On running shoes review

Running is my first love and I’ve been doing it for over 17 years now. However my last few years have been tough. I’ve dealt with a lot of knee issues and my running (and sometimes sanity) has suffered.

I’ve seen a lot of professionals, worked on a lot of strength to fix imbalances and tried a myriad of running shoes.

I received a pair of On running shoes from the company and was excited to test them out.

Cloudsurfers
Despite attempting Pose running, I still heel strike. These shoes are perfect for me as a heel striker.

They use a CloudTec system, meaning the sole has lugs or clouds to absorb force and ensure a soft landing. For me, this means the clouds take the road shock that used to hurt my knees.

You might think that means they’re clunky to push off from, but it’s quite the opposite. Once the foot hits the ground, the clouds compress providing a foundation for a powerful push off.

As it explains in the video, “clever rubber elements cushion your landing then lock firm for a powerful takeoff”.

I’ve worn the shoes for a few runs and have found them to be very comfortable.

I got the Cloudsurfer and they have a 7mm heel drop (the maximum drop their shoes have is 7mm and I think the minimum is 5mm). It’s a little more than I’ve been running in this year, but if my knees are less sore I don’t mind a couple extra millimetres.

I generally experience issues with my heels sliding in shoes. These have an ergonomically designed heel and mine feel very supported in them.

Oddly, I really like their laces. Not only do they come with two pairs of different colours, but they also are long. I always double knot my laces and barely have enough to do so in some shoes. With these laces I can double knot and still have leftover lace.

They also have nice mesh with good ventilation, which is so great in warm or hot weather.

The downside
The only negative I see is for winter running. Although I just described the mesh ventilation as a good thing, my feet will get mighty cold on winter runs, especially in snow.

I’ll try them out in winter, as I want to test their traction. However, my feet get cold quickly in most shoes and I’m sure these will be no different.

If they made a Gore-Tex style, I’d be the first to buy them!

Overall
I have really liked the shoes and can’t wait to keep running in them as I pick up some distance. My knees haven’t been hurting, my heel is cushioned and my feet feel adequately supported.

If you’re the type to judge a book by its cover, they have cute colour options and I love my aqua and coral!

On running shoes can be purchased online or at local running shops.

About On and their athletes
On is a Swiss company with three cofounders, one of whom was a professional triathlete: Olivier Bernhard, David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti.

They began developing On running shoes in 2005. The shoes hit the shelves of running stores in Europe in 2010 and by 2011 were being sold in 18 countries at more than 500 shops.

They sponsor quite a few triathletes, from Olympians to XTERRA and iron distance athletes.

Just this past weekend, On athlete Frederik Van Lierde won the Ironman World Championships in a pair of On Cloudracers.

I was provided a pair of On running shoes at no cost. Opinions are all my own and no other compensation was provided. 

What brand of shoes do you run in? Are you committed to a specific brand?