Written by Sim Benson www.jenandsimbenson.co.uk
Price: £119.99
Weight per shoe: men’s UK11 335g women’s UK6.5 265g
Find out more www.361europe.com/en
Overview:
The Sensation 3 is designed as a high mileage trainer with a good blend of weight, cushioning and some mild stability control – this is a pure road running shoe built for all-day comfort and protection.
At a fraction under £120 it’s also reasonably priced and it comes in some bright colours which we like. So, after a couple of hundred miles pounding the tarmac, here’s our review…
The Brand:
361˚ is a family-run Chinese company founded in 2003. Following rapid growth it became a major sponsor of the 2016 Rio Olympics. The Sensation – and as far as we can gather most of the brand’s other products – are made in Vietnam. We asked 361˚ about the ethics of the company and
production and got the following response, which doesn’t give much away:
“361 Degrees International is committed to designing and producing product that live up to the standards and expectations of fair, healthy, safe and environmentally conscious operations.”
The Shoes:
The 3 rd generation of the Sensation is lighter and more breathable than its predecessors, removing some of the fabric overlays and lightening the sole unit. The straightforward design features a seamless upper, EVA and rubber blend midsole and blown rubber tread sections on the forefoot and
heel. Both the men’s and women’s versions are available in two different colours - one bright and the other a lighter colour - they really look like running shoes and couldn’t be called subtle.
The Fit:
Some reviews we’ve read suggest the Sensation is a bit narrow; it’s a similar fit to a standard Adidas or Saucony so at the narrower end but not unusually so. The stretchy mesh upper is nicely accommodating – good for those with higher arches. Length-wise the fit is larger than expected and
you may need to drop half a size, particularly in the men’s version.
The Sole Unit:
The EVA and rubber blend midsole delivers a good amount of cushioning and energy return and should be more durable than plain EVA. A slim 12mm forefoot and 21mm heel stack height creates a 9mm drop which, in use, feels springy and responsive.
A carbon fibre plate – the QU!CK Spine – adds integrity to the midfoot and combines with the tread and the midsole to provide a comfortable and natural transition from heel to toe when running.
The tread consists of blown rubber sections moulded onto the midsole over the forefoot and heel areas, which leaves the midsole exposed under the midfoot, gripping as well as anything else on wet or dry roads.
The Upper:
The seamless mesh upper is breathable and comfortable with a little stretch. The heel section is seamless inside and stiffened to provide support. The laces pull on soft internal webbing to hold the foot snugly and minimise foot movement. The tongue is thin but padded, designed to protect the
foot from the laces without causing any rubbing points.
Overall the upper holds the foot well in a soft and seamless cradle offering good comfort without the need for tight lacing to get a secure fit. Reflective logos on the heel and sides keep you visible.
Verdict:
The Sensation 3 is a decent high mileage trainer. The low profile cushioned sole and soft but supportive upper combine with a low weight to offer a smooth and unrestrictive ride. After a couple of hundred miles they are wearing well so durability and workmanship appear to be good. The
slightly strange sizing (narrowish and slightly long) means we’d recommend you try them before you buy them, but if they fit well we’re confident you’ll enjoy running in them.