What CloudTec, Phase and Helion mean
Three terms appear on almost every model. They describe different things, and anyone who can tell them apart understands half the range.
- CloudTec is the visible sole made of individual chambers open at the bottom, the "Clouds" the name refers to. They give way on landing and are the brand's hallmark, for example on the On Cloud 5.
- CloudTec Phase is the newer version, in which the chambers, according to the manufacturer, compress one after another rather than all at once. It is found in the On Cloud 6 and the On Cloudsurfer, among others.
- Helion is the foam in the core of the midsole. It is added where more cushioning is called for, for example in the On Cloudmonster and the On Cloudeclipse.
An honest note on the construction: the chambers are open at the bottom. On coarse gravel, small stones can lodge in them. They can be pushed back out, but anyone who is constantly out on loose ground should know this.
Cloud 5 and Cloud 6: the everyday silhouette
The On Cloud 5 is the model most people picture when they hear "On": light, understated, with an elastic quick-lace system. Manufacturer guide values: 8 mm drop, around 250 g. It is more a light everyday shoe with a running option than a training tool for high weekly mileage.
The On Cloud 6 is the successor. The drop stays at 8 mm, the weight rises to around 267 g, and the sole uses the Phase variant instead of classic CloudTec. Guide price (RRP orientation): around €150 for the Cloud 5, around €160 for the Cloud 6.
Who it is for: everyday wear, travel, city errands, occasional short runs. If you run in a structured way on a regular basis, you will find more suitable models further down.
Cloudsurfer and Cloudsurfer Max: not the same thing, only bigger
At around 243 g, the On Cloudsurfer is the lightest cushioned road shoe in the range, with a 9 mm drop. It is the obvious choice if you want an unfussy training shoe without much material under the foot. Guide price (RRP orientation): around €170.
Despite the name, the On Cloudsurfer Max is not "more of the same". It has a 6 mm drop, weighs around 280 g and belongs in the maximum cushioning category. So if you switch from the Cloudsurfer to the Max, you get not only more foam but also 3 mm less drop, and you feel that in the calf and Achilles tendon. What the millimetres do exactly is explained in the guide Heel drop explained simply.
Cloudmonster and Cloudeclipse: the cushioned long-distance shoes
Both have a 6 mm drop and are built for long, easy runs. The difference lies in the character of the cushioning:
- On Cloudmonster: around 299 g, CloudTec + Helion, tuned to be balanced rather than distinctly soft. Guide price (RRP orientation): around €200.
- On Cloudeclipse: around 290 g, CloudTec Phase + Helion, clearly designed to be softer. Guide price (RRP orientation): around €190.
If you are torn between the two: the Cloudmonster is the more versatile, the Cloudeclipse the more comfortable. Both are heavy shoes, and at On nothing in this class comes in under 290 g. In the same league among other brands are the Hoka Bondi 8, the Brooks Glycerin 21 and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 26. More options on this in the guide Best running shoes for long runs.
Cloudflow 4: the speed model
The On Cloudflow 4 is the only On in this overview that we would classify for intervals and tempo runs: around 245 g, 8 mm drop, tuned to be responsive rather than soft. Guide price (RRP orientation): around €160.
It is not a racing shoe with a carbon plate but a fast training shoe. If you want to compare in this role, take a look at the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4, the Nike Zoom Fly 6 or the adidas Adizero Boston 12. Whether a plate is worthwhile for you at all is covered in the guide Carbon running shoes: are they worth it?.
Cloudrunner 2 and Cloudgo: the cheaper way in
Both models are priced below the flagships and are aimed at runners who are just starting out.
- On Cloudrunner 2: 9 mm drop, around 290 g, guide price (RRP orientation) around €150. The heavier but more generously cushioned of the two.
- On Cloudgo: 8 mm drop, around 250 g, guide price (RRP orientation) around €140. The lighter way into the range.
