The Potential of On's New Racing Shoe: The Cloudboom MAX

Founded in Switzerland in 2010, the sports brand On operates under the mission, “Ignite the human spirit through movement.” They offer premium footwear, apparel, and accessories for running, outdoor activities, training, tennis, and everyday life.

Now, On is releasing the "Cloudboom Max," a race shoe designed for runners aiming to finish a full marathon in the 4 to 4.5-hour range. This new model is said to be perfectly engineered for dedicated runners who demand comfort on long-distance runs. So, what exactly does this shoe have to offer?

On's Running Shoes Continue to Gain Prominence

Fifteen years after its launch and a decade after the establishment of On Japan, On is still on a growth trajectory. At the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo this past September, On athlete Ryuji Miura secured a top finish in the men's 3000m steeplechase, matching his success from the previous competition.

The gold medalist in that same men's 3000m steeplechase was fellow On athlete Geordie Beamish, who became the first On athlete ever to win a gold medal in a track event at the world championships.

Following this, Ditaji Kambundji clinched the gold medal in the women's 100m hurdles, setting a new Swiss record. While Hellen Obiri famously captured a bronze medal in On shoes during the women's marathon at the Paris Olympics, this World Championships proved the brand's formidable presence on the track as well.

Furthermore, at the limited-time 'On Labs Tokyo' brand space, open for nine days from September 12 to 21, the company showcased the LightSpray robot. This is the latest innovation used to create the shoes worn by Obiri herself. The event also featured talks by athletes and creators, drawing a total of 8,764 visitors over its nine-day run.

On top of that, September 12th also marked the opening of a new flagship store in Japan, the 'On Flagship Store Tokyo Ginza.' It's reported to be the brand's second-largest retail store in the world.

A Racing Shoe That Fits a Wide Range of Runners

Riding a wave of momentum, On has launched its latest racing shoe: the 'Cloudboom Max.'

“The Cloudboom Max is the newest addition to the Cloudboom collection, On's lineup of racing shoes.

Previously, the Cloudboom collection's lineup was exclusively for top athletes and elite runners, featuring models like the Cloudboom Strike LS (which uses LightSpray) and the Cloudboom Strike. However, the Cloudboom Max was developed to be a race shoe that caters to a much broader range of runners,” explains Kento Kitai of On Japan.

True to the 'Cloudboom' collection, the midsole of the 'Cloudboom Max' features Helion HF hyper foam, the same high-rebound material found in the 'Cloudboom Strike LS' and 'Cloudboom Strike.'

“Helion HF hyper foam is On's most advanced material. It excels in responsiveness and cushioning, all while being incredibly lightweight.”

The stack height is 40mm at the heel and 32mm at the forefoot, resulting in an 8mm drop (the height difference between the two).

Features a Fiberglass-Infused Speedboard

While the "Cloudboom Strike LS" and "Cloudboom Strike" feature a carbon Speedboard, the "Cloudboom Max" is equipped with a Speedboard made from a nylon plate infused with 8% fiberglass. This creates a flexible Speedboard that is ideal for supporting runners aiming to finish a full marathon in 4 to 4 hours and 30 minutes.

"Another key feature is the cutout in the heel of the plate, designed to provide comfortable cushioning for runners taking on long-distance races. It's a shoe that offers greater support and cushioning than the \"super shoes\" for elite runners, all while firmly maintaining its responsiveness."

The combination of the highly responsive and cushioned Helion™ HF hyper foam and the fiberglass-infused Speedboard—designed specifically for the "Cloudboom Max"—delivers the cushioning, stability, and propulsion that runners need to aim for a 4 to 4.5-hour marathon.

Interestingly, Helion™ HF hyper foam is the same material found in track spikes like the "Cloudspike Amplius 2" and "Cloudspike Citius 2." This means that the very same material was used in the spikes worn by top athletes excelling at the World Athletics Championships.

A Model Engineered for Comfort in Every Detail

The upper is crafted from an ultra-lightweight mesh material. It flexes to conform to the foot's natural movement, while its excellent breathability keeps the in-shoe climate comfortable even during long races.

The rubber outsole features a pattern that delivers superior grip on paved surfaces and is built for high durability. This also makes it a suitable training shoe for runners who use On's top racing models for their races.

"While it is a racing model, it isn't targeted exclusively at elite athletes, so we also focused on a comfortable fit, adding generous padding around the collar. The design is all about helping runners achieve their goals, with other features like shoelaces structured to prevent them from coming undone."

Until now, the On lineup has lacked a shoe explicitly targeting runners aiming to break the 4-hour (sub-4) or 4.5-hour (sub-4.5) marathon barrier. This probably meant that many runners who used On shoes for daily training opted for a different brand on race day.

For those runners, we highly encourage you to give the "Cloudboom Max" a try.