The brand’s shoes have a familiar ‘cloud’ shape design to their outsole, and with road and trail shoes, they also have a range of tennis footwear and leisure wear.
Its wide range of models means they have a shoe for any runner’s needs regardless of speed or capabilities. Their high-quality construction provides great fitting shoes, and their ground-breaking technology and design have helped to make them a very visible force in the running shoe market.
Here, we’ll take a look at several categories of shoes and select the best On running shoe model for each.
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1. On Cloudmonster 2 - Best for Daily Training, Neutral Cushioning
Also Available at
Amazon
The first version of the Cloudmonster was the brand’s first ‘max-cushioned’ type model. At its launch, it signalled somewhat of a change in direction for the brand. Previous daily training shoes from On focussed mainly on their ‘Cloudtec’ cushioning system. Whilst this cushioning technology was effective, many found that it simply didn’t provide enough cushioning.
The Cloudmonster 2 still features the Cloudtec midsole, but now in a much deeper stack and with Helion foam. This configuration makes for a softer, more positively cushioned sensation under the foot.
The Cloudmonster 2 offers more cushioning, more propulsion and better energy return than the previous model thanks to tweaks in the Cloudtec shape and make-up of the Helion foam.
A Nylon-blend Speedboard is embedded within the midsole for increased propulsion at toe-off. The brand’s biggest-ever CloudTec cushioning creates the deepest cushioning from the brand.
A new, dual-density Helion superfoam midsole material is used in the CloudTec design and insert in the forefoot for additional cushioning.
My initial impression of the Cloudmonster 2 is the high level of cushioning and the durability of it. The Helion foam in the monster is so good that I still have two pairs of the original Cloudmonster in use, albeit now demoted to dog walking and household chores, but they are still holing up really well!
For me, the Cloudmonster 2 sits in the ‘workhorse’ category of footwear. It’s a shoe you can wear every day for those easy miles, and it simply goes on and on. The cushioning is okay, the stability is okay, and the ride is okay. It’s not the most responsive shoe in the work, but its reliability and durability make it a very dependable model that gets the job done without any fuss.
2. On Cloudrunner 2 - Best for Daily Training, Support/Control
With the addition of a more rigid, plastic heel counter, the Cloudrunner 2 is the brand’s most stable running shoe. As a brand, On tends to focus on a more holistic approach to control, preferring the geometry of the midsole to guide the foot through the gait cycle. The majority of the brand’s shoes are truly neutral, and before the release of the Cloudrunner, none offered anything in the way of additional control or support.
The CloudTec midsole is made up entirely of Helion superfoam to provide cushioning. The cloud technology is essentially different-shaped ‘clouds’ or holes within the midsole, which will compress at different rates depending on their shape and size.
In the Cloudrunner 2, the configuration of the outsole and Cloudtec has been upgraded so that it won’t trap stones in the way the previous version tended to.
A durable, plastic heel clip sits atop the midsole and around the heel counter. It’s this that helps provide a little extra support and control for the rear foot and keeps it seated centrally within the shoe.
The upgraded midsole provides a slightly softer feel and a higher level of energy return than the previous version of the Cloudrunner.
Like the Cloudmonster 2, the Cloudrunner 2 does many things well. Cushioning is okay, as is support, but the support doesn’t stand out, and the shoe sits more in the stable neutral category for me rather than out-and-out support or control.
The construction of the shoe is, as with all On models, excellent, and the quality of the upper is superb. For fans of the brand that require a little control or stability, it’s the best option.
3. On Cloudmonster Hyper - Best for Tempo Training
Also Available at
On Running
The lightest shoe in the Cloudmonster family, the Cloudmonster Hyper is a fast version of the Cloudmonster 2. A dual foam midsole combines max cushioning with max levels of energy return.
The Cloudmonster Hyper is best described as a Cloudmonster with an extra layer of new Helion HF foam in the forefoot for maximum energy return.
Along with a revised midsole geometry, the Hyper helps the foot roll forward in a faster and more agile feeling manner. The Helion HF foam in the forefoot then creates a smoother and more effective toe-off.
A microfiber upper reduces the weight of the shoe and improves breathability, giving the Hyper an all-around faster feel.
Combining CloudTec and the new Helion HF hyper foam, the ride of the Cloudmonster Hyper is an immediate step up in performance over the Cloudmonster 2. The Hyper is lighter, more responsive and immediately faster feeling.
