On Cloudeclipse: The Most Stacked On Yet
By Matthew Klein
On CloudeclipsePrice: $179.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 10.0 oz, 285 g (men's size 9), 8.5 oz, 240 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 44mm / 39 mm
Drop: 5 mm (6mm per On)
Classification: Maximal Daily Training Shoe
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The On Cloudeclipse is the highest stack height On shoe to date. Featuring a huge >40mm amount of foam underfoot, the Cloudeclipse provides a cushioned but mildly firm/bouncy ride underfoot at a surprisingly lighter weight. The upper provides a wider/higher volume forefoot with a secure and normal midfoot and heel. Best for those wanting as much cushioning as possible in a neutral riding shoe that isn't mushy, the On Cloudeclipse is an excellent daily mileage, recovery and long run shoe.
SIMILAR SHOES: ASICS Nimbus 25
FIT
The On Cloudeclipse fits me true to size if a little long in my normal US men's size 10. The fit is wider than I expected, especially in the forefoot. However, it does slim down a little in the rearfoot. The forefoot fits slightly wider with a higher volume height-wise. This allowed for a comfortable fit and may have contributed a little to the shoe feeling long. The midfoot fits more normal, although I did have to tighten down the laces to get a secure fit. The midfoot features a fully gusseted and essentially one piece, thin tongue. I did have to tighten down the laces a little for a secure fit and had to be careful not to tie them too tight due to lace bite. The heel fits normally with a flexible heel counter. There is moderate to thin heel collar cushioning and the counter did not give me any trouble at all.
The security of the upper is fairly good as I did have to tighten down the laces but did not have to lace lock the shoe. Once the midfoot was secure, the rest of the shoe was fine. The inner liner is extremely comfortable and I have worn this shoe sockless for 30% of my runs. I have not had any irritations and those interested in going sans-socks may be able to give this one a try.
Learn more about On Running in our guide here.
PERFORMANCE
The On Cloudeclipse is a highly cushioned shoe for easy and long mileage. The combination of Helion Foam and Cloudtec provides an extremely tall and cushioned midsole that keeps itself at a relatively light weight (~10oz men's size 9). The underfoot feel is extremely cushioned but slightly firmer than expected for there being so much underfoot. This does not feel like a resilient superfoam but a well rockered, cushioned and slightly firmer (comfortably so) ride. There is a 6mm heel drop listed and it feels at or slightly below that depending on where you land. The heel transition is extremely smooth thanks to a split heel with a well-placed posterior lateral bevel. This transitions into a well rockered but slightly medially biased midfoot. The forefoot is stiff but has a good rocker that rolls you off the toes easily. The ride is rolling with a tiny bit of bounce from the foam/cloudtec, but this shoe still feels best at east, recovery and long mileage. I have done some uptempo running in this shoe and the slightly firmer midsole and lower relative weight do allow this to handle some uptempo running.
However, the size of the shoe and the fact the foam reacts a little slow make it feel far better to take the On Cloudeclipse out for easier paces. Given that this is such a tall stack height shoe, the On Cloudeclipse is best kept to the road. This is not an overly stable shoe so solid stable terrain is best for it. There are no major forms of traction and I have had a few rocks get stuck in the midline groove, so I would keep this on smooth surfaces. Durability-wise this shoe has lasted fairly well over the 35 miles of testing. I am seeing some mild abrasion at my normal posterior lateral heel, so I expect this shoe to last an above-normal amount of mileage given the midsole design and additional outsole rubber.
STABILITY
The On Cloudeclipse is a neutral maximal shoe. There are small sidewalls present in the medial and lateral aspects of the shoe. These are noticeable but are not enough to offset the narrowed midfoot. There is a midfoot shank in the midfoot that further stiffens this area, but again it is not enough to resist motion side to side. The heel area provides extremely mild guidance with the posterior lateral bevel and split heel that facilitates a slightly lateral transition upon heel contact. The midfoot outsole width is better laterally but narrows medially despite how tall the midsole is. The forefoot does have mild sole flare, widens, is fairly stiff and has a good rocker, providing mild guidance forward. The midfoot is biased medially, so those who need medial support or guidance in this area will not find enough. I have done fine in this neutral shoe but over longer mileage have found it to not provide enough support/guidance for someone like myself who needs at least mild to moderate levels of stability.
Thoughts as a DPT: Sole Shapes, Maximal Shoes and Stability
By Matthew Klein
The On Cloudeclipse features something not commonly present in a maximal shoe for a while: a curved shape (or last). The shape of a shoe can dictate where there is guidance/resistance to the foot and where there is not. A curved shape/last like this one creates extra material in the lateral midfoot and less material on the medial side. This creates motion bias toward the medial side, which can be great for those with too much lateral motion or who deviate too far outward. However, this is not great for those who too much medial motion or who deviate too far inward as they will be further facilitated in that direction. It is for this reason that most maximal shoes have a straight shape/last as the taller stack height increases risk of the foot moving excessively side to side (frontal plane). The wider shapes of maximal shoes are to offset this through sole flare to keep the foot centered.
