Eclipsing Expectations: On’s Cloudeclipse – Lighting Up the Comfort Game

There was a time when On Shoes was a company that had “running” its it name, but it felt more like a comfort line of footwear than running performance. Then, a few years ago, something changed. The Cloudmonster showed up and felt like it should – like On had something going on. Last year, we tried out the Cloudsurfer – and I personally loved it. It’s still a go-to in my rotation about 9 months later. On is cooking, and the release of the newest model – the Cloudeclipse – has us happy once again.

Looks:

Let’s be real, On rarely misses on the visuals of their shoes. The Cloudsurfer is one of my favorite visual stylings of all time, and the Cloudeclipse delivers on this front as well. There are three colorways in this shoe, but we think the one we received is the standout.

The On Cloudeclipse sports a sleek and modern design that catches the eye. The dope dyed upper not only adds to its visual appeal but also highlights its environmentally conscious approach. The subtle color choices and clean lines make it versatile enough for both casual wear and workouts, blending style and function seamlessly.

Construction:

Upper:

While the visuals of the upper are great, it goes well beyond looks. Above, I mentioned above – “dope dyed” – and you may ask “what the heck is that”. Dope dyed coloring uses 90% less water that traditional methods and the use of 100% recycled polyester in the yarn is a commendable move towards sustainability.

The Cloudeclipse’s engineered mesh upper delivers a snug and secure fit. It allows for breathability, ensuring your feet stay cool during long runs or walks. The use of 100% recycled polyester in the yarn is a commendable move towards sustainability.

Nikki: The integrated tongue is great, as the “oneness” of it with the shoe means that it won’t get jammed down in there when you’re trying to get these on your feet. At first, they felt a bit big on my feet, but I always get my running shoes one entire shoe size up from my normal shoe size which is a gamble. However, I just needed to adjust the laces a bit on the Cloudeclipse and they were totally fine. I do appreciate that they aren’t overly narrow as some other brands are.

Midsole:

When I first noticed the “speedboard” on the bottom of the shoe, I admit I was a bit concerned. It’s probably not teeeechnically a speedboard per se (its more of a flexible plastic plate in the middle of the shoe, but I digress). Regardless, speedboards (or their relatives) tend to provide a rigid and firm ride underfoot for me that works in some shoes and not in others. However, in this case, the speedboard only covers a small amount of the midsole – which depending on your perspective, can be good or bad. I felt it offered a little bit additional snap without sacrificing flexibility and being softer than expected which I appreciated.

The Helion superfoam midsole is the star here. The Cloudeclipse is supposed to be their max-cushion shoe (though I still personally believe that title belongs to the Cloudmonster), and provides an ultra-soft feeling underfoot, offering maximum cushioning and comfort. This added thickness and softness effectively absorb impacts, making for a smooth and comfortable roll-through from heel to toe. It has a lot of cushion, but it’s a “normal” amount of cushion and not an overly robust, ultra pillowy-soft feel. I could do with a tiny bit more cush, but honestly sometimes the super soft stuff ends up hurting my feet more than the rigid versions – so this is a nice middle ground for me.

Nikki: My feet felt supported throughout the day and bouncy in the best possible way. When it came time to run in them, they performed very well. No chafing, rubbing, hotspots, toe or heel pain, or any of the other niggles that can come with trying a new shoe. My feet felt fresh from beginning to end. I didn’t overheat in them and they don’t feel heavy on my feet. They are supportive without feeling like concrete blocks on my feet, which might have something to do with the holes placement on the sides of the soles.

Outsole:

There’s not a ton to write about the outsole, outside that it does its job. There’s a fair amount of coverage on the foot and heel, and has held up to the elements quite nicely. While it’s not necessarily an outsole thing, it does have a nice amount of stability for a shoe stacked this high. At first glance my wife said, “that looks like an ankle role waiting to happen” and I have been happy to report back that it absolutely is NOT that. Nice work there On.

More from Nikki:

All that techy stuff being said above is helpful, but what does that all mean to you as a runner when you put these on and go for your run? I’m likely shocking no one here when I say .. Fantastic.

On shoes have always felt different to me than any other shoe, so much so that I feel you could blindfold me to try on different athletic shoes and the “one not like all the others” will always be On. I mean this as a compliment to the brand. With all the different feet and strides and speeds, we need something like On.

For me they’ve done great on both roads and trails and they carry me through long shifts on my feet working at the gym as a personal trainer as well. in fact, the first time I tried the Cloudeclipse on, I had them on from 5:30AM at the gym until 8:00PM after six clients, multiple errands, and an evening run. My feet felt great all day.

In summary, the On Cloudeclipse impresses not only with its aesthetic appeal but also with its commitment to sustainability. The combination of the dope dyed upper, Helion superfoam midsole, and innovative outsole design results in a shoe that prioritizes both style and comfort. For those in search of a high-performance, max cushion shoe, the Cloudeclipse is a definite winner.