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The best On running shoes and kit for every type of run and runner
If you love Swiss running brand On's range of running apparel, you are in LUCK! On is offering runners 2-for-1 on selected running apparel in its Cyber Monday sale.
Simply add any of the two items from the Cyber Monday collection to your cart, enter the code WearItOut at checkout and On will gift you the item of lesser value for free.
What should I buy from the On Cyber Monday sale 2022?
We've scoured the sale and here are our top picks – keep scrolling to read our kit reviews.
Women's
Tops
Bottoms
Men's
Tops
Bottoms
About On
Swiss running brand On has made great strides since it launched its first shoe – the Cloudracer – in 2012. Rewind to 2010, however, and On's success was merely a twinkle in the eye of its co-founders, Olivier Bernhard (a former six-time Ironman champ), Caspar Coppetti and David Allemann, who joined forces in Bernhard’s quest to create a running shoe that delivered a uniquely cushioned landing followed by an explosive toe-off. Twelve years later, the running brand’s distinctive ‘Cloud’-clad outsole design is instantly recognisable, and the company is touted as being one of the world’s fastest-growing running shoe brands.
On's secret sauce – and the reason behind its unmistakable silhouette – is undoubtedly its unique CloudTec technology; hollow pods strategically placed throughout the outsole, which compress to absorb impact forces for a soft landing and then lock to form a solid foundation for a powerful push-off. On calls this ‘running on clouds’.
Together with its top-notch uppers and swish aesthetic, this cushioned yet firm and responsive ride has earned the brand a swift upwards trajectory and a growing fanbase worldwide, whether it's on the road or trail. Unsurprisingly, the same level of meticulous Swiss engineering has also gone into creating On’s running apparel, which is characterised by super-lightweight, tech-packed performance fabrics.
The 9 best On running shoes
Type Road/neutral
Price £130
Weight 238g (M), 198g (W)
Drop 9mm
Ideal for everyday miles, 10Ks and tempo runs, the On Cloudflow – now in its third generation – is the lightest of our test shoes and has been engineered for ‘high speeds and maximum comfort’. Coupled with lightweight Helion foam, the midsole’s impact-absorbing CloudTec pods deliver an impressively comfy ride, while the springy Speedboard feels responsive when pushing the pace. Testers felt light and fast, with one narrow-footed tester praising the lower-profile shape and the foot-hugging fit (PSA: there’s also a wide-foot version). Strategically positioned rubber grip traction pads did the job on wet tarmac and even slushy snow without a hint of a slip. And the breathable mesh upper feels lightweight and offers a reassuringly secure fit.
Type Road/neutral
Price £150
Weight 275g (M), 230g (W)
Drop 6mm
With its amped-up CloudTec midsole, lightweight Helion foam stack and snappy midsole Speedboard, On’s new maximal shoe promises to deliver ‘massive cushioning and max energy’ during long and easy-pace runs. Despite its chunky looks and hefty wedge, testers described it as lightweight, soft and ‘bouncy’ underfoot, with a stable fit. Yes, it’s firmer than the marshmallowy ride of some maxi shoes. However, they still enjoyed the cushioned run experience and the gentle rocker geometry, which is designed to propel you forward and keep your legs feeling fresh.
Also featuring a lightweight mesh wrap tongue, thick eyelet lacing and a breathable mesh upper, this is one for cruising through your easy miles.
Type Road/neutral
Price £140
Weight 335g (M), 266g (W)
Drop 11mm
Now in its sixth generation, On’s original performance shoe is designed to deliver the comfort of a training shoe with racing-flat speed. A smidge heavier than the brand’s alternative speed picks, it’s the only On shoe to feature Rebound Rubber Cloud elements. These lend the shoe durability and offer a springy sensation. Coupled with the midsole Speedboard and extra cushioning at the heel, this made for a comfy, responsive ride for our testers. For shorter speed sessions, tempo runs, and 10Ks, it earned our team a few shiny Strava trophies and won praise for its ground connection. Testers also liked the flexible mesh upper with wraparound tongue, commenting that they felt snug and reassuringly held in during fast strides.
Type Road/neutral
Price £140
Weight 282g (M), 220g (W)
Drop 6mm
Designed for pavement-pounding urban runners, the On Cloudswift takes the brand's commitment to impact protection up a notch. Repositioned Helion foam CloudTec pods offer increased forefoot cushioning, while enlarged clouds to the rear are designed to provide better heel cushioning, dampening heel strikes. Add the rocker shape for toe-off propulsion and a reengineered polypropylene Speedboard in the midsole, and you have a daily trainer that our tester felt lived up to its ‘swift’ name on the tarmac and treadmill. A quarter cage at the heel, internal reinforcements in the forefoot and the sock-like upper with an integrated tongue were all features appreciated by our narrow-footed testers.