Taller shoes are inherently less stable. We know even when there are sidewalls that maximal shoes can actually induce more ankle eversion compared to standard shoes (Hannigan and Pollard, 2020). It is for this reason that the On Cloudeclipse will work best for those wanting lateral guidance or those with neutral mechanics. The tall stack height, narrowed midfoot and curved shape will facilitate motion medially particularly at the middle of the shoe. Thus, those with extra medial motion will need to work on the strength/control of their posterior tibialis, extrinsic toe flexors, abductor hallucis and other medial ankle muscles if they want to run in the On Cloudeclipse over longer and more frequent mileage.
RECOMMENDATIONS
On is continuing to progress forward with development and continue to demonstrate the ability of their Cloudtec to keep weight down. Their shoes are still firmer on average than others in their category, but someday that might change. My greatest recommendations revolve around the midfoot. This has been a fun shoe to be in but you cannot have narrowed parts of the sole with such a massive stack height. That is a receipt for instability and is one of the major reasons I cannot trust this shoe for long runs. Others with neutral mechanics will do fine here, but those with midfoot instabilities will struggle with this shoe. I would suggest filling in the midfoot AND not curving the last so much laterally. Tall stack height shoes should keep the foot as centered as possible without necessarily needing to be a stability shoe. Biasing the foot one way with such a tall stack height will exacerbate movements given the larger angles the tall midsoles create.
Another option would be to design something similar to the Cloudmonster, where there is a central guidance groove that would allow the midsole to be extended medially in the midfoot without adding additional weight. Regardless of which route On takes, the midfoot does need to be balanced. Other than that, this is a great shoe.
WHO THIS SHOE IS FOR
The On Cloudeclipse is a maximal daily training shoe for those who want a ton of cushion, a little more room up top and a rockered, non-mushy ride. The upper features a little more volume/width up front, so those with wider forefeet and more normal midfoot/heels will do best with the fit. The ride is rockered and slightly firmer, making it best for those who a smooth riding shoe that rolls well at easy paces. The ride does allow this shoe to pick up the pace a little but the On Cloudeclipse works best at easier and longer paces. The shape and lack of medial midfoot does make it best for those with neutral mechanics or those who may deviate a little too far laterally. With this set up, the On Cloudeclipse is unique in several ways. The CloudTec does a great job of keeping this lighter and provide well-balanced transitions.
I would NOT call this foam super despite the marketing as it does not feel like it has the resilience of a super foam. Rather, the ride feels balanced, rockered and smooth. I would STILL suggest that On work on making their shoes soft if they are going to advertise them like this. On shoes in general are still on the firmer side but that is not necessarily a bad thing. The On Cloudeclipse would be far more unstable if it didn't have a slight touch of firmness and stiffness to balance out the ride. This shoe is unique from the On Cloudmonster in that the foam does not feel like it compresses and bounces as much, creating a more rockered ride. The upper is what really shines in this shoe and may be one of the better ones I have tried this year.
I would not call this a super trainer as the foam does not feel super to me, but it is certainly a great maximal trainer and walking shoe. Now the On Cloudmonster 2 needs to be lighter, rather than being almost the same weight with less stack height.
GRADING
Matt
Fit: A (Wider, higher volume forefoot with normal heel/midfoot. Flexible counter and really comfortable inner liner)
Performance: A-/B+ (Highly cushioned but slightly firmer ride that is best for recovery, easy and long runs)
Stability: B [Neutral] (Mild Sidewalls in midfoot that do not offset medial bias due to cut out and curved last. Best for those who have too much lateral motion)
DPT/Footwear Science: B+ (Solid use of clouds to keep the weight of such a tall stack height down. However, ride could still be a little softer IF the midfoot is stabilized)
Personal: B+ (I love the upper but the midfoot is not stable enough for me to get the most out of this shoe)
Overall: B+/A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DOROn CloudeclipsePrice: $179.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
Adidas Ultraboost Light - The 23rd ultraboost features Light Boost to help cut 2 oz from the trainer
Asics Novablast 4 - Update to everyone's favorite cushioned ASICS
Asics Gel-Nimbus 25 - Now a super maximal stacked shoe over 40mm!
Asics Gel-Nimbus 26 - New upper and outsole add comfort and grip
Brooks Aurora BL - Brooks experimental project offers a look into the future
Brooks Ghost Max - Brooks new maximal rockered shoe that's also ortho-friendly
New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v13 - A new midsole update softens the ride of the premium trainer
New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2 - Shoe reduces stack to make a nimble max ride
Newton Isaac - Newton's first high cushion shoe!
Nike InfinityRN 4 - ReactX highlights a big change to the shoe, along with deconstructing past models
Nike Invincible 3 - Updated to improve stability, this max cushion trainer evolves for v3
Puma Magnify Nitro 2 - A higher stack of NITRO and a flatter geometry highlight this max trainer
Salomon Aero Glide - Salomon brings max stack to their lineup with this new offering
Saucony Triumph 21- The excellent Triumph from last year gets a new upper that dials in the fit for an excellent overall ride
Saucony Triumph RFG - Triumph's sustainable sibling sacrifices almost nothing in the process
Skechers GORun Max Road 6 - A totally new redesign for this max cushion shoes
Topo Atheltic Atmos - Topo's new highest cushion traineer
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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