Choosing On Running Shoes by Sole ShapeOfficial numbers for 12 models sorted by role

On shoes can be chosen by sorting them into 6 types: cushioning, daily training, stability, speed, race and trail. Cloudsurfer 2 for daily training, Cloudsurfer Max for long distances, Cloudboom Strike 2 for race day in the full and half. Road weights run from 191g to 311g, a 120g spread.

Choosing On shoes by "plated is better" goes wrong

Choose On shoes not by whether they have a plate but by role and the shape of the holes in the sole. The daily pair is the Cloudsurfer 2, with the plate deliberately left out.

For running shoes, the plated one is the higher model. If you are used to other makers' shelves, you want to read it that way. Open On's official pages one pair at a time and this reading does not fit.

The daily Cloudsurfer 2 is built with the Speedboard deliberately removed. The fast-training Cloudmonster 3 Hyper also intentionally leaves out the plate. This is a brand that makes removing the plate a feature of the build.

This article sorts 12 models by role for people choosing for the marathon, half and ordinary runs. Gym use and choosing for HYROX are split out in the article on choosing On shoes with HYROX in mind.

The conditions I used, and a list of the types of On's 12 models

There are 3 conditions. It must be listed as current on On's Japan official site as of Oct 13, 2026. Weight and heel-to-forefoot drop must be on the official page. And the use On states must fit one of the 6 roles.

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Of the 10 road models, the lightest is 191g and the heaviest 311g. The gap is 120g (311 − 191). Drops run from 5mm to 9mm, and differ even between siblings with the same name.

On's technology differences: what the 4 terms do

On's product pages are written with a combination of 4 terms. Get these straight first, and even when a new model comes out, you can match its role yourself.

CloudTec: the holes in the sole

CloudTec is a "structural cushioning system." It is not a foam material but the shape of the foam. The shape changes by model, building a different character of ride for each.

The official technology page gives 2 examples. The Cloudrunner widens the contact area to limit sideways wobble. The Cloudmonster uses hexagonal holes to store the force of landing and turn it into push-off. Even with the same CloudTec, the stability one and the rebound one are different things.

CloudTec Phase: holes lined up diagonally

The Phase is a version with the holes lined up diagonally, and it claims to "compress in sequence like falling dominoes." The holes collapse in turn from heel to toe. The theory is that this smooths the shift of weight from landing to push-off.

This is the mechanism I want readers to know. The Phase rolls you forward by the order in which the holes collapse, so it does not have to rely on a plate. The Cloudsurfer 2 drops the plate as a result of combining with this shape.

Only the race Cloudboom Strike 2 has a different shape called CloudTec Sphere. Grooves placed at key points compress and extend the foam precisely. Remembering grooves, not holes, is enough.

Speedboard: a plate that flexes in the forefoot

The Speedboard is a part billed as a "plate that boosts propulsion and running efficiency." It flexes in the forefoot as you step in, stores force, and releases it at push-off. Material, shape, thickness and bend change by model.

It is the faster models that state the material. The Cloudboom Strike 2 and Cloudboom Volt are blended with carbon fiber. The Cloudflow 5 is glass-fiber-reinforced nylon and the Cloudboom Max is blended with glass fiber. The trail Cloudultra 3 is nylon blended.

Helion and Helion HF: types of foam

Helion is a "foam excelling in support and stability." It is the base for daily and stability shoes. Helion HF is an "ultra-lightweight hyper foam," with high energy return as its feature. It is used in the faster models.

Some models stack the 2. The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper has Helion HF on top and Helion below. A 2-story build with a high-rebound material on the side nearer the foot and a stable material on the ground side.

The pick for each role (how to choose On)

Daily training: Cloudsurfer 2

Why this one. It is the lightest of the 3 daily shoes at 261g, 34g lighter than the Cloudmonster 3 (295 − 261). With the plate removed and rolling by the Phase holes alone, the "gentle, natural feel" tagline and the content match.

The watch-out is that the 9mm drop is the largest of the 12 models. For people used to shoes with a small drop, the heel will feel high. The category is "daily running," and it fits to split fast training off to a separate pair.

The next generation Cloudsurfer 3 changes the foam to Surreal and, by On's calculation, is 15.5% softer. How to decide between buying the 2 or waiting is in the Cloudsurfer 3 review.

Cushioning (long distances): Cloudsurfer Max

Why this one. Of the 12 models, it is the only one that stacks the Phase in 2 layers. It claims "maximum-class cushioning" and puts "ideal for long-distance runs" in its feature field. With the rows of holes in 2 tiers, top and bottom, the sink-in range grows.

The watch-out is weight. At 292g it is 31g heavier than the Cloudsurfer 2. Someone who only runs short a few times a week will not use the weight of the 2 layers. It is a shoe for people who have days of long, slow distance.

Stability: Cloudrunner 3

Why this one. Of the 12 models, the only road training shoes whose official support field says "stability" are in the Cloudrunner line. A heel clip with different shapes left and right, taller side walls and a wide contact area. 3 parts stack up to limit sideways wobble.

The watch-out is that at 311g it is the heaviest of the 10 road shoes. It is not a shoe for people who want lightness. If you do not feel your foot drifting in or out on landing, the Cloudsurfer 2 saves you 50g (311 − 261).

Speed: Cloudmonster 3 Hyper

Why this one. Excluding race shoes, it is the lightest of the 12 models at 253g. It is billed as a "super trainer ideal for long-distance runs and tempo runs." The plate was removed to "reduce strain on the legs." It is a shoe for repeating fast training without a plate.

There are 2 watch-outs. The price is the highest among training shoes. And it will feel lacking to someone who wants the plate's push. If you want a training shoe with a plate, the Cloudflow 5. The Cloudflow 5 is "designed for short and middle distance runs," so it fits better for short, fast training.