Type Road/support
Price £155
Weight 292g (M), 245g (W)
Drop 9mm
The Cloudflyer Waterproof has everything you need from a mild stability shoe, with 100 percent waterproofing thrown in for good measure. Together with a stack of smart tech designed to keep pronators comfortable (including some of the brand’s largest Cloud elements, a bespoke Speedboard, 3D moulded heel and a wider sole), it features a midfoot stability tube that supports the medial side of the foot for comfort and stability. Testers felt snug and comfy in the shoe without feeling the support – something our neutral runners reported, too. Crucially, the waterproof membrane passed our muddle puddle stomp tests with flying colours.
On trail running shoes
Type Trail/neutral
Price £135
Weight 310g (M), 250g (W)
Drop 6mm
Thanks to its roster of mountain athletes, On had plenty of feedback to draw upon for the third iteration of its technical trail shoe. The result is an improved design finely tuned for better ground feedback, with an upgraded textured sticky rubber Missiongrip outsole, a new midsole Slingshot Speedboard and a closed CloudTec midsole channel. Testers noticed the ride felt a tad firmer than their usual trail kicks but were impressed with the grip; although geared for rocky, technical trails, its lugs deftly navigated muddier terrain and wet descents, too. The softer-feeling upper is a welcome addition, as is the plastic-coated toe box for the clumsy rock-kickers among us.
Type Trail/neutral
Price £135
Weight 260g (M), 210g (W)
Drop 4mm
On’s trail racing shoe is worn by its speediest trail athletes, and we can see why. Lightweight and responsive with a flexible forefoot and grippy, multi-directional lugs, it includes a split Speedboard design to allow the foot to adapt to changing trail terrain (no ankle rolling here). Testers were impressed with the grip – its textured Missiongrip outer sole delivered during muddy trail intervals, hill sprints, rapid descents and rock-hopping mixed terrain runs, even in the wet. Granted, the more minimalist design might not be for everyone, but our testers couldn’t fault the shoe. And thanks to the lightweight upper, inner sockliner and impact-absorbing Cloud pods, they felt snug, locked-in and cushioned when tackling technical terrain at speed.
Type Trail/neutral
Price £130
Weight 280g (M), 235g (W)
Drop 7mm
Aimed at runners taking to the trails for the first time, the Cloudvista is designed for moderate and urban off-road conditions. Sitting closest to the Cloudultra in terms of cushioning, it elicited happy ‘oohs’ from testers for its step-in softness and padded ankle collar. Tested on woodland trails, dirt paths and grassy fields, On’s mix of Helion foam and impact-absorbing CloudTec made for a comfy ride (the term ‘bouncy’ was used). The Missiongrip outsole includes small rubber lugs which performed well, providing traction on all but the muddiest of trails. A solid road-to-trail shoe for newbie and everyday trail runners alike – our testers were converts.
On Running Kit
On Running Jackets
Made from lightweight mini-ripstop fabric, On’s windproof and water-resistant Zero jacket weighs in at a remarkably light 61g/52g. Its design includes mesh ventilation underneath the arms for breathability, although our overheating-prone tester did notice a teeny bit of moisture build-up at the elbow crease. Designed for light rain, it kept us dry and protected in drizzly conditions and won praise for amply fitting into a running belt. Our only gripe? It isn’t fully zipped.
A great mix of water-resistance, 360° ventilation and ultra-thin lightweight material, this breathable jacket was a hit on rainy Peak District fell runs. The supple, tear-proof fabric feels incredibly lightweight and comfortable over long periods, and the clever peaked hood kept us protected from the elements. Quick-drying, it stood up to moderate rain and handily packs into its own (water-resistant) breast pocket. We suggest sizing up to best enjoy the athletic fit.
With its beefy waterproofing, this hooded anorak should feel chunky, but doesn’t. It boasts a three-layer waterproof membrane with durable water-repellent coating and a 20,000mm water column – for context, that’s the highest waterproofing level going, usually reserved for very wet backcountry skiing. Hidden vents kept it breathable, the liner’s hydrophilic properties wicked moisture away, and it packs into its own inner pocket. Impressive, if expensive, and a full-zip version would make for easier changing.
Gilets bridge the gap between temperatures, and this one is possibly the lightest we’ve tried. It’s expensive, but for the money you get plenty of tech packed in – ultralight ripstop fabric, Advanced DWR coating, waterproof zip-pockets, superb breathability. This impressive piece of kit kept our core warm and dry in cool, rainy weather, and it handily packs into its own pocket.
