On presents a new super shoe spray technology on the Cloudboom Strike LS

After months of secrecy, Swiss sportswear brand On has unveiled its revolutionary new LightSpray technology: an ultra-lightweight, one-piece upper that is sprayed onto the shoe by a robotic arm.

Yes, 2023 may have been the year of the midsole, but 2024 is all about the upper. LightSpray is made in a fast, one-step manufacturing process automated by a robotic arm at On Labs in Zurich. It’s ultra-thin, conforms to the foot, is seamless and lace-free. And according to On, each shoe is fully assembled in just three minutes.

But those aren’t the only benefits. The technology is said to reduce the carbon footprint of the upper by 75% compared to other racing shoes.

“LightSpray is an important milestone for On, not only in developing high-performance products, but also because it can lead us to a more sustainable, circular future,” says Marc Maurer, co-CEO of On. This is thanks to the construction of the upper from a single recyclable material and the assembly process that does not require adhesive.

The Cloudboom Strike LS (LightSpray) is the brand’s first high-performance running shoe to feature the technology. Weighing just 170g – including a 30g upper – Hellen Obiri wore a development version to win the 2024 Boston Marathon in April. And now we were one of the first to get our hands on a pair.

The shoe’s midsole is made of two layers of Helion HF Hyper foam, a Pebax formula that contains over 40% bio-based raw materials, and a Speedboard – On’s version of a carbon plate – between the foam to aid propulsion. The heel has a 4mm drop.

LightSpray’s glueless bond also allows the CloudBoom Strike LS to be constructed in a minimal way, with no sockliner and no strobel – a term used when the shoe’s upper is sewn directly to the insole – in direct contact with the midsole. All of this results in minimal energy loss, according to On.

The Cloudboom Strike LS will be available in Autumn/Winter 2024 for £330/$330. A full review will follow soon on Runner’s World.

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