On Cloud

Specs

The shoe is classified as a lightweight performance trainer that can be used for races. The heel-to-toe offset is supposedly 6mm according to ON Running’s website. However, it is measured at 9mm at Running Warehouse. It weighs in at 198g for US Men’s 8.5. This shoe is the lightest running shoe that ON Running has manufactured.

Upper and Fit

The Upper is made from breathable mesh reinforced with suede overlays throughout the shoe and a cotton fabric material at the rear. The suede overlays, although stylish, posed as a concern for me as I doubted its durability.

The structure in the shoe provided adequate support, giving it a secure fit. It provided a nice sock-like feel without a hint of roughness, allowing me to stay abrasion and blister-free when I wore it barefoot during triathlons.

The tongue was comfortable, not to thick yet not too thin. It provided a decent lockdown of the feet in the shoe when laced up while not compromising on protection from possible pressure points from the laces.

The heel counter, despite being rather low, offered enough support for longer runs when my running form started to get sloppy. The straps seen on the back half of the shoe supposedly contribute to the structure of the shoe, though I did not notice any increase in support.

The shoes are true to size, although having a slightly narrow fit. The narrow fit may disallow toe splay. Runners with wider feet may prefer going half a size up.

The Cloud came with elastic laces and conventional laces. I vastly preferred the elastic lacing due to two reasons. Firstly, I have wider feet and hence I did not feel like I needed that much lockdown in the forefoot. Secondly, the conventional lacing was too thin and long, which was rather messy and unsightly.

Midsole Technology

Starting with the Midsole, the Cloud features the 16 CloudTec pods designed to cater to individual running gaits. The pods deliver a rather unique feel. The landing is firm yet cushioned. I don’t feel like my legs get beat up even after running distances up to half-marathons.

As a runner that prefers a more cushioned ride, I switched the stock insoles with a more cushioned insole which greatly increased the comfort of the ride.

I intentionally tried heel striking and I personally feel that the transition from heel to toe felt better than when I landed on my midfoot. This is due to the thicker CloudTec elements at the rear of the shoe.

The Cloud also features a Speed board. The Speed board is a mildly flexible full-length plastic plate that stiffens the sole and converts energy from landing impact to forward propulsion. This translated to decent stability with a light snappy toe-off.

Outsole Durability

As for the outsole, high abrasion rubber patches are placed at the front 5 pods and the back 3 pods for increased durability at high impact locations.

However, I would prefer if the rubber patches were more generous, as I worried about the unprotected midsole that was exposed to the harsh conditions of asphalt.

The sole after 50km

Types of work out

The Cloud excels on both the track and the road. It is best used for speedwork, aerobic intervals and for tempo workouts ranging from 5-10km. Personally I would prefer a more cushioned shoe for longer distances such as half-marathons to marathons.

Issues

The Cloud is not recommended for trail running; small stones get stuck in the pods, firming up the ride and causing uneven pressure points. This is especially so for trails that are wet. Mud get caught in the pods which adds significant weight to the shoe.

• Traps stones, mud
• A little on the narrow side
• Conventional laces too thin

Summary

The cloud is a light and casual-looking shoe for runners who want a cushioned and responsive ride without sacrificing comfort or speed.

When I was first introduced to the On brand at an expo in Disney World, I was intrigued by the design and was able to try them on but the price tag kept me at bay with the least expensive shoe costing around $130.

Fortunately, as a gift, I purchased a pair at the $130 price tag and have been very happy with them, but not in the way you may think. First, let's go over the details of this unique shoe.

Specs

• Weight is 8.1 oz (men’s), 6.4 oz (women’s)
• Heel to toe differential of 6mm
• Extremely breathable mesh upper
• Optional bungee lacing system; laces are provided as an alternative
• Cloud-pod sole
• Removable insert
• Terrain should be for road only

The good

The bungee lacing system. These shoes are great to just slip on and go. The tongue is sewn into the upper to give it a sock-like feel.

You could wear these shoes with or without socks, I have done both and have had no issues. The upper is so breathable that you can feel the wind blowing through them, which is great on extremely hot days.  

The Cloud-pod sole provides great cushioning throughout the shoe and due to the multiple pod construction, they are extremely flexible. I purchased the all black pair and think they look great.

