If you’re looking for a marathon racer that feels genuinely fast but also a bit unconventional compared to the typical carbon-plated shoes, the On Cloudboom Strike has a lot to offer.
I’ve been testing them over a range of paces and efforts, and they’ve left a strong impression; mostly for good reasons, with just a couple of quirks you’ll want to know about before you hit that buy button.
Key specifications
- Price: $280 at On.com
- Weight: 7.1 oz (201g) US Men’s 9
- Drop & stack height: 4mm drop (39.5mm heel / 35.5mm forefoot)
- Upper: One-piece, semi-transparent mesh with internal cage construction
- Midsole: Helion™ HF hyper foam with removable Bounceboard layer
- Outsole: Strategically placed CloudTec elements
- Extra attributes: Spoon-shaped 100% carbon Speedboard, abrasion-resistant mesh, highly-cushioned ride
Sizing and fit
I’d say the fit is true to size overall with an accommodatingly medium width.
The upper wraps my foot securely once I dial in the lacing, and it has that snug “race-ready” feel.
The midfoot cage does a good job locking things down, but the laces are quite long and can come undone if you don’t double-knot them or at the very least, consciously tighten as much as you can.
The blue padded areas on the inside help lock your foot in the shoe, and provide comfort, something like this needs to be at the heel too.
The heel collar feels structured but a bit stiff; so I recommend socks with a soft heel padding, and higher socks help if you’re prone to irritation around the Achilles.
Alastair Dixon
Performance review
Out on the road, the first thing I noticed was the combination of softness and bounce.
The Helion HF foam in the removeable Bounceboard layer (basically a super thick bouncy insole) feels distinctly plush for a racing shoe, with a stack height that still meets the max stack height of 40mm, required for racing regulations.
Every landing feels cushioned, and the transition through toe-off is smooth and predictable thanks to the rocker and those CloudTec cavities.
At marathon and threshold pace, the shoe feels lively without being unstable, this is going to be a massive win for many runners who prefer a balance of performance and comfort on the run, myself included.
The spoon-shaped Speedboard carbon plate does what it’s designed to do; it absorbs impact and returns a satisfying amount of energy as you roll forward.
Alastair Dixon
The midsole geometry encourages a midfoot or slight heel landing. When I’m running aggressively more toward my forefoot, I feel locked in and most confident.
If you do tend to heel strike, you'll likely notice that solid heel counter interior, pushing against your lower heel - it does soften up over time but feels like a comfort oversight on On's part.
The upper is breathable enough for most conditions, especially if you’re running in intense heat. I know this because I'm living through a Florida summer with 'feels like' temperatures of 40 deg C and high humidity - yes, I'm a beast! 😆
One quirk I ran into, excuse the pun, was a faint squeak developed under the forefoot after a few runs.
It doesn’t impact performance, and it's not crazy loud, but it’s there. I'm going to be running in these a lot more, so I'll update this review if it goes away again.
Traction has also been great so far - when I run in the wet, I'll update my review and share how the stick to concrete then. I'll also demonstrate it in my review on my YouTube Channel too.
Overall, when you pick up the pace, the Cloudboom Strike rewards you with a comfortable, springy, smooth, and responsive ride.
For me, that’s exactly what I want in a race-day shoe; a carbon plated shoe that feels fast but still protects my legs from pounding over 26.2 miles.
Alastair Dixon
My verdict
If you’re an experienced runner who wants something a little different from the usual carbon plate options, the Cloudboom Strike is worth a look.
It’s extremely light, very cushioned, and has a distinct underfoot feel that stands apart.
For marathon racing or fast long tempo and speed workouts, it’s earned a spot in my rotation. Just be prepared to fine-tune the fit and maybe break them in gently to avoid heel irritation. You can pick up a pair today for $280 at On.com.
