The True Power of 'Running Above the Clouds', Realized by On's Patented CloudTec® Technology

'On', a company that has opened its flagship store 'On Tokyo' in Shibuya, is not only gaining popularity for running and trail running shoes, but also for everyday footwear. The secret to their popularity lies in the brand's unique cushioning sole shape, the 'CloudTec®', which is a patented technology. To gain insights into the power of this 'CloudTec®', we spoke with Yasuko Maehara, the PR & Events Lead at On Japan.

An Innovative Technology Conceived by 3 Former Professional Athletes

Olivier Bernhard, who would later go on to co-found On, was a professional athlete who had become a three-time world champion in the duathlon and achieved multiple victories in the Ironman race. He often suffered from injuries, and the shoes of On were born out of his trials and errors along with his partners David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti, looking for a footwear that emphasizes cushioning properties to alleviate the impact of landing.

"On is still a relatively new brand, having been established in 2010. Although we started with running shoes, the 'CloudTec®' was already incorporated into our first running shoes. Olivier Bernhard, one of the founders, had chronic pain in his Achilles tendon, and he tried a variety of ways to alleviate the impact of landing. One of the solutions he came up with was to cut a rubber hose in the width of the shoe and attach it to the outsole of the running shoe."