On Running review: we put six different styles through their paces
ON-Running, or ‘On’ as the brand is officially called is a name that has become all the rage when it comes to well-fitting, technical running trainers - but do they live up to the hype? We asked seasoned runners to test out various styles of On-Running trainers to see if they really do go the distance.
On-Running is a Swiss brand that has taken the running world by storm since its formation in 2010, its ‘running on clouds’ tagline is all about the special CloudTec® innovation that sits in the sole of the trainer, giving the runner a cushioned landing and springy take off to reduce the impact on the joints while adding lift to give the runner a little push during their run.
Nine years after launch, On-Running is the favoured trainer brand of many Swiss athletes and recreational runners in Switzerland and held 40% of the Swiss running shoe market. The brand is now available in over 55 countries and has expanded from running into lifestyle, gym, hiking boots, kids trainers, bobsleigh shoes and even teamed up with Roger Federer to create the first ever collection of technical tennis shoes.
Despite opening up to various other markets, it’s still running that On holds an almost cult-like following. Its innovative CloudTec® mechanism is unmatched by other brands and has become part of its trademark look; the foamy cloud-like units that run along the bottom of the shoe compress as the foot lands on the floor, providing a cushion, before locking together to create a firm foundation for pushing off onto the next step.
Runners who swear by On-Running claim to have improved personal best times since swapping to the brand and also find their runs more enjoyable.
Our tester is a personal trainer and running coach who has been a runner for over 15 years and first tried On-Running trainers about ten years ago.
Back then, we found them comfortable and easy enough to run in but they didn’t have the same hype surrounding them as they have now, and to be fair the tech has moved on significantly since then, so we were really looking forward to giving them another go.
We asked some fellow runners and hikers to join us in putting a variety of On-Running shoes through their paces to see if they’d prove to be real winners.
On Cloudrunner
- Cloudrunner, £140 from On –
Pros: Provide stability to the foot, works well for long and short distances
Cons: Not ideal for trails
Rating: 5/5
On-Running is known for creating elite running trainers but that doesn’t mean you have to be a pro to get a pair. The Cloudrunner is a good option for beginners or for those who are easing back into running after some time off and also runners who are trying On-Running trainers for the first time and don’t want anything too full-on.
Like the other On-Running shoes, the Cloudrunner has the built-in CloudTec in the sole, which cushions the joints through a softer landing, the trainers also provide a fair bit of support so could work well for runners that overpronate or like wearing a stability shoe.
It’s quite a sturdy shoe and the shape isn’t too narrow, so it works well for wider feet, although the trainer does come in a wider fit: the Cloudrunner Wide if that’s your preference. It has a hard-structured upper with breathable mesh panels that allow for ventilation and slim laces that are easy to tie and stay put once done.
Coming in at just 250 grams in weight, these are very lightweight shoes, which could help in cutting a few seconds off run times. The Cloudrunner is very comfortable and performed well on a hilly street run and also off-road on a couple of flat canal runs - the CloudTec cushioning gives each step a soft landing and a bit of a spring into the next step.
The trainers scored highly with our long-distance runner who ran a 20-miler on the first run with no blisters due to the cushioned interior and good ventilation.
This is a solid running shoe that is suitable for every type of runner, they are probably better suited to road running than major trails, due to the large gap between the CloudTec units on the sole of the shoe which is a bit of magnet for big stones to get stuck in.
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Cloud X 3
Pros: A great hybrid shoe, can be worn for weights, HIIT classes, running and as a lifestyle shoe, which makes it perfect to take on holiday if you want one pair of trainers that covers all bases.
Cons: Narrow fit, not a specialist running shoe
Rating: 4/5
The On Cloud X 3 is the latest training and running shoe hybrid from On-Running, serving as the new generation of the Cloud X, that was designed for flexible training.
This trainer is perfect if you like to mix up your workouts rather than strictly stick to running, as they perform just as well in the gym and during workout classes such as they do in high-intensity training and CrossFit.
