In this On Cloudboom Volt review, we take a first look at On Running’s latest carbon-plated race day shoe. Built with Helion HF superfoam, a full-length Speedboard, and a 39/34mm stack, the Cloudboom Volt promises speed from 10K to half marathon — and maybe beyond. But is it a true short-distance racer, a viable marathon option, or a carbon shoe caught somewhere in between?

Technical Specifications

Stack Height: 39/34mm
Heel-to-Toe Drop: 5mm
Midsole: Dual-layer Helion HF
Plate?: Yes (Speedboard)
Weight: 210g

How I Landed on the On Cloudboom Volt

I may be in training for Ultra Trail Snowdonia, but with 12 weeks until the race, the focus of late has been on building some speed. Partly because the higher my lactate threshold, the easier the relatively relaxed pace of a mountain ultra will feel. Or so I hope. But beyond the need for adaptation, running fast just helps keep training varied and interesting.

Having spent most of the previous year getting muddy on the trails, I didn’t actually have a dedicated speed option in my rotation. Sacrilege for a shoe reviewer, I’m sure. so spent a while assessing what was available. As you may have seen, I recently published a roundup of the best carbon plated racing shoes under £140. There’s an unreal amount of choice out there at the moment, all for less than the price of an average daily trainer. But then I came across a new release. Something I’d heard absolutely nothing about. The seemingly review-less On Cloudboom Volt.

On, or On Running, have always been somewhat of a divisive brand in the space, thanks largely to CloudTec. Even if you’ve never heard of the technology, you’ll know what I’m talking about. It’s the name given by On to the “clouds” (holes) in their midsoles that are supposed to help absorb impact and reduce strain. They’re largely considered to be something of a gimmick, and this has ruffled a few feathers in the running community. Personally, I’ve never felt that offended by On’s “innovation.” CloudTec might not be as beneficial as the marketing lets on, but that doesn’t mean On’s running shoes are bad. In fact, my experience with On has been quite positive. A couple of years back, the Cloudeclipse was one of my favourite daily trainers. The midsole was a pleasure to run in, and the upper felt a cut above the rest. So, while many reviewers seem to be ignoring On’s latest release to the race day market, I was quite keen to see what On had to offer with the Cloudboom Volt.

Dual Helion HF & Speedboard Midsole

As you might expect, the Cloudboom Volt packs a dual-layer of On’s performance-oriented hyperfoam — Helion HF — in tandem with a full-length carbon Speedboard (plate).

For my first outing, I went with a structured tempo:

• 15 minutes easy at 5:46/km
• 3 × 5 minutes at 4:28/km with 1-minute easy recovery
• 10-minute cooldown

The first thing you notice is the midsole’s firmness. Before you run off, this is far from being “concrete slab” firm. It’s still a perfectly comfortable shoe. But with the 39/34mm stack height, you’d be forgiven for expecting yet-another cushy marathon cruiser.

The dual Helion HF midsole provides rebound, but it’s measured. There’s no exaggerated trampoline effect. It doesn’t provide the cartoonish bounce of many modern racers. Instead, the slightly firmer foam and Speedboard, in tandem with the rocker and low 5mm drop, work together to encourage efficient transitions. The result is a smoother, more rolling feel than the pogo-stick pop we’ve become accustomed to. In many ways, the Volt brings things closer to the feeling of an old racing flat, just with significantly more foam underfoot.

Upper

I’ve always found On’s uppers to be of high quality, true to the ‘Swiss Engineering’ plastered on the side of all On Running shoes. The Volt is no different. It’s a lightweight engineered mesh that isn’t flimsy, maintains its structure, and doesn’t feel overly plasticky. It packs more protection than I’d expect from a lightweight racer, particularly in areas susceptible to blistering (like the heel). Lockdown is good. They’re not as tight or narrow as many of the race fits I’ve tried (and I have narrow feet), but the upper still wraps the foot nicely and feels secure.

Carbon Plated Shoe With an Identity Crisis?

If I have one complaint about the Cloudboom Volt, it’s that it — and On — don’t seem entirely sure of where the shoe belongs in their lineup. Even On’s description, “Fast 10K, half-marathon, further? Not a problem”, reads as though they’re not prepared to commit to what this shoe is or what it’s been designed for. That seems further reflected in both the specs and design language. The 39/34mm stack is certainly sufficient for up to the marathon distance, yet whether it works there will depend on a number of factors like pace and your preference of midsole hardness. Then there’s the upper. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a great, typical-of-On upper. Well-made, comfortable, durable, and lightweight. But it, like the rest of the shoe, seems stuck in two minds. There’s significantly more cushioning to it — particularly around the heel — than you’d typically find in a dedicated short distance racer (think Adidas Takumi Sen). You can’t help but wonder why, if this is On’s lightweight half-marathon and below racer, they didn’t opt to save weight here. Similarly to the midsole, the upper kind of teases that you can, should you choose to, take this the full distance. Even the pricing seems confused. Retailing at £190, it’s “cheap” for a super shoe, and even cheaper for one stamped with On branding. For example, the LightSpray edition of the Cloudboom Strike — On’s explicitly dedicated marathon shoe — will set you back a whopping £310. And the Cloudsurfer Max — On’s max-cushion replacement for the Cloudeclipse — a shoe that’s far more basic than the Volt, will only cost you a tenner less at £180. I mean, I remember the Cloudmonster Hyper, On’s “super trainer”, releasing for £210 — and that contained only a slither of Helion HF.

