Race-day shoes are always among the most fun and exciting to review. Centered around speed and performance, these racing shoes are always light, fast, and propulsive. They use the brand’s latest, most innovative technology to keep you flying towards the finish line of any race.
Carbon-plated racing shoes are a relatively new running shoe phenomenon, with the first ones dating back to just 2017. But brands have quickly dialed in and found new ways to make each new racing model faster and more innovative than ever before.
Many athletes know the brand On running as a great option for casual lifestyle and gym shoes. However, the brand has made a name for itself in recent years in the high-performance running shoe space as well. Several top elite track and road running athletes have crossed finish lines donning On shoes. This includes NYC and Boston Marathon winner Hellen Obiri.
Obiri wore the Cloudboom Strike LS during these historic runs. This LightSpray version is a member of the Cloudboom Strike family with an innovative seamless LightSpray upper. So with both the Cloudboom Strike 2 and Cloudboom Strike 2 LS released at the end of July, our review team couldn’t wait to see how the newest iteration of these racing shoes performed.
In this review, we’ll be highlighting the standard Cloudboom Strike 2. We’ll cover all the features, both old and new, summarize our road test findings, and compare the shoe to the Cloudboom Strike 2 LS and some of the other top racing shoes on the market today.
A Quick Overview of the Cloudboom Strike 2
Just the shoe name – Cloudboom Strike – evokes speed, energy, and a dynamic ride. And all the tech and specs help support this speedy, energetic running experience. Here’s a rundown of what to expect in the Cloudboom Strike 2.
- A race-day shoe designed to deliver a fast, propulsive ride in distances up to a marathon
- Stack height: 39 mm in the heel, 34 mm in the toe
- 5 mm drop
- Weight: 6.7 oz (unisex sizing)
- Midsole made from new high-performance Helion HF super foam
- New CloudTec Sphere geometry uses unique, precisely engineered midsole channels for maximum rebound
- Open-weave upper enhances breathability and flexibility
- Curved carbon speedboard is sandwiched between midsole layers for more propulsion and energy return
- High-grip rubber outsole improves traction at high speeds
- Price: $250
Cloudboom Strike 2: A Closer Look
Now that you know what features to expect, let’s dive into how these features look and play out in the 2nd Cloudboom Strike iteration.
New CloudTec Sphere Geometry
On Running first made a name for itself with its unique CloudTec technology, hollow pods in the midsole that compress and spring up to deliver exceptional rebound. Even the first iteration of the Cloudboom Strike featured a scaled-down version of the brand’s CloudTec midsole technology.
But the Cloudboom Strike 2 does away with the standard CloudTec design. Instead, it introduces CloudTec Sphere, a brand-new technology built to deliver maximum performance, rebound, and shock absorption.
This new midsole construction contains segmented channels, with small gaps between the midfoot and forefoot that flex and move with you as you run. The cushioned channels compress and bounce back as you run, delivering maximum rebound and keeping your legs feeling fresh for miles and miles.
Reformulated Helion HF Super Foam
The new construction helps deliver remarkable speed and energy return with every step. However, it isn’t the only element at play here. The geometric design works alongside a new Helion HF in the Cloudboom Strike 2 for even more responsiveness and energy return than its predecessor.
This PEBA foam is 15% lighter than before, with a springy, energetic ride that keeps you moving forward with lots of momentum. This redesigned foam is meant to keep the shoe feeling light and dynamic, and it certainly accomplishes this goal. The Cloudboom Strike 2 weighs in at only 6.7 oz, down from the previous iteration’s 7.4 oz.
Even the Cloudboom Strike 2’s insole delivers added cushioning and rebound. The padded Helion HF midsole foam adds some extra protection directly underfoot.
Carbon Speedboard
The Cloudboom Strike’s midsole is made up of 3 main elements, and the carbon fiber Speedplate is the third and final one. Paired with the bouncy foam and CloudTec Sphere technology, the curved Speedboard sandwiched within the midsole layers helps keep you moving forward with even more energy return.
This Speedboard adds some firmness that balances out the high stack of ultra-bouncy cushioning. It helps the shoe feel stable underfoot – even with the 39/35 mm stack height – and helps push you towards a race day PR.
Breathable Open-Weave Upper & Fit
Around the top of the foot, an ultra-light open-weave material is used to keep you feeling locked-in and supported on race day.
The material securely wraps the foot while delivering exceptional airflow and ventilation for maximum comfort from the first step to the last mile. It’s incredibly flexible, and while there isn’t much extra padding, this no-frills design helps keep the shoe feeling lightweight and airy. A heel counter adds just a touch of structure alongside the flexible and adaptable design.
The Cloudboom Strike 2 fits true-to-size, with a relatively snug and secure fit to prevent any distracting rubbing or movement on race day. The model also comes in unisex sizing, so for women’s sizing, be sure to order 1.5 sizes up from your typical size.
Value & Durability
As with any racing shoe, you’ll be spending more than a traditional training shoe on the Cloudboom Strike 2. At $250, the Cloudboom Strike is a bit more affordable than many carbon plated super shoes, but still comes at a higher price point than more traditional running shoes.
However, with a full-coverage high-grip rubber outsole, we also expect that you’ll find lots of value for your money with these On racing shoes. The grippy outsole ensures there’s plenty of traction as you dig deep and pick up the pace, so you can feel confident with every step. This outsole also improves the shoe’s longevity, protecting the bouncy foam from early wear.
Road Test Results: Hitting the Road in the Cloudboom Strike 2
The Cloudboom Strike 2 is a premium race day shoe, but our review team didn’t want to wait until race day to test out this newest model. Instead, we laced it up for a variety of different test runs, including long easy miles, track workouts, and everything in between.
