7 Best On Road Running Shoes in 2024

Out of all the On road running shoes we tested on foot and in the lab, the Cloudsurfer 7 gave an effortless and seamless experience that makes it our top pick. It excels in shock absorption without sacrificing speed, having one of the most comfortable yet energetic midsoles we’ve ever tried.

Soft landing is a given with its 36.3/21.7 mm stack. It boasts an ultra-soft foam, which our durometer confirms with a low 20.4 HA reading. For its abundant cushioning, it’s surprisingly lightweight at 8.4 oz (237g) vs. the 9.4 oz (265g) average.

Its priority for a natural and enjoyable experience is proven by its flexible midsole that flows with our movement, rather than resisting it. Our bend test validates this, emerging 57.2% more flexible than average. It’s one of the most malleable shoes we’ve tested! 

Even with its focus on comfort, Cloudsurfer 7 keeps up with faster paces. It’s bouncy without relying on the stiff speedboard that other models need. With a rocker geometry and a high 14.6 mm drop, it promotes efficient turnover and smooth strides. Being 6.0 mm steeper than the average, it's more suited to heel-strikers.

With its squishy cushion, it lacks the stability and support that pronators or heavier individuals may need. We recommend these runners to check other options to avoid the sinking feeling.

On’s Cloudswift 3 is a balanced, all-around shoe that ticks all the boxes for a perfect daily trainer. It effortlessly blends responsiveness, support and a superb upper — making it a fun companion for logging in our miles.

This model includes On’s Dual Density Helion foam, which seamlessly combines soft and firm elements for a balanced underfoot feel. It emerged 13.4% more flexible than average on our 90° bend test, making it a perfect daily trainer. In terms of torsional rigidity, this shoe scored higher than average at 4/5 — enhancing stability by keeping the ankles in place.

For a flexible shoe, Cloudswift 3 was surprisingly responsive when we tested it by running faster paces. This is attributed to the TPU Speedboard in its foam and On’s CloudTec cushioning technology that flattens with landings and pops back to its original form on take-offs. This gives us a smooth and bouncy ride with less effort.

Cloudswift 3 houses a top-notch sock-like upper that adapts perfectly to our feet. It’s well-ventilated, scoring a 4/5 on our breathability test in the lab, which is why it didn’t feel stuffy. We enjoyed the breeze on our toes even on hot, summer days.

The drop felt high, as confirmed by our 9.7-mm measurement in the lab — a solid 21.3% higher than the brand's 8.0-mm claim.

The Cloudflow 4 is a versatile trainer that highlights energy rebound and support—all wrapped in a breathable, lightweight package. Its agility makes it a fun and fast shoe to run in, easily capturing our hearts in and out of the lab and claiming the best speed trainer title among On’s road-running shoes.

True to its name, the unresisting midsole flows with our feet. It houses a Speedboard plate that disappears as we bend our feet and comes alive with every energetic toe-off. Our flex test shows it's 24.9% more adaptive than average, ensuring a lively ride without stiffness. It injects energy into every step, elevating our interval sessions and sprints. Cloudflow 4 promotes quick nimble movements, embodying a cloud in terms of weight and ventilation. Our scales reveal a mere 8.6 oz (245g), lighter than average On road-running shoes (9.6 oz/273g). The form-fitting upper feels pleasant due to its thin and breathable nature, which our 4/5 lab rating confirms. 

In our runs, this trainer bolsters our form and elevates stability through its dual-density Helion cushioning. This time, it doesn’t feel like a cloud as our durometer reveals a firm 33.0 HA top layer and a dense 28.3 HA bottom layer, boosting surefooted strides and safe landings. However, those who prefer plusher cushioning should look elsewhere since this may feel too harsh for easy runs and LSDs.

On's Cloudboom Echo 3 is our best racer among the brand’s road-running shoes because it’s everything speed-oriented. With its unique rocker, breathable construction, lively cushioning, and dynamic carbon plate, it powers us effortlessly through races, from 5Ks to marathons. Whether on the road or in our lab evaluations, it consistently performs as an elite-level shoe.

The Helion HF cushioning delivers next-level responsiveness, while the curved rigid carbon plate adds fuel to the fire, enhancing the power and energy in our strides. It felt more natural to run forward fast as the rocker geometry promotes smooth and fast turnover.

