On’s collection of shoe models is expanding nearly as fast as the company itself. And with the On Cloudstratus we have another cool shoe from On.

The On Cloudstratus  is similar to the Cloudultra, but for roads not trails. With plenty of cushioning, the Cloudstratus is On’s maximalist road running shoe, built for long miles with a  firm, snappy ride.  This updated model is juiced with two layers of On’s new Helion foam, this is really what sets the Cloudstratus apart from other ON shoes.

Runner’s Tribe were lucky enough to put a pair through their paces. Below is our review.

 

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 Specs

• Type: Maximalist road shoe.
• Cushioning: Maximal, the midsole foam is relatively firm, not an overtly soft ride.
• Upper:  High quality mesh.  Reinforced with overlays over the ends of the toes, and a firm plastic heel counter for added structure.
• Midsole: Helion foam – two layers.
• Midsole density:  A firm ride.
• Flexibility: Moderate.
• Outsole: Strategically placed rubber under high tractions areas.

• Stack heights: 36mm heel, 28mm forefoot.
• Drop: 8mm.
• Weight: 324 grams for men’s size 11 US, 295 grams for men’s size US 9. See comparison table below.
• Heel width: Narrow.
• Heel counter: Due to the plastic heel counter, very firm and built-up.
• Sizing: True to size.
• Toe Box width: Narrow.

• Toe box height: Medium.
• Cost: $259.95 AUD at ON’s Australian website.

Against some rivals

Cloudstratus Vs. HOKA Clifton: Both are every day road running shoes and both are classed as maximalist. The Clifton is a lot lighter (see the above table).  But I’d say it is fair to say that the Cloudstratus is a lot more durable, as its Helion Foam is on another level compared to HOKA’s outdated EVA (when it comes to durability).  A good old-fashioned trade-off between weight and durability.

Cloudstratus Vs. Nike Pegasus:  The Cloudstratus really is similar to the latest Pegasus (38). With added stack heights, both brands are appealing to current industry trends.  Nike’s React Foam is industry leading, and On’s Helion foam competes well with it. The Pegasus is definitely a softer ride, but the Cloudstratus is definitely more responsive.  Once again, a trade-off.

Cool things about the ON Cloudstratus

Helion Foam: Another shoe, another super foam. But at least with On’s Helion foam, there is some legit innovation taking place.

Helion foam is very versatile in extreme temperature. On adds that ‘the cushioning stays premium – no matter if it’s cold or warm outside. What this means in English ? is that on incredibly hot days the foam doesn’t become soft and spongelike (like what can happen with many old school EVA or new age rubber-based foams). And on very cold days the foam doesn’t freeze and become hard as a rock (again like what happens with old school EVA or new age rubber-based foams).

Two layers of Helion Foam:  Stacking two layers of Helion foam was a great move by On. In an industry where more and more foam is the rage, On gave the market what it craves. Due to the speed board that sits above the midsole and below the footbed the extra layer of foam creates a somewhat snappy racing shoe type feeling, but in a relatively flexible daily trainer.

Neutral Ponderings

Hard Heel Counter: There is a very hard plastic heel counter overlaid on top of the upper, in order to create added structure and support to the shoe. This is great for those who love a very built-up and hard heel counter, but of course not so great for those who prefer more flexibility in that area.

To buy or not to buy:

CLOUDSTRATUS retail for $259.95 at ON Running’s Australian store. This is a pretty standard price these days for a high-end shoe.  It is a legit competitor to some of the most popular highly cushioned daily trainers such as the Clifton, and it deserves it spot alongside the big dogs.

Disclaimer: Runner’s Tribe were given a pair of CLOUDSTRATUS’S for free.