On Cloudsurfer 4

I present the On Cloudsurfer 4. Swiss luxury on your feet, quality and impeccable finishes on a different cushioning.

TheOn" arrived in Spain with the endorsement of having won the ISPO 2010 award, something like the "Oscars for innovation in sports equipment", for its 3D cushioning system "Cloudtec". Six years after testing their first model, we now have these Cloudsurfer, a training model that continues to use the peculiar cloud-shaped cushioning technology in its midsole and outsole but with significant improvements in stability, response and quality of its finishes and especially its upper.

The On shoes were born from the project of a Swiss engineer, a fan of athletics but suffering from numerous injuries, who dreamed of achieving a cushioning system that would really reduce impacts and allow him to continue running without pain.

His goal era to create a shoe that would provide a pleasant sensation when the foot rests on the ground, as when running on a forest track, while at the same time transmitting the full force of impulsion, as when running on asphalt. Numerous investigations led him to the conclusion that, in addition to the vertical impact forces already exerted by conventional cushioning systems, the runner is subjected to horizontal forces that are responsible for a large part of muscle fatigue and joint deterioration.

Midsole and cushioning

The On s with the Cloudtec cushioning system, according to the advertising, act by reducing shock forces in various directions, relieving muscles and joints by 25 to 30% according to a study carried out by the Swiss Federal Laboratories, and according to the advertising they are also more effective at take-off than a conventional shoe.

The shoe's minimalist design highlights the spectacular cushioning system that is placed on a base of eva midsole in this model in gray to match the mesh and the thermo-sealing and on which the cloudtec is distributed in the form of 13 "clouds" in a transverse arrangement along the sole. It is when the clouds are flattened that they produce the cushioning of the impact of the foot against the ground and when the foot takes off or pushes off that they expand, contributing to the sensation of "reactivity" that is very successful in this model.
According to the advertising this sensation is produced because "the foot manages to stay in the air longer", and this argument applied to the supposed spring-like reactivity that the materials used in the midsole of the shoes can provide the user, is difficult to believe, to say the least. What is certain is that the cushioning and propulsion sensation is pleasant, that they feel reactive and the response running at lively paces is very good.

The clouds have a roughness in the outsole that collaborates in traction, being soft rubber that grips very well on dry asphalt, but the grip is not good in the wet and durability is not its forte.
At the midfoot level, it has an elevation of the chassis that provides stability and containment at the level of the plantar arch and at the external part it provides stability avoiding the supination of the foot.

Upper

It is an authentic work of Swiss textile engineering combining exquisite thermosealing with a mesh upper in a single piece of fabric with a mesh of different holes depending on areas and demand for perspiration. It has reinforcements in the same fabric where holes are dispensed with and this thicker provides resistance to abrasion as in the area over the big toe.

The internal mesh is in orange and is glimpsed between the holes of the external mesh, a nice combination. The internal mesh is very elastic and pleasant to the touch, making it perfect for use without socks. The tongue is very thin and different from the usual, it is irregular and has many circular holes that facilitate perspiration. It adapts very well to the skin thanks to the extra layer of padding that cushions the pressure of the laces on the instep. In my case I dispensed with the laces and put elastics to use them in triathlon and in the Cpto. of Spain Quadriathlon.

The laces are too thin and tubular which makes it difficult to achieve a good fit without compromising the fit and also require double knotting because they tend to come undone easily. The reinforcement of the 7 eyelets is a thermo-sealed to match the thermo-sealing of the toe, the 6 eyelet is reinforced in aluminum with a ring. It has two good diagonal lateral reinforcements at the rear and midfoot that help to contain the instep and ankle.

The reflective details with the initials On of the brand are beautiful, a reflective logo on the part of the external toe, two others on the sides at mid level and other rear on the support of the heel with the O and two long lines that cross it laterally and diagonally provide a fantastic reflectivity of 360 °.

Heel support

It has an internal structure that is lined inside with a correct padding that surrounds the ankle collar, it is comfortable and the touch is pleasant and has good durability resisting friction well when used without socks and with wet feet. The rear support is raised with only the padding and externally is lined with a perforated nylon mesh that facilitates perspiration and whose finish is ripstop that provides resistance to wear and friction. It has a rear puller that facilitates the entry of the foot, something that in everyday use passes without further triathlon competition facilitates transitions.

The heel support embraces the entire rearfoot and merges with the mesh in a heat-sealed with a zigzag stitching that provides strength and containment to support the heel foot. There is a special design detail, the left shoe has the O on the heel and the right shoe has the n .

Sole

Apart from the divisions of the 13 clouds along the sole it is evident its distribution and size according to needs. Thus 4 large clouds are located in the heel and facilitate the entry in the case of heel. At the level of the plantar arch in the middle of the sole there are no clouds and in the forefoot there are three rows with three different clouds depending on the fila in which they are located. The rubber is soft and wears out easily; wet grip is low.

Last and insole

The last is narrow, especially in the midfoot, but this design, although it reduces stability, allows for better response at higher paces and when used in competition. Toe room is generous as the toe box is square and the thermo-sealed reinforcement respects the gap needed for more square or blunt toes and promotes propulsion. The insole is thick at 6mm and contributes to the overall comfortable feel of the shoe.

Opportunities for improvement

• The cylindrical lacing is too thin in gauge and lacks elasticity to facilitate proper fit. It creates localized tensions and tends to loosen easily. In my case I replaced them with elastic bands to facilitate the transition in triathlons and the fit problems are over.
• Narrow midfoot last.
• Durability of the rubber sole

Strengths

• Swiss textile engineering that provides a spectacular design with a minimalist aesthetic of impeccable finishes. Exquisite heat sealing.
• Numerous reflective On logo details provide 360° reflectivity.
• The rear puller facilitates the entry of the foot, facilitating the transitions.
• Different cushioning sensation than that offered by competing rubbers and polymers.
• Cloudtec technology offers not only different cushioning but also good response.
• Interior comfort and upper breathability.

Conclusion and user profile

If you are looking for a relatively lightweight shoe, with a very breathable mesh and exquisite and exclusive thermosealing, with a different and effective cushioning and with a good response at any pace but especially going fast these On Cloudsurfer are what you are looking for.

The cloud tec system is not going to be like running through the clouds, but it will provide you with a different sensation to the usual eva type rubber, the sensations you receive when compressing and expanding the rubber clouds, are like running with greater agility and fluidity in the tread.

It is light enough to be used as a shoe for fast workouts or long series, 285 gr in a 95 uses. It has 7 mm. drop as the height is 29 mm in the heel and 22 mm in the front, this makes it easier to use them trying to avoid heel impact. It also seems to me a very suitable model for use in short events 5 and 10 k or triathlon. Its internal comfort, breathability and design that with the rear puller facilitates its placement give them a plus in the face of transitions.

Rating:

• Lightweight 8
• Cushioning 8
• Flexibility 7
• Responsiveness 9
• Stability 7
• Grip 8