On Cloudultra 3 review

After testing the On Cloudultra 3 in the lab and on trails, we concluded that:

• Runners looking for a major step up from the Cloudultra 2 will appreciate its new midsole and improved overall design.
• Anyone seeking a trail shoe with a stable, predictable ride will love the Cloudultra 3.
• Those with deep pockets who value high-quality materials should check it out.
• Anyone who prefers firm foam underfoot should feel right at home.

We were a bit disappointed by the On Cloudultra 3’s low energy return. If you want more bounce from a trail shoe, we suggest checking out the On Cloudultra Pro or Nike ACG Ultrafly Trail instead.

We also believe that the Cloudultra 3’s price will be difficult to justify for many, especially considering its limited traction compared with several rivals. Instead, the ASICS Trabuco 14 or adidas Terrex Agravic Speed seem like trail shoes with much better value.

The On Cloudultra 3 has the word ultra in its name, and we think its shock absorption (124 SA / 110 SA) provides enough protection for most ultra events. However, heavier runners may prefer a shoe with slightly more cushioning underfoot.

What we found disappointing was the energy return. Considering that Helion HF foam delivers good bounce in some On shoes, we certainly expected more than the 50.9% measured in the heel and 54.0% in the forefoot.

After finding a moderate result in our shock absorption test and based on how the shoe felt during our test runs, we were pretty sure that the On Cloudultra 3 is far from being a max-stack shoe. Back in the lab, we confirmed this with a heel stack height of 32.1 mm.

In our view, this relatively moderate stack height provides a good balance between underfoot protection and a more grounded ride.

The forefoot also left us with no surprises. It provides good protection (26.7 mm) while staying below 30 mm, which makes it easier to maneuver and more appealing for hiking.

On is one of the easiest brands to trust when it comes to the heel-to-toe drop, as we usually find measurements that closely match its claims. The Cloudultra 3 is a good example, with our digital calipers measuring 5.4 mm, just 0.6 mm shy of the 6 mm claimed by the Swiss brand.

Another area where the Cloudultra 3 screams On is its high durometer score and the firm feel it delivers during runs.

Pressing our Asker C durometer against the Helion HF foam and hitting the button returned 50.6 AC, one of the highest readings we’ve ever recorded in the lab!

The Cloudultra 3 uses a dual-foam formulation with two different densities, and that became clear from our second measurement.

In the lower layer of Helion HF foam, we recorded an Asker C reading of 44.7 AC. It’s still quite firm, but slightly softer than the top layer.

The On Cloudultra 2 was well known for its rockered midsole, and On preserves that design in version 3. While the forefoot rocker isn’t particularly aggressive, the midsole clearly encourages a forward-rolling motion, suggesting that On designed this shoe with easy trails in mind rather than technical terrain.

On has used a Speedboard plate here, just as it does in many of its road running shoes, but with a small twist.

As with other trail shoes, On chose to fork the plate in both the forefoot and heel to improve terrain adaptability, and we uncovered this clever design by removing the entire top layer of foam from a half shoe.

Those looking for a wide fit should consider options from Altra or Topo Athletic instead, because, like most On shoes, the Cloudultra 3 has a tight fit.

Our first measurement already came in below average at 93.4 mm.

The toebox has a classic taper, if not slightly more aggressive. We took another measurement here, and the 72.4 mm reading on the LCD screen doesn’t lie. Runners with wide feet will likely struggle with the fit.

On the other hand, the toebox height is particularly generous compared with other trail shoes, measuring 29.0 mm.

This is ideal for long days, especially in cold weather, and also promotes better airflow inside the shoe. However, runners who prefer a more secure, fully enclosed fit may find it too roomy.

On continues to use its proprietary Missiongrip rubber instead of switching to Vibram (as many other brands have done in the past few years) and from a traction standpoint, we think that’s a mistake.

In our SATRA TM144 test, the Cloudultra 3 scored just 0.56, indicating good grip but falling well short of the performance we expect at this price.

