On Cloudgo shoes will leave you feeling like you’re running on clouds

One of the biggest perks about covering running gear as a writer is that I’m often sent new shoes to try out during my latest training cycle. Before this year, I had never tried any shoes by Swiss running company On, and after visiting their U.S. headquarters in Portland, Oregon and testing gear before attending the World Athletics Track & Field Championships in Eugene on behalf of the brand last summer, I was eager to try out more of their shoes.

The brand recently sent me a pair of the On Cloudgo, a neutral training shoe that I started testing out about a month ago. With the somewhat recent advent of “super shoes,” or carbon-plated shoes, it’s been fun to try out a variety of fast shoes for fast records. Still, at the same time, when I get a new regular trainer to try out for easy or recovery runs, they often feel so bulky and heavy in comparison. 

On Cloud Review

ON Women's Cloudgo Sneakers

The Cloudgo was the first trainer I’d tested in a while where I actually felt springy and light on my feet from the first run, which wasn’t the case with the more cushioned Cloudmonster that I’d tried in Oregon a few months prior. Of course, you don’t want a shoe that will make you push the pace when you’re supposed to be running an easy effort, but you also don’t want to feel like you’ve strapped bricks on your feet on those days, either. 

I also got blisters on the outside of my little toes with the Cloudmonster, a sign that they fit a bit narrow and also probably due to my feet swelling in the Houston summer heat and humidity. As such, I requested the Cloudgo shoes in a size 10, which proved to be a wise decision – I have experienced zero blisters or other discomforts since beginning to wear these shoes.

On Cloudgo running sneaker features

On On's website, you can see determine what type of run the Cloudgo is best suited for, thanks to the comparison feature:

• Weight: 7.76 oz
• Heel-toe drop: 11 mm
• Activity: Running
• Usage: Road 
• Distance per run: Medium
• Cushioning: Moderate
• Competition: No
• Best for: Road running

The Cloudgo’s flexible TPU Speedboard makes for a smooth ride that will allow you to just cruise through your easy miles. The brand’s signature Cloudtec foam runs across the full length of the shoe, but I appreciate that it doesn’t extend to the outsole like some of the brand’s other running shoe models, as I’d heard some complaints from others about rocks catching in between the geometric pattern. The shoe’s soft, padded tongue also surrounds your feet comfortably and features a loop at the top for the laces to pass through, which also helps the tongue to stay securely in place.

The women’s Cloudgo is available in sizes 5 to 11 and comes in four color options: solid white, solid black, a white and lime green colorway, and a two-toned orange colorway. I’m usually not too picky when it comes to the color of my running shoes, so long as they get the job done. But I was pleased to get a solid black pair in my package, as my shoes tend to quickly get dirty when I run on crushed gravel park trails. Plus, black goes with pretty much anything if you are trying to color-coordinate for a race, or if you want to wear them as a casual everyday shoe while running errands. 

A sneaker built for beginner and experienced runners

So far I’ve just used them on easy and recovery runs ranging in distance from three to eight miles. This is because, for the last few weeks, my long training runs have included a workout within them leading up to the half marathon I’m currently training for, and so I’ve defaulted to carbon-plated racing shoes for those. But once I’m back to regular easy efforts for some of my long runs as I begin to train for next year’s Boston Marathon, I have a feeling the Cloudgo will become a regular go-to for long runs.

The Cloudgo is touted as being a great beginner running shoe, which I wouldn’t disagree with. But as someone who has been running for nearly two decades, I wouldn’t let that descriptor deter any more advanced runners from considering adding it to their rotation. 

Finally, if you’re someone who is mindful of consumer brands’ environmental sustainability efforts, you’ll be glad to know that this is a top priority for On. The Cloudgo specifically features an almost fully recycled thick, plush-feeling upper, with the entire shoe being made up of 30% total recycled materials. The polyester upper also features “no-sew foil” to prevent any of its materials from fraying, ensuring the shoes provide lasting durability.

In sum, if you’re on the hunt for a lightweight trainer to keep your legs and feet feeling good on easy and recovery efforts, I would highly recommend giving the On Cloudgo a try, especially if you’ve never tried the brand’s shoes before.