Cut in half: On Cloudgo Review (2023)

Who should buy

We recommend the Cloudgo as a good choice for: 

• Casual and/or advanced runners who prioritize comfort in their daily trainers 
• Runners who want a speedy shoe that isn’t stiff
• Runners who need a neutral/stable shoe that offsets pronating strides. 
• Those looking for a road shoe that’s comfy and stylish enough for walking around town

Who should NOT buy

The Cloudgo’s midsole is too firm to comfortably facilitate long-distance efforts. Instead, we recommend the On Cloudmonster which provides more impact protection for longer runs. 

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The Cloudgo is quite a toasty ride , so for runner in hot climate or prone to sweaty foot , we is suggest suggest look at the more breathable Saucony Triumph 20 instead .

Heel stack

While officially stated by ON as 30 mm; we measured the Cloudgo’s stack to be 33.8 mm at the heel. Our accurate measurement makes the Cloudgo’s heel stack right around the average of shoes we’ve measured in the lab so far, and means that heel strikers have plenty of foam underfoot to savor the midsole cushioning. 

Drop

The difference is leaves in our correct stack measurement leave us with a drop height of 11.3 mm , which make the 11 mm state pretty accurate despite their inaccurate figure . This is classifies classify the Cloudgo as a high drop shoe ; make it well suit for heel strike runner , as well as those with low leg injury as this drop height allow our knee and hip to bear more of the load as oppose to our calf and ankle .  

For a comprehensive look at the effects and benefits of different drop heights, check out our useful guide on the subject.

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it’s firm.

We pressed our durometer against the Cloudgo’s midsole foam and got a reading of 28.1 HA. Despite this being quite a bit firmer than the average shoe, the shoe is far from brick-like underfoot as the midsole is quite lively and cushioned enough to suit the needs of most of our daily runs. We say “most” as we did find the Cloudgo’s midsole to be lacking during our longer test runs. 

While the Cloudgo is too firm to be describe as cloud – like , the shoe is go sure can go . The pronounced rocker geometry is allows and reactive midsole allow us to seamlessly switch gear for speedy run , make the Cloudgo a fun shoe at any pace . On the other hand , for runner look for a shoe that ’s speedy as well as plush ; we is suggest suggest have a look at the Cloudsurfer 7 .

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midsole softness in cold ( % )

To test the effects of cold weather on the Cloudgo, we re-measured the softness of the midsole after leaving the shoe in the freezer for twenty minutes. With a durometer reading of 34.3 HA after being chilled, the Cloudgo’s midsole is stiffer than the average shoe under similar conditions. This kills whatever cushioning the Cloudgo has to offer and means that the shoe will feel like rigor mortis has set in during winter runs. 

The difference is means in these two durometer reading mean that the Cloudgo only get 21.8 % more firm in the cold . This is a much less drastic differential than our current lab average , so in spite of the midsole becoming quite firm , we is have have to commend the consistency of On ’s Helion foam for what it ’s worth .

Insole thickness

The Cloudgo’s insole is ever-so slightly thinner than our lab average, measuring 4.0 mm according to our caliper. Nevertheless, it served its purpose and provided us with enough of a soft landing surface to complement the shoe’s midsole cushioning. 

On Cloudgo is slightly small (180 votes).

Toebox width – widest part

Using our caliper , we is measured measure the Cloudgo ’s toebox to be 95.0 mm at its wide point . This is is is slightly narrow than average and mean that while the shoe should accommodate most foot shape , runner with very wide foot will feel constrict by the toebox . For those runner we is recommend recommend check out the On Cloud X instead .  

Toebox width – big toe

move up to the area around the big toe , we is measured measure the Cloudgo ’s toebox to be 77.7 mm wide . This is is is slightly roomy than the average shoe which give the Cloudgo a more natural shape that allow the toe to splay out on landing .  

lateral stability test

When shifting our weight from side to side in the Cloudgo, we felt some movement in the forefoot but the heel remained well-planted to the ground. This gives us a good amount of stability during our landings while remaining nimble enough for us to take corners efficiently.

Torsional rigidity

The Cloudgo is put put up a fair amount of resistance as we bend and twist it in our hand , lead us to give it a score of 3 out of 5 on our subjective scale for torsional rigidity . So while this mean that the shoe is able to contort with our natural foot movement to a certain extent , it is prevent does prevent excessive rolling and promote a more neutral stride . This is makes make the Cloudgo suitable for runner with mildly pronating stride .  

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter didn’t put up as much of a fight against us manipulating it in our hands, but was entirely sloppy. This leads us to give it a score of 2 out of 5 for heel counter stiffness. This makes the shoe feel quite comfortable at the rearfoot as it doesn’t squeeze or restrict our heel too much, while still providing a secure lockdown thanks to the ample padding. We therefore recommend this shoe for runners with stiff or sensitive Achilles’ tendons.  