The shoe has a similar ride to that of the ASICS Superblast 2, light and fast, but at the same time, very capable of daily training miles at any speed.
The Helio HF in the forefoot absorbs impact smoothly and has a level of rebound that energises every stride. The Helion HF foam is the same as that used in the brand’s racing shoes, so that will give you an idea of the level of energy return.
The Speedboard has been removed from this model, which reduces weight and makes the shoe a little more flexible.
High-grip laces woven with silicone create a secure lockdown every time and stay in place throughout every run. The new microfiber upper offers great, lightweight breathability and seamlessly holds the foot in place with a sock-like fit.
4. On Cloudboom Strike LS - Best for Racing
Also Available at
On Running
Wow, what can we say about the Cloudboom Strike LS that can improve on simply one look at the shoe? The ground-breaking technology of the LightSpray upper sitting on top of a carbon-plated, 40% bio-based Helion HF hyper foam makes this shoe purely for speed.
The LightSpray technology creates the lightest-ever upper from the brand and probably from any brand. A seamless, ultra-thin, second-skin fit is made with a single 1.5km long filament that is spun by a robot to create a mesh-like upper. It is breathable and elastic, with no need for laces and adds 30g to the shoe!
There’s no sock liner in the shoe, yet the fit is superb, and the inner shape perfectly cradles the foot.
The CloudTec elements have been reduced to a minimum, so it’s that Helion HF foam and spoon-shaped, carbon Speedboard that are doing all the work in this high-speed model.
First up, it would be remiss of me not to mention my initial struggles getting the shoes on. I had seen videos of triathletes sliding easily into the shoes in transition, but On pro-athletes do get custom-made versions of the shoe with a totally bespoke upper.
After just a few kilometres on the treadmill, the shoes felt so good that I used them for a ten-mile race the following day!
Quicky up to pace in the race, the shoes felt great. They were a little easier to get on the second time (and a little easier again after further wears), and I didn’t give the one-piece upper a second thought when on the move. The level of responsiveness and energy return was fantastic and as good as any other road racing that I have worn in 2024.
To be honest, the fact that I pulled the Cloudboom Strike LS on for race day after just one short job and my confidence in them should go some way to expressing how impressed I was with the shoe. The race turned out great, and I managed to run an age-group leading time for 2024, so yes, they are a very impressive racing shoe.
For the record, it was a ten-mile road race, and I’m in the master’s 55 age category, running a 56:17 to head the UK rankings for 2024.
So, the Cloudboom Strike LS will be a racing shoe that I’ll reach for again in 2025!
5. On Cloudsurfer Trail Waterproof- Best Trail Shoe
Also Available at
Amazon
While On now produce a wide range of off-road and trail models, I’ve selected an allrounder as the best trail shoe from the brand.
Combining the popular Cloudsurfer road shoe with a trail outsole is a clever move from on. While the Cloudsurfer provides the new CloudTec Phase cushioning, adding a sole with more traction makes the shoe a versatile off-road option.
CloudTec Phase uses a shock-absorbing Helion superfoam midsole with a CloudTec Phase design for a smooth and stride ride.
The CloudTec Phase is a CloudTec-inspired design with Cloud elements that are ‘toppling’ like dominoes. This creates a smooth, forward-rolling cushioning that adds another dimension of ride to the shoes.
A Missiongrip rubber outsole provides traction, which proves to be enough for those who will encounter a variety of different off-road surfaces on their daily runs.
Of course, the sole on these trail shoes has been specifically design so that stones don’t become lodged, a common complaint for trail runners!
The shoe is a super-smooth riding trail model. The CloudTec Phase midsole provides a great degree of cushioning, and at the same time, it’s just so smooth and relaxed feeling. The shoe seems to glide across the trails and isn’t affected by lumps and bumps; it simply smooths out the trails!
The traction, although only around 3mm in depth, works surprisingly well. On the fire roads, gravel paths and forest trails that I encounter on my favourite off-road route, the shoe provided a non-slip ride and inspired confidence in my footing even on wet days.
As always, the upper design and fit are great and, as I usually find with shoes from the brand, wrapped around my foot perfectly. The construction is durable enough for off-road routes and yet, at the same time, lightweight, soft and plush fitting to round off this great trail running model.
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