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Someone Finally Built a Super Shoe for Everyday Runners

Does On’s newest racer signal a new dawn for plated super shoes?

White and green running shoe with black laces, featuring the text "ON RUNNING" on the side and a gradient design from white to green on the midsole. The shoe has a perforated upper and a thick, cushioned sole with cut-out details.On

By Jack Seemer

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And we’re off …

Though still relatively new to running — especially compared to Nike, Adidas, Brooks and New Balance — On has quickly become one of the main brands to beat.

That’s more than a figure of speech.

The brand’s innovative spray-on super shoe has already won a third of all Major marathons, and it is quickly becoming one of the fastest shoes on the triathlon circuit.

on cloudboom strike lightspray shoe
On’s spray-on super shoe isn’t just innovative, it’s fast. The Cloudboom Strike LS (pictured) has won several high-profile marathons and triathlons.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

While podiums (and world records) give any shoe manufacturer credibility, they should matter very little to the average runner.

That’s why On made its latest marathon racer, the Cloudboom Max, a shoe the company says was “engineered for finishing times of around four hours or more.”

In other words: your average runner.

Pair of white and light gray running shoes with black laces, featuring a green gradient midsole and black accents, including a large black logo on the side. The shoes have a breathable mesh upper and a thick, cushioned sole designed for comfort and performance.
Unlike most super shoes designed for the fastest athletes, On’s new Cloudboom Max is designed for everyday runners.
On

Marginal gains

It is true that super shoes work, scientifically and statistically.

Dozens of records have fallen since the Vaporfly entered the mainstream, ushering in an arm’s race among manufacturers from Nike to Hoka — and, yes, even On.

on cloudboom strike lightspray shoe
The Cloudboom Strike LS (pictured) is On’s answer to the record-setting Nike Vaporfly and Alphafly.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

But it is also true that super shoes are optimized for athletes at the highest level of the sport.

Studies show that the super-shoe tech — that is, plates, next-gen foams and ultra-aggressive rockers — can significantly improve efficiency. But the numbers go down when looking at slower runners, where factors like running economy, endurance and body weight vary wildly.

And that’s before you even get to the debate about whether or not they increase the injury risk among less experienced runners.

runners on a track
The Cloudboom Strike (pictured) is the laced version of the spray-on shoe many pros wear. Both were released in 2024.
On

Still super

To be clear, the Cloudboom Max, officially unveiled on the brand’s Instagram page, is still a super shoe.

It even borrows a few features from the existing Cloudboom Strike, including a midsole plate and 40mm stack of Pebax-based Helion HF — or what On calls “hyper foam.”

Close-up of the sole of a shoe featuring a white midsole with black diamond-shaped cutouts and black rubber tread. The word "CLOUDTRO" is embossed on the white midsole. The background includes a textured gray surface with partially visible text.
The Cloudboom Max may have everyday runners in mind but it’s still designed with high-end materials, including Pebax foam.
On
Pair of athletic shoes shown from the back, featuring a gradient upper transitioning from light gray at the top to green towards the bottom. The shoes have a thick white midsole with a black section wrapping around the heel. The outsole is black with a distinctive split design in the center. The text "ON" is visible on the left shoe and "RUNNING" on the right shoe, both in white. The shoes have a low-cut collar with light gray padding.
The stack height measures 40mm.
On

However, the specifics of shoe cater to runners who, even on their best day, will find themselves on the race course for four hours or more.

For starters, the glass fiber-infused plate is slightly more flexible than the one found in the Cloudboom Strike, catering to a wider swath of running styles. It’s also positioned to put the foot in a more natural position.

Close-up of the sole of a shoe featuring a white midsole with black textured rubber sections. The black section on the left side has the word "CLOUDTEC" embossed, and the central black insert has the word "SPEEDBOARD" printed on it. The sole design includes cut-out patterns in the black rubber areas.
The Speedboard is more flexible, catering to a wider range of running styles than your typical super-shoe plate.
On

Everyday runners, everyday performance

But perhaps the most noticeable difference between the Cloudboom Max and other elite super shoes, from On and otherwise, rests with the upper.

In a quest to shave off as many grams as possible, brands have adopted ultralight mesh materials that turn a blind eye to comfort.

nike running shoe
Many race-day super shoes have lightweight uppers that turn a blind eye to comfort.
Photo by Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

That’s all well and good for elite runners who shuttle to start lines and finish a marathon in little over two hours.

But what if you’re spending the majority of your day in a pair, including the time it often takes to get through race-day security and line up in an assigned corral?

Close-up of the heel and midsection of a white running shoe with black laces and green lace loops. The shoe features a green midsole and a white outsole with black accents. The side of the shoe displays the text "ON RUNNING" in large white letters. The upper material has a subtle gradient from white to a darker shade near the heel.
The upper of the Cloudboom Max follows that of a more traditional training shoe, where comfort and longevity are paramount.
On

The Cloudboom Max balances the scales with a breathable mesh upper that may not put comfort over performance but at least treats the two like equal priorities.

All in all, the shoe has a listed weight of 10.4 ounces — a 41 percent increase over the Cloudboom Strike (7.4 ounces).

White athletic shoe with black laces and a black logo on the side, featuring a breathable mesh upper and a tag labeled "CLOUDBOOM MAX" on the tongue.
The shoe has a listed weight of 10.4 ounces — more than 40 percent heavier than the Cloudboom Strike.
On

Will runners want it?

Ultimately, time will have to tell how everyday runners will respond to a race-day super shoe specifically designed for the middle of the pack.

To date, making podiums doesn’t just translate to success on the course but in the board room, to boot.

According to Strava’s most recent Year in Sport report, 44 percent of all marathons uploaded to the platform were performed in carbon-plated shoes — a 14 percent uptick led by the record-setting Nike Alphafly.

nike running shoes
The Vaporfly (top) and Alphafly (bottom) aren’t just successful on the road. They’re also the most successful super shoes from a commercial standpoint.
Jack Seemer for Gear Patrol

In future years, On will hope shoes like the Cloudboom Max can give the old guard a run for its money.

The model is available now for On members and costs $230. At launch, it comes in three colorways. A broad release is scheduled to follow on August 21.

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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