The shoe is super lightweight and flexible, making it very responsive to all types of exercise, and the unique lacing design reduces pressure on your foot and helps add to the sleek and stylish style of the shoe making it a great lifestyle shoe too.
The On Cloud X 3 was tested on a 5K road run and also a 10K trail run, it performed well on both and the runner felt like they could do a longer run too, the lightweight CloudTec midsole and On's Speedboard technology means you feel light on your feet but you are aware of the support and stability of the shoe at the same time.
The fit of the shoe feels secure and the front gives plenty of wiggle room for your toes.
The On-Running Cloud X 3 was also tested during a HIIT workout that included burpees, mountain climbers and lunges and they performed exceptionally well.
They worked well under pressure to be reactive in moving in a variety of directions. They also did well to not feel at all sweaty during or after training. The luxurious three-layer engineered mesh upper offers breathability which would also work well in hotter climates.
An additional win is the material is made from 90-95% recycled content, part of On's sustainability initiative. Overall, if your workout regime is made up of a mix of classes, runs, and gym workouts, then the On Cloud X 3 is a good all-rounder for you.
Cloudvista Waterproof
Pros: Lightweight, waterproof, excellent sole technology
Cons: Not ideal on long road runs
Rating: 5/5
These trainers were a real hit with the tester, a great running shoe with added tech to keep you stable off-road too. The Cloudvista Waterproof trainers are a touch heavier than some of the others but you can tell where that weight has been added: a sturdier outer shell and a thick foam inner and soft sock liner to keep feet comfortable through rough terrain and long distances.
The laces are very thin and reminiscent of walking boots, so they can be fastened as tight as possible. There are also reflective strips on the shoe meaning you will get some extra protection in low light.
The sole is where all the work really comes in on this shoe: in addition to the CloudTec units on the sole, there is also Helion ‘superfoam’ for increased comfort and soft landing.
The Cloudvistas have On’s Speedboard tech embedded in the sole that absorbs energy with each foot strike and releases it with each stride, giving you an extra boost.
And key for trail running is the security and stability that comes with On’s Missiongrip tech which, with its enhanced traction patterns and a specially selected grip-rubber compound, grips the ground no matter what the terrain; it was designed with safety on the Swiss mountains in mind.
The whole shoe is fully waterproof; our tester's feet stayed dry during a rainy 10K run through muddy fields and woods, the shoes gripped the ground and there was no slipping at all. #
A longer 10-mile trail run also proved very successful as the Cloudvistas lost none of their comfort throughout the run. In general, this shoe had very few complaints, other than that they felt a little stiff on long road runs.
Cloudnova
Pros: Excellent fit and no heel slip over long distances, great silhouette for everyday use, extremely light
Cons: Not a specific running shoe, not Ideal for off-road
Rating: 4/5
The Cloudnova is marketed as On-Running’s everyday lifestyle option and, on first impressions, the sleek design certainly fits the bill.
That doesn’t mean they're lacking in innovation, though. The shoe is still fitted with CloudTec soles to give the step a little bounce and take the edge off your joints when you’re walking and standing.
Rubber reinforcements in the shoe support the natural rolling motion of the foot, giving extra support and reducing tiredness felt by the feet after a long day.
A redesigned tongue system guarantees extra comfort around and above the lacing system and the unique ‘heel tongue’ ensures that the shoe remains a snug fit without slipping on the back of the foot.
The Cloudnovas are seriously comfortable and light, meaning you can cover a lot of ground with ease. Our tester wore them for an 8K walk on their first outing and had no issues, they were also tested at the gym where they performed well during a warm-up run followed by a weights session.
On a short trail walk the CloudTec slit on the sole of the shoe did attract some small stones and twigs that got stuck in the gaps. That being said, the Cloudnova is designed for city living and looking good rather than messing around in the woods. And look good they do!
