On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 Review – Performance, Price, Comparison and Who It’s For

On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 Upper

The upper of the On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 running shoe is made from a mesh material called Lenoweave, featuring large ventilation openings. It feels relatively stiff and rough to the touch, but it does not cause irritation or chafing against the foot. The mesh itself provides some structure, while additional film strips on the inside help the upper hold the foot securely during running. Breathability is outstanding, with air flowing freely through the material. You can clearly feel the airflow while running.

There is a surprisingly generous amount of room around the toes compared to most racing shoes. The toe box is unusually wide for this category and also taller than average. The midfoot section of the upper has a snugger fit, although even here it is no narrower than what you would typically find in racing shoes. The heel is the only area that could be considered slightly narrow. The shoe fits true to size in length, but if you are between sizes, I recommend choosing the larger one. That is what I did, and I have not regretted it.

The tongue is thin but features padded sections to prevent lace pressure. It is not secured with traditional gussets, but it is stitched to the upper up to the bottom two eyelets. The laces are thin and flat, and for me, they are the weakest part of the upper. In a shoe like this, I would expect higher-quality, textured laces.

Since the upper is optimized for performance rather than comfort, padding is kept to a minimum. However, compared to other racing shoes, the heel collar has slightly more padding than average. The heel collar is mildly reinforced and holds the ankle securely, although I had to use the final lace eyelet to achieve the perfect lockdown. For my relatively narrow feet, the upper provides an exceptionally precise fit. You can clearly tell that the design also takes wider feet into account, ensuring that the fit is not excessively tight.

The insole construction is somewhat unusual in this shoe. There is a removable insert, but it is essentially the upper layer of the midsole foam, with a fabric covering at the front. The shoe is practically unusable without it, and replacing it with your own insole would mean losing one-third of the midsole’s stack height.

On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 Midsole

The midsole of the On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 running shoe consists of three layers. The upper and lower layers are made from a redesigned PEBA-based Helion HF foam, which is 15% lighter than previous versions and, in my opinion, softer than the earlier Helion HF foam. Officially, the two foam layers are identical, but my measurements revealed a difference in softness, with the lower layer being somewhat softer. Helion HF is a PEBA foam that is lightweight, compresses well and delivers good energy return. Between the two foam layers sits a curved carbon plate that provides noticeable support beneath the arch of the foot. Naturally, the carbon plate also contributes to a more dynamic toe-off, but it plays a very important role in stability as well, since foam this soft would be highly unstable without a plate. The midsole has two distinct characteristics in terms of stability. The forefoot is particularly wide, providing good stability for a neutral running shoe. However, the midsole is noticeably narrow at the heel, resulting in poor rearfoot stability.

Traces of On’s distinctive CloudTec technology, with its separate cushioning pods, can still be found in the midsole, but this shoe uses the new CloudTec Sphere design. The main difference is that the pods are larger and, as the name suggests, circular or at least curved in shape. The lower section of the midsole consists of 3 large pods, divided by a longitudinal cutout, creating a total of 6 independently moving and compressing pods. The cutouts allow the pods to spread outward as they compress, completely independently of one another. These cutouts also help achieve a significant reduction in weight. At the same time, the carbon plate and the continuous longitudinal sections of the outsole restrict the movement of these individual elements, making the midsole stiff and relatively inflexible. Thanks to this stiffness, the shoe offers greater stability and a faster rolling motion, guiding the foot more effectively through the gait cycle. There is no aggressive forefoot rocker, but combined with the stiffness, the geometry is more than sufficient to deliver fast transitions.

According to the official specifications, the stack height is 40 mm at the heel and 35 mm under the toes, giving the shoe a 5 mm drop. However, it feels considerably lower on foot. The low drop encourages a forefoot landing, which is beneficial because the midsole provides better stability in the forefoot.

On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 Outsole

The outsole of the On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 running shoe surprised me because lightweight racing shoes like this rarely feature such a large and thick outsole. To achieve the low weight that is so important in racing shoes, manufacturers usually save the most weight by reducing the amount of outsole rubber, which is generally the heaviest material relative to its volume. The Cloudboom Strike 2 outsole covers practically the entire midsole. It is divided only by the large longitudinal cutout in the midsole, which does not make contact with the ground. The rubber compound does not feel ultra-soft to the touch, unlike the rubber used in most racing shoes, and as a result, it offers particularly good abrasion resistance and can be considered durable. Despite the relatively firm rubber compound and the absence of deep tread grooves, the outsole provides excellent grip on both dry and wet surfaces. Small stones can become lodged in the large longitudinal cutout, so it is worth avoiding surfaces with loose gravel.

What Does It Feel Like to Run in the On Running Cloudboom Strike 2?

In short, the On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 is a fast but not aggressive running shoe, offering a more forgiving and manageable ride. It makes maintaining race pace during long runs feel remarkably smooth, but it is not the fastest option for shorter, high-speed efforts. Like most racing shoes, the Cloudboom Strike 2 is not at its best during slower, low-intensity runs because it is stiff and less stable at those paces. However, it performs much better in this respect than its competitors. The Cloudboom Strike 2 is a soft, well-cushioned and easy-to-handle carbon-plated racing shoe that performs best during longer fast runs and over half-marathon to marathon distances. It is not as aggressive as the fastest 5–10 km supershoes.

Who Is the On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 Recommended For – and Who Should Avoid It?

The On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 is recommended for runners looking for a fast, lightweight running shoe for racing and speed workouts. It is particularly suitable if you are looking for a half-marathon or marathon racing shoe that is more durable than its competitors, less aggressive and more comfortable.

The On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 is not recommended if you are looking for the most explosive racing shoe for very fast efforts over shorter distances. It is not recommended for beginners or runners looking for a lightweight shoe for everyday training. Although it offers good stability, it is also not recommended for runners with significant overpronation or supination.

What Has Changed Compared to the Previous Version? On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 vs On Running Cloudboom Strike

The On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 has changed significantly compared to its predecessor. On has toned down the aggressiveness of the second version and made it more versatile. It is more comfortable, softer and less firm, making it better suited to longer fast runs. However, it has lost some of its explosiveness and has become slower over shorter 5-10 km distances.

The upper of the On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 has received additional padding around the heel, provides better foot lockdown and has become wider, making it a suitable option for more runners.

Although the midsole foam retains the same name – Helion HF – it is a redesigned foam that is softer, lighter and offers better cushioning. The carbon plate has become more curved, lighter and somewhat stiffer. The previous CloudTec design has been replaced by CloudTec Sphere. The two front sections create independently moving foam zones that compress and rebound more effectively.

The outsole has also undergone major changes. The second version features a larger and thicker outsole that offers better grip and improved durability.

The weight has decreased despite the additional upper padding and greater outsole coverage. Surprisingly, the second version is also cheaper, which is unusual but certainly welcome.

On Running Cloudboom Strike 2 Alternatives – Comparison