The On Running Cloud has been built with everyday active people in mind, targeting those who love being on the move while in urban environments. I hope this On Cloud review answers your pre-purchase questions but if you want to ask me another question, please leave it in the comments below.
On Cloud Fit & Design
The On Cloud, in my opinion, is a beautiful shoe that shows off some of that design flair that the Swiss are so famous for. I really like the little details from the reflective decals right down to a tiny Swiss flag on the back. The upper uses mixed fabrics with varying textures and a color palette that uses a classy range of green tones (in this particular color variant).
I have been wearing the On Cloud as my ‘go to’ lifestyle shoe since the very first release. Every year sees a new version with design tweaks and fresh new color options, and every year I’m drawn into buying a new pair for reasons explained below.
On Cloud Outer Mesh
The outer mesh material used for the On Cloud is very breathable, has a little bit of stretch and offers some protection with a plastic coated toe cap. The coated toe cap will stop any front-on water splashes from entering the shoe and also prevent any cold wind from hitting your toes.
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Inner Sock
There’s also an inner sock that attaches the tongue to the forefoot area, similar to the On Cloudflow, On Cloud X and On Cloudace running shoes. This keeps the forefoot snug and stops the tongue from slipping out of place. The sock should also reduce any chaffing as there are fewer seams inside.
Also worth noting is that inside the shoe there are soft rubbery strips that run either side of the insole which helps keep your foot in place while walking or running.
The Tongue
The tongue is slim, soft and very comfortable to the touch, so you could even wear these shoes without socks if you like doing that sort of thing. This tongue really adds to the minimal and super lightweight feel of the On Cloud.
The Laces
On uses elasticated laces for the On Cloud which means you can slip them on and off really quickly if you need to. This is one of the reasons that in its early days, the On Cloud was marketed as a triathlon shoe. Being able to quickly get this shoe on, and to wear it without socks makes it a winner for triathletes of all distances, including Ironman.
On Cloud Outsole
The outsole used on the On Cloud is identical to that of the On Cloud X; my current favourite shoe for speed training on the roads! If you haven’t tried “Running On Clouds” before, I recommend you give it a try! CloudTec is an innovation that always helps me to run faster, especially when putting on a new pair. The cloud pods give you that feeling of a cushioned landing, as they compress under your weight and then provide a barefoot take off as your foot leaves the ground and the pods spring back.
Taking a closer look at the outsole reveals that the ‘clouds’ have had their inside edges sliced off, angling outward. This much-needed design tweak stops any small stones or debris getting caught in the pods, which used to be a problem shared amongst many.
On Cloud Drop
The On Cloud has a heel to toe drop of 6mm, great for all-day comfort if you spend much of your day on foot.
On Cloud Toe Box
The toe box is medium width and feels very airy which is important if you lead an active everyday lifestyle. You’ll likely to be wearing these shoes every day, to work, the gym and even impromptu runs. A shoe that gets this much use could start to smell if it wasn’t as breathable as it is.
On Cloud Weight
The On Cloud weighs in at 230g (US M 8.5) which is super lightweight. This is probably what you’ll notice first if you haven’t held a pair before. It does sacrifice a touch of cushioning because of the minimal style but for an everyday lifestyle shoe, this isn’t an issue.
The On Cloud comes in 7 different colors for the men’s and 7 for the women’s too, which is fantastic so be sure to check them out.. The color scheme of the shoes In my review is called “Forest & Jungle” (creative naming as ever!) and the color of the Cloud Women’s shoe, pictured to the left (above on mobile) is called “Denim & White“. I love the sailing style of this one, very stylish!
Moving in the On Cloud
The On Cloud is a very comfortable shoe that I wear all day long. I feel free knowing I can break into a run whenever I happen to feel like it or if I’m running late. And the stylish design keeps me looking fashionable, important for me as a creative. It’s incredible how many people comment on them when I’m out. Some even come up to me asking what brand they are and where they can buy them.
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On-running.com
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On Cloud Review Summary
The On Cloud is my ‘go-to’ lifestyle shoe. Many other training shoes just don’t look stylish enough for me to want to wear them all day long, while I’m at work or heading to the city. I love being able to break into a run, have the comfort of a running shoe without sacrificing style. This is why I keep choosing the On Cloud as my everyday lifestyle shoes.
It’s also a very good shoe for running and triathlons due to their easy ‘slip on’ design and comfort while running sock-less. They are a bit more minimal than say the On Cloud X for running, but if you enjoy running in a minimal shoe and want to look great while doing so, then these shoes are for you!
|
Amazon.com
|
$129.99
10
new
from $129.99
|
See Deal |
|
Stio.com
|
$129.99 | See Deal |
|
On-running.com
|
$129.99 | See Deal |
|
Zappos.com
|
$129.99
out of stock
|
See Deal |
Still not sure which On Running Shoes to buy?
Visit our Best On Running Shoes Guide for an ordered list of the top ON shoes for road and trail running. It has been designed to make your buying decisions easier.
Just got my first pair of On Running and your review is spot on! I find the Cloud 50/50 extremely comfy for walking in but I’m not 100% sure they are the right running shoes for me. Perhaps I just need to get used to them, but if they don’t work out, fine, I’ve got myself a very nice looking pair of casual trainers for all day urban adventures. I might wear them for the walk to Park Run or local races then change into my familiar pair
Thanks for the comment, I’m glad the review helped and that you’re enjoying your new On’s, they are great shoes 🙂
-Alastair
I just bought my 4th pair of the CloudRush (50/50). It’s an awesome workout/treadmill shoe. Great support with just the right amount of cushion. I’m hearing that this model may be discontinued, if not already. Please reconsider. The CloudRush IMO is the best looking, performance running shoe I’ve owned. It’s not overdone or looks like someone threw-up a bag of Skittles. I’ve been running since the late 70’s.
Hey Hugh,
I agree, the Cloudrush is an excellent minimal running shoe!
Does the Cloud 2.0 run true to size?
It does!
I just purchased my first On Cloud. Very comfortable but not sure if it’ll hold long runs. I’ve been using Brooks for years and so used to a heavier more bulky running shoes. What do u think will be great On shoes for long runs? Thank you!
Hey Carina,
Agreed, the Cloud is more of a lifestyle shoe than one I’d choose to run with. For longer distance running on the roads I’d look towards either the Cloudsurfer (medium cushion with good bounce), Cloudswift (a great all-round runner), Cloudflow (a bit of a harder ride but great for anything up to a half marathon), or cloudstratus (very cushioned but heavier)- Here’s my run-down complete with reviews of each of them for more details: https://www.trailandkale.com/gear/best-on-running-shoes-reviewed/