On Cloudflow (v1) - After 100 Miles
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ต.ค. 2024
- I started running in the On Cloudflow earlier this summer, but for its intended purposes of faster training or racing, I found that it disagreed with me on a muscular level. Something about the clouds and/or the springboard just made my quads hurt in a way that I thought I might be developing IT band syndrome.
But this fall (or winter, really), I've been training at much slower paces, so I thought I would revisit the On. And for the last 80 miles, I haven't experienced any of the issues I felt over the summer. That was great.
The only problem was, at these paces, the stiffness of the shoe that I would normally happily accept as a tradeoff for speed, just felt lackluster. Overall, the shoe has held up well. And the performance was adequate. But that is about the most I can say for this otherwise beautiful shoe.
disclosures: this is a pair of shoes that was sent to me by Road Runner Sports. However, neither On nor Road Runner Sports is paying for me to wear the shoe or to make this video. No one will get a chance to preview my thoughts before the video publishes to youtube.
Other Videos Referenced:
On Cloudflow - First Run • On Cloudflow - First Run
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Very honest review, I feel the same about my On Cloudflow.
Sorry to hear that. I was hoping I was the outlier on this one.
Very constructive criticism which adds to your credibility as a trustworthy reviewer. Excellent!
I often debate just not posting a review when I don’t love a shoe. But I feel like it could be helpful for people to identify when an issue is with the shoe versus being or not-being in shape
Thanks for the video. I see many comments bashing or going meh on On Cloudflow, so I figured I’ll add my unequivocally positive experience as a data point. I recently discovered On and now own a couple pairs of Cloudflows, one for casual home wear and one for outdoor running. I like them a lot. I’m just a recreational runner though and run at most a few miles at a time. I have developed some (tolerable) injury issues and am working on them with a physio but they started before I switched to On, so I can’t blame the shoes for that. The Cloudflow indeed doesn’t provide a lot of cushioning but other On models do if that’s what you prefer.
I don’t understand what really makes different shoes better or worse for different distances (beyond say 1K) or race vs training shows (and there probably isn’t much scientific rigor in those claims anyway). I just go by weight, comfort, and looks and Cloudflow is great on all those fronts for me.
Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Two more things, first, they look great! A great traveling shoe, they have all the things running shoes have, breathable, lightweight, cushioning and support but don't look like running shoes. Yes, they have a great aesthetic so you can do all those tourist miles through the great cities of the world, then wear them out for dinner. Heck, I even hiked trails in the Black Forest in them.
Second, I work in a specialty running store and we have a lot of loyal On runner customers. I see them more and more frequently at local races. All I am saying is to not be afraid the give them a try.
How much more of a try than 100 miles do they require?
@@kofuzi I didn't mean you, you tried them and they weren't your thing. I thought your review was honest and fair. My comment was directed to the kofuzi community at-large.
Probably call them Cloudflow Original because I've had a pair of Cloudflow for about 3 years, beautiful bright orange! Love them!
I think I’ll go with v1?
Used to run in On's quite a bit, but I think I enjoyed the idea of the shoe more than the execution. The clouds on the bottom of their midsoles are far too firm, almost like running in a racing flat in a trainer, and don't provide the kickback or cushion that foams like ZoomX or React have. It's unfortunate because their design aesthetic and materials are top notch, and the apparel IS fantastic (The performance t-shirt/tank is one of my favorite running shirts ever). I just think they're so beholden to this way of designing shoes that it'll become challenging to make it work.
They will, at some point, be forced to pivot away from the clouds. That is my prediction.
@@kofuzi That's a bold call, it's so woven into their brand identity. That said...I've yet to run in one of their shoes that feels protective enough for anything more than a half marathon.
Hey Kofuzi,
Love the way you articulate and congratulations for the 100 miles on the cloud flow, and thank you for the post.
Have got my hands on the 2020 version On CloudFlow now... and excited to try these amazingly good and unique shoes, especially that CloudTec technology that they have used.
Your review kind of helps me to understand what to look forward to and what to watch out for...so thank you for this once again.
Based out of Seattle their rain jacket is also pretty helpful. Let's see how it goes. Cheers.
Classic quote on this one. “It’s not great, it’s not bad, it’s just a shoe” Not sure I will go for any of these. Just seems to be lagging behind so many other choices. That aside it seems to have held up ok in some rather tough conditions. Great video. 👍🏼
it's a great time to be a runner. lots of great options at the moment.
kofuzi Absolutely. Shoes seem to get more versatile each year, lots of possible uses for each right now. 👍🏼
When I got video recorded using those shoes, the Brooks Ghosts and one of the Saucony's, the ons showed the most inward collapse at the knee which ties up with the pain you got.
that's interesting
Lotsa haters in the comments! But I'd have to say I kinda agree with you overall. I give them credit for being my 1st shoe (Cloudflyer) when I got back into running 2 yrs back, as I may not have stuck with it had it not been for these shoes. But now that I have 10 shoes in my quiver, my Cloudflyers are just merely competent.
