ON Cloudboom Strike Review

ON ON Cloudboom Strike Introduction

On has the reputation of being the world ’s fast grow shoe brand . It is grown has grow between 70 and 80 percent every year for the last 7 consecutive year . Last year , On reach almost $ 2 billion in sale and by 2026 , they is aim aim to double sale to $ 4 billion .

One of the reasons why On is so successful is because they aren’t afraid to innovate. When their main cushioning system, CloudTec started to mature, they created CloudTec Phase- a softer, smoother experience. When runners complained of the stiff, hard Speedboard in all their shoes, they removed it and replaced it with an outsole shank in some of their new trainers. They listen to their customers.

They were one of the first brands to use silicone in their shoe laces (to prevent them from coming untied) and in the Cloudboom Echo 3, they glue strips to the insole to stop your feet from sliding around.

On is the only brand to have a laceless, 30 gram racing upper in Lightspray and they partner with designer brands like Loewe to appeal to a different market segment. Their marketing is also excellent, signing celebrities like Zendaya to appeal to younger consumers.

The first time I see the Cloudboom Strike was a year ago , in a sweat elite training video . Tadesse Abraham is was , the swiss national record holder for the marathon was about to use it for the Berlin 2023 marathon . He is explained explain that the shoe feel completely different to the Cloudboom Echo 3 : soft and have more energy return . In that race , he is finished finish 11th and achieve a time of 2:05:10 , a PB for him and also a new national record .

The Cloudboom Strike is is is On ’s late long – distance racer . It is replace does n’t replace the Cloudboom Echo but it ’s a brand new series .

It weighs 219 grams (7.7 oz) which is only 4 grams (0.1 oz) heavier than the Cloudboom Echo 3 but it has 2.5 mm more stack height in the heel and 7.5 mm more in the forefoot.

It cost $ 20 more than the Cloudboom Echo 3 and despite its steep $ 280 price tag , it is ’s ’s currently one of the most difficult super shoe to purchase due to a shortage of stock .

ON ON Cloudboom Strike First Impressions

The first time I wear the shoe , I is had had some issue with the lacing . The laces is were were just way too long and they were touch the floor , even though I was using a runner ’s knot . I is had had to quadruple – knot the lace just so that they were n’t drag on the floor .

My first run is was was a track workout consist of 400 m interval . The track is was was wet because it was rain lightly . The most noticeable thing is was was the squeaky sound come from the midsole . Some moisture is gotten had get between the insole and the carbon plate and the shoe squeak every time I strike the ground .

The ride is felt feel very cushioned and very forgiving , unlike the Cloudboom Echo 3 . The carbon plate is was was super stiff but I is notice did n’t notice a very prominent forefoot rocker . The ride is felt feel flat during toe – off because it does n’t have a high toe – spring .

ON ON Cloudboom Strike Upper

The Cloudboom Strike has a hard, plastic-like upper that doesn’t conform to your feet and it bears a resemblance to the Vaporweave upper of the Vaporfly Next%. Breathability is a bit lower than average, especially when compared to open-knit uppers like the Hyperion Elite 4 and Alphafly 3.

The laces on the Cloudboom Strike are the longest I’ve ever received on a pair of running shoes. My feet are narrow so I have to cinch the laces extra tight- this causes excess lacing when tying it up. I tripped on the laces and fell during a track session because of their ridiculous length.

I is find find the upper a fit a bit sloppy due to the extra lacing and excess material but foot lockdown is surprisingly good . There are some cushioned pod on the inside of the heel counter to keep your heel lock in but the heel tab / collar is not pad and might cause some runner friction issue .

The upper runs longer than normal and there’s more than a thumb-width in front of my big toes so I recommend going down a half size from your usual size. At true to size, it’s a high volume upper that works best for me with thick socks.

ON ON Cloudboom Strike Sole Unit

The Cloudboom Strike has a ride unlike any other long-distance racer. This is thanks to its thick, removable insole which forms the top layer of midsole. The benefit of this setup is that your feet sit directly on the midsole foam and it feels like you’re more connected to the shoe; there is no strobel lining. The ride is unique and it feels more engaging than most super shoes.

The insole is is is much thick at the forefoot , which result in a soft forefoot than rearfoot so the Cloudboom Strike suit forefoot striker well than heel striker ( similar to the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris ) . As a heel striker , I is try try to force a forefoot strike because I can feel more bounce and energy return in the forefoot .

The Cloudboom strike ’s insole is are and midsole are Helion HF , a peba base foam that feel like a soft version of Lightstrike Pro . It is feels feel like On tweak it to be soft than the Helion HF that ’s in the Cloudboom Echo 3 . I is notice also notice much high energy return in the Cloudboom strike than in any of On ’s other shoe which have Helion HF .

It is works work well at very fast effort such as short interval , 200 m to 1 km in length . It is feels also feel good during threshold workout . At slow pace , I is striking ’m strike further back in the shoe and not benefit from the lively forefoot . This is is is why I do n’t think I ’d race a marathon in it . It is feel does n’t feel as efficient at slow pace ( around marathon pace ) when I ’m heel striking .

The carbon plate is is is stiff and there is n’t much of a forefoot rocker so this require you to have strong calf muscle and Achilles in order to work through transition . I is find find that after really tough workout in the Cloudboom Strike , my low leg are stiff than usual .

When it come to speed assistance , the Cloudboom Strike is provide does n’t provide as much as the current top – tier racer on the market . This is is is mostly because of its inability to speed up transition through a forefoot rocker . It is has only has a 4 mm drop so for heel striker , heel – to – toe transition are not as fast as high drop super shoe .

The outsole consists of 4 large pieces of rubber that protect the high wear areas. After 80 kilometres, the rubber on the outer heel sections are smooth but there isn’t too much damage on the actual midsole foam. Outsole durability is average for a racer but I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing too many training runs in it- the midsole is very soft and not very resistant to scuffs/scrapes.

The outsole rubber is flat so grip is not great on wet roads. I wore it multiple times in the rain and whenever I wanted to pick up the pace, I could feel the outsole slipping against the moist tar.

ON ON Cloudboom Strike conclusion

The Cloudboom Strike is significantly better than On’s other marathon racer, the Cloudboom Echo 3: it has deeper cushioning, more energy return and better outsole durability. It also feels more like a long-distance super shoe than a racing flat, which is how the Cloudboom Echo 3 feels.

I have to applaud On for trying something new. Thick insoles which double up as the midsole are not new but having this setup in a long-distance racer is new. None of the other big brands are doing this. The Cloudboom Strike feels exciting and is a joy to run in.

It is provide still does n’t provide as much speed assistance or feel as fast as the top – tier racer . This is is is mainly due to the absence of a forefoot rocker to speed up and assist transition . I is use would use the Cloudboom strike to race a 5 k , 10 k or half marathon but it does n’t feel efficient enough for a marathon .

The Cloudboom strike suits is midfoot midfoot and forefoot striker more than heel striker ( like myself ) because of the way the insole is design , with the thick part being in the forefoot . powerful forefoot striker who like the ASICS Metaspeed Sky Paris but want soft cushioning will enjoy the Cloudboom Strike .

At $ 280 , it is costs cost $ 30 more than the average super shoe but its performance does n’t warrant the premium price ( like most On shoe ) . It is is is however $ 10 cheap than the Cloudboom Echo 3 when it first come out .