If you're like me, you get easily confused when looking at all the shoes a brand produces. What can they do, and what are the differences? I promise you, by the end of this article, you'll be an expert in On running shoes.
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On is a relatively new company from Switzerland that entered the running scene in 2010. In its modest beginnings, clouds on prototypes were made at home using garden hoses. After gaining attention at the ISPO fair in 2010, On has only continued to evolve and never looked back.
See all running shoes from On here:
Technologies
First, we will quickly go through the key technologies that On produces. If you already know all this, you can skip ahead and find the shoes you're looking for.
Midsole
It's impossible to talk about On running shoes without mentioning their unique midsole design. Each midsole has its interpretation of a cloud design, either with individual clouds or clouds incorporated into a single piece of foam. This is called CloudTec. On's shoes are all built on their original CloudTec technology. The technology is designed not only to provide a soft landing but also an easy and powerful takeoff. The latest version of the technology is called CloudTec Phase®.
Foam
On calls their Helion superfoam. However, it should not be confused with the superfoam used in race running shoes, as Helion lasts many more miles. Helion foam comes in many different softness levels but always with high energy return.
Confidence
The first category we'll look at in this overview of On-shoes is “Confidence”-category. Here you'll find shoes with a bit of extra stability – for you who want more support around the foot, so you can feel safe and confident on your daily runs.
On Cloudflyer 5
On Cloudflyer 5 is the most supportive everyday training shoe from On. It is sturdy and solid, with a durableCloudTec midsole that provides stability in everyday life. The midsole is constructed of two different types of foam – a firmer in the heel and a softer in the forefoot – which creates a unique combination of stability, cushioning, and running joy.
Together with a soft and flexible upper, you get a shoe that provides both support and comfort on your daily runs.
On Cloudrunner 2
On Cloudrunner 2 is a versatile and stable running shoe from On. Compared to Cloudflyer 5, it provides slightly less support around the foot and is a bit lighter. This makes Cloudrunner 2 a shoe that combines stable comfort with a light and responsive feel – perfect for runs at any speed.
Effortless
The next category is effortless. This category brings you shoes with the new CloudTec Phase midsole, designed to adapt based on where you land on the shoe, offering a more efficient running experience.
On Cloudsurfer Max
On Cloudsurfer Max features a dual layer of Helion™ Superfoam, offering an extra soft and comfy running experience. The new CloudTec® Phase-midsole ensures a smooth and efficient heel-to-toe transition, making each step feel light and natural.
The shoe is designed with comfort in mind and is generously cushioned all around. If you seek the softest and most enjoyable run in an On shoe, Cloudsurfer Max is the obvious choice.
On Cloudsurfer Next
With a slightly lower weight than Cloudsurfer Max, On Cloudsurfer Next offers a more versatile and firmer running experience. You still get a stable and reliable shoe that provides the support you need, but with extra lightness and flexibility for everyday use.
If you're looking for a running shoe that can handle a bit of everything– from easy jogs to faster runs – the Cloudsurfer Next shoe is a must-try.
On Cloudsurfer 2
On Cloudsurfer marked the start of On’s new era with CloudTec® Phase technology. Version 2 follows in the footsteps of the original – with the light, soft, and comfortable running feel that made it popular.
Compared to Cloudsurfer Next, you get a lighter and softer shoe here, but also a model with slightly less stability. It makes it less versatile – especially for faster runs. On Cloudsurfer 2 is the ideal everyday trainer for those wanting an ultra-light shoe for easy jogs or comfortable recovery runs.
On Cloudsurfer Trail 2
In the “Effortless” category, you find On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 – the perfect road-to-trail shoe from On. It’s ideal if you run from home to the forest, on gravel paths, or less technical trail routes, where you need extra grip and stability. It’s not designed for extreme trail runs, but works best as a versatile shoe, providing comfort on asphalt and forest trails.
The model is also available in a waterproof version (marked WP), making it especially suitable for winter training and wet conditions.
Forward rolling
“Forward rolling” is a category that combines CloudTec midsole with a rocker shape that makes the shoe light and dynamic to run with.
On Cloudmonster 2
On Cloudmonster 2 is a fantastic everyday shoe with a unique combination of comfort and performance, setting it apart from all other On models. The large midsole features a distinct rocker shape and a perfect balance of softness and response, allowing you to run far without the shoe feeling heavy.
The thin and snug upper provides a precise fit, making Cloudmonster 2 the ultimate companion for you who want to keep the pace – even when you wantrun comfortably on the weekend's long run.
Speed
The last category we will cover in this article is the fast shoes. Here you get a mix of the new and classic. Shoes built for speed.
On Cloudflow 5
On Cloudflow 5 is a classic, lightweight tempo shoe that retains a bit of the old-school minimalist feel. It offers a light and agile running experience, ideal for quick runs up to 10 km with many fast turns.
Cloudflow is perfect for interval training on the track and has gained cult status among runners who prefer a more responsive and agile shoe alternative over the ultra-soft race shoes that have become the norm.
On Cloudboom Max
Do you want a race shoe that can follow you daily and still perform when you need it? Then On Cloudboom Max is the shoe for you. With Helion™ Hyperfoam, a fiberglass plate in the midsole, and plenty of cushioning, you get a comfortable shoe that can accelerate as the pace increases.
Here, stability, comfort, and speed are combined – resulting in pure running pleasure.
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