They're fine, but quite a bit expensive for what they are and other companies have created better (lighter, softer, bouncier) for quite a bit less. That being said... I've been trying to wear out my pair since I have so many shoes now and they just keep ticking! I suppose there's something to be said about that.
i think it shows that it's a great time to be a runner. if it works for you, i will never knock it.
Cloudflow for me it’s fair overall, good for walking and some speed work. I am totally with you on the knee pain situation, on the v2 I owned even and I thought I develop some issue with my knee. Once I ditched them from my rotation, the pain gone. But generally aesthetically it looks futuristic n minimal, probably for casual formal wear for me if I tend to run right after my usual weekday
The ITB pain also developed on my right knee after running on cloudflow V2 few times, however, I believe it because my legs are not strong enough 🤨
Me toooo!!! IT band issues out of the blue
I ran in these shoes over the summer of 2018 I got them at the end of June and by the end of August I had developed EHL tendinitis. I think they are incredibly comfortable although I never ran further than 10k in them but were not good for developing feet or long distances
that's terrible
i love how you articulate the shortcomings of this despite its aesthetic. Love the look and want to love them but not feeling it after getting the X. Currently my fave fave is the Epic React, but I don't like the news on Nike's treatment on women.
I can relate
You summoned it up brilliantly!It's just a shoe.
I suppose they’re all just shoes
Yeah good call I love my Adidas Microbounce to. Just great for running!
microbounce? srsly?
@@kofuzi I do normally run with my Ultra boost 19's, their just great!
Same observation when I had those. Not really meant for fast paced trainings.. Used them for my long slow distance run and eventually got rid of it. Simply not for my feet.
Sorry they didn’t work out for you
I agree. Re sold them on Poshmark. Ruined my feet and gave me Morton's Neuroma. Ugh.
On Cloudflow are beautiful shoes. I wanted to love them. I had always blisters on my Achilles. After less than 100k on them the heel part was already starting to fell apart. I did complain to ON. The service support is very disappointing, no accommodation. I am just using this shoes now as lifestyle shoes. There are far better shoes out there... Anyways On shoes are beautiful, hence I bought the Cloud X, but using it only in the gym.
This seems to be a familiar refrain
Every time I have ever picked up a pair in the running store they just seemed “gimmicky” to me. Just never really been interested in them.
I was hoping that there was at least something there worth talking about, even if the clouds weren’t particularly special
Your theory is interesting. Triathletes love On; runners not so much. Maybe it’s because triathletes have much stronger legs?
Perhaps. But then again, triathletes are an idiosyncratic bunch. I can’t figure out why they love the shoes they do.
I really like them i usually run distances upto 10k in them, mainly temp and faster work. Just got the v2 2019 model and am trying them at the track tonight. only downside of v1 was the inner heel cup material broke down.
I heard of that complaint from a lot of people. But I did not seem to experience that.
I have a theory as to why they were irritating your IT Band. Based on the shot of your wear pattern and design of the "clouds" on the lateral side of the shoe, it appears that the shoes were causing you to over supinate therefore causing stress on the hip and IT Band. I would speculate that the clouds or pods were compressing too much on the lateral side and could be a problem for those who tend to supinate. This was explained to me by a podiatrist when I developed IT Band problems due to overly stiff orthotics preventing me from proper pronating. I was looking at these shoes and glad your review pointed this out. Appreciate the info!!
thank you for the insight
I felt the same about the shoes. I wanted to like them and bought a pair based on the hype. I tried them out in the store and didn’t have a good feeling about them, but wanted to give them an honest try. After 50 miles in them, I used them for the gym.
I felt like a lot of people gave it a hard time because it wasn’t miraculous. I hope I’ve given them a fair shot. But I just don’t love these
I really wanted to like these shoes but after running just over 350km in them as part of a shoe rotation with Nike and NB models. I had too many issues after the runs. I had shin splints for the first time and my marathon run was very painful in the quads at the 30km mark. I wore out the inside of the heel cup and gave up on the shoes. For my sprints and fast runs I now use the turbo 2’s
Ps. Not to mention the annoying stones that get stuck in between the clouds!!
everyone seems to want to love these.
kofuzi I think because they have the appeal due to the Swiss engineering, nice styling and design.
I went to trough the same problem, I developed IT band problems, that bad that I not even able to run not even in ADIDAS, have to train with Clifton 6 and Rincon, now Im recovered and able to use Nike And ADIDAS, but really intrigued about 2019 version, I wait till your review.
I don’t suspect I will be trying v2. I may look at some other On, but probably not the cloud flow.
Surely the freezing conditions didn't help this particular kind of shoes technology
Perhaps. Perhaps not. I generally find that the effects of cold on in vivo shoe performance are overestimated.
