Every runner knows that at some point, their favourite shoe is going to get an overhaul, and they always hope it remains as close to what they love about it as possible. After all, sometimes trying a new shoe can be intimidating, especially after you’ve logged miles in a tried-and-true favourite. And when you do, it is first impressions that often determine whether you reach for that shoe time and time again, keep it reserved for a particular workout, or just slip it on for errands.
In this spirit, Xavier Jimenez, a 30-year-old runner, gives us his first impressions of the On Cloudrunner 2. Known for being the most supportive experience in the On running shoe collection, the shoe is all about balance: support with cushioning and stability with bounce. It features On’s CloudTec structural cushioning system, which is optimised for support, as well as Helion superfoam, which has been fashioned for bouncy rebound and energy return. All of this can help new and casual runners go longer and push pace.
Jimenez, who tends to like stability and racing shoes, took the model on a first-impression demo run for us. Read on to find out whether the On Cloudrunner 2 should be on your list of shoes to run in.
What everyone's reading
Tested: On Cloudrunner 2
The tester
Name: Xavier Jimenez
Age: 30
Shoe size: UK men’s 10.5
Arch: Flat
Strike: Midfoot
Weekly mileage: 40–50 miles
Typical training pace: 8:30–9:30 minutes/mile
How he tested the shoe: Ran 8 miles on a tarmac bike trail
The review
First impression: “When I unboxed the On Cloudrunner 2, my initial thought was that it is an aesthetically pleasing shoe, which made me excited to put it on and start running. Once I got started, I loved that the shoe was soft yet responsive.”
Fit and comfort: “I have no complaints with the comfort of the shoe. There were no hot spots or cramped toes.”
Cushioning: “I found the Cloudrunner 2 to have exceptional cushioning. I am a big fan of its technology, specifically the CloudTec structural cushioning system and the Helion superfoam. My foot felt well-protected during impact, but I could still feel good energy return. I would only dedicate these to easy or recovery runs, because I found that they didn’t feel responsive when I picked up the pace.”
Stability and support: “My foot felt secure and fit well when I ran at my easy pace. However, I noticed the heel slip when I took strides. Relacing the shoes after I noticed this rectified the issue.”
Traction and durability: “I ran on a trail’s gravel portion, and the On Cloudrunner 2 handled the loose terrain well. It was a dry day, so I did not have the opportunity to run on wet pavement. The outer sole felt grippy and secure on dry tarmac.”
Overall: “I was pleased with the lightweight and breathable upper and the cushioning. The only drawback for me is that the shoe felt a little too flexible at the forefoot for my preference. Despite this, I really enjoyed wearing the shoe during my easy run.”
