Feisu 2 uses lightweight EVA foam throughout the midsole, the 361-Pacer ST employs a combination of lightweight EVA and the Qu!kfoam EVA/rubber blend. The added rubber means more weight, but it’s intended to add responsiveness.
The cushioning feels firm—one tester rated it a 7 out of 10, with “10” being “very hard”—so the shoes were too firm for some runners to use on a daily basis. But most appreciated the shoe’s lightweight feel and responsive ride.
All-Star Outsole
361 Degrees used soft blown rubber in the shoe’s forefoot and harder, more durable carbon rubber at the heel. The configuration is common in the industry because it prolongs the life of the outsole while keeping the shoe springy and well-cushioned during toe-off.
The 361-Pacer ST also felt stable underfoot. “The shoe had no problem managing the pesky Bethlehem [PA] sidewalk,” one tester said. “I didn't feel like I had to be careful of where I was landing, because I knew the shoe would stay secure on my foot.” Another tester who noted that he did a handful of runs in the rain lauded the outsole’s wet-weather traction over pavement and gravel.
Long and Narrow Fit
The upper is an engineered mesh construction with a microfiber sleeve in the midfoot to stabilize the foot and keep it locked in while running fast. Contrary to most 361 Degrees shoes, the 361-Pacer ST runs slightly narrow in the forefoot and the midfoot, and testers also complained that the shoes ran long. Apart from the fit issues, the upper ventilated well and kept testers’ feet in place without causing additional hot spots.
