On's LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 is a strong buy for race day in the full and half marathon, if your feet are fine without retying laces. The deciding point is its 158 g, 33 g lighter than the laced Strike 2 on the same midsole. Released Jul 30, 2026, JPY 44,000, 5 mm drop.
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
If your feet are fine without retying the laces, this is all the race-day shoe you need. Take off the price of the included socks and the gap from the Strike 2 is JPY 3,850. For 33 g less, that's about JPY 117 per gram, and you get the lightest racing shoe On makes.
Key points
- 33 g lighter than the laced Strike 2 (191 − 158). The gap is about 17%
- The JPY 44,000 price includes socks that sell separately for JPY 4,950. Subtract them and the gap from the Strike 2 is JPY 3,850
- The original Cloudboom Strike LS is 170 g. Generation 2 is 12 g lighter, and the Japan price is the same JPY 44,000
How good is the On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2?
If your feet are fine without retying the laces, this is the race-day buy. At 158 g, it's 33 g lighter than the laced Strike 2 on the same midsole. Released Jul 30, 2026, JPY 44,000.
If you retie your laces on race morning, you have no way to do it here. The laced version is covered in the Cloudboom Strike 2 article.
When does the LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 come out? Official figures
| Item | Official numbers |
|---|---|
| Release date | Jul 30, 2026 |
| Price | JPY 44,000 (incl. tax) |
| US price | $310 / €320 |
| Weight | 158 g (per shoe) |
| Drop | 5mm |
| Width | 1 width (regular) |
| Sizes | 22.0–31.5 cm (unisex, 21 sizes) |
| Plate | Yes (carbon fiber blend) |
| Laces | None |
| Included | Elite Run Sock High Hyper (socks) |
The official Japan site classifies it as a racing shoe for the marathon and half marathon. Under its character entries, cushioning was "high," rebound "high," and stability "medium."
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 157,800 (as of 10/14), ranging up to JPY 249,800 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaHow it differs from the original Cloudboom Strike LS: what changed from the last generation
It's 12 g lighter, and the Japan price is unchanged. The previous generation was the Cloudboom Strike LS, released in limited quantities in Oct 2024.
| Item | Original Strike LS | LS Strike 2 | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 170g | 158g | −12g |
| Japan price | JPY 44,000 | JPY 44,000 | JPY 0 |
| How it's sold | Limited quantities, some shops | on.com and some retailers | — |
The 12 g saving is about 7.1% (12 ÷ 170). On says the new Helion HF is 15% lighter than the original Strike's, and the plate is lighter and stiffer.
A mechanism worth knowing: a sole that bends at its grooves
The sole is a CloudTec Sphere design, with thin grooves in the forefoot and midfoot. The foam compresses and expands precisely at these grooves, so cushioning and rebound last longer.
How it differs from the Cloudboom Strike 2 and Volt
If you pick a LightSpray for race day, the Strike 2 is the only choice. The figures are lined up from the official Japan site.
Scroll the table sideways →
| Model | Weight | Drop | Laces | Official price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 | 158g | 5mm | None | JPY 44,000 |
| Cloudboom Strike 2 | 191g | 5mm | Yes | JPY 35,200 |
| Cloudboom Volt | 210g | 5mm | Yes | JPY 26,400 |
| LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper | 205g | 6mm | None | JPY 35,200 |
How it differs from the laced Strike 2
The midsole is the same, and only the upper is different. The weight gap is 33 g (191 − 158), about 17% (33 ÷ 191).
The price gap is JPY 8,800. But the LightSpray version comes with socks that sell separately for JPY 4,950. The extra for the shoe alone is JPY 3,850 (8,800 − 4,950), or about JPY 117 per gram (3,850 ÷ 33).
The included socks are racing socks with added cushioning at the toe and heel. Their build is covered in our Elite Run Sock High Hyper article.
What decides it is foot shape. A laced shoe can be tightened to your instep, but the LightSpray version can't be adjusted if it doesn't fit.