The 3.0 mm lugs and their design clearly point to gravel roads and easy trails, leaving little doubt about the Cloudultra 3’s intended terrain.

Large areas of exposed foam can be a major concern for trail runners, and the Cloudultra 3 has plenty of it. Sections of the midfoot and forefoot remain uncovered, although at least we found that the foam sits slightly recessed.

From a longevity perspective, this is far from ideal. However, the design does contribute to a noticeable weight reduction, and the shoe’s focus on easier trails should help prevent premature wear.

One benefit of the lack of full-rubber coverage is improved flexibility, as it allows the Cloudultra 3 to bend more easily than many other trail shoes. In our 30-degree bend test, it scored 13.6N.

Another benefit is reduced weight, as outsole rubber is notoriously one of the heaviest components of any trail shoe. The Cloudultra 3 came in at a very reasonable 9.8 oz or 278g.

The On Cloudultra 3 leverages its firm foam to deliver a highly stable ride, making it an interesting option for runners who often need additional support from their road shoes.

In fact, overpronators who struggle to find supportive trail shoes could do particularly well here, especially those who strike with the midfoot or forefoot.

The outsole also features a specific design that makes the shoe easier to twist, and our test confirms it. We twisted it in both directions and needed 15.0 Nm of force to do so.

The Cloudultra 3’s heel counter is ideal for runners who dislike a stiff feel around the ankle and Achilles tendon. With a 2/5 score in our manual assessment, it provides limited support, but also stays comfortably out of the way and works particularly well for runners with Haglund's deformity.

The On Cloudultra 3’s wide forefoot is another reason why it feels more stable than most of its rivals. At 117.9 mm, the platform is wider than average and delivers a notably planted ride, especially on fast, flatter trails.

We found a similar design approach in the forefoot area. A 92.0 mm width may not raise any eyebrows, but it reinforces On’s focus on making this shoe feel stable.

This shoe is far from cheap, so durability better be high, as nobody wants to spend a lot of money on a shoe that falls apart quickly. Starting with the most delicate part, the toebox, we found an excellent 5/5 score.

This outstanding result is even more impressive when you consider the generous extra TPU layers that On added for protection.

The Cloudultra 3’s heel padding did a decent job. With a 3/5 score, we’re happy with the result.

Missiongrip may not be the most impressive rubber out there for traction, but it certainly delivers when it comes to durability. With only 0.7 mm of rubber lost in our test, maintaining this level of toughness is no easy feat!

With 1.8 mm of outsole thickness and the positive durability results we found earlier, we believe the Cloudultra 3 has exactly what it needs without adding unnecessary thickness and extra weight.

There’s nothing particularly special about the On Cloudultra 3’s insole thickness, as its 4.3 mm measurement is very close to our current lab average.

Removing the insole is totally possible with this shoe, although doing so means losing the perforations that help improve airflow inside the Cloudultra 3.

The Helion HF foam in the On Cloudultra 3 came back 16% firmer after spending 20 minutes in our freezer. In our view, that's a good result.

We like it when brands use reflective materials for their logos, and On did exactly that here.

On rarely misses when it comes to tongue design, and the Cloudultra 3 is no exception. We also found thin laces threaded through punched eyelets, along with an elastic band that keeps them securely in place.

The tongue measures 6.3 mm in thickness and runs the full length of the foot, so once you’ve tied the laces down, you can forget about them for the rest of the day.

The tongue of the Cloudultra 3 is semi-gusseted with a very generous fabric panel that spans almost its entire length. That’s ideal for a trail shoe because it does a better job of keeping debris out while also providing excellent lateral foothold.

The heel lacks the finger-loop tab found on many trail shoes, but we liked its clean design and excellent finish.

For runners focused on keeping costs low, the On Cloudultra 3 is simply not an option. Nor is it a good choice for those seeking the best bounce for the buck, as its high price is difficult to justify. In our view, its premium pricing will mainly appeal to On die-hard fans or runners seeking higher-than-average build quality.