Pitched as a “soft, stable, road running shoe” which On say are for “intervals, tempo runs, recovery runs, short runs to marathons, heavier runners, runners that prefer a wider fit”.

First impressions

First impressions are that this is a solid and confidently made shoe. The upper is aimed at comfort and the heel is locked in using a solid collar running over the top of the fabric on the outside and a higher section up behind the achilles.

There are 6 Clouds on each side which are considerably chunkier than the 9 smaller ones you’d find on their lighter, neutral Cloudflow. The combination of the Helion foam in the midsole and the harder material of the Clouds provides protection and comfort whilst still retaining a firm sensation.

This a mild stability shoe, so I appreciate that as a runner who doesn ‘t usually choose to wear support models, it might feel a bit different.

However, as a fan of the Cloudflow and Cloudboom I was surprised that for the first time ever I actually noticed the sensation of the way the sole is sectioned up.

This feeling disappeared after the first ½ a mile and from then on they were, well, a solid, comfortable shoe.

Gill isn’t one for the rules of the street

Built to run fast?

This shoe is lighter than comparable offerings from Saucony or Asics and I’m sure you could do tempo sessions in it if you wanted but it just feels like it’s not meant to be fast. It’s hard to put a finger on it. It feels like crumble and custard, when the cloudflow feels like fruit and yoghurt.

The standard of design detailing is, as you’d expect from On, very high. The taped seams, the intriguing star lacing system, the reflective detailing all make the a beautiful shoe to look at.

There’s nothing wrong with this offering from On. It’s comfy and it’s durable, but there are plenty of other shoes that fit that brief.

The look of it would have to be the differentiating factor here, as there are plenty of nice colourways to choose from. If you’re starting to ramp up the miles for the first time, just run-commuting and want a workhorse, or if as On put it, you’re a heavier runner who likes more under foot then this would be a good shoe to use.

Once you’re comfortable with more volume though I suspect you’ll be looking to the Cloudflow which has more pop and can still eat up the miles.

The numbers

Miles run in testing: 80
Weight: 280g / 210g (Asics Kayano 27 = 314g, Saucony Guide 13 = 289g)
Heel-toe drop: 7mm
Price: £130

For comparison

The CloudFLOW – neutral training and racing neutral shoe (235g /198g / 6mm drop)
The CloudBOOM – carbon racing shoe (225g / 185g 9mm drop )

Pros

A real workhorse shoe. Can’t see this wearing out any time soon
Plenty of protection underfoot but don’t feel spongy
Ideal for recovery runs and building up long miles

Cons

Bigger ‘clouds’ make them more noticeable under foot
Feel chunky even though they aren’t actually heavy
You’ll want to trade up to the Cloudflow after a while

The post Cloudflyer not really for flying appeared first on Fast Running.

Designed to stand up to miles and miles of pounding the pavement, the lightweight stability On Cloudflyer should provide enough cushioning and support for most distance runners.

Since making its move into the UK market, the Swiss company has signed up the running stalwarts Andy Vernon and Chris Thompson as ambassadors, as well as dedicated club runners such as Kirsty Longley and Ben Fish.

Blackburn Harriers’ Fish features on Fast Running this year as part of the ‘Fast 10: class of 2018’ and when asked about his go-to shoe for most of his training, he said: “I’ve been using the Cloudflyer, which is a great shoe for mileage.”

On that recommendation, I put the shoes to the test and completely agree with it as being a shoe for high mileage and regular runs.

Now in its second generation, the shoe weighs in at 283g for men and 243g for women. In terms of appearance, what stands out about the Cloudflyer to other brands, is the 12 ‘clouds’ underfoot.

The cloud elements, developed with On’s Zero Gravity foam, move individually as they absorb impact with each foot-strike.

My assessment would be that the cloud elements are firm compared to highly cushioned shoes, but deliver enough cushioning for long runs, while still feeling like a lightweight performance shoe.

The fit of the shoe is comfortable and snug, while the heel is kept well in place and centred throughout a run. This is helped by the laces, which are slightly stretchy, and tie in a criss-cross fashion.

One downside about the cloud elements is that stones can become lodged underfoot if running regularly off-road, so do keep that in mind if you normally train away from the tarmac. I did not get to test the shoe in wet weather, but other reviewers have noted the grip on wet surfaces.

The Cloudflyer’s £135 RRP will put some runners off, but a good shoe that can stand up to the demands of regular long runs is worth the investment.

Bottom line

On the road, the Cloudflyer is at home and I have no complaints. The shoe is light enough to also double up as a racing shoe but other On Running alternatives include the Cloudflow or Cloud-X.

Not that it is important to every runner, but in terms of style the Cloudflyer comes in various colour combinations, such as the orange and navy pair which I tested, which allows them to double up nicely as a casual shoe well after you have logged your daily miles.

In terms of size they size up slightly small, so do try on a couple of different sizes before purchasing.

Overall, I would recommend the Cloudflyer for long distance runners, from the natural runner to those that require a bit more stability.

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The post Shoe review: running on ‘clouds’ with the On Cloudflyer appeared first on Fast Running.