As a silhouette from above, the Cloudnova can seem a little wide around the toe area, but this isn’t evident when viewing the side profile of the shoe, which is what will be seen by most people.
One other major plus to the Cloudnova is the mesh uppers which keep your feet cool, so collecting moisture on the feet is never an issue.
Cloudmonster
Pros: Fast, double up as a fashionable lifestyle shoe, good for recovery runs as well as every day runs
Cons: Will take a little getting used to the ‘weirdness’
Rating: 4/5
It’s easy to see why these On-Running trainers get their name: the Cloudmonster is a very chunky and imposing shoe and of all the brand’s running trainers it has the biggest CloudTec units on the soles, giving them an almost springboard effect with every step.
These trainers do take a little getting used to; there’s a fair bit of height on them at the back of the shoe and they slim from a sturdy wide heel into a more pointed toe with minimal sole, the idea is to almost fall forward and spring into the next step. This narrowing at the front can make you feel a little unstable at first. Our tester started on a short and slow 3K run to ‘get the feel’ for the Cloudmonsters and reported that the particularly high sole did make the run feel very bouncy on the first wear and required a bit of caution.
After a couple of 5K’s, she tackled a 10K with confidence and managed a fast and smooth run and, after a few more 10Ks, she had managed to match a personal best time. The eccentricity of the shoes isn’t lost on the brand itself – who describe the Cloudmoster as ‘weird’ albeit in a celebratory manner.
In addition to the ‘monster CloudTec’ there is also the Speedboard technology that sits between the cloud units and increases energy return (the amount of energy you put into the step that returns on a rebound).
The Cloudmonster does feel different to the other On-Running shoes, not just in the look and tech but it feels like a more rigid shoe when you’re putting it on.
The exterior of the top of the trainers is made of a more breathable, flyknit type of material than many of the other On-Running shoes. Overall, the Cloudmonster isn’t for the fainthearted, if you master them you could be beating personal best times, but they are also ideal for a slower recovery run.
Cloudtrax
Pros: Super comfortable for hours, fully waterproof version is the same price, game-changing lacing system
Cons: None
Rating: 5/5
Stepping away from running for this one, we decided to check how well On-Running does with hiking shoes, as so many runners also love a ramble in the great outdoors.
These Cloudtrax boots come in a water-repellent version, with a breathable mesh upper, but you can also buy a fully for the same price, but in different colourways and with a more waterproof membrane that gives the exterior a smoother finish.
The Cloudtrax is an incredibly comfortable wear, whether you’re walking the streets, have a long day on your feet at work, or you’ve headed away for a weekend of hiking.
Our tester wore the shoes for ten solid hours on the first wear without taking them off, wearing them for a mix of trail and road walking, (this did include stops for lunch and breaks) - all without any complaints.
One of the most irksome things about walking boots is definitely getting them on and off, especially when they’re caked in mud and the laces are tied in knots, but our tester had no such problem with the Cloudtrax. They have a one-pull speed lacing system, meaning there's no need to worry about tying anything or untying them; one pull to slip the boots on and one pull at the laces and they slip off.
If you need any further help to get the boots on or off, there’s an elastic heel tab that stretches to fit the foot which has a loop pull attached to it, with another loop at the top of the tongue, to help pull the boot on if needed.
The soft, super-cushioned tongue also has a small elastic on the tongue to tuck the excess lacing into to keep it out of the way. The boot is all about ease and those added extras go a long way to make your hike as no-fuss as possible while still providing all the support and stability a good hiking boot needs, including a tough toe cap and mudguard.
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The real park of these boots is how comfortable they are and that has to come down to the tech. Like the running trainers, the Cloudtrax have CloudTec built into the heels to give that cushion feel and lift into the next step, as well as On’s Missiongrip multi-traction pattern outsole, which means the boots are practically non-slip on both road and off-road terrain.
You really do feel like you’re bouncing in these boots, even after the longest day, and we even gave them a go on a short trail run and they performed well despite not being designed for running.