361 Degrees Centauri 3 Review
The 361 Centauri 3 is a well-cushioned, everyday neutral road running shoe designed for easy to steady-paced runs. Compared with previous versions, the Centauri 3 offers a roomier toe box and a softer, smoother ride.
I’ve been using the Centauri 3 for my easy road runs over the past four weeks, covering more than 100 miles on a mix of tarmac and well-surfaced disused railway lines. As with any daily trainer designed for recovery or relaxed efforts, comfort is key. The 361 Centauri 3 delivers this with a softly padded heel and collar. The heel cup has a touch of stiffness to help lock the heel in place, while the tongue is padded for comfort without feeling bulky.
The tongue is gusseted on both sides with a thin mesh, and a lace tab helps prevent it from shifting during runs. The heel fit is snug, with no slippage even when running on steep gradients. I have fairly slim feet and heels but found the fit secure. There’s also an extra lace hole for a tighter heel lock or butterfly lacing if needed.
The upper is made from 36% recycled yarn. It’s soft, pliable, and moulds nicely to the shape of the foot. The mesh is semi-open over the toes, offering breathability without letting in cold air.
Stack height is 38mm in the heel and 28mm in the forefoot, giving a 10mm drop. I normally run in shoes with a lower drop and could feel the difference when standing still, but once moving, the rocker geometry reduced heel strike and guided my foot smoothly through the gait cycle. Unlike some higher-drop shoes, it doesn’t feel as though there’s a lump under the heel.
As with many rocker-style running shoes, your foot sits slightly within the midsole, enhancing stability and guiding the gait. The rocker promotes a smooth transition from landing to toe-off, while the straight big-toe line encourages an efficient push-off and helps maintain a quick, consistent cadence. Because it’s designed for easy to steady running, the rocker isn’t aggressive—you can jog slowly without feeling pushed to run faster. It gently encourages better posture and efficient use of the glutes and hamstrings for propulsion.
The midsole is a single piece of Engage foam—a soft compound with high rebound. On landing, it compresses slightly before springing back, creating a gentle bounce. The rocker keeps the foot moving forward smoothly, maintaining stability despite the cushioning. I typically prefer firmer shoes for ground feel, but there’s a certain pleasure in the Centauri 3’s soft, rolling comfort. On tired-leg days, it’s a relief to put these on and just cruise, as they noticeably reduce fatigue and minor aches.
Despite the generous cushioning, the Centauri 3 feels light underfoot, weighing 259g in a men’s UK 8 and 202g in a women’s UK 5. The outsole features Gekko Grip rubber on the heel and forefoot, offering reliable traction on wet tarmac and good durability. 361 running shoes are similar in length to Brooks, Saucony, Topo, and Altra. If you typically wear Hoka, New Balance, Inov-8, or La Sportiva, you may want to try half a UK size smaller (e.g., Hoka UK 11.5 ≈ 361 UK 11). The Centauri 3 is available in two men’s and two women’s width options to help achieve the ideal fit.
In summary, the 361 Centauri 3 is a softly cushioned road running shoe ideal for easy and steady runs. Its rocker promotes a smooth, efficient stride and upright posture, making it a comfortable and reliable choice for everyday training.
Alternatives to 361 Centauri 3
Topo Athletic Phantom 4: Topo running shoes have a broad rounded toe box designed to give the feet the room to spread on impact and function inside the shoes. The ride of the Phantom 4 is soft for Topo shoes and won’t stimulate the feet as much as firmer cushioned shoes. There is no rocker so the feet and lower legs function more than in the Centauri 3 although the Phantom 4 has very little feel for the ground as with the Centauri. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/topo-athletic-phantom-4-review/
Altra Experience Flow: Like Topo Altra make shoes that are designed to allow the feet the room to spread and function inside the shoes. The midsole foam used for the Experience Flow is soft but, the midsole is also very flexible with allow for a lot of foot function. There is more feel for the ground than in the Centauri 3. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/altra-experience-flow-2-review/
Brooks Ghost 17: The Ghost 17 has a similarly high heel to forefoot drop. This is no rocker, and the midsole foam is firmer in feel. There is little feel for the ground. The toe box is more pointed with a less straight big toe line. The Ghost 17 is available in three width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/brooks-ghost-17-review/
Hoka Clifton 10: The Hoka Clifton 10 has a similarly soft ride and heel to forefoot drop. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/hoka-clifton-10-review/
Karhu Mestari 1.5: With a rocker and the Karhu Fulcrum the Karhu Mestari has more propulsion and also a firmer feel to the midsole. This makes it easier to cruise a long in at quicker paces. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/karhu-mestari-run-1-5-review/
New Balance 880v15: Despite the higher 40mm stack height the midsole is firmer with a more responsive feel. This makes it more versatile in that it can be used for quicker runs more easily. Available in three width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/new-balance-fresh-foam-x-880v15-review/
Saucony Ride 18: A more pointed toe box with a soft feeling heel and firmer more responsive foam in the forefoot. Available in two width men’s and two width women’s. https://www.northernrunner.com/blog/saucony-ride-18-review/
Comments are closed here.