This week I’m reviewing the On Cloudeclipse, which On describes as their “softest, max-cushioned running shoe.” For those unaware, On are a performance shoe and apparel brand born in the heart of the Swiss Alps. Established in 2010, On have amassed a large following, renowned for their innovative and distinctive CloudTec technology. They’re also one of the most polarising brands in the sport, with many runners relegating On to the division of lifestyle brand as opposed to serious contender in the space. To see whether this sentiment was warranted, I decided, much to the dismay of my bank balance, to purchase and review the On Cloudeclipse.

Overview of On Running

On running shoes (or On Clouds, as many call the brand) are, by comparison to others in the space, a brand in its infancy. Established in 2010 in the Swiss-Alps, On rocked the running world with the advent of CloudTec, the company’s proprietary technology purportedly created “for soft landings and powerful take offs”, and a promise to make “every step effortless.”

While their unmistakeable midsole differentiates On from the competition, the question is whether this differentiation is any good?

I’ve frequently seen criticisms of On, primarily that in contrast to the soft landings promised by CloudTec, On’s running shoes typically feature a midsole considered firm by today’s standards. What’s more, because of the somewhat whacky and unique design of the midsole, there’s been considerable adoption by “non-runners”, leading some to question the brand’s legitimacy as a serious contender in the running world.

As a result of these criticisms and as someone typically favouring a softer ride, I’ve always been hesitant to try the brand. But as you’re reading this review of the On Cloudeclipse, curiosity clearly got the better of me.

Technical Specification

Heel-to-toe drop: 6mm (37mm heel, 31mm forefoot)
Weight: 275g (9.7 oz) in UK 8.5 (US 9.5)
Sustainability: 70% recycled materials in the upper. Dope dyed (uses 90% less water than traditional dyeing techniques). 24% total recycled material.

First Impressions Of The On Cloudeclipse

If there’s something the crowds typically agree on about On running shoes, it’s that they look damn good. I’ll be honest, I’ve never really been fully on the side of the masses here. But the On Cloudeclipse did strike a chord, particularly the ‘Flame / Ivory’ colourway. If you think this shoe looks beautiful online, trust me, it’s even better in person. The colours are really striking and, like many characteristics of On, they’re a departure from those typically used by others in the industry.

As an added bonus, On utilise a dope dyeing process which uses 90% less water than traditional dyeing techniques. Sure, On aren’t about to reverse global warming by doing so, but it’s certainly a step in the right direction.

When I received the Cloudeclipse, I was unfortunately nursing a meniscus injury, meaning I was out the game for some time (thankfully, not as long as I expected). But that wasn’t going to stop me from trying on the Cloudeclipse for a wander around the house, which is exactly what I did. Multiple times.

How Comfortable Are The On Cloudeclipse?

If there’s one thing the On Cloudeclipse does extremely well, it’s comfort. If you’re searching for a maximal daily trainer to be used on long runs, comfort is, in my opinion, something all manufacturers should focus on as a matter of priority. The lightweight, engineered mesh upper moulds to the foot. Unlike other maximal trainers, such as the Nike Invincible 3 which has a relatively rigid “crusty sock” like upper, the Cloudeclipse is extremely soft and breathable. This is bolstered by the absence of TPU/Plastic overlays, something which is extremely noticeable (and uncomfortable) in shoes like the Nike Invincible 3. Instead, On opted for strategic, functional embroidered support – and you can really feel the difference. Oh, and these support areas are made using recycled yarn. Another tick for On’s efforts at creating a more environmentally friendly shoe.

What’s more, while I don’t personally need to tighten the laces excessively (read: painfully) to achieve a good lock-in (or use a runner’s knot), if you’re someone who does, in testing I’ve found the soft built-in tongue, which, albeit thin, helps to lock your feet in place, ensuring no lace bite. In other words, you can dial in the fit to suit without it being uncomfortable.

Honestly, if I were to rank the Cloudeclipse against other trainers I own, it’s undoubtedly top three in the comfort department, if not sitting in first place. As I mentioned above, I wore these around the house on numerous occasions. That’s because I was so impressed with the comfort, I just wanted to keep putting them on my feet. Sad? Perhaps. But I don’t care one bit. If you find a shoe to be extremely comfortable, you’re more likely to get the sessions in.

How’s The Midsole Of The Cloudeclipse?

