On Cloudultra Pro Performance Review

The On Cloudultra Pro represents On’s first foray into the world of competitive trail running. On has made trail shoes before, but those shoes were best for casual hikers. But with trail running on the rise, On clearly wants to put its best foot forward both for its pro runners and the legion of On devotees. Let’s find out if the On Cloudultra Pro delivers a premium trail running experience.

What is the On Cloudultra Pro?

The On Cloudultra Pro is an ultra-trail racer that features a PEBA midsole, nylon plate, ultra-lightweight weave upper, and a Missiongrip outsole. As On’s first foray into the trail super shoe niche, it’s designed to take you the distance while going as fast as possible. 

In fact, On says outright that it is “…engineered to take you further, faster”—which is basically what every running shoe company says about their race-day models. So let’s find out if that’s true.

Cushion/Midsole/Support

Sam: The midsole is a two-piece Helion HF composition that has a nylon plate sandwiched in between. The top layer of foam acts as the softer and more responsive layer, while the bottom provides a little more stability and firmness. It’s a visually appealing midsole as you can see the split and the signature On CloudTec.

With a higher stack of 38mm in the heel, the shoe seems ripe for instability; but the construction of the midsole makes it more stable than other options. The multilayer setup allows your foot to push down into the more stable foam and helps keep the ride smooth. Additionally, a nylon plate (as opposed to carbon) provides more flexibility that keeps the shoe less rigid and more conforming. 

I particularly noticed this on climbs where the toe-off was more flexible and thus more comfortable. After bonking towards the end of a 68K [Editor’s Note: Excuse me? You ran 42+ miles at one time in a shoe you were testing? 🤯], I remarked that the Cloudultra Pro hiked exceptionally well for a super shoe. This was a joke, of course, but it actually signals a performance benefit in terms of comfort and making this shoe a good option for ultra distances. That type of flexibility comes in clutch when your feet are swollen and aching 50 miles in [Editor’s Note: or, like, a gajillion miles in—or whatever—in Sam’s case…😳].

The ride of this midsole is comfortable and smooth. I didn’t find it quite as aggressive as other super shoes, but it’s definitely on the zippier side. It’s aggressive enough to be fast, but not to the point it reaches too much. I did find that the softness of the midsole leads to a surprising amount of groundfeel, almost too much in some instances. My feet were super sore after my long race in them—which isn’t exactly atypical for a long race—but I was surprised at how much I felt through the midsole.

Drew: While I didn’t run a 42-mile race in the On Cloudultra Pro, the midsole was the driving force in making it one of my favorite trail shoes ever. The Helion HF (Hyper Foam) is bouncy with some impact protection but not too soft (a fate many super shoes suffer). It’s also stable for a shoe built for race day (again, not typically a strong point of super shoes, even really good ones built for the trails like the adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra).

As Sam pointed out, the midsole does allow a fair amount of groundfeel, but I never felt beaten up at the end of my admittedly mortal-level runs. If you keep your trail runs below, say, 20 miles, you’ll likely avoid the underfoot soreness that Sam got after his ridiculous run. That’s the nylon plate doing its part as a rock plate (though it also helps stabilize the soft, bouncy midsole and works with the foam to create the wonderful bounce this shoe offers).

And yes, even Sam’s joke about the Cloudultra Pro hiking well is correct. It doesn’t feel unwieldy or less controlled when tackling big uphills where trail runners like me shift into hiking mode. The Cloudultra Pro’s underfoot experience is fantastic for all but the most extreme of efforts and terrain.

Traction

Sam: On uses its Missiongrip outsole in a super lightweight and minimal pattern for the Cloudultra Pro. The rubber encases most of the outsole but is cut out in the center to reduce weight. I have zero complaints with this outsole and felt like it provided plenty of traction. I appreciate the weight savings which adds up to make this shoe ultralight. Shoes are often overbuilt or overcomplicated by way of the outsole; the Cloudultra Pro takes a simplistic and straightforward approach with an outsole design that delivers exactly how it should.