I have been using these as a lifestyle shoe; they go with khakis or shorts but I’m not sure if I could pull this off with any other color. Seriously, these shoes are great to just slip on and go anywhere, whether it is out for dinner, the park, or on a boat.

The bad

The bungee lacing system. Yes, I know I have this under the Good but the bungee doesn’t stabilize your foot adequately for running. I found my foot shifting too much in the shoe, especially on turns. I attempted to tighten the bungee down by looping it differently or double knotting the ends but nothing worked.

Fortunately, they provide a pair of standard laces you can replace the bungee laces with. The problem here is that they don’t slip on and off nearly as easy and I don’t believe they look as nice as the bungee.

The Cloud-pod sole is susceptible to picking up rocks and other debris. I actually found an acorn in mine. Because of this, I do not recommend running in these on any type of trails; this is purely a road and track shoe.

Another issue is poor traction on wet terrain; I have noticed a bit of slippage just from walking in the rain with these on.

Finally, the durability of the sole. For what little traction you get on the sole, it wears out quickly.  At a cost of $130, I would expect something more durable than this.

The ride

This is a fast shoe! They are so lightweight and the pods provide an extra bounce to help you kick it into high gear. I could not help but run fast in them; this shoe would be great for a 5-10k race. If using the bungee lacing, stability will be an issue when cutting tight corners.

This has also been a great shoe for walking. I have worn this while being on my feet all day at a theme park and they were fantastic at keeping my feet from being too sore or tired.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a fast-lightweight road shoe for short to a medium distance that is extremely breathable and flexible, then this may be the shoe for you.

Personally, I don’t use this shoe for running anymore. I enjoy the bungee lacing for being able to slip in and out of this shoe but I don’t believe the bungee lacing is the best for running as I need more stability.  

Like the first version of the Clouds, On’s newest version is still lightweight and highly cushioned, yet with a couple of subtle differences. The first and most noticeable difference is the cut in the outsole that runs from back to front.

The newest version sees the cut open more as it reaches the bottom of the outsole, in a triangular fashion, that prevents rocks and such from getting caught in there. The outsole consists of hollowed bubbles (clouds) in rows from front to back with a split in the middle.

Unique Outsole

They are better for road running because of this cut. However, I did use them to run on an unpaved mountain road in Montana this summer and they performed well. I had to stop periodically to remove a rock from one of the various crevices in the outsole, but it did not lower my rating of them.

I’ve learned how to knock rocks out of the sole while running by using a skipping technique in which I scrape my foot along the ground to loosen the debris. I know this is an issue for some runners, but they are highly improved in this area over the previous version.

Appearance

The second difference is in appearance only. The outer has a slightly different design which I prefer but makes no bearing on the performance of the shoe. In terms of appearance, I enjoy the look of the On Cloud.

It has many color options available and looks different than the average running shoe. It is sure to be a conversation starter amongst people that have never seen them before. I chose to go with the black upper and white outsole for this model.

Upper

The Clouds come with two different laces. A thin stretchy bit that only goes through the first few eyelets and a standard lace that fits through all the available eyelets. I personally use the standard laces as it makes my foot feel more secure in the shoe.

The tongue is attached to the upper in a way that doesn’t constrict my ability to put on or take off the shoe. I like that the tongue is attached because it helps to prevent debris from entering the shoe. The upper is a mixture of mesh, that is super breathable, and a soft overlay that keeps the mesh from being stretched too far in any one direction.

Cushioning

My overall experience with the first version of the Cloud was good except for the cushion on the forefoot that collapsed after 50-100 miles. I expected On to better support this part of the outsole to prevent a premature collapse of the great cushion they provide. Well, 70 miles in, the newest version has revealed the same collapse. It is unfortunate because I really want to wear them for longer distances.

I noticed the collapse in the forefoot cushion more as the mileage increased. At about 9-10 miles into a run, I begin to get hotspots on my forefoot. I do run more mid to forefoot, but that shouldn’t matter. It is bearable for another 2-3 miles although bearable is not what I paid for.

This is a major drawback for me since they run at $120. I expect a greater lifespan from the cushioning for that price. With that being said, I will continue to use them for runs under 8 -9 miles.

