The Cloudrunner series from On has always been one of those lines that looks just as good off the run as it does on it. That’s part of the reason so many On shoes have earned a spot in my travel rotation—there’s nothing better than a shoe with real functionality that can still pass as a casual option.
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The original Cloudrunner leaned a bit firm underfoot, and while the Cloudrunner 2 was still on the firmer side (all things considered), it was noticeably more runnable. Now the On Cloudrunner 3 is here—so let’s take a look.
Looks:
The Cloudrunner 2 was one of the best-looking running shoes I’ve ever seen. It actually took me about four days of wearing them around the house before I reluctantly agreed to take them outside—I just wanted that pristine look to last forever.
The Cloudrunner 3 continues this trend, delivering a great-looking shoe that still functions well enough for running. Visually, it stays true to what made the Cloudrunner 2 such a standout, but with a slightly more refined, polished feel that looks intentional both on the run and off. Honestly, if you didn’t know these were made for running, you’d assume they were designed for casual wear. Some may be asking for a little more pop, but I sorta like them.
I think they’d be a fantastic addition to just about anyone’s closet. I absolutely love them. Top-notch, yet simple and muted, design here.
Construction:
The additions and refinements to the Cloudrunner 3 make this even more of a stability-focused shoe. The base is noticeably wider, and the overall shape of the CloudTec elements looks different as well.
It feels accurate to describe the Cloudrunner 3 as offering guidance. On points to their Asymmetrical Heel Clip, which they say creates greater medial support, while the noticeably higher sidewalls help keep the foot centered through landing and toe-off. Nothing here feels aggressive or corrective—just subtle structure.
Specs:
- Stack: 31mm/23mm
- Drop: 8mm
- Weight: 10.9 oz (Mens 12)
Upper:
This is a genuinely plush shoe to slip on, and it immediately reminded me why this line works so well for travel. The upper is made from 100% recycled, Swiss-engineered mesh, and it strikes a nice balance between softness and structure (again- focusing on stabilizing the foot).
The tongue is comfortably padded, there’s plenty of support around the heel, and overall it just feels good to wear—whether you’re heading out for a run or spending a long day on your feet. While it can feel a touch roomy at first, it still holds and hugs the foot nicely once you’re locked in.
Midsole:
One big change between the original Cloudrunner and the V2 was in the midsole, and On has been dialing road feel better and better across its lineup. Most On shoes still lean firmer, and the Cloudrunner series features Helion superfoam, which tries to create balanced level of cushioning.
After finally getting miles in the Cloudrunner 3, the midsole does feel a touch more cushioned than expected—but make no mistake, this is still a fairly firm shoe overall. In today’s daily trainer landscape, there are plenty of options that deliver noticeably more cushion. The ride here isn’t jarring or abrasive by any means, but if you’ve spent time in newer mid-tier foams, this one will feel firm by comparison. And a 31mm/23mm stack height is pretty low nowadays.
The base of the shoe is noticeable wide to me and the forefoot rocker isn’t aggressive, but it does help with smooth transitions. Since the Cloudrunner 3 leans into stability, the shoe is designed to keep the foot on the ground a bit longer. That naturally makes the ride feel firmer and more connected to the surface, unlike less stable, speed-focused shoes that trade support for bounce.
Outsole:
We don’t talk a ton about outsoles here at Run Oregon—mostly because it’s not all that fun, and at this point most brands have things pretty well figured out. When it comes to On shoes, there’s always someone asking, “won’t rocks get stuck in those holes?” and I’m pretty sure that has never happened to me in a decade of wearing On. Maybe I am just lucky.
The grip here should handle just about any normal, everyday terrain you’re throwing at it. On also added roughly a millimeter more outsole for improved durability. Does that add a little weight? Probably. But the Cloudrunner has never been a shoe that’s trying to win a grams-on-the-scale contest anyway—and that’s perfectly fine.
Overall:
Where the Cloudrunner 3 really earns its keep is as a travel shoe. When I travel, I try to pack light—carry-on only whenever possible—which means bringing shoes that can pull double duty. The Cloudrunner 3 (in literally every colorway available) looks good enough to wear casually with shorts or jeans, transitions easily from walking to running, and still has enough cushioning to comfortably handle vacation miles. I’m usually not chasing high volume when traveling, but I do want something that can reliably get me through 4–7 mile runs, and this shoe absolutely holds up there.
At $160, the Cloudrunner 3 is a daily training, stability-focused shoe—it’s not trying to be a $250 super-trainer, so let’s stop pretending. What it is is a balanced, supportive ride with a plush upper and style that works on the street as well as the trail. For a stability-minded daily trainer, it absolutely delivers.
And, if you travel like I do, or want the ability to drop into a run on a whim without packing multiple pairs—it may be worth the trade-off.