Drew: I don’t have much to add to Sam’s praise of the Missiongrip outsole on the On Cloudultra Pro. It doesn’t look beefy so some of you reading this may be skeptical, but it performs like a much heavier, vicious-looking outsole. It bit the dirt well and handled odd angles without any issues. I wouldn’t hesitate to take it on some of the gnarlier hikes/runs here in Colorado…which is not something I would say about many trail super shoes (I’d reserve those for smooth trails).

Upper

Sam: The On Cloudultra Pro’s upper is extra breathable. Perhaps the lightest upper out of any trail shoe out right now. It’s a durable weave, akin to Nike Flyknit, but with visible spacing in some areas. It’s surprisingly strong and has held up for me as I’ve put around 80-100 miles in this shoe without wear on the knit. If you live in a hot area, this is a great option to keep your feet cool.

The only downside with the weave is that it lets a lot of dust in. I mean, a lot of dust. There are essentially holes for debris to get through. That said, it’s a trade-off for an upper that will help keep your feet cool and minimize sweat.

Drew: The breathability on the On Cloudultra Pro is awesome, making it one of the better summer trail shoes. You will have dust between your toes after the run but that just adds to the fun.

The upper is also durable but comfortable and gets more so as it sort of molds to the foot. The fully gusseted, neoprene-esque tongue with strategically placed padding is a standout feature that ups both the fit and feel. And as usual with whenever I see them, the barbed laces are appreciated.

The On Cloudultra Pro’s upper features On’s typical high-end craftsmanship and looks aesthetically pleasing enough for this high-performing trail shoe to be worn casually.

Is the On Cloudultra Pro wide foot friendly?

Sam: The On Cloudultra Pro isn’t wide-foot friendly, but the upper does stretch…

Drew: While the On Cloudultra Pro fits true-to-size lengthwise, it’s lacking a bit of width throughout. The upper does conform to the foot after a couple runs, but wide-footers will want to try this one in-store or buy from somewhere with a solid return policy.

Is the On Cloudultra Pro worth $260?

Sam: $260 seems a bit steep, but it is in the ballpark of other super shoes. I’d prefer a shoe like this to be around $220.

Drew: I mean, the On Cloudultra Pro is probably a $240 shoe in terms of technology; but there’s a premium included with every On shoe, and that’s what gets it to $260. But my guess is most On fans aren’t really fretting about the extra $20—and in this case, they shouldn’t because this is a legit fun and excellently performing shoe.

How to use the On Cloudultra Pro

The On Cloudultra Pro is best used for long-distance races or super long days, especially on trails where the terrain is light and uneventful (i.e., fewer pointy rocks). It’s a great shoe for running and draws inspiration from On’s road geometry. You’ll find yourself toeing off well and hitting a groove if the trail allows for it.

On Cloudultra Pro Summary

Sam: The Cloudultra Pro is a great step for On in the brand’s trail development. This shoe is light and built for speed with an emphasis on pairing with your running economy to help propel you through races. The midsole is zippy and soft, which many runners will like. The nylon plate is a great option for trails where flexibility will allow for comfortability. This shoe does have some technical limitations, and I wouldn’t recommend rocky or uneven trails with it. I think On has some improvements to make, but for a first go at a trail super shoe, the Cloudultra Pro holds its own.

Drew: I can’t push a trail shoe to its absolute limits like Sam can, and for that reason, the On Cloudultra Pro is one of my all-time favorites. The geometry is just so smooth, and the bounce is so lively that running in it makes me feel fast and light on my feet. It’s so good it had me looking at signing up for an upcoming trail race because I now have a trail shoe that makes me feel race ready.

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Sam Lohse (age 28, 6’0″, 170 lbs): Runs daily, sometimes morning/night doubles, with one rest day a week (typically). Hangs right around 40-50 miles a week in general unless in race-specific training. Races distances from 50K to 100 miles, almost always on the trails.

Disclosure

While On did provide pairs of the Cloudultra Pro to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.