Fit, Flex and Feel

The Clouds are true to size. I wear a Men’s 8.5 in most shoes and these are no different. I still really enjoy the flex of the shoe on impact and toe-off, from the previous version, and feel very connected to the ground at most points during my stride.

I also enjoy that the toe box is roomy enough for my toes to splay naturally. The Clouds have a 6mm heel to toe drop which I feel lends itself to a midfoot or forefoot stride. It is not a zero-drop shoe, so don’t worry about having to adapt to your current stride.

Multi-Sport usage

For triathlons, I like that I can run in them without socks as they are comfortable on the inside. This puts them high on my list for sprint and Olympic triathlons- just put a quick lacing system in place. Although, for triathlons with runs exceeding 7-8 miles, I will go with a different shoe.

I have been a fan on the On running shoe brand for almost two years now. I started with the basic On Cloud shoes when I first saw their shoes at the Charleston Fleet Feet booth in the Cooper River Bridge Run Expo.

The Fleet Feet rep was very helpful and made sure I tried out the Cloud shoes in the right size. Last year, I upgraded to the Cloudflyer at the same expo 12 months later because Fleet Feet had a pretty good discount going on during the Expo’s hours. 

The On adventure begins

Since I signed up for On’s mailing list, I received advanced notice of when they would release a limited edition shoe, the Cloud Edge, and I had the opportunity to purchase them before the rest of the public. 

First impressions

A few months ago, I had the fortune to do a demo run with the On Cloudace and they were amazing. Needless to say, if you like a brand, it pays to watch what they do and see what promotional events they run (no pun intended).

Over the holidays, On again had a sale happening, but on their website. As much as I would have liked to try the Cloudflow or the Cloudsurfer, I decided that I should stay with a shoe I am familiar with because I am shopping online and I knew, or rather thought I remembered, how they felt on my feet.

I still plan on trying out those two at some point, though. The shoes arrived relatively quickly, but I didn’t get a chance to put them through the ringer or at least start breaking them in until recently. 

Side view of the On Cloud and the Cloudtec pockets

They felt fantastic when I slipped them on my feet. I love my On Cloudflyers, but putting on a new pair of shoes is akin to climbing into the latest model of a never sold vehicle and inhaling that brand new car smell. But it’s the comfort and freshness of the shoe aligning with one’s feet.

Size

The On Cloud shoe weighs 8.1 ounces, or 230 grams when it is a size 9 shoe. I wear size 10, so that fraction of an ounce extra doesn’t matter to me.  

They have a 6-millimeter drop from heel to toe, which in theory puts it halfway between what minimalist runners want (0-4 mm) and what a traditional running carries for a drop (11-12 mm). 

Usage

The sole provides quite a bit of support. The On Cloud shoes are a neutral running shoe, but while I am more of a stability shoe runner, I absolutely love having these with me.  

On Cloud running shoe in action

That may not be the case for everyone, but On touts the Cloud shoes as footwear for an active lifestyle. Meaning you would wear them for activities other than running.

In fact, one of my friends who works at a running shoe store prefers to wear the On Cloud while working and moving about in the store and use Asics or New Balance for her mid to long term running.

I can definitely wear my On Cloud shoes while moving about during work, but these will be my go-to shoes for any running less than 10 kilometers. I only put that 10 kilometer limit on them because I want to reserve On’s other shoes for any half marathon races I might sign up for later this year.

Outsole

As much as I love On shoes, they have notorious outsole (almost all their shoes), for picking up rocks, large seeds, and debris if you are not careful. That restricts my running to roads and paved trails.

You need to be cautious not to run across a rocky path and it’s almost a guarantee that a rock will wedge itself within the sole. It’s not a pain to pluck them out, but it is bothersome to stop and pick the debris out while running.

Pointing out where rocks tend to wedge themselves

Final thoughts

The On brand also doesn’t always go on sale in shoe stores. I’ve seen more Altra and Hoka shoe sales in the last three months than I’ve seen any On shoes with a discount in the past year.

That being said, I did manage to get my On Cloud shoes at about a third off at the tail end of the holidays. Keep an eye out for discounts and sales with On.

They are definitely worth getting if you see a sale. If not, try them out at a shoe store, and I highly recommend starting off with the On Cloud shoes because that is their basic brand and the most inexpensive of all their shoes. The On Cloud will give you a great indication if On is right for you.