Explore the innovative world of ON Running, a brand revolutionizing the footwear industry with its signature CloudTec cushioning and distinct aesthetic design.
What's the Big Deal About ON Running Shoes?
The Swiss brand ON has exploded onto the running scene, launching its first shoe in 2010. What ON lacks in history it more than makes up for in its unique technology—Cloud Tec.
Cloud Tec is a collection of "Cloud Elements" that work independently to provide customized cushioning and stability.
The story of this breakthrough technology was born at a casual backyard barbecue. A group of friends—passionate, experimental, and a little unconventional—were searching for a way to deliver the flexibility of a Nike Free while maintaining the cushioning of a traditional shoe. After a few beers, someone had the wild idea of stapling cut-up pieces of a garden hose to the bottom of a running shoe. The results were astounding, and the first ON shoe was born.
What's So Special About Cloud Tec?
The ideal running shoe should be soft in the heel to absorb shock and firm in the forefoot to boost a runner's thrust at toe-off. Most running shoes use only one type of foam—forcing runners to compromise between cushioning and propulsion. With ON Cloud Tec, you get both. The Cloud Elements are purposely larger in the heel for optimal shock absorption and smaller in the forefoot to provide a powerful toe-off.
Absorbing Impact on Every Axis
Most midsoles are engineered to absorb shock vertically, which is effective for exercises like jogging in place. But real running is forward motion—where your shoe must handle up to 4× your body weight in horizontal impact. ON's Cloud Tec is the first technology to absorb both vertical and horizontal forces, ensuring a smoother, more efficient stride.
Efficiency & The Speed-Board Advantage
How does one run faster or longer? By running more efficiently, of course. Efficiency in running comes from transitioning quickly from heel to toe. The original technology ON used for the better part of 10 years incorporated a Speed-Board™—a composite plate placed between the foot and the Cloud Tec sole. This Speed-Board transfers energy from heel strike through the entire gait cycle, ensuring an explosive take-off. In the last few years ON, due to changes in manufacturing and the introduction of FEA (Finite Element Analysis, ON has developed an evolution of Cloud Tec called Phase Tec. The Cloud Elements work much the same way but ON has found a way to eliminate the speedboard to give a softer ride.
Both technologies still remain in use. For those that want a more responsive ride, go with the original Cloud Tec found in shoes like the Cloud Monster 3. For a softer ride, stick with the new Phase Tec, found in shoes like the Cloud Surfer 2
Remember those childhood days when a new pair of shoes seemed to make you run faster? With ON, that feeling is engineered into every step.