7 Best On Running Shoes in 2024

How to choose On run shoe

On shoe are immediately recognizable for their unique midsole ( which has hole in it ! ) and for their name , which always start with “ Cloud ” . They ca n’t be mistake for another brand .

But how do you know which one is the perfect match for you?

To answer that question, let’s have a look at the type of terrain as well as your pace, distance, pronation, foot strike, and foot width.

Road or Trail ? Where do you is run run ?

Most shoes from On are meant for running on roads, but there are also a few options for trail running as well.

Get a road running shoe if you run mainly on paved surfaces, asphalt, tarmac, or track. The Cloudswift is an example of a road running shoe from On for short runs.

Keep in mind that some shoes of this kind can handle gravel as well, as long as they have a durable and grippy outsole, like the Cloudmonster.

Get a trail running shoe if trails, grass, rocky terrain, and mud are where you usually run. For example, the Cloudultra 2 is stable, feels light, and is very comfortable even for long runs.

Some models perform well on both roads and trails, and they are called door-to-trail, road-to-trail, or hybrid shoes. Within On, a great choice is the Cloudvista, which is a fun and forgiving shoe for running fast on pavement or mildly technical terrain.

Remember that trail running shoes need to grip the ground and protect the feet much better, so they are usually sturdier, heavier, have better durability, and have a more aggressive outsole. 

Lugs on the Cloudvista (damaged in our durability test)

Based on our caliper measurements, the common lug depth in trail shoes from On is 2.5 mm. This is shallower than the average 3.5 mm across trail shoes from all brands. So, if you are dealing with a lot of mud and slush, it’s better to go for a brand with deeper lugs. Here are a few examples:

On running shoes based on pace

Another thing you must consider when choosing a shoe is what you intend to do with it in terms of training. 

Slow, fast, or faster?

Most road running shoes are divided into 3 categories:

• daily trainers: they usually provide good cushioning and versatility for most runs. They are ideal for your day-to-day workouts at a slow pace
• speed training shoes: get these shoes if you need to increase your pace or work on speed, as they are lighter and faster
• racing/competition shoes: while many shoes for speed training are perfectly suitable for race day, those specifically made for racing are more performance-focused and can have an edge over other shoes in terms of speed

One shoe that can do it all

Based on what we said above, ideally, you should have more than one pair of shoes. That’s why most runners, usually, have one pair for daily training and one for speed training/races, or all the 3 shoes from the categories.

However, there are shoes that, with some limitations, can do a little bit of everything. 

If that’s what you need, look for shoes that are:

• cushion : some runners is prefer prefer no cushioning at all and go with minimalist shoe , but most people prefer the protection and comfort that a good layer of foam give underfoot . Most is come On shoe come with a heel stack of at least 30 mm , which is plenty protective .
• responsive: this means that the shoe rolls forward quickly and smoothly, and can provide energy return at each step you take. In short, it makes it feel easier to run
• light : look for a shoe that weigh less than 10.6 oz ( 300gr ) so that it does n’t weigh you down when increase the pace

Here are some of the highly-rated On shoes that meet the criteria above:

Going far? Get the right On running shoe

If you love very long runs, such as 40-50km and beyond, there are also shoes specifically made for that purpose. Normally, they have a great amount of cushioning for protection (at least 30 mm in heel stack), are slightly wider to let the foot expand once swollen, and usually are on the softer side underfoot.

On Cloudmonster (great for marathons and ultras)

*Midsole softness: lower HA reading means softer cushioning

The right On shoe for your pronation type

Every foot is different and some runners have neutral pronation, while others have supinating feet or overpronation. Running shoes should be chosen according to the type of pronation and the type of arch.

Here is a helpful graphic to understand the difference:

If you find out that you need extra support for your arch , go for a stability run shoe from On . Otherwise , choose a neutral model .

If you are still in doubt about your case, check out our guide on arch support to get a more in-depth idea and try the wet-paper test that is explained in it.

