We are pretty familiar with the On shoes here at Run247. We’ve been fortunate enough to test many models and we’ve even visited their HQ to see their top secret development lab. So we know that any new pair of shoes from On are going to have bear their trademark characteristics, namely quality of materials, an energy-filled ride and supreme comfort.
But we didn’t know anything about the new Cloud X until we went to the launch in early November 2017. The cynic in me said that it would just be a minimal update to their best-selling Cloud shoe. Because the product information seemed to push the fact that it’s an all-round shoe for the gym and exercise classes too, the extreme cynic in me thought that they might have taken it down a more ‘lifestyle’ route, possibly making it less suitable for running.
The spec:
Weight: 229g
Drop: 6mm
The tech: zero gravity foam,trademark Cloudtec sole, precision moulded heel cap, engineered mesh upper.
The price: £125
The test:
These shoes immediately feel a little bit different to shoes like the Cloudflow and Cloudsurfer in that they feel firmer. You maintain that On energy return but it feels like there’s a little less squashing of the sole going on. If anybody’s tried the Cloudflyer, I found them most similar to those. They feel like they’ve got plenty of support and structure, but they’re still very lightweight.
I also found them a little more snug-fitting than other models I’ve tried. There’s still plenty of toe room but they just feel slightly more streamlined. This may be partly due to the ‘precision-moulded heel cap’, which is designed to keep your heel in place, so your foot moves around less. Initially I thought I should have gone up in size but it’s just a slightly different fit and, once I’d got used to it, I liked it.
Another more minor difference is the mesh upper. It feels a little more robust than their other shoes. It’s still very breathable but a bit less chilly on the toes in these winter months.
The main difference between the Cloud X and other models of On shoes I’ve tried is the clouds on the sole. They are slightly bigger and more robust than on other soles and there’s less of a gap down the middle of the sole. As well as making the ride firmer this also means that you don’t get stones stuck in the sole.
The verdict:
While all the new tech and improvements that On have incorporated into this shoe might make it more suitable for other activities like gym classes than other On shoes, it doesn’t take away from its suitability for running in any way. The slightly firmer sole makes it a perfect shoe for doing long runs or races in. Or indeed speed work or shorter races. As well as making it an all-purpose shoe for different sports, I feel like they’ve made it an all-purpose shoe for road running.