From what I’ve seen and read online, there’s significant preference for soft midsoles. Don’t get me wrong, I love a shoe that’s extremely soft, too. But I also think shoes can be too soft, particularly in the absence of TPU or carbon plates. Take for example the New Balance 1080 V13 or even the New Balance Rebel V4. Both shoes have received glowing reviews (and I’ll probably receive some hate for this comment), primarily due to the softness of their midsole compounds. Personally, I think they’re far too soft and therefore offer very little in the way of energy return. If I were a heavier individual, I’d put my perspective of “too soft” down to personal factors. But, on the contrary, I’m quite light.

The On Cloudeclipse features two layers of CloudTech phase, updated to collapse sequentially. On the bottom, there’s On’s Helion Superfoam which helps to absorb impact. While it’s not the softest shoe on the market, I’d describe the midsole of the Cloudeclipse akin to Goldilocks’ porridge. It’s not super soft, but it’s not firm either. It sits somewhere in-between, which is exactly what I wanted from this shoe.

When a company’s slogan is “running On clouds”, it’s easy to see why consumers expect On’s midsoles to be extremely soft. But, if you ignore the marketing, you’ll see On are simply doing what every other successful manufacturer does – accommodating for a wide audience. Not everybody wants a tall, soft, max-cushioned shoe, as evidenced by the animosity towards shoes such as the Kinvara 14 which makes a significant departure from the traditional DNA of the Kinvara. It’s not as though On are incapable of making a super soft shoe, as evidenced by the On Cloudsurfer.

I’ve been running in the Cloudeclipse as I recover from a meniscus injury, so the fact that my knee feels comfortable, supported, and protected in the Cloudeclipse is a big win. My injury hasn’t worsened despite an increase in mileage. If anything, it’s improved substantially. I’m of course not saying that the Cloudeclipse has magical healing properties, but its maximally cushioned nature has ensured I can keep pounding the pavements irrespective of injury (though do consult your health professionals first).

How’s The Outsole Of The Cloudeclipse?

I’ve logged around 60KMs (or 37 miles) in the Cloudeclipse in a relatively short space of time. While this is perhaps inadequate to comment on the durability of the Cloudeclipse, the outsole shows absolutely no signs of wear (as you’d expect). I’m confident that this is a shoe made to last.

While I can’t afford to purchase shoes jus to cut them in half (and I don’t think I would, even if I could), our friends over at RunRepeat have done some rigorous testing on the Cloudeclipse’s outsole with positive results.

As the testers note, “to see if the high outsole hardness does its job, we fired up the Dremel one last time, this time at 10K RPM with the same 3.2N of force … we measured an impressively small indentation of only 0.5 mm, confirming the outsole’s fantastic durability.”

There’s also something a little unique wedged into the outsole/midsole of the Cloudeclipse, an X-shaped Speedboard shank. Typically On’s Speedboard would play the role of harnessing kinetic energy, bending and flexing to propel you forwards. In the Cloudeclipse, the Speedboard plays a slightly different role, used as a stability element for the shoe’s maximal stack. I’ve not had any issues where stability is concerned, nor can I feel any rigidity from the plate which, in traditionally plated shoes, would often aggravate my plantar. So far, it’s been an absolute gem for keeping my feet fit, healthy, and injury free.

How Does The Cloudeclipse Perform?

So far, I’ve used the Cloudeclipse for easy and recovery miles, but I’ve also put it to the test on longer runs with segments at half-marathon and even 10K pace. Interestingly, the shoes felt comfortable and competent across all paces, something you don’t typically experience in other maximally cushioned shoes.

For example, when compared to others in this segment, such as the New Balance More V5 and the Nike Invincible 3, the Cloudeclipse is undoubtedly the quicker shoe. Personally, I think this is down to On’s decision to opt for that in-between soft and firm midsole. Sure, the other shoes are softer, and a soft maximally cushioned shoe might be good at protecting your legs. But the trade-off is that they can’t be used for much more than recovery miles. The On Cloudeclipse, on the other hand, excels as a recovery shoe, but has enough pep in its step to be used for everyday miles as a daily trainer.

And that’s exactly how I intend to use the Cloudeclipse, rotating only when I need a significantly faster shoe for workouts that demand a little more, such as intervals. While it’s not quite at the level of the so-called “super trainer” level, it’s not far off either.

Price Of On Running Shoes

The On Cloudeclipse retails for £170, though a quick Google search reveals a number of deals for around £150 here in the UK. In fact, they’re available right now (June, 2025) for £135, which really is a steal for this trainer.

While a substantial amount of money at retail, I’d like to put that into perspective in today’s market where shoe prices seem to be getting out of hand. The Saucony Triumph 22, for example, just released for £170 and seems to share many characteristics of the On Cloudeclipse.

