È It is always difficult to set out to run with a shoe that we know is the evolution of an existing model, because we inevitably end up starting off biased and looking for similarities and differences with the version we have been familiar with before, but for 361°’s Meraki 4 we do not run this risk, even if we rely only on a superficial observation of the shoe and a quick reading of the technical characteristics.
AESTHETICS
In fact, version 4 of the Meraki is also aesthetically different from the previous model, with a simple, single-color continuous mesh upper enhanced by MORPHIT’s colorful details on the lacing, which allow the foot to stay in place and not deform over time. Like other models from the Sino-Dutch company, the tongue in the Meraki 4 has soft padding that allows the shoe to be laced up without feeling on the instep. The upper part, however, is the one that has undergone the least changes, because if you go to see the midsole it immediately jumps out at you the new continuous and no longer wavy line that joins the two main components, and most importantly, on the bottom of the shoe, theimportant median groove running from the midfoot to the heel, effectively bisecting the midsole and tread.
The midsole consists of two parts: the now-proven Qu!kFoam, a proprietary compound from 361° that provides support and stability to the shoe but does not affect the overall weight too much, and LTEVA, also developed by 361°, which is the part that contacts the foot. The two components are assembled in such a way as to ensure uniformity of the shoe, which is well balanced and the perceived weight on the foot is significantly less than the 299 grams claimed by the manufacturer. The tread has a herringbone pattern for the forefoot grooves, while on the rear there is the aforementioned characteristic groove that bisects the midsole, highlighting the Qu!kSpine carbon plate used to give stability and increased energy return during the run.
THE TEST.
The Meraki 4 are road running shoes, possibly long. They can also be used on well-trodden dirt trails, but their real vocation is asphalt, on which the tread grips firmly and without smearing in both dry and wet conditions. These are neutral shoes with a very pronounced forefoot running propensity, aided by the width of the sole, which is wider than the previous version and leaves room for the toes to move laterally. The Qu!kSpine core system adds rigidity and allows for good energy return should you do sprints or stretches, while also providing feedback on how far you can dare, limiting the twisting of the foot and keeping it in place.
When fatigue causes people to pay less attention to running style and land with the back of the foot, the large lower groove allows the weight dumped on the heel to be distributed evenly to the sides, such that the feeling you get is of running on a soft substrate but still providing adequate support. They are shoes that promise comfort and deliver on that promise: you can run in them slow, hard or with variations, they will always do what they are designed to do.
IN BRIEF
The
Meraki 4
is a neutral shoe that is well suited for use over long distances at a medium or brisk pace, for runners who already run midfoot or would like to improve their running technique. The many small improvements over the previous version make it, in effect, a completely different shoe that can be used for everyday runs, long Sunday runs, and-why not-even long-distance races where one is not only looking for speed but also for complete comfort for the foot.
