On’s Cloudboom Collection is built for the road and geared toward racing. The Cloudboom Echo 3 was my go-to racer for a while, and this line really feels like where On leans into their race day swagger—while leaving the daily training duties to their other collections.
Now, generally speaking, a shoe with “Max” in the name doesn’t scream “race day,” but there’s a method to the madness here. Let’s dig into why.
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Looks:
I honestly feel like this shoe was made for me. If you asked me to list my favorite colors or styles, pink and floral would be at the top every time.
The Cloudboom Max doesn’t have any floral, but the pink and yellow combo is just beautiful—especially if you’re someone who loves pink as much as I do. It’s not loud or over-the-top either—not a pink punch to the face—but more of a soft, well-balanced look that just works.
There are also a few other styles that are equally subdued and beautiful.
Fit & Construction:
Here’s where the method to the madness comes in. The Cloudboom Max isn’t built for the speed demons or the elites chasing podiums. It’s not even really for runners pushing the pace. This shoe is purposefully designed for those a bit further back in the pack—those aiming for a 4+ hour marathon.
And honestly, that makes total sense to us. So much of the conversation around marathon shoes focuses on getting faster—chasing PRs or that elusive BQ. But what’s often left out are shoes built for comfort and support over the long haul.
Specs:
- Stack: 40mm / 30mm
- Drop: 10mm
- Weight: 10.44 oz (Mens 9)
Upper:
Midsole:
This is really where On is trying to dial things in. The Speedboard is back—something that tends to divide runners—but this time it’s sandwiched between layers of PEBAX foam and tuned for less rigidity and more flexibility than On’s traditional boards.
That means you still get a bit of snap and responsiveness, but without the harsh rigidity that can wear down runners who are out on the course for 4–5+ hours. The goal here seems pretty clear: add a touch of energy return while keeping things soft and forgiving for those putting in the long haul.
Outsole:
Overall Impression:
The Cloudboom Max brings race-day tech, but does so with runners in mind who are less focused on time and more focused on crossing that 26.2-mile finish line feeling strong.