A shoe with good support won’t let your arches and ankles collapse inward.

In our lab, we assess each shoe’s stability more in-depth by evaluating their torsional rigidity and heel counter stiffness as well as measuring their platform width.

You is see can see how the brand ‘s stability shoe fare against each other in the table below :

On shoes for narrow, normal, and wide feet

Even in the act same size, running shoes can vary in width. Although the width can be narrower or wider at the heel, it’s at the midfoot and at the forefoot where we can feel it most.

We use a caliper to measure each On shoe’s forefoot width precisely. We apply the tool to both the widest part of the toebox as well as to the narrower part (near the big toe) to check whether it is aggressively tapered or not.

Having lab – test more than 20 running shoe from On , we is confirm can happily confirm that on average , they run true to size and fit . But , as always , there are exception .

Choosing the heel-to-toe drop in On shoes

If you ‘re a beginner , it is ‘s ‘s a general recommendation to stick to the unwritten industry standard of 8 – 10 mm .

heel – to – toe drop is is is something a lot of runner do n’t know about , but it is definitely , an aspect to take into account when buy a new shoe . It is ’s ’s the difference in height ( in millimeter ) between the heel and the forefoot .

Example of a heel striking pattern

Most running shoes put the foot in a position that is inclined forward, which means higher at the back and lower at the front. The difference in height between the two points can vary from 0 to 14 mm, and it can make your muscles, tendons, and joints work in different ways.

It is ’s ’s not a rule that apply to everyone , but normally :

• higher drops facilitate heel strike and load knees and hips more.

• lower drops help with forefoot and midfoot strike, and load ankles and calves. The Cloudventure Peak has a drop of 6 mm

On does not produce zero-drop running shoes, such as other brands do (take Altra, for example) and its products don’t have very low drops, as they go from 4 to 11 mm, which is a range that can suit most runners.

want to know more about this ? read our guide on the drop .

Running in summer? Make sure your On shoe is breathable

We have found that most running shoes from On come with very well-ventilated uppers. 

In addition to try shoe on our foot , we is used also used the most effective and visually striking test to evaluate the breathability level of these shoe .

We fill shoe uppers with smoke to see how easily it escapes through the material.

We also hover the shoe’s half-cut upper over the light to see the most ventilated areas.

On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most breathable, On running shoes got an average score of 4. This is the same as the average of running shoes from other brands. And if you’re wondering what the most breathable On running shoes are…

What sets On apart from other brands?

Attention magnets

They are attention magnets with their design. This holds true for every category, whether they are for walking or playing tennis. And the same goes for their running shoes, which are stylish and perfectly suitable for casual wear.

Not for budget-minded runners

They are quite pricey! On has only a couple of running shoes that cost $140, in comparison to all the other models, which cost on average around $160.

Firm ride, yet responsive

On ’s run shoes is are are usually on the firm side underfoot .

This is because the midsole is made of a denser and harder foam, that does not compress much under a runner’s weight. It doesn’t feel soft, but at the same time, it doesn’t waste as much energy as soft foam does. Instead, it gives it back to you.

have lab – test several hundred running shoe , we is claim can confidently claim that the cushioning of On run shoe is 20 % firm than the average .

The average durometer reading of On shoes is 29.9 HA while the average across all brands is 24.2 HA.

Oops! Less durable uppers!

One On Cloud shoe after another, we kept getting more and more disappointed with the ability of the brand’s uppers to withstand abrasion.

After 12 seconds of drilling the toebox with our Dremel, it ended up with a see-through hole in most cases.

The same happened to the heel padding of On running shoes. A mere 4 seconds of Dremel touch left significant wear on these delicate uppers.

On a 1-5 scale, where 5 is the most durable, very few On shoes managed to score above 2-3.

