361 Merrow Nude 2 Review: One of the Lightest Marathon Racing Shoes You Can Buy

Introduction

361 has built one of the lightest road racing shoes around right now, and it takes a deliberately stripped-down approach to doing it. The Merrow Nude 2 is a special-release racer inspired, the brand says, by hummingbirds, and the result is a shoe that prioritizes weight, breathability, and speed over comfort and longevity features. At $219, it sits in familiar super-shoe pricing territory, but it feels like a very different kind of racer from most of the field: powerful without being flashy.

This review covers the specs, the fit, how it runs at different paces, and the alternatives worth comparing before you spend your money.

What the 361 Merrow Nude 2 Is Built From

The numbers on paper tell the first part of the story. This is a 33 mm stack height shoe with a 7 mm drop, which means 26 mm of foam under the forefoot. The midsole is 361’s CQT Extreme foam, though in this shoe it is made from block TPEE rather than the PEBA used in the brand’s Furious Future 2.0. Both the top and bottom layers are the same kind of block TPEE at the same density.

Between those two foam layers sits a Quickbone carbon fiber plate, spelled with an exclamation point in place of the letter I. 361 calls it an anti-torsion plate, and you can see it through small windows on the side and the outsole of the shoe. The intent is stability rather than propulsion: the plate is there to stop the shoe from twisting too much when your foot lands.

Weight savings come from everywhere. The outsole is 361’s RPU, a rubberized polyurethane that appears to be sprayed on, allowing a very thin, targeted application that keeps material use and weight to a minimum. There is no insole at all; the upper is sewn directly to the midsole. That upper is made from engineered silk yarns, again with an exclamation point replacing an I, and it feels a little like the sprayed-on upper of the On Cloudboom Strike LS, but more breathable and more like a traditional shaped upper. Some of the yarns use recycled components.

Details worth noting: a very thin tongue, two small bumper pads at the heel for fit and comfort, no structure at all in the back of the heel cup (exactly what you want in race product), and a small floral hologram effect at the heel that adds a touch of style to an otherwise stripped-down shoe.

How It Fits and Sizes

On paper the sizing guidance is straightforward. The shoe tends to run a little long, and 361 recommends going down half a size. A US men’s 8.5 was the fit tested here, half a size below the usual size 9, and the fit felt right: slightly snug, but never uncomfortable.

One important caveat: the Merrow Nude 2 is a limited-release shoe, and the size range is restricted. A US men’s 10 is as large as it goes, so runners above that size will need to look elsewhere.

The Weight Is the Story

On the scale, this shoe measured 5.2 oz, or 148 g, in a US men’s 8.5. That makes it one of the lightest marathon racers tested here, with only the MetaSpeed Ray and the Adios Pro Evo series coming in lighter. And unlike many spec-sheet advantages, this lightness is one you can genuinely feel on the run.

On the Road: Light, Responsive, Restrained

The foam experience is responsive but on the dense side. There is not a huge trampoline slingshot with each compression and decompression, and there is little sense of carbon plate propulsion. Because the plate is designed as an anti-torsion stabilizer, it feels like it holds the foam back a little, binding the midsole to prevent twisting and, in doing so, restricting the compression the foam could otherwise deliver.

The best way to describe it: it feels like running in a race flat on the track. There is bounce, but also a clear sense of firmness underfoot. In short, a powerful but not flashy shoe.

At VO2 max and threshold effort, the lightness really pays off, and this shoe looks like an excellent 5K and 10K racer. At marathon pace and slower, the foam density becomes more noticeable, and the question becomes whether you are efficient enough to run three-plus hours in it. The answer is almost certainly yes for many runners, but it would be an aggressive marathon choice.

Buying Advice

361 claims the Merrow Nude 2 should last for 10 marathons’ worth of racing. If you use it as a marathon shoe, $219 is a competitive price, and that durability claim means a lot of racing per dollar. If your main use is a 5K or 10K racer, it is a little pricey for that job, though the lifespan argument still softens the cost.

Alternatives to Consider

If you are shopping in this category, three rivals are worth putting next to the Merrow Nude 2.

361 Furious Future 2.0 ($220). From the same brand, this shoe also uses CQT Extreme foam, but here it is two densities of PEBA. On paper it lists 30 mm of stack, but it feels noticeably taller than that, likely because the insole and outsole are excluded from the measurement. It is a firm shoe, but not dense: the ride is much bouncier, and the carbon plate engages far more clearly with each stride. It is also substantially heavier. If you want dense, responsive, and stabilized, pick the Merrow Nude 2. If you want bouncy with more plate engagement, pick the Furious Future 2.0.

Adidas Takumi Sen 11 ($185 retail, often discounted). This one matches the Merrow Nude 2’s heel stack on paper and uses a similar-feeling foam, with flexible energy rods that do a stabilizing job rather than a propulsion job. It is also very stripped down and lightweight, though about 1.3 oz heavier in the same size. It is a rawer experience, best treated as a 5K, 10K, or half marathon racer rather than anything longer. Full retail is $185, but it has been widely discounted to around $145 at reputable online running retailers, which is excellent value for this kind of aggressive racer. Note that Adidas stock in the US has been hard to find, so check independent retailers.

On Cloudboom Strike LS ($330). The obvious comparison on the upper side: a robot sprays the upper on, there are no laces, and there are no pads inside, all over Helion HF foam and a carbon plate. Both shoes run firmer than ideal, but they share a similar sweet spot: when you hit them just right, there is a butteriness to the ride that feels alike. If you can handle the Merrow Nude 2 at the marathon distance, the Cloudboom Strike LS is a compelling option, but the sprayed-on construction and On’s pricing push it to $330, a substantial premium over the Merrow.

Things to Consider Before Buying

• The limited size range tops out at US men’s 10.
• The dense, firm ride is best appreciated at faster paces; easy-day runners will not love it.
• Sizing down half a size is the recommended move, so check your size carefully before ordering.
• No insole and a very minimal heel cup mean this is a pure race-day and workout shoe, not a daily trainer.

Conclusion

The 361 Merrow Nude 2 is a lightweight, aggressive racing shoe that most runners will enjoy best as a 5K and 10K racer and for speedy workouts, with the marathon being a viable but very aggressive option for efficient runners. Its 148 g weight, durable claimed lifespan of 10 marathons of racing, and $219 price make it a strong value in the super-shoe space, especially next to the pricier On Cloudboom Strike LS. If you prefer a bouncier, more plate-driven ride, the Furious Future 2.0 from the same brand is the better pick, and budget-minded half marathon racers should look hard at the discounted Takumi Sen 11.