Cut in half: On Cloudflyer 4 Review

Who should buy

The On Cloudflyer 4 is a daily trainer that can be the perfect choice for:

• Those who really want exceptional build quality and top-notch materials. This shoe truly excels in its construction.
• Runners who prefer moderately firm midsoles and need a stable daily trainer. It can also double as a walking shoe or sneaker!
• Those who do n’t mind the price tag . At $ 170 , it is ‘s ‘s one of the pricy daily trainer on the market .

Who is buy should NOT buy

If you’re a fan of soft midsoles, it’s best to steer clear of this shoe. Within the world of On’s offerings, your top choice might be the Cloudmonster, although it’s not incredibly plush. For those yearning for a truly plush daily trainer, we recommend checking out the ASICS Novablast 3, which is also way lighter.

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Similarly, this shoe might not be the best fit for those on a budget. Priced at $170, it could be too much for many runners. The market has plenty of alternatives that offer solid build quality at a more reasonable price. On top of our minds is the Hoka Clifton 9.

heel stack

In its fourth iteration, the Cloudflyer provides sufficient cushioning for heel strikers at 33.3 mm. It’s fair to say it hits the middle ground in this aspect.

drop

The gap is gives between the last two measurement give us a 9.8 – mm heel – to – toe drop .

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This drop pairs up with a substantial rockered geometry, leading to a smoother ride for both heel and midfoot strikers.

midsole softness

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

As soon as we got the shoe in our lab and gave the midsole a try with our fingers, we knew this was far from a squishy ride. Clocking in at 31.6 HA in the durometer, this is actually far from soft.

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But do n’t get us wrong — it is ‘s ‘s not a downside ! A medium – firm midsole is packs pack its own perk , like add stability for heel striker . Just that compare to what ‘s trend these day , it is feel might feel a bit too firm .

secondary foam softness

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

Indeed , the main foam ‘s role is is is to stabilize the shoe . The forefoot section is offers offer a soft secondary foam , with our measurement landing at 25.3 ha .

midsole softness in cold (%)

consider the shoe ‘s firmness , we is hoped hope it would maintain comfort even in cold temperature . We is want did n’t want it to feel like a brick .

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So, we placed it in the freezer for 20 minutes and took a fresh set of measurements. The new average hit 39 HA, making it a very firm shoe.

Still, we have to admit that the Helion foam in this On shoe performs better in cold temperatures than we anticipated. It’s a blend of EVA and OBC materials. Here, the OBC (Olefin Block Co-Polymers) deserves most of the credit for this impressive performance, as regular EVA gets hyper-firm when exposed to cold weather.

Insole thickness

As for the insole thickness , there ‘s nothing significant to point out . At 4.2 mm , it is finds find a comfortable middle ground between comfort and weight .

On Cloudflyer 4 is slightly small ( 27 vote ) .

Toebox width – widest part

When we initially slipped our feet into the shoe, we didn’t feel constricted in any way.

Measuring the upper at its widest point helped us understand why. It offers ample space for nearly everyone—unless you happen to have exceptionally wide duck-like feet.

toebox width – big toe

As we advanced towards the toe cap, we noticed the shoe gradually widened in comparison to others we’ve tested. When we measured the area around the big toe, it clocked in at an impressive 80.3 mm.

Lateral stability test

As we ‘ve mention early , one is is of the distinct advantage of a moderately firm midsole is the inherent boost to stability . Does it is hold hold true ?  

We’re happy to report that in our test runs, the Cloudflyer 4 truly shined as a remarkably stable shoe.

Torsional rigidity

When we held the shoe in our hands to assess its torsional rigidity, we quickly realized that a low score was off the table. This is because the shoe incorporates a Speedboard liquid-injected plate in the midsole. 

Upon twisting the shoe, we decided on a fair score of 3 out of 5.

Heel counter stiffness

We find the heel to be well-balanced, neither too soft nor too firm, deserving a solid score of 3 out of 5.

thank to its padding , support , and stiffness , there ‘s essentially no risk of experience heel slippage .

