On Cloudgo Performance Review

The On Cloudgo provides more evidence of On Running’s ability to churn out great-looking runners. They even sent me the blacked-out version and it still looks hella good. I’ve been following On closely for 6-7 years and I can count on one hand the number of ugly shoes they’ve released. That’s impressive.

What’s also impressive, is On’s continued running shoe evolution. A few years ago, On made only great. looking, smooth riding, yet very firm and not-so cushioned road running shoes. Fast forward to today and the On product line includes the highly cushioned On Cloudmonster, the super grippy trail runner On Cloudvista, and now they’ve released a peppier shoe aimed at beginners, the On Cloudgo.

On’s signature style remains but now On fans are starting to get a variety of running shoes so they can mix and match depending on their running needs.

Pros

Bounce

The On Cloudgo’s version of Helion superfoam and Cloudtec is not plush like the On Cloudmonster but it’s softer than the Cloudswift, Cloudflyer, or Cloudstratus. While those shoes are firmly…well, firm, the Cloudgo has a bit of give underfoot that rebounds nicely. It doesn’t feel soft but instead bouncy.

If you’ve run in On shoes before and felt like the shoes were a bit dead underfoot, the On Cloudgo is an upgrade. And it’s not gummy or tippy so you’ll feel stable and bouncy without the over-cushioned feel that some people don’t enjoy. I used the Cloudgo on runs of 6-7 miles without issue. I likely wouldn’t go much longer but even going that long is an improvement over various On models from the past.

Smooth Ride

On’s always had a very nice rocker shape. It doesn’t ever look extreme like some high-stack shoes these days, but it’s effective. The On Cloudgo hits the ground and rolls off the toe smoothly every time. It’s really easy to dial it into your typical pace and just zone out while the miles roll on.

Comfortable Upper

On finally came through with a traditional padded tongue. Gone is On’s typical super thin synthetic suede tongue in favor of a well-padded polyester number. And it doesn’t stop at the tongue, the On Cloudgo feels the most like a traditional running shoe of any On shoe ever. The double-layered mesh build just feels great on foot…almost like you could go sockless (which I do not actually recommend by the way as that will make your shoes smell like death). Oh, and the heel area is more padded than most On shoes.

It’s a traditional running shoe upper that’s as gorgeously designed as you’d expect of an On running shoe.

Cons

Breathability

While the upper is super comfortable, the airflow is pretty lackluster. The double-layered polyester just doesn’t provide the airgaps you’d like on a hot, humid summer day. It’s still runnable, but if you’re in a climate that rarely gets cold, take note.

Narrow Fit

Also true of the recent On Cloudvista, the On Cloudgo runs narrow. If you have a wide foot, you’re likely gonna be annoyed with the tight fit of the midfoot. The toebox also doesn’t open up quite as wide as I expected. Lengthwise, the fit is good, but if you’re concerned with the narrow build, going up a half size should help relieve some of that pressure.

Slippy Tongue

With their first padded tongue, On is discovered padded tongues that aren’t gusseted with elastic bands can slip off the top of the foot while running. Usually, only newbies and less expensive models have tongue slip issues. Most brands know how to solve them on their flagship or higher-end models. Hopefully On learns from this and the next tongue is nicely locked in place.

On Cloudgo Summary

The On Cloudgo is a great sign of progress from On running shoes. It’s got some fit and breathability issues, but it’s a bouncy, comfortable, and smooth option for runs of 10k and below. It shows On can keep tweaking its formula and make some really fun and useful running shoes.