7 Best On Cloud Running Shoes in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
7 Best On Cloud Running Shoes in 2023
We earn affiliate commissions at no extra cost to you when you buy through us. Why trust us

Born in the Swiss Alps, On Cloud running shoes disrupted the footwear industry with its revolutionary CloudTec cushioning system. The brand’s running on cloud concept has dazzled runners of all types, from newbies to professionals.

If you’ve been a big fan of On Cloud since its inception in 2010, or someone who loves a shoe that delivers softer landings and firm toe-offs, the brand offers an impressive lineup of shoes for road, trail, or gyms sessions.

We’ve compiled 9 of the best On Cloud running shoes available in the market today. We’ve tested, and analyzed each model to come up with our top picks in different categories for your quick reference.

How we test running shoes

We’ve been working with our team of wear-testers and lab technicians to review the growing lineup of On Cloud running shoes. We put each model to a whole gamut of mechanical tests to determine its performance, comfort, and reliability. To make the final selections, we follow a meticulous approach such as:

  • We buy all the On Cloud shoes with our own money to ensure an unbiased, 100% honest review.
  • We perform mechanical tests inside our lab, which involves cutting all of them into pieces and measuring 30+ parameters, from the softness of the cushioning system, upper durability, outsole traction, and many others.
  • Our wear-testers go for short and long runs on and off the road averaging 30-40 miles on each pair of shoes. They give us their extensive feedback after each test.
  • We gather more information from other independent shoe experts and regular runners who have tried the shoes.

To conclude the process, we use our proprietary CoreScore system to make a calculation of all comparable data above. The final score of each model is shown ranging from 0 to 100, giving us their respective overall rankings.

Best On Cloud running shoes overall

On Cloudmonster
91
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The On Cloudmonster is the brand's max-cushioned running shoe that "changed everyone's mind." From firm to forgiving, it's a new take that's perfect for daily training and long runs. True to its name, it has a "monstrous" amount of foam that will keep your feet protected and comfy all day. So much so that you can take it out on your walks as well.

Pros

  • All-day comfort
  • Bouncy cushion
  • Smooth heel-to-toe transitions
  • Protective for long runs
  • Stable when cornering
  • Weighs less than it looks
  • Grippy on wet roads
  • Can work on light trails
  • Perfect lockdown
  • Durable
  • Sustainable upper

Cons

  • Firm for recovery days
  • Not for wide feet
  • Expensive
Full review of On Cloudmonster

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Frost/Cobalt (6198653)
Black (6199025)
White (6198243)
Eclipse/Turmeric (6198656)
Grey (6198244)
All White/Black (6198434)
Frost Surf (6199023)
Acai Aloe (6199027)
Acai/Aloe (6498927)

On Cloud running shoes with best cushioning

On Cloudflow 3.0
89
Great!

What makes it the best?

The ON Cloudflow 3.0 is an all-rounder running shoe that brings some of the best elements of the previous Cloudflow and improves on as much as it possibly can. The reviewers love the rigidity and durability of the shoe, which make sure to push you further and faster on whatever pavement you pound.

Pros

  • Fits true to size
  • Great ground feel
  • Durable
  • Surprisingly good grip
  • Steadfast lockdown
  • A super speedy energy return
  • Perfect as an all-rounder

Cons

  • Outsole catches debris
  • Not highly padded
  • Grip is only good on pavement
Full review of On Cloudflow 3.0

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Rust White (3599236)
98687 Meadow White (3598687)
99034 Ink Meadow (3599034)
Alloy/Magnet (3599235)
Glacier/Creek (3598211)
Black (3599238)
Black/Turmeric (3598398)
Lake Flare (3599237)

Best value On Cloud running shoes

On Cloudrunner
86
Great!

What makes it the best?

The On Cloudrunner is a daily trainer with a touch of pronation control and a firmer, more traditional ride. It is an appealing option for entry-level runners who go shorter distances at slower paces and also like to have one shoe for daily wear and the gym. It is an attractive, quality-made shoe that also contains sustainable materials.