How it differs from the Cloudboom Volt
If race day is up to the half marathon, the Volt is enough. It's 52 g heavier than the LightSpray version, and JPY 17,600 cheaper (44,000 − 26,400). The Volt is a shoe for use "from 10K speed workouts."
How it differs from the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
It has the same sprayed-on upper, but this one is for training. Its heel is 45 mm, and On itself writes that it exceeds the 40 mm race limit.
- Feet that don't need retying, and the lightest race-day pair → LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2
- You want to adjust tightness for instep height or swelling → Cloudboom Strike 2
- Race day up to the half, also used for fast workouts → Cloudboom Volt
What I like
First is lightness. It's another 33 g lighter than the Strike 2, the lightest of On's laced racing shoes.
Second, where the lightness comes from is clear. In the original's announcement, the upper alone was 30 g. It's a one-piece build with no seams and no glue.
Third, there's evidence for speed. On says a University of Cape Town study found running economy (the body's fuel efficiency at the same speed) was 1.6% better.
Fourth, the cushioning wasn't cut. Despite being light, the official Japan entries say cushioning "high" and rebound "high." On explains that the sole supports endurance and speed over long distances.
No. 5 is the price. It stays at the same JPY 44,000 as the original's new colors, and it got 12 g lighter.
Things to watch
First, you can't retighten it. There are no laces, and there's only 1 width. If you have a high instep or your feet swell late in a race, you can't decide without trying it.
Second, the limited-edition color. On the official Japan site it can't be exchanged, only returned.
Third, how you use it. The tech sheet lists its use as race day only. It isn't a training shoe.
Who is it for?
- You want a race-day shoe for chasing a time in the full or half
- In your everyday shoes, you almost never retighten the laces
- The Strike 2 midsole suits you, and you want more lightness
If you have a high instep or your feet swell late in a run, the laced Strike 2 suits you better. If race day is up to the half, the Volt; leave training to another pair.
At 500 km a month, training shoes get swapped out many times over. That's why, for the race-day pair only, I weigh "do I not need to retighten on the day" as heavily as lightness. This is a pair for people who are confident about that.
Price and where to buy
| Shoe | Official price | Rakuten price range |
|---|---|---|
| LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 | JPY 44,000 | JPY 157,800–249,800 |
| Cloudboom Strike 2 | JPY 35,200 | — |
| Cloudboom Volt | JPY 26,400 | JPY 26,400–50,800 |
If you're unsure about size, buying from the official Japan site is the safe option. Unused within 30 days, it can be returned without shipping charges. A limited edition, though, can only be returned, not exchanged.
On Rakuten, check that the product name has both "LightSpray" and "2". The laced Strike 2 and the original Strike LS show up in the same search. On's other 2026 releases are in the On 2026 new releases article.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 157,800 (as of 10/14), ranging up to JPY 249,800 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaFAQ
How does the LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 fit?
True to size. The width is narrow, wrapping the toes snugly. My foot is 25.0 cm, so I'd pick 25.0 cm.
Sizes run 22.0 to 31.5 cm, unisex, in 0.5 cm steps, in 1 width. Try it on in the evening with your usual socks.
What's the difference between the LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 and the Cloudboom Strike 2?
The midsole is the same, and the difference is the upper. The LightSpray version has no laces and is 33 g lighter at 158 g. It costs JPY 8,800 more and comes with socks.
When does the LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 come out?
It released on Jul 30, 2026. It's sold at on.com and some retailers. The previous generation, the Cloudboom Strike LS, started in limited quantities in Oct 2024.
Gear in this article
Ads and images: Rakuten Ichiba
Sources
- On official Japan site: LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2
- On tech sheet: LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 (FW26)
- On announcement (Jun 26, 2026): Cloudboom Strike 2 and LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2
- On announcement (Jul 15, 2024): LightSpray
- On announcement (Oct 25, 2024): Cloudboom Strike LS
- On Japan announcement: new colors of the Cloudboom Strike LS (2025)
- On announcement (Apr 2025): Cloudboom Strike LS White | Lime
- RunRepeat: On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 (width measurement and sizing)