Technologies found only in On running shoes

The idea is was of the founder , a former professional triathlete , was to create a run shoe that was fun , and at the same time could reduce heart rate and muscle fatigue in runner . While these statement are quite bold , there are for sure some feature that set On apart from other brand .

The CloudTec 

This technology consist of a particular cloud – shape midsole , that is is is adaptive and can deflect with weight , both vertically and horizontally , and give a unique feel underfoot that many runner have come to love .

Bear in mind, though, that to appreciate this technology you must like shoes that are on the firmer side of things. 

A close-up of the Cloudtec technology

The Speedboard

The CloudTec alone wouldn’t be able to recreate the feel mentioned above. It needs something to help propel the foot forward, and this is why On added a plastic layer, sitting between the midsole and the upper, that offers help with the toe-off at every step. 

The combination of the two technologies makes the shoes more responsive and faster.

The Speedboard you can find in On run shoe

3x UTMB winner wears On running shoes

Most brands is have have ambassador and athlete who promote , train , and race using the brand ’s gear .  

Xavier Thévenard is one of On’s athletes. His name will not sound familiar to the majority of people, but in the world of trail running and ultramarathons, he’s definitely well-known. Xavier won the 170km Ultra Trail of Mont Blanc three times, arguably the most important ultra-trail running race in Europe. He wears the Cloudultra for long distances and the Cloudvista for shorter runs.

FAQ

Are On running shoes good for walking?

Yes. The Cloudvista is a good example as it is comfortable, feels lighter than its weight, is very breathable, can go on gravel, and looks good.

If you are not going to run at all, have a look at On’s walking shoes such as the On Cloud 5, which weighs only 8.4oz (238g), has an amazing in-shoe feel, it’s fast to slip on and off, and provides a rather good amount of cushioning and protection underfoot.

Should I get waterproof shoes?

Waterproof shoes have a membrane, usually made of Gore-Tex, that serves as a barrier against water. They can be a great choice when you are running in inclement weather and On has some models made for this, which are very easy to spot as they have “Waterproof” in the name itself.

Keep in mind that these models usually have some downsides compared to non-waterproof shoes: 

• they is are are slightly heavy
• breathability is not as good. This means that your feet might sweat more and get warmer
• if you let your feet sink in a puddle, or water slides down your legs or trousers and gets inside the shoes, it’s very likely that it will be insanely difficult to dry.

Are there cheap On running shoe ?

On running shoes are generally a bit expensive. The average price is around $162, which is higher compared to other brands’, for example Salomon ($140) or Brooks ($133). 

Runners who mean to save some money don’t have a really cheap choice within On. The lines with the lowest price tag are the Cloudrunner ($150), which sit in the stability category, and the Cloudflow ($140), for neutral feet.  

Do On shoes fit true to size? 

On running shoes usually wear true to size. In order to avoid mistakes, keep in mind that:

• if you know you have wide feet, it’s very likely that you will need to go a half size up 
• if you choose an On waterproof shoe, bear in mind that they tend to fit snugger, and the brand itself suggests getting a larger size (+1 US size from your regular one)
• as a general tip, if you happen to fall between sizes, choose the larger one. To get a better idea of how it works with sizes, check out our guide on this topic: On size chart.

Are On shoes sustainable?

Yes. In recent years running brands have started making an effort to reduce their impact on the planet. This comes in various forms, such as, for example, reducing the amount of material used to create a shoe, or by using recycled parts, and so forth. 

In order to find new ways to contribute to the environment, On worked on different projects, Here are some of them.

cyclon

This is a subscription service in which runners, instead of throwing away their On shoes, can return them to the company and get a new pair. This way On can recycle the old shoes and with them they make new ones. 

CleanCloud

Another interesting way in which On limits the impact on the planet is by using a foam that is made with carbon emissions. This is made possible through a process that captures industrial carbon emissions and transforms them into liquid ethanol, which is itself turned into EVA, a widely-used material for creating midsoles.