Pros

  • Unintrusive stability
  • Versatile (walking, gym, casual)
  • Well-fitting
  • Doesn’t catch pebbles
  • Good breathability
  • Excellent grip
  • Lasting durability
  • Appealing design
  • Recycled content (30-35%)

Cons

  • Not for severe overpronation
  • Firm and dull ride
  • A bit heavy
Full review of On Cloudrunner

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Metal Midnight (4699016)
Eclipse/Frost (4699017)
Glacier/Black (4698647)
Shale/Cobalt (4698238)
White (4698199)
99021 Alloy Moss (4699021)
Frost Turmeric (4698644)

Best On Cloud running shoes for trail

On Cloudvista
86
Great!

What makes it the best?

Dubbed as the "swiss army knife of shoes," you no longer have to switch gears from road to trail with the Cloudvista from On Running. It's a lightweight road-and-trail hybrid that excels at short-distance runs. Even more, it's not your typical rigid trail shoe; it's a fun and forgiving shoe that makes your daily runs—whether on the pavement or mildly technical terrains—enjoyable and even fast.

Pros

  • Grippy on mud, soft trail, and wet rocks
  • Great for road-to-trail transitions
  • Bouncy ride
  • Secure and snug fit
  • No heel rubs
  • No lace bites
  • Breathable for summer runs
  • Environmentally friendly upper
  • Also for hiking

Cons

  • Firm on hard-packed trails
  • Lacks grip on technical terrains
  • Not for wide feet
Full review of On Cloudvista

Today's best price

Men
Women
Any color
Frost/Ink (6499061)
Blue (6498432)
Creek/Mint (6498273)
Midnight/Olive (6498593)
Glacier Black (6499058)
Alloy/Black (6498272)
Sandstone / Alloy (6498928)

Best On Cloud running shoes with wide toebox

On Cloudstratus 2
93
Superb!

What makes it the best?

The second version of the Cloudstratus doesn’t officially have the number 2 in the name, but it’s a very different shoe compared to the first one. This time On steered a little away from the overly firm midsoles we have come to know the brand for, and delivered a more pleasant ride, tons of comfort, more versatility, and overall a much better daily trainer. What’s more, the materials are clearly of high quality, and the design is as beautiful as it can be.

Pros

  • Highly protective underfoot
  • Stable and smooth ride
  • Supreme comfort
  • Plenty breathable
  • Grippy even on wet
  • Solid lockdown
  • Good ground feel
  • Stunning design
  • Welcomes wide feet

Cons

  • Ride is not very lively
  • Rather expensive
Full review of On Cloudstratus 2

Today's best price

Men
Women

Best On Cloud running shoes

On Cloudflyer 4
84
Good!

What makes it the best?

As an update to On’s line of stability daily trainers, the On Cloudflyer 4 has an improved lockdown and overall cush. The overall structure of these Cloudflyers is geared toward providing you with a very secure run. Also, more padding on the shoe’s interior means more comfortable miles ahead. These runners perform with an excellent blend of comfort, responsiveness, and stability that’s worth every penny.

Pros

  • Superb lockdown
  • All-day comfort
  • Ensures a lively ride
  • Cushy all around
  • True to size
  • Provides great stability
  • Wide option available
  • Doesn't feel heavy despite the added weight
  • Also great for HIIT workouts

Cons

  • A bit on the heavy side
  • Top-half of the upper is not breathable
Full review of On Cloudflyer 4

Today's best price

Unisex
Any color
Black/White (8198663)
Metal | Lapis (7198675)
Nimbus/Cobble (7198668)
White Hay (7198251)
98249 White Hay (7198249)

Comparison of the 7 best On Cloud running shoes

+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
+ + Add a product
Best
CoreScore
Users rating
Experts
Best price
Ranking
Popularity
# of colorways
Author
Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen

Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.