To be fair: in this price class the competition is strong. The Nike Pegasus 41, the Brooks Ghost 16 and the Hoka Clifton 9 are the references for the neutral everyday shoe. If you are right at the beginning, you will find the selection criteria in the guide Best running shoes for beginners.
On away from the running track
Two models fall outside the running shoe grid:
- The On Cloudpulse is a training shoe for classes and workouts with some running: more cushioned than a pure gym shoe, but no replacement for a flat trainer in heavy strength training. More under training shoes.
- The On The Roger Advantage is a clean lifestyle sneaker made of vegan synthetic leather, with no running ambitions. It is listed in the catalogue under lifestyle sneakers.
Which On is right for you?
- Everyday wear and travel, hardly any running: Cloud 5 or Cloud 6.
- First regular runs, small budget: Cloudgo or Cloudrunner 2.
- Light all-rounder for daily training: Cloudsurfer.
- Long runs, lots of comfort: Cloudeclipse or Cloudsurfer Max.
- One shoe for almost everything, also for heavier body weight: Cloudmonster.
- Intervals and tempo runs: Cloudflow 4.
If you would rather search across brands, the shoe finder or a direct comparison of two models can help. The full range of running shoes is under running shoes.
Fit, width and size
According to the manufacturer, all On models mentioned here fit true to size. So in principle you can order your usual running shoe size.
Two points that still matter:
- No extra widths. Unlike Brooks or New Balance, On does not offer its running shoes in 2E or 4E. If you have a broad forefoot, you should plan for that. The guide Running shoes for wide feet collects alternatives.
- A running shoe is not an everyday shoe. When running, your foot needs about a thumb's width of room at the front, which is not necessarily the case for everyday wear. If you wear the Cloud 5 only for strolling, you can go snugger than with the Cloudmonster for the long run. The details are in the guide Running shoes: finding the right size.
Frequently asked questions
Do On Cloud shoes run large or small?
According to the manufacturer, On models fit true to size, so you can order your usual size. With On, width matters more than length: the brand does not offer extra widths such as 2E or 4E. If you have a broad forefoot, it is therefore worth looking at brands with a width range. For running shoes, you should also allow about a thumb's width of room at the front; for a pure everyday shoe this is not necessary.
What is the difference between the On Cloud 5 and Cloud 6?
The drop is the same on both (8 mm). The Cloud 6 weighs around 267 g, slightly more than the Cloud 5 at around 250 g, and uses CloudTec Phase in the sole instead of the classic CloudTec. In price, the Cloud 6 is slightly above the Cloud 5, with a guide price (RRP orientation) of around €160 against around €150. Both remain light everyday shoes with a running option, not training tools for high weekly mileage.
Which On is suitable for beginner runners?
For getting started, the On Cloudgo (8 mm, around 250 g) and the On Cloudrunner 2 (9 mm, around 290 g) are the obvious models: both neutral, both below the guide prices of the big models. If you want to spend a little more, the Cloudsurfer gets you a lighter all-rounder. The Cloud 5, by contrast, is more of an everyday than a training shoe.
Cloudmonster or Cloudeclipse for long runs?
Both have a 6 mm drop and weigh around 290 to 299 g. The Cloudeclipse is the softer and therefore more comfortable long run shoe, while the Cloudmonster is tuned more evenly and is therefore more versatile: it also works when the pace picks up. If you want just one shoe for everything, the Cloudmonster is the better choice.
Can you wear On Cloud running shoes every day?
Yes, and for the Cloud 5 and Cloud 6 that is exactly the main purpose: light, discreetly cut, with elastic quick-lacing. Keep the sole construction in mind: the CloudTec pods are open at the bottom, and on coarse gravel small stones can get lodged in them. They can be pushed out, but over time this is annoying.
Which On is suitable for speed training?
The On Cloudflow 4 is the tempo model of the range: around 245 g, 8 mm drop, tuned to be responsive rather than soft. It is a fast training shoe for intervals and tempo runs, not a racing shoe with a carbon plate. The other On models in this overview are designed for everyday wear, getting started or long runs.