First run in a super shoe that led Boston to victory

Today, running shoe brand On introduced its latest super shoe, the Cloudboom StrikeThe shoe was only just announced, but it has already achieved great success: it was won on the feet of runner Hellen Obiri at the 2024 Boston Marathon ahead of the shoe’s release. Obiri brought the super-fast shoes across the finish line in 2:22:37.

I had the opportunity to test the On Cloudboom Strike before its release. The production version of the shoe I tested is slightly different from Obiri’s racing shoe, but very similar. What follows are my first impressions of the newest super shoe on the market.

Hellen Obiri and the On Cloudboom at the Boston Marathon 2024

When Kenyan marathon runner Hellen Obiri crossed the finish line first at the Boston Marathon for the second year in a row, many people were moved. Obiri, 34, is a mother who never imagined herself as a marathon runner. She excelled in middle-distance races before joining the then-upcoming track and field team On Athletics Club (OTC) when the brand barely offered any racing shoes. Several club members carried the few prototype pairs of spikes as hand luggage to international events like contraband.

Since those eclectic days of the OTC’s founding, the team has added other incredible runners to the team. But Obiri still sets the standard for the team in the marathon. Yared Nuguse (USA), Ollie Hoare (Australia) and Geordie Beamish (New Zealand) – who, like Obiri, live and train in Boulder, Colorado – are on their way to the Olympics in distance events from 1500m to the steeplechase. Obiri will be the team’s sole representative in the marathon.

Like this spring in Boston, Obiri will be wearing On’s new super shoe, the Cloudboom Strike.

In summary: The On Cloudboom Strike is a full-on super shoe. It has a highly arched shape for fast mid-to-forefoot running with a barely-allowed stack height for maximum energy absorption. The hybrid midsole, which On calls a “drop-in construction,” adds plenty of stack to the Pebax sockliner, which is paired with a carbon fiber speedboard.

On’s previous attempt at a super shoe – the Cloudboom Echo 3 – came with a disclaimer on the box that read: “Durability = good for four marathons.” Further testing and race use will determine the longevity of the Cloudboom Strike. Chances are it will hold up in that rare atmosphere of peak performance in an expensive, easily replaceable package.

With the Cloudboom Strike, On can finally compete with the big shoe manufacturers like Nike, adidas and Puma. This gives customers more choice in competition shoes and positions the Swiss brand as a clear rival at Olympic level. In Paris we have the chance to see how one of the best in the sport performs in the Cloudboom Strike.

Cloudboom Strike “Noticeably different”

The promise of a super shoe is simple: speed, efficiency and fresher legs. As with the aforementioned Nike Alphafly, simply putting on the Cloudboom Strike – without moving – triggers a proprioceptive sensation that is noticeably different from that of a regular running shoe.

The mind-body connection is also tickled immediately – after a few strides your pace starts to pick up and the incredible energy return supports this further. This is both a blessing and a curse when testing a super shoe like this; the gravity forcing you to push yourself is enormous – this is very bad for running on the quiet days, even though it is so much fun.

Let’s look at the details.

First, though, it’s worth noting that the consumer version of the Cloudboom replaces the unique all-white, one-piece, laceless upper that turned so many heads when Obiri knocked off her rivals on Boylston Street. In its place, you’ll find a more conventional lace-up upper, so don’t expect to see the exact same shoe as Obiri when you purchase the Cloudboom.

About Cloudboom: Breaking the rules of the super shoe

In case you haven’t noticed, World Athletics is the governing body for professional running. It is responsible for regulating footwear.

The competitive advantage of super shoes has led to World Athletics issuing an ever-evolving list of rules for shoe use in competition. One area that is strictly regulated is stack height, with one rule stating that it cannot be higher than 40mm. The Cloudboom Strike just about falls under this rule with a stack height of 39.5mm at the heel and 35.5mm. It has a 4mm drop.

Many brands stay within stack height restrictions by maximizing the insole. By reinforcing the insole, they provide a solid block of foam under the foot for cushioning and rebound.

The Cloudboom Strike’s removable insole does just that. It provides a ton of cushioning using what On calls a “drop-in” construction. Just to see how much extra cushioning it provides, I pulled out the insole and placed the shoe on top. The result was a shockingly tall shoe with about 45mm of cushioning.

To hide this non-compliant volume, On has maximized the stack height of the Pebax Helium Hyperfoam layer. This is part of the energy recovery cake – while remaining within the legal limits.

There are two other important parts that make this shoe so fast.

One of these is the full-length carbon fiber plate found in On’s Speedboard. The Speedboard is a familiar technology from On’s footwear range, but the Cloudboom Strike Speedboard uses carbon – not plastic – to improve responsiveness at high speeds.

Many of us find that the real benefits of super shoes go beyond speed and are comfort, cushioning and recovery. On uses another of its well-known technologies – Cloudtec – to achieve this. The Cloudtec channel system with a decoupled platform – higher at the back – allows for independent deformation and increased load and release. It is helpful in absorbing the highs and lows of a foot strike.

If you have run with the Alphafly 3, you know the boom, boom, boom Noise the shoe makes. It’s loud. Dogs jump out of the way in fear and people you pass do a double take in confusion. Thankfully, despite its very Alphafly-like look and feel, the Cloudboom strike is quiet and discreet on the street.

I was really hoping that the production/consumer version of this shoe would have the same upper as the one Obiri famously wore in the Boston Marathon (called the “Cloudboom Strike LS Kuota”). But it’s likely that this shoe was custom made for her foot, as it appears to have no laces. It’s probably not appropriate for a mass market shoe.

The consumer version of the Cloudboom Strike is made from a one-piece semi-transparent mesh that provides excellent breathability. It looks incredible with its ombre colorway. On’s “cage system” uses overlays to increase support in critical areas, and a specially shaped heel fits perfectly.

findings

The bottom line is that this is a shoe you should consider for marathon racing. The super shoe effect boils down to this: it feels like you can maintain a faster pace than you normally can. You can just park it there, like it’s cruise control. You will with the speed of not constantly fighting for it.

The Cloudboom Strike is expensive and designed for race day, but if you have the money and can wear it more often, this is a shoe you’ll want to train in, too.

For my next races I have to choose between the Cloudboom Strike and the tried and tested Alphafly 3. That’s a good problem to have!