On Cloudflow 5 running shoe

On Cloudflow 5 upper

The upper of the On Cloudflow 5 running shoe is made from a double-layer engineered mesh. A running shoe is a functional tool, but you can’t ignore the fact that the uppers of On’s running shoes are usually good-looking as well – and the Cloudflow 5 is no exception. The Cloudflow 5 upper is a great blend between a comfort-oriented and a performance-oriented upper. It’s light, thin, yet offers enough padding where you need it. Breathability is slightly below average, mainly because the mesh is double-layered. The tongue is thin, with just a small amount of padding under the laces. The tongue is gusseted, and the mesh used for this gusset continues towards the forefoot, forming a second internal layer like a bootie. An interesting detail on the upper is that there are two rows of eyelets, so you can lace it wider for a better midfoot lockdown, which can really help during faster workouts and sharper turns. The heel collar has medium padding and medium stiffness, it’s comfortable and holds the heel securely. The upper fits true to size and has a slightly narrower overall footprint than average.

On Cloudflow 5 midsole

The midsole of the On Cloudflow 5 running shoe is built from three layers. On top you get Helion HF (hyperfoam), a soft, lightweight foam with good energy return. Underneath there is a firmer foam which is basically On’s “standard” compound, stabilising the softer layer above. Between the two foams sits a plastic plate called Speedboard, whose main job – as the name suggests – is to make the shoe feel faster. The shoe can be a bit deceptive when viewed from the side: it looks as if the Helion HF layer is thick under the heel as well, but in reality most of that foam height wraps up around the upper to lock the heel in place, and only a thin 4–5 mm layer sits directly under the heel. In the forefoot, however, this Helion HF layer is much thicker to provide a more dynamic toe-off. Altogether the three layers create a firmer, stiffer midsole that can feel uncomfortable on easy, slower runs, but once you pick up the pace it comes alive and feels like a dedicated speed shoe. The midsole has a pronounced rocker in the forefoot, transitions are quick and the shoe really rolls you forward. Thanks to its firmness and the Speedboard, stability is good despite the platform being a bit narrower than average. Runners who land on their forefoot or midfoot will benefit the most from this setup, as there is more Helion HF foam here and the geometry helps the most with quick transitions in this zone.

On Cloudflow 5 outsole

The outsole of the On Cloudflow 5 running shoe is made from a CloudTec rubber compound that feels on the firmer side. The outsole doesn’t cover the entire midsole in order not to make the already stiff platform even stiffer and to help keep the weight down. Grip is good on dry roads, which is a key requirement for a fast shoe, but on wet surfaces traction is only average. Because the rubber is relatively hard, durability is above average and the outsole can be considered long-lasting.

On Cloudflow 5 vs Cloudflow 4 – what changed in the new version?

The On Cloudflow 5 has changed a lot compared to the previous version. The upper is more comfortable, offers better lockdown, the midsole is higher and slightly softer, and the outsole is also different from the former On Cloudflow 4. As a side effect of these changes there has been a bit of weight gain as well: the Cloudflow 5 is 43 grams heavier than its predecessor, which is a very significant increase. In this fast, plated performance-shoe category that can be crucial – it has become one of the heaviest shoes in its class.
Upper

• it gets a new lacing system so you can lock the foot down more securely
• it became more comfortable and uses a new material
• breathability has decreased

Midsole

• stack height increased by 5 mm
• it received an extra layer of the dynamic, lightweight Helion HF foam

Outsole

• the outsole now covers a larger surface area
• the deep grooves created by the Cloud pods have disappeared