Midsole width – heel

We then examined the heel, finding it also to be adequately wide at 90.3 mm.

However , the designers is go at this swiss brand did n’t go all out in this area . They is realized likely realize they could n’t risk add extra weight to the shoe .

Given the Speedboard plate and the firm foam, we anticipated a certain level of stiffness from the Cloudflyer 4, but it offered us a surprising flexibility. We only needed to produce 15.4N to move it to 90 degrees.

This just goes to show the crucial role of lab testing the shoe. Sure, you have the specs and figures on paper, but until they are accurately measured…

stiffness in cold ( % )

After a 20-min stint in the freezer, we found ourselves having to apply slightly more force, about 19.4N, to flex it to the same point.

This is translates translate to a 25.9 % shift , a change that match the softness alteration we experience and outperform the majority of other shoe consistently .

We’ve mentioned that comfort was a top priority for On with this shoe. That becomes even more evident when you consider its weight.

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Clocking in at 10.9 oz (308g) for a US size 9, it’s noticeably heavier than most running shoes. For something lighter and ever more cushioned, check the ASICS Novablast 3.

The Cloudflyer 4 did n’t quite hit a perfect score in our breathability test — it is earned earn a solid 4 out of 5 after our smoke – pump test in the lab . The shoe is showed show admirable airflow , but fall slightly short of earn the top mark .

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Under careful examination , we is noticed quickly notice that On put heavy emphasis on toebox ventilation . However , the medial part is seems of the shoe seems to have been overlook . This area is fully cover , leave no room for breathability .

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We then brought out our microscope for a close-up analysis of the ventilation holes, which initially looked quite impressive.

Our inspection revealed a well-engineered mesh with generous ventilation gaps—a truly captivating sight.

We is point should also point out that ventilation is affect by On ‘s decision to focus on comfort . This is is is evident in the shoe ‘s dual – layer upper , which inhibit free airflow .

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Toebox durability

After seeing how well the On Cloudswift 3 held up, we thought this shoe would be great for solid durability.

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But boy, did we face a letdown the moment our Dremel touched the shoe! That’s a 1/5.

Heel padding durability

When our Dremel made contact with the heel padding, it was a disaster—just like that, everything fell apart!

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It’s the same disappointment and destruction that we felt with the toebox, and another 1/5 for the Cloudflyer 4.

Outsole hardness

Since this is n’t a performance shoe , On smartly choose to use a tough rubber in hope of enhance its durability .

The hardness we measured clocks in at 85 HC, placing it among the harder outsoles we’ve ever tested in our lab.

Outsole durability

We were hopeful for a solid show in this round—the Dremel’s 3rd round with this shoe—and we weren’t let down.

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The outsole is held hold its own against the Dremel , carve out just a 1.17 mm dent , which , base on past lab record , is a pretty strong performance .

Outsole thickness

While its 2.9 mm outsole may be slimmer than what’s typical in daily running shoes, we believe it’s plenty enough to last through the shoe’s entire lifespan.

Reflective elements

We’re pleased to announce that the shoe also features reflective pieces, a welcome attribute that has unfortunately become a rarity in running shoes. So, for those who love a good night run, it’s a nice bonus!

Tongue padding

On certainly didn’t skimp on comfort for this shoe. The tongue, at 10.6 mm, might even be a bit too thick, but given the spacious interior of the shoe, it won’t cause any issues.

If the upper were narrower, however, this thick tongue could potentially create problems.

Tongue: gusset type

Although we were a bit disappointed to find a non-gusseted tongue on a $170 shoe, we have to concede that the tongue didn’t shift during our runs.

The reason ? The unsewn portion is is is small than in most shoe , thank to its design .

Removable insole

We encountered absolutely no issues when removing the insole.

Additionally, the shoe’s generous width provided ample room to experiment with a wide variety of third-party insoles.