The big standout with the Cloudboom Strike 2 was the redesigned midsole construction. A segmented CloudTec Sphere midsole geometry replaces the familiar CloudTec pods.
Overall, we were impressed with this new tech’s smooth, energetic ride. The segmented midsole channels provided some flex that moved naturally with the feet as we picked up the pace. Working with the carbon Speedboard and Helion Hyper Foam, every step felt cushioned, propulsive, and dynamic.
The Cloudboom Strike 2 is co-created with distance athletes, and this collaboration is evident in how the shoe excelled during uptempo runs and speed workouts. The ultra-light design and exceptional rebound made it easy to switch into high gear, and the grippy rubber outsole kept us confident and secure through every stride.
While the shoe shined during these faster intervals, we were also happy to find that the amount of cushioning made this a versatile choice that also worked for long runs and easy mileage. The Cloudboom Strike is aimed at half and full marathon runners. So while it does need speed and responsiveness, it also needs to deliver comfort, stability, and protection for miles and miles.
Luckily, the high stack height and springy, responsive foam excel in this area. Even as our runs crept up towards the marathon distance, the Cloudboom Strike 2 kept legs feeling fresh and ready to take on more miles.
One aspect our review team really appreciated was just how stable the Cloudboom Strike 2 is for a high-cushion race-day shoe. Racing shoes can often feel overly spongy and propulsive, almost as if they’re doing the work for you, limiting your stability and groundfeel. While the Cloudboom Strike has some of these propulsive elements, such as the carbon plate and high stack height, it also feels a lot more stable than some other racing shoes on the market.
The stiff, responsive foam, as well as the Speedboard sandwiched in the midsole, prevent the shoe from feeling too soft and wobbly over the course of a long run. The model also doesn’t have as pronounced a rocker shape as comparable models. This flatter profile has both benefits and drawbacks. It keeps the shoe feeling a bit more stable underfoot, but also doesn’t drive you forward as quickly and effortlessly as shoes with a more curved midsole design.
We could also see the upper being a point of contention among runners. The open weave material is incredibly lightweight and breathable. If you prefer a barely-there, minimalist upper, you’ll likely appreciate what it has to offer.
However, outside of a touch of extra padding on the tongue, there isn’t much extra cushioning around the top of the foot. This lightweight construction excels at reducing bulk and keeping feet cool and comfortable, but doesn’t provide the luxurious step-in comfort some may expect from a premium racing shoe.
Pros and Cons
Our comprehensive road testing revealed both upsides and downsides to the new Cloudboom Strike 2. Here’s an overview of what we found:
Pros
- Incredibly stable ride, especially for a high cushion carbon plated racing shoe
- New CloudTec Sphere technology feels great underfoot, delivering the spring and energy return needed to pick up the pace
- Reformulated Helion HF foam is lighter and more resilient than previous iterations, creating a dynamic feel and helping keep the shoe at a lightweight 6.7 oz
- Carbon Speedboard adds propulsion and forward momentum to help you feel race-ready
- More affordable than comparable race shoes at $250, with a high-grip rubber outsole to ensure more traction, durability, and value for your money
Cons
- Open weave upper is incredibly light and breathable but may feel too minimal and unstructured for some athletes
- Lacks the super propulsive geometry found in some other racing shoes. While this construction can improve stability, it also results in a less exciting and dynamic running experience compared to other racing shoes
How Does the Cloudboom Strike 2 Stack Up?
As far as racing shoes go, the Cloudboom Strike 2 is one of the most stable, accessible, and responsive options on the market. However, it’s not the only choice to consider when you’re shopping for your next race day shoe. In fact, it’s not even the only member of the Cloudboom Strike family to keep in mind.
The Cloudboom Strike LS 2 was also released in late July, offering a lighter, more high-tech alternative to the standard Cloudboom Strike. While the midsole construction is the same as the Cloudboom Strike 2, the upper is made from a seamless precision-fit LightSpray upper.
This adaptive upper reduces the shoe’s weight even more, bringing it to only 5.6 oz for unisex sizing. With that, the $330 price point also makes it more expensive than the Cloudboom Strike 2. But if you want the lightest, fastest shoe possible on race day, you’ll likely find this elite racing shoe worth the extra dollars.
The Cloudboom Strike 2 is relatively firm underfoot with a minimal upper. While this keeps the shoe agile and stable, it also may not be the best choice for anyone looking for maximum step-in comfort in their race day shoes. Those who want bounce and propulsion but with more all-around softness may want to consider the Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 instead. It’s a bit heavier and less stable than the Cloudboom Strike, but delivers more plush cushioning with every step.
The Finish Line: Final Thoughts and Recommendations on the Cloudboom Strike 2
In recent years, On has become a top player in the running shoe world. From their gym shoes to daily trainers to premium racing shoes, you can feel confident you’re getting reliable comfort and support.
And when you need a shoe to help you reach the finish line and achieve new PRs, the Cloudboom Strike 2 is up for the task. It may not be the most aggressive racing shoe around, but we think it’s a top choice for anyone looking for a versatile speed shoe that can easily carry over from training runs to race day.
Now, you can try the Cloudboom Strike 2, LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2, and some of the other top racing shoes at your nearest Marathon Sports. Stop by any location, and our dedicated footwear experts will use the Right Fit process to ensure you find a shoe that meets all your running needs.
You need a shoe that can keep up with you, no matter the distance, pace, or effort. Whether that’s an On racing shoe or another of the top running shoe models, we can’t wait to help you find the gear you need to be off and running.