Maybe I’ve become too accustomed to the relative simplicity of trail shoes, but to me, the Cloudboom Volt just doesn’t quite make sense. That doesn’t make it a bad shoe, but it does make it harder to pick over the competition.

Early Final Thoughts

While it’s early days, I’ve enjoyed the Cloudboom Volt so far. They feel different from other race day shoes I’ve tried. Not necessarily better. Nor worse. Just… different.

From my initial testing, I can see the Cloudboom Volt occupying the spot of interval training shoe. And, with a little more experience, it could become my half-marathon racer. While the midsole is firmer than many of today’s race day options, that isn’t my concern. In isolation, the Helion HF foam feels protective, comfortable, and more than plush enough to go well beyond the half-marathon distance. However, combined with the more aggressive position that the lower drop, rocker, and snappy carbon Speedboard puts you in, the result is a shoe that’s less forgiving of form breakdown.

In other words, it’s a shoe that rewards good mechanics.

For experienced runners who’ve developed infallible form even late into races, particularly those of you who’ve become tired of the vertically-propelling super shoes that tend to dominate the space, the Cloudboom Volt will feel like a breath of fresh air.

I’m not afraid to admit that I’m not quite at the level that I think this shoe demands. There are elements of it that I adore, and that work in my favour — such as the low drop — but that, in tandem with its other features, expose weaknesses in my stride. It’s a shoe that helps you realise there are levels to this game.

For now, I’ll likely use the Cloudboom Volt as an interval-specific trainer, in the hope that with time, I’ll develop the necessary mechanics to be able to take it much further. While it’s not what I intended to use the Volt for, it perhaps goes some way to explaining why On are seemingly hesitant to clearly establish where the Cloudboom Volt sits in its lineup. At £160 (with the Gritty Runners x SportsShoe subscriber discount code), there are plenty of race day shoes that would likely better suit my current abilities (such as those listed here). Still, for a running shoe that can serve so many different use cases — and one that will surely help develop skill in the sport — I think it’s a pretty good deal.

Who Should Buy the Cloudboom Volt?

Despite its slightly confused positioning, there are very clear reasons to pick the Cloudboom Volt.

First, if you’re tired of the trampoline-on-stilts sensation typical of the majority of super shoes, the Volt will feel refreshingly controlled. It leans closer to an old-school racing flat in attitude, just with a modern stack underneath. Transitions are smooth and turnover feels quick rather than artificially spring-loaded.

Then there’s the drop. In a world where 8mm dominates the race day space, the Volt’s 5mm heel-to-toe drop feels refreshing. It puts you in a more aggressive, midfoot- to forefoot-friendly position and rewards good mechanics. If you like feeling engaged with the road rather than perched on top of it, this will appeal.

And finally, firmness. If you’re the type of runner who prefers a slightly firmer midsole, you’ve probably felt a bit abandoned in recent years. The market’s been obsessed with soft, sinking, high-rebound foam — great if you like bounce, less so if you want stability at speed. The Volt’s Helion HF midsole offers a genuine alternative, and it’s for that runner that On’s quiet “further?” starts to feel less like indecision.

It isn’t mushy. It feels stable when you’re moving well. But it’s not harsh either. From memory, it’s softer than something like the original Endorphin Elite — controlled rather than punishing. My own preference leans toward softer midsoles, and even so, I’ve found the Volt more than comfortable enough at tempo pace.

Alternatives?

If the Cloudboom Volt doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, there are innumerable alternatives. We recommend having a look through our roundup of carbon plated race day shoes for under £140. The Hoka Cielo X1 2.0, Vaporfly 4, and Streakfly 2 are all perfectly suited to the space we think the Volt is trying to fill.

Additionally, we recently tested and reviewed the Puma Nitro Elite 4. It’s softer than the Cloudboom Volt, similarly priced, but feels both more accessible and, in fact, more versatile.

Alternatively, something like the Adidas Takumi Sen 11, a proven shorter distance racer, can be found at various prices depending on your size!

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