Race: Cloudboom Strike 2

Why this one. At 191g it is the lightest of the 12 models. It is billed as "co-developed with athletes for the marathon and half marathon." A grooved CloudTec Sphere and a plate blended with carbon fiber. A pair for days you chase time in the full and half.

The watch-out is price, the highest of the 12 models. And it is not a race shoe for everyone. The Cloudboom Max's feature is "for those aiming for Sub-4.5 in the full marathon." If your target is around 4:30, the Max is the one that fits.

The LightSpray version without laces is 158g, a further 33g lighter (191 − 158). Which feet suit a shoe you cannot retighten with laces is written out in the LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 review.

Trail: Cloudvista 3

Why this one. It is billed as "a particularly versatile model among trail running shoes" and "ideal for courses up to 40km." Because it states the distance ceiling in a number, it is easy to apply to your own race. The sole rubber is Missiongrip, with lug shape and direction tuned.

The watch-out is races over 40km. Beyond that is the role of the Cloudultra 3, made "for ultra-distance races." The Cloudultra 3 has 2 layers of Helion HF and a nylon-blended plate, and the weight differs by only 3g (298 − 295).

Writing out the differences between sibling models in numbers

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The 3 Cloudsurfers

Same name, different drop. The 2 is 9mm; the Max and Next are 6mm. With the 2 as the baseline, that is a third less (3 ÷ 9). Checking your current shoe's drop first and choosing the closer one is the order that is hard to get wrong.

The Next is the lighter-feeling version of a "silhouette inspired by On's top race shoe." It is the cheapest of the 3 and has a forefoot that rises up. If you choose by softness, the 2 or Max; if you also have days you raise the tempo, the Next. Buying the Next as a shoe for long, slow running mismatches its role.

The Cloudmonster 3 and the Hyper

The Cloudmonster 3 has a plate and the Hyper does not. It is an unusual sibling pair in which the higher version has no plate. The Hyper drops the plate, swaps the layer nearer the foot to Helion HF, and is 42g lighter. As a share, about 14% (42 ÷ 295).

Someone centered on daily jogs who wants the plate's push gets the Cloudmonster 3. Someone with fast or long days 1 or 2 times a week gets the Hyper. A jogger-only who picks the Hyper cannot use up the price paid for lightness and rebound.

The 3 Cloudbooms

The official distinctions are by distance and goal. The Volt is "10km speed work to the half marathon." The Strike 2 is "marathon and half marathon." The Max is "ideal for marathon training," aimed at those going for Sub-4.5. Of the 3, only the Max has "stability" in the support field.

The gap between the Max and Strike 2 is 105g per foot. Assume running the full marathon at 1m per step, and it is 42,195 steps, about 21,100 per foot (42,195 ÷ 2). With 105g × 21,100, the total weight each foot lifts differs by about 2,215kg. Lightness is the Strike 2; stability and the 8mm drop are the Max. For someone running well past 4 hours, choosing the Strike 2 on lightness alone goes against the official distinctions.

Someone who only enters up to the half is fine with the Volt. The gap from the Strike 2 is 19g, about 9% (19 ÷ 210).

Price per 1g shows what you are paying for

The lighter the shoe, the higher the price per gram. The Strike 2 is about 3.1 times the Cloudrunner 3 (184 ÷ 60). On's prices attach to the weight removed.

That is why, for training, seeking too much lightness makes it costly. Pick daily shoes from the 2 pairs at JPY 60 to 80 per gram, and pay for lightness only on the 1 race-day pair. That split fits the numbers best.

Once the shoes are decided, you can choose clothes for rainy days and cold mornings in the article on On running apparel.

Who is it for?

On's 12 models have clearly separated roles. If the role you need is already covered by your current shoes, wearing them out first is still in time.

If you want to check thickness in numbers before buying, reading alongside the table of a maker that publishes thickness gets you to a decision faster (comparison of the PUMA Deviate Nitro).

FAQ

Which On shoe is best as a beginner's first pair?

The Cloudsurfer 2. At 261g it is the lightest of the 3 daily shoes, and its official category is "daily running." If a 9mm drop feels high to you, choose the 6mm Cloudsurfer Next or Max.

Can I still buy the On Cloudeclipse, Cloudflyer and Cloudsurfer Trail?

I could not find them on the Japan official site. These 3 were not in the men's list (road and trail) on Oct 13, 2026. The same goes for the Cloudboom Echo and Cloudboom Zone. The trail list had the Cloudvista 3, Cloudultra 3, Cloudultra Pro and Cloudsoma. Rakuten stores may still have the previous generation, so choose by the generation in the product name.

Do On shoes come in wide or waterproof?

Yes. The official list has the Cloudmonster 3 Wide and the Cloudsurfer Max Wide. The price shown was the same as the regular width for both. For waterproof, the Cloudrunner 3 Waterproof is JPY 23,100, JPY 4,400 more than the regular Cloudrunner 3 (23,100 − 18,700).

How do the original Cloudmonster and the Cloudmonster 3 differ?

The price gap is JPY 1,100, and the 3 has a 3-layer CloudTec and a rebuilt plate. The original is still current too. In the official road list, the Cloudmonster with no number sat next to the Cloudmonster 3 at JPY 23,100. With so small a gap, I pick the 3.

Gear in this article

Ads and images: Rakuten Ichiba

On CloudsurferOn Cloudsurfer MaxOn Cloudrunner (check the generation by product name)On Cloudmonster Hyper (check the generation by product name)On Cloudflow (check the generation by product name)On Cloudboom Strike (check the generation by product name)On Cloudvista (check the generation by product name)On Cloudmonster (check the generation by product name)

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