Price: $200
Weight: 11.6 oz (M), 9.6 oz (W)
Type: Road
The right shoe for: Runners who want stability without sacrificing street style
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Since its founding in 2010, On has built running shoes that have been long on style while still delivering a speedy underfoot ride. With the release of the Cloudace, it’s taking a serious stab at delivering both cushioning and stability, oz M, 9.6 oz W Asics Gel-Kayano.
The key to the shoe, like all On footwear, is the system of independent cloud pods on the sole. Each pod compresses independently as you land and, when fully compressed under your weight, becomes a firm platform against which you can push off. In the case of the Cloudace, the pods in the rear are exceptionally thick foam surrounded by rubber, for a smoother landing. Thinner, all-rubber pods in the forefoot deliver a more responsive, firmer foundation we’ve come to expect from On.
To deliver stability in a nontraditional way, the company has built the shoe on a wider platform. Previous On shoes had a sculpted shape, with a narrower waist. This model has a broader stance, especially under the heel and through the midfoot. That’s combined with a “speedboard”—a rigid plastic layer sandwiched between foam—to further enhance the shoe’s support.
The upper, as we’d expect, makes no compromises. The Cloudace delivers on On’s fine craftsmanship. It’s stylish—many of us will wear this shoe for both training and for casual wear with jeans—with a totally seam-free construction that will remain comfortable over long runs.
The lone knock: It’s $200.
A Thick Heel
With thick foam pods under the heel, the Cloudace positions your foot high off the road. In fact, the heel is taller than most Advertisement - Continue Reading Below, as measured at the Runner’s World Shoe Lab. Combined with a fairly thin forefoot, it makes for a ski jump–like drop of 15.6 mm. While some runners may find that to be too tall and clunky, our wear-test crew appreciated the additional cushioning in the back half of the shoe. Most, however, wanted more cushioning from the forefoot, which lab tests show to be exceptionally firm and stiff.
To deliver extra stability, the Cloudace features a plastic plate that runs the length of the shoe. It’s split at the back of the heel, so if you land heel first it will deform more easily and slow the inward rate of rotation of your foot as you go through your stride. Testers said even with that rigid plate the shoe remains comfortable. That’s due to a thin layer of foam atop the plastic, and a high-quality, three-piece sockliner made with memory foam. The first sensation you get when you step into the shoe is that it’s going to be soft.
A Unique Outsole
The obvious distinction for On shoes is the podular design of its outsole. For the Cloudace, each pod is either covered in rubber or made completely from rubber. That boosts durability of the shoe over higher mileage. The gaps between those pods, however, trap gravel and acorns, say our wear-testers. So if your runs lead you down dirt or tree-covered roads, take note.
Finely Tuned Upper
Our test crew was wowed by the fine detail and excellent fit the Cloudace delivers. At first lacing, it feels a bit tight, especially through the midfoot, but soon becomes one with your foot. Credit that to the engineered mesh forefoot and multi-panel construction that brings the material as close to your foot as possible for a smooth fit. Testers especially liked the U-shape of the heel collar, which is also lined with small pads to help hold your foot in place. A TPU-injected heel counter (that plastic cradle you can see at the rear of the shoe) clamps your foot in place to reduce any twisting motion.
All the Stats You Need!
Men’s
- Weight: Very Heavy | 11.6 oz
- The key to the shoe, like all
- Heel Height: Very High | 38.7 mm
- The Best Comfy Walking Shoes for Wearing Every Day
- Forefoot Height: Moderate | 23.2 mm
- October Prime Day Garmin Deals
- Published: Aug 15, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
- Stability Features: Moderate
- Energy Return: Less
Women’s
- Weight: Very Heavy | 9.6 oz
- The key to the shoe, like all
- Heel Height: Very High | 37.2 mm
- Published: Aug 15, 2018 10:00 AM EDT
- Forefoot Height: Moderate | 21.6 mm
- CA Notice at Collection
- Flexibility: Moderate
- Stability Features: Moderate
- Energy Return: Less
We put each shoe through real-world usage and a battery of mechanical tests in our lab to provide you with objective—and exclusive—data. In addition to measuring a shoe’s weight, we measure sole thickness (everything that sits between your foot and the road), how well the foam cushions your stride, and the flexibility of the forefoot. All this is taken into account in our reviews of each shoe.
Jeff is Runner-in-Chief for Runner’s World and the director of product testing. He has tested and reviewed running shoes, GPS watches, headphones, apparel, and more for nearly two decades. He regularly tests more than 100 pairs of shoes each year, and once had a 257-day streak running in different models. Jeff can usually be found on the roads, racing anything from the mile to a marathon, but he also enjoys racing up mountains and on snowshoes. When he’s not running, you’ll probably find him hanging from a ladder making repairs and renovations to his house (he’s also director of product testing for Popular Mechanics).