Immense energy return can go hand-in-hand with comfort, as Echo 3 proves. The foam is on the firmer side at 23.5 HA but rises to a generous height of 38.6/28.4 mm, saving our legs from the harshness of long miles.

Further enhancing the experience is its airy upper that hugs our feet snugly. Checking it against our light test reveals a thin engineered mesh along the midfoot and toebox areas, explaining its flawless 5/5 breathability rating. Because of this, we had no worries about blisters and hotspots and could fully focus on just running our race.

Unfortunately, Echo 3 requires a large investment of $290. Our lab-tested shoes purely designed for competition only average $206, that’s 29% cheaper for similar performance.

The Cloudmonster Hyper delivered nothing but vibrant energy, maximum cushioning, and remarkable stability in our runs. We relished the powerful pop we experienced, feeling invigorated with each stride, and the plush foam that met us upon every landing. Our lab findings solidify its status as the best-cushioned On road-running shoe.

With stack heights reaching 39.7/33.0 mm, its substantial foam ensures comfort across all foot strikes and distances. The responsive midsole boasts a dual-density design, combining a plush 21.3 HA top layer for comfort with a firm 28.8 HA foam in the heel for stability. Despite the firmer heel, CloudTec technology's compression softens the ride, creating a gentler yet bouncy sensation.

Surprisingly, this is one of the most stable supertrainers and maximalists we’ve tested. With robust midsole sidewalls that embrace our feet, it highly resists any form of twisting. Even our manual assessment received a high torsional rigidity rating of 4/5, meaning it won’t easily give in to excessive motions.

Our toe-offs feel effortlessly energetic despite the absence of a Speedboard. Cloudmonster Hyper boasts an adaptive midsole, making it more suitable for daily training. Our bend test confirms it’s 20.3% more flexible than average.

The thin-looking upper disappointed with subpar breathability (3/5), which could lead to blistering and hotspots during long runs in warm weather. It's wise to consider a more suitable alternative for these conditions.

After testing On’s road running roster in the lab and on the streets, Cloudstratus 3 is our top pick for wide feet. This daily trainer excels in comfort across different distances, offering an accommodating build, responsive ride, and well-balanced cushioning.

Our first slip-on already reveals how spacious the platform is but our lab further confirms its expansive base. Our caliper measured the forefoot and heel at 115.4/90.3 mm, the front being 1.9 mm wider than average. Adding to the roomy sensation is its natural foot-shaped silhouette, giving us enough wiggle room even as our feet swell over longer distances. On shoes are known for being both firm and soft and the Cloudstratus 3 is no exception. Our durometer reveals it’s 29.0% denser than average, though, in reality, it feels a lot softer due to the “clouds” that compress upon landing and spring back to form during takeoffs. Together with the speedboard and subtle rocker, these work collectively to generate a propulsive ride.  Because the speedboard is made of nylon than the usual carbon plate, the ride feels more natural and forgiving. Our bend test shows it’s 14.6% more flexible than average. However, Cloudstratus 3 has a steep price tag of $180. For a daily trainer that won’t break the bank, we recommend checking other options.

The On Cloud X is a versatile trainer that highlights a lightweight feel, comfort, and durability. The shoe is perfect for daily runs, walks, or even for going to the gym. For these reasons, it takes the crown for having the best versatility among On road running shoes.

The Cloud X is a lightweight shoe. At an astonishing 240g (8.47 oz), it is significantly lighter than the average weight of road running shoes at 268g (9.45 oz). We definitely felt like we were running on—yes, you guessed it—clouds. Additionally, its light and nimble feel makes it a great option for even non-running activities.

Its wide toe box can pleasantly accommodate even the widest of feet. We measured the toe box width to be 102.7 mm—much wider than the average of 97.9 mm. The tongue padding measures 5.0 mm wide. While it is a little below average, we felt ample cushioning and comfort perfect for daily wear.

Durability is where the On Cloud X really shines. Its dual-layer scored a respectable 3 out of 5 on the Dremel test, where the average is only 1.9. The outsole is firmer by 2.88% and the Dremel test managed a 0.79 mm damage where the average is 0.9 mm. These tests all point to it lasting a very long time.

Unfortunately, the midsole cushioning is lacking. At a 27.9 mm heel stack, it is 5.3 mm below the average. Runners looking for more cushioning can check other options.