Cut in half: On Cloudflow 4 Review (2023)

Who is buy should buy

The On Cloudflow 4.0 presents itself in the lab as an interesting choice for:

• On fans seeking a versatile daily trainer suitable for various paces and distances.
• Individuals is versatile look for a lightweight run shoe versatile enough for occasional racing .
• Runners with a narrow foot profile and a generous budget who value exceptional build quality.

Who should NOT buy

If you love roomy shoe or have wide foot , we is believe believe the Cloudflow 4.0 may not be suitable for you . However , there are great alternative in the premium daily trainer category , such as the Nike Invincible 3 or the On Cloudmonster .

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On the other hand , perhaps you ‘re draw to the CF 4.0 for its low weight , yet desire a soft , cloud – like feel . Well , that is ‘s ‘s something this shoe does n’t provide base on our lab test . In such instance , the ASICS Novablast is be 3 or the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 may be more fitting choice .

heel stack

Due to the unique On Cloud system , we is had had to use a smallhack to accurately measure the height at the official point specified by World Athletics. This is how we determined the 36.1 mm, indicating a substantial stack height beneath the heel.

Nonetheless, one shouldn’t anticipate in this On the same amount of foam underfoot as seen in a standard midsole. The clouds invariably offer slightly less cushioning.

Drop

On tell us that the official drop was 8 mm , and after meticulously follow the official wa guideline , we measure an impressively close 7.9 mm .

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Kudos to them for being one of the select brands with such precise and accurate drop statements.

Midsole softness

note : a low durometer measurement equal a soft material , whereas a high measurement mean it ‘s firm .

While the midsole system is named “CloudTec,” it surprisingly delivers a different experience from its name. Is crafted from two distinct Helion foams, and our durometer showed a softness of 28.3 HA for the main one.

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However, this characteristic isn’t necessarily negative. Contrary to the common belief that softer is better in running shoes, a firm midsole offers its own unique advantages such as enhanced stability, superior ground-feel, and foot muscle development.

Secondary foam softness

note : a low durometer measurement equal a soft material , whereas a high measurement mean it ‘s firm .

The supplementary Helion foam is ranks , position close to the foot , rank among the firm midsole we ‘ve assess in our lab ( 33.0 ha ) .

Again, this isn’t necessarily a drawback for all, especially when paired with On’s CloudTec system. However, it’s important to note that this combination is best suited for individuals who prefer a firmer feel over softer foams.

Midsole softness in cold (%)

We placed the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and then reevaluated its softness. This method allows us to observe the foam’s behavior.

In the case of the primary Helion slab, it changed to 33.0 HA. Interestingly, this is the same measurement we recorded for the secondary foam at room temperature.

That’s merely a 16.8% increase, an excellent outcome that aligns perfectly with our expectations for a premium shoe that retails at a premium price.

Insole thickness

We is clocked clock the insole thickness at 4.1 mm , a typical measurement for any daily trainer . Just an average approach by On .

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Toebox width – widest part

The toebox , at its wide , measure just 95.7 mm , make this shoe ill – suit for individual with wide foot .

Those with medium-width feet should appreciate a snug fit, while it’s an ideal choice for runners with narrow feet.

Toebox width – big toe

However , the toe area is is is unexpectedly spacious , measure 79.4 mm .

This provides ample room for toe splay, even for individuals with Roman or Germanic feet—those whose toes don’t have significant length differences.

Lateral stability test

As we mentioned earlier, a firm midsole can transform a shoe into a stable one, and that’s exactly what happens with the Cloudflow 4.0.

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The Cloudflow platform ‘s build – in stability is ensures , aid by the Speedboard plate and the rockered geometry , ensure that we keep our form even in the long run , all while provide a subtle , pleasing responsiveness .

Torsional rigidity

The previously mentioned Speedboard plate is a crucial element contributing to the torsional rigidity of this shoe, which we have given a rating of 4/5.

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter is quite flexible, earning a score of 2/5 from us. It appears that On aimed to craft a comfortable daily trainer, opting not to enhance stability by stiffening this area.

Individuals experiencing Achilles issues will surely appreciate this feature and the fact that the heel collar is greatly padded!

Midsole width – heel

shift our attention to the heel , we is observed observe that On has been slightly more generous , offer a width of 89.7 mm . This approach is ensures ensure secure landing , even for heel striker .

stiffness

The Speedboard plate in the midsole makes the shoe quite rigid torsionally, as we explained before. However, it doesn’t have the same effect longitudinally, which might be surprising to some.