Alternatively, you could pick up a pair of the Nike Invincible 3 for £174.99. While the I3 does have an impressive amount of that squishy Zoom X foam we all love, it doesn’t really have much else going for it. Sure, it’s a protective shoe perfect for recovery days, but it also features a rigid upper that has the potential to rub at the ankles, is frequently cited as an ill-fitting shoe around the heel, and offers very little in terms of energy return. What’s more, it feels extremely clunky. The Cloudeclipse is, in my opinion, a far better option.

At the discounted price I paid (£144.50), I’m really happy with the Cloudeclipse. It’s comparable in price to something like the Brooks Ghost Max (£140) or the New Balance More V4 (also £140), but is significantly more versatile shoe than either of those.

Whether I’d pay full retail for the Cloudeclipse depends on a number of questions I can’t yet answer. If the shoe is as durable as tests indicate, and if the ride remains consistent throughout, then yes, I absolutely do think it’s worth full retail.

But, and there is a but, at full retail the Cloudeclipse is approximately £25 less than something like the ASICS Superblast. While that’s not a nothing difference, the Superblast is renowned for its ability to perform well irrespective of the type of workout you throw at it. And when you lace up the Superblast after wearing the Cloudeclipse, it feels in another league.

While a fantastic shoe, I don’t think the Cloudeclipse comes close to competing with the Superblast. Of course, it’s not aimed at that market, either. This is more likely the intention of the Cloudmonster Hyper, reflected in its £210 price tag. Nonetheless, when you consider the similarity in prices between the Cloudeclipse and the Superblast, I have to say that it would likely be smarter to save the extra and go for the latter. But, if you’re able to pick up the Cloudeclipse for around the £140-150 mark, I’d say it’s money well spent.

Conclusion and Recommendations

First things first, I love the On Cloudeclipse. I haven’t been paid by On to say that (I wish I had), and the shoes were purchased, as always, with my own money (receipt available for anyone who cares). The Cloudeclipse is a different shoe with its own personality. It strives to stand out in an industry engrossed in a quest to find and utilise the softest foams, instead striking a perfect balance through its amalgamation of soft and firm elements. Its rockered design in tandem with the double layer of CloudTec and bottom layer of Helion helps ensure smooth turnover, and is a joy to run in. I have a number (far too many) of running shoes, and more often than not find myself reaching for the comfort of the Cloudeclipse.

If you’re able to pick up the Cloudeclipse for a discount like I did, it sits inline with the daily trainer segment and is comparable in price to shoes such as the Saucony Ride 18 (£130), or Hoka Clifton 10 (£140). At this price, it represents excellent value for money.

As an aside, I think one of the issues that On and others in the industry have, is that they’re increasingly using so-called super foams in daily trainers. By doing so, consumers understandably expect their daily trainers to offer some of the special, propulsive elements of those foams.

But as we’ve seen with the Saucony Triumph 22, super foams can be re-engineered and reformulated to serve other purposes. From a business perspective, this makes total sense. If the same foams are being used across models, companies are likely to see a reduction in the price of production as they gain economies of scale. But these cost-savings are not being passed down to the consumer. Instead, daily trainers are being sold at a premium.

Perhaps this is an effort to avoid devaluing their race-day shoes containing the same foam. Personally, I think the price should reflect the purpose. £170 for an easy mileage shoe is a lot of money, particularly under current economic circumstances. It’s easy to understand why shoes such as the Triumph 22 are receiving negative reviews when they’ve been marketed under the pretence of utilising Saucony’s premium foam. It might start off as the same foam, but when you reformulate it to do something else, is it really still the same?

In sum, though, I highly recommend the On Cloudeclipse if you can find it at a reasonable discount. I’m not going to make recommendations for specific gaits or foot strikes as firstly I don’t have the requisite knowledge to do so; and secondly, according to another reviewer, this shoe shouldn’t work for me!

What I will say is, if you’re on the fence about On’s running shoes due to something you’ve read online, it’s highly worth trying them out for yourself. Despite consistently bad reviews in online forums, the Cloudeclipse is quickly becoming one of my favourite shoes. I guess the message is, don’t believe everything you read online.

If you’ve stuck around long enough, thanks for reading my review of the On Cloudeclipse. And, for making it this far, here’s a 15% discount code for all SS25 products on sportsshoes.com! Just follow any of the links in this page and enter code: Z146C8C4GME. (valid for June, 2025)

Where to Next?

Need some structure in your training? Head to our review of Runna to read our thoughts.

Not convinced by the On Cloudeclipse? Read our review of another max-stack shoe — the Puma Magmax — or one of our favourite all-rounders, the Adidas Evo SL.

Disclaimer

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