On Cloudboom Strike introduction:
Primed for Paris
In this review, we will discuss the latest racing shoe from On, the On Cloudboom Strike. This is a shoe which will be released via the On website and i-run in Europe on 11th July. The launch colorway is part of the Prism Capsule Collection which is launching for the Olympics. I personally really like the flame-like design. Later in July, the shoe will receive a wider release. Then, later this year, the Cloudboom Strike will release to the public in larger quantities and a range of colorways.
On Cloudboom Strike upper:
Interesting Advancements
Alex: First, let’s discuss the upper. Here we find a few really interesting ideas. Initially, the upper is an engineered mesh which is a one piece construction. Furthermore, the one-piece upper includes the tongue in the build. The tongue itself is fairly stretchy especially towards the front. While putting on the Cloudboom Strike, I did find some wrinkling in the material at the front of the tongue, which continued in my run. That said, it caused no issues with comfort or performance.
I found that the Cloudboom Strike ran true to size for me. Although it is a touch long, it is nowhere near as wide as other On shoes such as the Cloudmonster Hyper or the Cloudeclipse. Overall, it is a perfect race-like fit. Neither too snug nor too wide.
Additionally, there is a feature that I would really like to highlight. This would be the bolster fitted to the molded but pliable heel cup. In addition to creating a better lockdown, the material which covers them is quite clever. When pushing the foot into the shoe, the material is smooth and allows for an easy slide. On the other hand, when the foot moves upwards, the material has a sandpaper-esque texture which reduces slippage and holds the foot in place. I can’t think of another shoe which has this and I found it a smart touch to add.
Last but not least, the upper also has a small overlay of very thin material which acts as a cage. This stops the upper collapsing in on the foot. Along with this, it helps to add some volume to the toe box. Aside from working well, it also adds to the aesthetic appeal of the shoe.
On Cloudboom Strike midsole:
Alex: Now we move on to the midsole. Here we find a range of different technologies. Firstly, we find the drop-in construction. This is a piece of Helion HF foam which replaces the insole and part of what would normally be the midsole. Consequently, when this is removed, you can see the carbon fibre plate. In most race shoes, this would be sandwiched between the layers of midsole foam. However, this unique construction allows us to see inside.
Another consequence of this style of construction is that the heel and the forefoot have a greater level of decoupling. This gives the Cloudboom Strike a good amount of flexibility and torsion. Furthermore, the decoupling allows a natural feeling ride which is also inherently stable. The Helion HF foam is fairly dense and therefore adds a natural stability to the heel portion of the shoe. Another feature which is worthy of consideration is the channel which runs from heel to toe on the outsole and aligns the foot strike.
How’s The Ride?
Alex: It’s a hard ride to describe due to the addition of the drop in midsole technology which makes it unique. What I can tell you is that I felt really connected to the shoe. Moreover, I felt like I had a lot of midsole material to push on under my metatarsals and forefoot. As a midfoot striker, this shoe worked really well for me and added to the enjoyment. Therefore, I believe that the Cloudboom Strike will work really well for mid and forefoot strikers.
On claim the Cloudboom Strike has 4mm of drop from heel to toe. However, to me, it felt more like a 2mm drop and a very flat shoe. It gave me very little rocker feel and not much of a sense of a forward push. I believe that this shoe will work best for those who have a longer stride and put a lot of power through the midsole. The heel doesn’t feel unpleasant as such but it requires a faster or heavier runner to compress it to get the best out of it.
If I were to compare this to another shoe, it would be the Alphafly 3 as it gives the same sense of bouncy protectivity. The lower drop works better for those with a longer stride who use more of the midsole in their gait cycle.
The biggest issue which I have encountered with the Cloudboom Strike’s ride is a rubbing of my toes against the edge of the drop in midsole. I don’t know whether this will dissipate after a few runs or require me to trim the drop-in unit. This is something I will come back to in a monthly round up in the future.
On Cloudboom Strike outsole:
Does it Offer More Durability?
Alex: Finally, we come to the outsole. This was a big area of concern for many in the Cloudboom Echo 3. Many people, including myself, found huge degradation and wear around the 200 – 300 km mark. I will monitor this closely as I run more in the shoe. However, after my initial run in the Cloudboom Strike, the outsole was still looking perfect which should always be the case. Again, this is something I will report on as my experience continues. That said, the outsole looks considerably thicker than that of the Echo 3 and therefore the durability should be much improved.
On Cloudboom Strike conclusion:
On Arrive At The Top Table
Alex: This is not a cheap shoe. At €290 ($280 or £270) it lives in the same price bracket as many of the best race shoes on the market at the moment. From my first experience, I believe that it belongs exactly here as a top tier race shoe. If this is the case, the price point is less of a concern to me. However, I would say that this initial judgement will rely heavily on the durability. The biggest issue of the Cloudboom Echo 3 was the connection between the high price and the lack of durability. If the Cloudboom Strike can be more durable and the ride can remain as exquisite as my first test, it is a real banger of a shoe and I can only recommend you try it out. However, that will remain to be seen. Keep following for our final report!