Thereare shoes that, even from the first edition, make you think that the company that produced them is on a favorable path and that they are destined to grab a good chunk of runners. The Merakis of 361° are among them.
THE LAUNCH OF 2017
A few years ago,
With their first version
, the Sino-Dutch company had brought to market a model suitable for the runner who runs forefoot but seeks foot stability and comfort, with some flashes for speed thanks to the central anti-torsion system, which stiffens the sole just enough to allow sprints and stretches without sacrificing comfort.
THE 2021 MODEL
As they say in these cases “team that wins cannot be changed”, so on this line evolved a shoe that has reached its fourth edition, keeping the basic concept of comfort and stability, but adding some details to take forefoot running to a higher level. Specifically, the 361° team worked on the materials that make up the sole and upper to lighten the shoe and improve breathability, and additional foam support was inserted into the Achilles heel shell, which allows for a snug fit by reducing the movement of the foot in the shoe. The sole has also been transformed, with a new cut for the rear tread and, most importantly, the presence of a central groove from the carbon insert (exposed, as always on the Merakis) almost all the way to the heel and designed to allow for better energy distribution under the heel and add lateral support for long-distance runs.
HOW WAS THE FIRST IMPACT
The first sensation is that of a wraparound shoe that contains the foot and does not make it slip on the inside, but is also able to return the sensations of contact with the asphalt and provide a decent energy boost when trying to accelerate the pace. The grip is optimal in dry conditions and in changes of direction, and once one’s ride is over, one feels like putting them on one’s feet again to start again. After just a few miles of running, it seems that 361°’s Meraki 4 can rightfully enter the circle of concrete, no-frills shoes capable of accompanying longtime amateur athletes of any level, from beginner to advanced.