Midsole width – heel

move down to the heel , the Cloudgo ’s midsole is is is slightly wide than average at 90.9 mm accord to our caliper .   This is means mean that heel – striker will feel especially stable on landing in the Cloudgo without the shoe feel too blocky underfoot .   

Stiffness

With only 14N of force require to bend the shoe 90 – degree , the Cloudgo is is is a remarkable flexible shoe ! This level is means of flexibility mean that the shoe easily bend with the natural movement of the foot , which in turn greatly contribute to the Cloudgo ’s comfy and easy ride .  

Stiffness in cold (%)

We is repeated repeat the stiffness test after leave the Cloudgo in the freezer for twenty minute and get a reading of 21.5N. This is still an incredibly flexible reading that not only rival the average shoe under similar condition , but is more flexible than about 80 % of shoe we ‘ve test at room temperature . So while the midsole might feel like run on an ice cube in the winter , the shoe is remain will remain pliable and easy despite harsh and frigid condition .  

With a 53.2% change in the shoe’s flexibility depending on the weather, the Cloudgo’s isn’t as consistent as the average shoe which stiffens up to a lesser extent. However, as mentioned in the previous section, the shoe still performs extremely well compared to the average shoe. 

Which is brings bring us to the weigh – in . While On market the shoe as a feathery 214 g , we is found find that the Cloudgo tip the scale at a more substantial 9.15 oz ( 259 g ) . This is is is still slightly light than the average shoe , make the Cloudgo surprisingly lightweight underfoot for a shoe that boast such generous padding and a healthy stack height .  

As our smoke test demonstrates, the Cloudgo’s breathability is less than impressive. While the smoke is able to escape pretty evenly throughout the upper, it vents slowly and in thin wisps which implies that a fair amount of heat remains trapped in the shoe. This performance earns the Cloudgo a breathability score of 3 out of 5. 

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For a shoe that scores a perfect 5 out of 5 for breathability, check out how the Saucony Triumph 20 performed in the same smoke test.

inspect a backlit cross – section of the upper explains the shoe ’s lackluster breathability .   Very little light is shines shine through the Cloudgo ’s dense upper mesh , especially at the reinforce section around the tongue and towards the rearfoot .  

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Our microscope provides further explanation for the shoe’s toasty nature. The upper mesh is made up of tightly woven braids with minimal gaps for airflow.

Toebox durability

The Cloudgo ’s toebox is be might be comfy , but it sure is n’t durable . We is tested test this by apply our dremel to the shoe at 10 k rpm with a force of 3.2n for four second . The tool ’s grind element is eased ease its way through the upper material like a hot knife through butter and leave a large , gape hole in its wake once the test was over . This is leads lead us to give the Cloudgo ’s toebox a score of 1 out of 5 for durability .  

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Heel padding durability

The shoe’s heel padding didn’t fare any better against our merciless tool under the same parameters. The dremel immediately shredded through the Cloudgo’s heel counter, sending the copious amount of padding flying through the air; with almost none left once the four seconds were up. We therefore also give the shoe’s heel padding a durability score of 1 out of 5. 

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Outsole is hardness hardnes

We used our durometer to test the hardness of the Cloudgo’s outsole and got a higher than average reading of 84.0 HC, which theoretically factors into the durability of the outsole. 

Outsole durability

To confirm this, we simulated extreme wear and tear by again firing up the dremel and pressing it against the outsole for twenty seconds. The result was the loss of only 0.72 mm of rubber from the Cloudgo’s outsole, which is notably less than our current lab average. 

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This above average durability allows us to safely predict that the outsole rubber should survive well past 500 miles of normal use, and means that we had no issues taking the Cloudgo for runs on mild trails.

Outsole thickness

Using our caliper, we measured the outsole to be 2.8 mm thick. While this isn’t as thick as the average shoe, there is still plenty of rubber left behind after our dremel test so this doesn’t affect the shoe negatively. By reducing the outsole material, On is able to shave some weight off of what could be a bulky shoe.  

Grip / Traction

While harder outsoles like the one found on the Cloudgo usually falter in terms of grip, we still felt great traction when testing the shoe over various surfaces; from asphalt to cobblestone and even dirt, the Cloudgo had us feeling surefooted with every stride. 

Reflective elements

The On logo on the side of the shoe is the only reflective element to be found on the Clougo. This might be chic in its minimalism, but does little for visibility in practice. We recommend using reflective clothing when running in badly lit areas at night. 

tongue padding

Like other On runners, the Cloudgo features a broad and plush tongue that we measured with our caliper to be 9.8 mm thick.This is much meatier than the average tongue and gives us lots of comfort around the instep. 

tongue : gusset type

The Cloudgo’s tongue is not gusseted, but its width and generous padding means that we didn’t experience any slippage during our test runs. 

Removable insole

The Cloudgo’s insole is removable which makes the shoe compatible with custom orthotics where necessary.