SHOP - WOMEN'S
On Running Tops
Made from a super-lightweight and moisture-wicking Japanese knit fabric, this comfortable long-sleeve tee is ideal for cool runs, moderate conditions and stop-start training. We found it worked best as a removable mid-layer in colder weather (we’d opt for On’s short-sleeve T for warmer days). That said, the super-thin, breathable mesh fabric is light and airy, and testers enjoyed its soft feel against the skin.
Designed for racing and chasing PBs, the Performance T had us at hello with its super-lightweight, tear-proof fabric and comfortable fit. Testers found it dried rapidly, and thanks to the breathable, moisture-controlling mesh on the back, it felt fresh throughout sweaty sessions. Taped seams added to the smooth fit (no chafing). 'You almost forget you’re wearing it,' enthused one tester. Expensive, but a long-lasting investment.
This lightweight, long-sleeve performance top looks sharp, almost tailored. Engineered for rain, it has a breathable, protective front with DWR (water repellency) which kept our testers dry in light rain, plus ventilating mesh on the back to avoid overheating. Testers unanimously loved the watch windows for faff-free time checks. Some found the thumb holes a tad tight, though.
This mid-layer running top has you covered on long days out and is designed to adapt to your body temperature, keeping you cool in the heat and warm in the cold. Testers loved the genius ‘watch window’, which allows you to check your pace without exposing your skin. The quick-drying waffle fabric feels soft and comfortable with four-way stretch and quickly absorbs moisture. A great mid-layer for changeable conditions.
If you like your high-performance aesthetic extending to your recovery gear and don’t mind an investment, this hoodie is for you. Swiss-engineered with a high-performance-meets-designer feel, it’s understated but cosy and includes a kangaroo pocket. The technical mix of recycled fabric is soft and surprisingly high-stretch, and it includes clever details like zip vents from wrist to underarm. Ideal in lieu of a warm-up tracksuit or to kick back in after training.
On Running Pants
Testers loved the stretchy, second-skin fabric of these versatile cropped tights, which segue easily from tempo run to gym workout with the odd school run thrown in. We like the sleek, flattering fit, which didn’t ride up or wrinkle. Plus, the moisture-wicking, fast-drying fabric kept us from feeling sweaty when we picked up the pace. The handy covered back pocket fits a phone, and there’s a key pocket, too.
Guaranteed to be unlike anything else in your running wardrobe, these running pants have a luxury tracksuit vibe about them but come packed with run-friendly technology, including ripstop fabric, four-way stretch and advanced DWR (durable water repellency). There’s a handy zip at the ankle and dual-layer mesh for ventilation. Best for cold-weather training and looking the business during race warm-ups, cool-downs and recovery.
Sleek and streamlined, these high-stretch cold-weather tights are packed with clever details and offer a gently compressive fit. Testers felt comfortably ‘held in’ and liked the wide, adjustable waistband and covered smartphone-sized back pocket. Due to the weather, we can’t vouch for the extra warmth the protective inserts above the knee are designed to provide to sensitive tendons, but all our testers were impressed with the fit, which didn’t budge even after hours of wear.
On has taken the humble sweatpant and Swiss-engineered it into a luxe, high-performance item with a price tag to match. The technical fabric is light, breathable and soft with just the right amount of stretch, and the athletic fit is comfy without being baggy. The understated design includes a hidden zip back pocket for valuables. Wear with On’s matching Hoodie and create your own On tracksuit for race-day travel, recovery and beyond.
On Running Shorts
Testers felt fast and light in these stretchy, quick-drying shorts which lived up to their lightweight moniker. Ideal for warm weather, the perforated polyester rear adds to the airy feel to keep you cool during full-gas sessions. Sitting mid-thigh, the streamlined shorts won praise for their stay-put elasticated waistband, comfy mesh inner and chafe-free ride. Brownie points for the clever zip-free rear covered pocket that securely holds a smartphone.
Designed for racing and speed, these lightweight, close-fit shorts offer a snug, gently compressive cut, so the big question was, would they ride up/down? Happily, our testers found their streamlined design stayed put, dried quickly and wicked away moisture, while the soft, wide waistband felt comfortable. With five pockets, including two front drop-in pockets and a built-in mesh belt, there’s ample space for your gels, phone, cards and keys.
Lightweight and sweat-wicking, these fast-drying, dual-layer shorts offer a solid alternative to close-fitting styles. Designed with racing and speedwork in mind, the wide waistband and four-way stretch fabric ticks the boxes for comfort, although we found the looped adjustable waistband a bit fiddly to use. Silicone grips on the inner keep the shorts from riding up, and a reflective logo offers extra visibility at night.
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