Hi everyone, Helen here from Trail & Kale – welcome to my On Cloudspark review. The Cloudspark is an On running shoe that promises high propulsion to help you speed through your runs – one of a growing category of what we call tempo running shoes, which are designed for shorter, fast runs, speed interval training and tempo run training.
If you’re aiming to boost your pace, improve your running form, or just want to experience a more dynamic stride, you’ll want to learn more about this shoe to see if it’s a good fit for you. In this review I cover the shoe’s key features, break down what makes the Cloudspark unique and share how they perform based on my experience running in them.
Key Specifications of the On Cloudspark
- Price: $160 at On Running
- Fit: Runs short and narrow so you’ll need to size up – see my sizing tips below
- Weight: 8 oz (size US 7.5 women’s)
- Drop: 8mm (heel to toe)
- Midsole: Medium, responsive, with a nylon speedboard
- Upper: Recycled polyester, with reflective details
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On Cloudspark Performance Review
Before i get stuck into how they perform on the run, here’s a quick reminder that you can also watch my video review to get more insights, by tapping the image below – Don’t forget to give the video a like if you enjoy it (that really helps our channel), and subscribe to our Youtube Channel for more reviews of the latest running shoes 🙂
The On Cloudspark boasts a sleek and streamlined look, not bulky or screaming ‘I am a bright running shoe’ with the colorway, making it an appealing choice not just for running, which is where it excels and what it’s truly designed for, but you may also be interested in it for casual wear, simply because of how good it looks.
When it comes to fit and sizing, however, it’s essential to note that these shoes run quite narrow and short – despite On’s website saying they fit true to size (in my experience, they do not). My size, the US women’s 7.5, is too short and narrow for me to run for long periods, and if I was getting them again, I would have to go up a half or even full size to get a comfortable fit, especially in the length as my toes touch the end in this pair – not something you should have in a pair of running shoes.
I therefore strongly recommend sizing up by at least half a size, especially if you have average or wider feet, and that will give you more length in the toe area, and less compression in the width.
The next important thing to note about this shoe is that the shoe’s design focuses on forward propulsion, encouraging a true forefoot toe-off which should help you run with improved running form, and ultimately, more speed. It does this primarily through a combination of its rocker shape and a nylon speedboard that you can see on the bottom of the shoe.
The nylon speedboard’s effect is very apparent when you run in these shoes, providing you with a noticeable boost as you push off from the forefoot. This shoe effective MAKES you run faster, or at least, forces you to run with a strong, forward leaning form to efficiently land on the midfoot, flex, and toe off while leveraging the speedboard.
This focus on facilitating good running form and speed makes the shoe ideal for tempo runs, interval training, and races ranging from 5Ks to half-marathons, provided you prefer a more minimal, responsive feel underfoot. For me, the sweet spot for a shoe like this is 5-10k tempo runs and speed interval sessions, which are all runs of less than an hour.
I’ve also found that the shoes provided excellent traction on various surfaces, including loose leaves and minor wet patches. However, durability could be a concern as the rubber compound on the outsole is relatively thin (something running shoe brands do to keep the weight down), which might wear down faster if you tend to shuffle your feet when you run.
I already mentioned the upper’s looks. The lacing system is straightfoward and works well, and the shoe is comfortable all around the tongue, ankle and Achilles heel area. This is a fairly breathable shoe, that’s suited to running in a range of moderate to warm climates without allowing your feet to overhead excessively.
Analyzing my stats post-run, following test runs in these shoes, I’ve noticed my speed is faster than it can be in other running shoes while running at the same effort level – i.e. my ‘easy’ runs in these shoes are faster than they are in a pair of more cushioned, ‘max cushioned‘ running shoes, for example. I attribute this to the shoe’s design that encourages an efficient running form.
With all that said, while mid to forefoot runners will enjoy these shoes, I think that if you’re reading this review as a heel striker looking to transition to a more midfoot or forefoot strike, these shoes could be a great training tool to help you do that.
Are the On Cloudspark worth $160?
So it’s worth noting that you can get a good pair of fast road running shoes for less money – around the $140 price point – take a look at the top shoes on our best tempo running shoes and best daily trainers roundups for our current recommendations at that price point.
However, this On Cloud shoe offers unique features like the nylon speedboard and a design tailored specifically to enhance forward propulsion. If you’re serious about improving your running form and speed, and you prefer a shoe that promotes a more dynamic stride, the On Cloudspark could be a worthwhile investment as it offers more than the average daily trainer – and you can check out size availability and color options on the product page of On’s website. Just make sure to size up to avoid discomfort from the narrow and short fit.
For a run down of our favorite On running shoes visit our guide to finding the best On Cloud running shoes next.
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