361 Lynx Trail Runner Review: Budget Chinese Trail Shoe

The 361 Lynx costs $150 and comes with a Vibram Litebase outsole and Primo foam midsole. For comparison, the Hoka Speedgoat 6 is $155 and the Altra Lone Peak 8 is $145. So we’re in the same ballpark, but is the 361 actually competitive?

Short answer: surprisingly yes, with some caveats.

What Is the 361 Lynx?

It’s a lightweight technical trail shoe from 361 Degrees, the Chinese brand that’s been quietly making solid running shoes for years. The Lynx is positioned as their mild-to-moderate trail option. Not a mountain goat, not a fire road cruiser. Somewhere in between.

Road Trail Run gave it a multi-tester review in early 2026, and the consensus was positive for the price point.

Specs at a Glance

Spec	361 Lynx	Hoka Speedgoat 6	Altra Lone Peak 8
Price	$150	$155	$145
Weight	~9.2oz (est.)	9.5oz	10.0oz
Drop	6mm	5mm	0mm
Outsole	Vibram Litebase	Vibram Megagrip	MaxTrac
Midsole	Primo foam	CMEVA	Altra EGO
Best for	Mild-moderate trails	Technical trails	Zero-drop trail
Stack	Moderate	High	Moderate

What Works

Vibram Litebase outsole. This is the same Vibram tech that costs $155+ on Hoka models. Getting it at $150 is good value. Grip is reliable on wet rock and loose gravel.

Primo foam midsole. 361’s most cushioned material. It’s not Hoka-level marshmallow soft, but it’s comfortable for long trail runs without being mushy. Good energy return for a trail shoe.

Weight. Lighter than both the Speedgoat and Lone Peak. If you’re doing trail races or faster trail efforts, this matters.

Price. $150 is competitive. You’re getting Vibram grip and decent cushioning foam at a price point where most brands offer inferior outsoles.

What Doesn’t Work (From My Perspective)

I’m an Altra/zero-drop runner, so my bias is clear. The 6mm drop on the Lynx is fine for most people, but if you’ve transitioned to zero drop, it’ll feel oddly heel-biased.

Toe box width. Not as roomy as Altra. If you have wide feet or like toe splay on descents, the Lynx might feel cramped compared to what I’m used to.

Durability questions. 361 shoes tend to have good midsole life but the upper construction on their trail shoes hasn’t been proven over 500+ km the way Speedgoat or Lone Peak uppers have. Limited long-term data.

Availability. You can buy from 361usa.com directly, and 361europe.com ships within Europe (currently on sale at EUR 120, down from EUR 160). Amazon availability varies. Not as easy to find as walking into a running store and trying them on.

Who Should Consider This?

Runners who want a capable trail shoe without spending $155+ on a Speedgoat. If you’re doing mixed terrain (fire roads, light single track, gravel paths) and don’t need the aggressive grip of a Speedcross, the Lynx handles that well.

If you’re already happy with Altra or Hoka trail shoes, there’s no compelling reason to switch. But if you’re priced out of premium trail shoes or curious about Chinese brands delivering real value, the Lynx is worth a look.

My Verdict

The 361 Lynx is a solid mid-trail shoe that punches above its weight thanks to Vibram and decent foam at $150. It won’t replace my Altra Lone Peaks (I need zero drop), but I’d recommend it to trail runners who want good grip and cushion without premium pricing.

It’s part of a bigger trend: Chinese running brands delivering legitimate performance at lower prices. The same story we’re seeing with Xtep and Li-Ning on the road is starting to happen on trails. See how we compare products for our research approach.

For more Chinese brand trail options, check our budget trail running guide. If you’re deciding between established trail shoes, see the best trail running shoes 2026 roundup.

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Related reading: Altra vs Hoka for trail: 1000km comparison | Chinese carbon running shoes | Best budget running vests under $30

FAQ

Is the 361 Lynx good for technical trails?

It handles mild to moderate trails well. For highly technical terrain (steep rock scrambles, deep mud, exposed roots), you’d want something more aggressive like the Speedgoat or a Salomon Speedcross. The Lynx is best on fire roads, light single track, and mixed surfaces.

Where can you buy the 361 Lynx in the US?

Direct from 361usa.com, and sometimes on Amazon. Stock can be limited since 361 doesn’t have the distribution network of Nike or Hoka. In Europe, 361europe.com ships directly and often has sales.

How does the 361 Lynx compare to the Hoka Speedgoat 6?

Similar price ($150 vs $155), similar purpose. The Speedgoat has more cushion (higher stack) and slightly better grip on very technical terrain. The Lynx is lighter and has a firmer, more responsive ride. Speedgoat for comfort on long ultras, Lynx for faster trail efforts.

Is 361 Degrees a reliable brand for running shoes?

Yes. They’ve been making running shoes for over a decade, sponsor elite athletes in Asia, and their road shoes (Furious Future line) compete with Nike and Adidas on performance. The brand is less known in Western markets but the quality is legitimate.

How long do 361 trail shoes last?

Based on available owner reports, expect 500-700km depending on terrain. The Vibram outsole holds up well, but the midsole foam may compress faster than HOKA’s CMEVA. Similar lifespan to most mid-range trail shoes.