I also really want to love my On Cloudflows. Maybe the plastic is too stiff or the insole isn't soft enough but even after 100 miles I still get lots of irritation on the balls of my feet and big toe.
i don't think they change much over time
i believe it is best suited for the jog to commute / cross training crowd
I got v2 and been doing about 4months+ HIIT and decided to go for a run with this shoes, I find it’s lacking cushioning. Overall it’s a good shoes for workout or walking but not for running. Also, I got knee pain, I believe it’s due to I ran too fast instead of start slow after a long break from running.
On is a really great brand the v2 of the on cloud flow are really nice. Many people mistake them for a traditional running shoes. But they are infact a minimal brand with lower stack hight and a closer to the ground feel. It’s definitely takes a person with a really efficient gait cycle. I do like the version 2 a lot more it fits a lot better around the foot. Like most people we gravitate towards looks yes all ON look really cool but that shouldn’t be the sole reason people buy them. it’s a very unique brand.
a very unique brand. and it's not for me
Once you get used to running in ZoomX, its game over for ON.
Maybe that’s what it is 🤷🏻♂️
Zoomx are better felt then seen...holy mother of God Ugly
I picked up a pair of the new Cloudflows and think they’re fantastic. There seems to be a groove in them though, they either work for you or they don’t. They work fantastic with my mechanics.
1980fack1025 me too, just picked up a pair a couple weeks ago, I run 400m sprints, to longer 8 mile runs in them and they work great for me.
I like the design of these and don't need them to run in but would use them for my job since I walk a lot. I really like the cloud HI edge...crazy im just finding out about this company.
Man, I couldn't see any "give" or compression to that midsole at all. Maybe it was the cold (Nike's REACT is rock hard in freezing temps). It even hurt MY quads every time your foot landed in slow mo. Ouch!
felt fine. just didn't feel great
I like on, I have the cloudsurfer and clouswift but somehow these where a) bigger or size longer and b) to little cushion for my taste
I'm beginning to suspect that there is more style over substance with ON 🤔🤔🤔. They seem like one of those brands that is good at design and marketing, but when you get into the actual product there just isn't that much to them there.
Hello Kofuzi, what pants are you wearing in the video? Thanks
Nice review!
thanks Pete!
I can’t comment on those BUT I am a mild overpronator and I can say their Cloudflyer is by far the best stability shoe I have run in (and also the lightest). So clouds seem to work when stability counts.
My favorite is the cloudstratus
looking at the wear and tear you seem the be heel striking - that might explain the issues you experienced. On is more geared towards mid-foot to fore-foot striking.
Possible
Apt description. I have a pair of ON shoes and you want them to work but somehow they just fall short.
it's a deflating feeling
Can see the longing in your eyes when you talk about 7:30 pace :,(
i miss it. i especially miss it in these temps when the cold air hits the very bottom of your lungs and, at the end of a long run, it burns just a little bit. i miss that.
kofuzi hopefully this training gets you that feeling at a 6:30 pace!
just got this to try (new version 2) but to me its not a real running protective shoe so i wanted to like them but no happening (pain as soon as 30 min into my first run so thiswill be a walking shoe for me....
I really wanted to like this one
@@kofuzi me too too bad
Just try to accelerate while running in these shoes and all the limitations of the midsole, speedboard, cloud pods etc will be exposed. These shoes are for short distance jogging. They are not racing shoe, period.
Not sure why these devices do not interest me
i wouldn't worry about it
Review Saucony Freedom ISO 3 please.
Maybe the 4, especially if they go the route they did with the Triumph and ditch ISO
do you think the supreme x nike zoom streak spectrum plus can be use for running?
I haven’t seen that yet
no
@@victory4life00 you sure no cause the history of the shoe is that it was a racing shoes from 2003
@@aimanaizat1468 I know they were initially designed as a running shoe, but its more of a fashion shoe now
Most of what On makes is junk. And we all know it. But they're very popular down here in the South to the gym crowd, not the run crowd.
I see them more frequently at the airport than on the path
2E?
I’m afraid I don’t have information on the availability of wide sizes
I liketo walk in them but not running..
They were enjoyable for commuting
I had IT Band issues when I was running in the Cloudflow. I don't think it was the shoe. It was likely because I increased my milage too fast.
I was running less miles than ever at the time
ON has the most confusing lineup ever
I also had knee problems with On shoes
I look forward to when they pivot away from the clouds
The running technology is junk. I've worked in specialty running for 6 years, ran avidly for the past 10 years, had years of anatomical/biomechanical/studies. I am actually completing a medical doctoral degree currently. All this to say my qualifications and past year of use indicates it's a low quality overhyped brand. Definitely NOT for entry level runners to day the least. There will be elevated risk for injuries.
That’s an interesting assertion re entry level runners. I hadn’t thought about it from that angle
These gave me Morton’s Neuroma. Awful.
Agreed! I tried them and found them not worth the money, fancy looks but doesn't work as good as it looks, never met someone that really loved them. The slogan running on clouds is misleading, there are so many shoes that make you feel like on clouds, the Ons don't do that for sure. Beside slippery shoelaces, hard to get a good lockdown. I use them for walking now but not for my runs anymore.
The shoelaces were frustrating