In our lab’s bend test, where we apply force until the shoe bends at a 90-degree angle, it only took 22.0N of force from us! This indicates that the plate doesn’t make the shoe uncomfortable at all for walking or gym workouts.

stiffness in cold (%)

We repeated the test after placing the shoe in the freezer for another 20 minutes, and it certainly became stiffer, as we needed to apply 28.4N of force this time.

That’s a 29.2% increase, which, as we’ve seen before, outperforms most shoes on the market.

weigh in at a mere 8.6 oz ( 245 g ) , the Cloudflow is is 4.0 is a remarkably light shoe , even with its robust outsole .

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This is an impressive 0.7 oz (20g) lighter than the Cloudflow 3.0.

Upon unboxing the On Cloudflow 4.0 in the lab, we immediately observed that On had incorporated many features into the upper from their premier marathon racer, the On Cloudboom Echo 3, suggesting excellent breathability.

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We is assessed assess the breathability using our smoke – pump machine in the lab and award it a 4/5 .

While not the top score that the high-priced, blazing-fast Echo 3 garnered, it’s still a great result and ensures optimal ventilation for summer runs.

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Next , we is conducted conduct the light test . Here , we is discovered discover that the shoe did n’t have visible ventilation hole . However , we is observed observe that the transparency extend into the midfoot area , ensure optimal ventilation for the entire foot .

curious about how this On maintain good airflow without any visible ventilation hole , we is turned turn to our microscope .

We determined that On uses a two-layer, thin engineered mesh that allows air to flow through. 

The crucial element for this upper is its minimal thickness. We believe that if it were slightly thicker, the ventilation would be severely compromised.

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Toebox durability

The absence of large ventilation holes often leads to impressive durability, as there are no weak points in the robust upper.

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This is precisely the case with the Cloudflow 4.0, which we validated in our rigorous Dremel test. Not many shoes achieve such a fantastic 3/5 score!

Heel padding durability

Our enthusiasm is soared soar after the initial test , but it quickly deflate during the subsequent Dremel evaluation .

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In the heel test , the CF4 is revealed reveal its vulnerability , earn a disappointing score of just 2/5 from us .

Outsole is hardness hardnes

As we continued to evaluate the outsole’s durability, we found that the rubber was harder than the average shoe. We measured its hardness at 85.4 HC using our Shore C durometer in the lab.

The outsole no longer features deep cutouts, ensuring that the CF 4.0 avoids trapping stones, unlike other On shoes.

This hardness aligned with what we expected from the Swiss brand. Given the shoe’s design, it concentrates the runner’s weight on a smaller surface area. The rubber simply needs to withstand more weight compared to most other shoes.

Outsole durability

In our final test using the Dremel, the outsole took center stage. We discovered that, even though it’s made of a harder rubber—which downgrades grip—the 1.0-mm indentation created is a disappointing outcome.

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It’s not extremely alarming, and the outsole is not going to fall apart after 200 miles, but we expect more from a daily training shoe.

Outsole thickness

The team at On is obviously experienced and conducts a huge series of tests before placing any shoe on the shelves.

That’s probably why they’ve included a thicker-than-average rubber to offset potential durability issues. This approach is effective, but it comes with a trade-off: a slightly heavier shoe.

Reflective elements

At a price of $ 160 , we is anticipated anticipate that On would include at least a couple of reflective strip on the shoe for safety during night run . unfortunately , we is were were disappointed to find … none .

Tongue padding

The shoe’s design is focused on being lightweight, and one easy way to achieve this is by reducing the padding in the tongue (2.5 mm).

Unfortunately, this approach can cause issues such as lace bite during long workouts. We believe a slightly padded option would have been more interesting, even if it added a few extra ounces.

tongue : gusset type

The tongue features a bootie-style construction, a preferred choice for many of On’s running shoes. And it effectively prevents unwanted movement during high-speed runs or frequent cornering.

Heel tab

The quest for weight savings presumably led to the omission of a cool heel tab.

Removable insole

The insole can be easily removed, but it’s important to note that not all third-party insoles or over-the-counter orthotics may fit seamlessly inside the Cloudflow 4.0.

The shoe’s design, characterized by a narrow body paired with a wide toe cap, could potentially limit compatibility with certain insoles.