On CloudStratus Review: Still Worth It After 1000km?
CloudStratus 4 vs the original: what changed?
It seems that I wasn't the only one that didn't get on with the groove cut into the sole on the CloudStratus. The sole, with the Double CloudTec® technology, was one of their main selling points. The shoe felt light and was comfortable to run in. But it was really only good on smooth tarmac. The On CloudStratus 3 design was an improvement with the cut away trimmed back and no longer a pinch point. It seems that the On CloudStratus 4 will be a further refined shoe when (if) it lands.
However, I can’t find any reference to CloudStratus or CloudStratus 4 on the on.com website. It seems that the shoe is now discontinued, replaced by the Cloudrunner 3. On look like they have evolved their favourite everyday running shoe. The Cloudrunner 3 sole is smoothed out even more, with all the issues that affected the CloudStratus, engineered out of the sole. It was the main reason that I stopped running in the CloudStratus, but the new Cloudrunner 3 is a shoe I would wear for long runs.
On has moved on as a brand over the last few years, and now sports a huge range of everyday shoes and running shoes. Their line up now looks like highly modern running shoes with the latest materials and technology built into them.
I regularly run 10kms races, and enjoy half-marathons, and the shoe you run in has to be comfortable and able to withstand all those kilometers, not just in training but on the day itself. On has a huge range now from everyday runners through to LightSpray Cloudboom Strike elite running shoes, similar to the Nike Alphafly 3, with knitted uppers that merge into the runner’s socks.
Updated: June 11th, 2026
Updated: With just over 1000kms run in my On CloudStratus running shoes it is time to write up a review on my thoughts. So, here they are!
I bought the On CloudStratus on a whim, I was looking for a new running shoe to replace some New Balance V1080s and as they'd gone up quite a bit in price, I decided to look around and see what else I could get for my money. The shop I was looking in was Moti Running in Cardiff and is a great running/triathlon store that is staffed by runners.
First Impressions
On trying a couple of pairs of different brands, including Brookes, Saucony, and New Balance, I found a pair of On CloudStratus that looked good. More importantly they felt good around my feet, my toes had plenty of room in the toe box and a brief run on their treadmill confirmed that they were comfortable and had plenty of cushioning in the midsole. The cutouts design acting like a series of dampers to make running in really cushioned.
On the side of the shoe is a Swiss flag, and there was an expectation of greatness from a shoe designed and perfected in Switzerland, which I guess gave weight to my decision to buy these shoes. The shoe is aimed at runners and the cut out on the outer sole helps reduce the weight of the shoe further. The colours were all muted, and the pair I bought were pale blue. Nothing fancy, not like the Hokas that scream colour! So that was it, it was a deal, and I took the shoes home. I track all my runs with the Garmin Forerunner 955 paired with a Polar H10 heart rate monitor — a solid combo for keeping effort in check over long distances.
After running 1000kms
Now, after covering over 1000km in these shoes, here’s what I found.
- Fit During Runs : During runs the shoes offer plenty of support, and my feet don’t move around much in them. Not had any blisters or any kind of rubbing when out on runs, and the longest run was a half-marathon, maybe slightly longer.
- Cushioning & Responsiveness : The cushioning feels fine, not experiencing any jars or unpleasant knee issues, so long as I was running on tarmac, I found the shoes fine to run in.
- Traction & Stability : Grip on wet roads is no problem. I run on a mixture of dry and wet roads, not yet run these on snow or ice, so I can't comment on that. But on wet roads they are a stable pair of shoes to run in.
- Weight & Breathability : Living in Portugal, sometimes it gets very hot out on runs and you can feel your feet swelling, but the shoes are never uncomfortably hot. The mesh seems breathable and allows plenty of cooling. Conversely, when my feet get wet when running in the rain, my feet are still stable in the shoes.
- The cut away outer sole : This is something that the salesman (a runner) said is a real bonus to have, as it makes the shoe lighter. However, for me it is a constant source of irritation because all the cutaway does is pinch stones on outdoor runs. As soon as a stone is lodged in your sole, you must stop to rake it out.
My Verdict
These are a great gym shoe, or track shoe, but I wouldn't look to buy these again because of the issue with the sole. It just spoiled too many runs, and having a stone pinched in the sole could cause some damage to my foot if I landed particularly hard and there not be any cushioning because of a stone that is stuck.
Where to Buy
- I bought in a specialist shop, which was important because there's a ton of advice there from experienced runners, and a treadmill that gives you a chance to try them out before purchasing them. Too late if you get home and find that they pinch your toes when you go for your first run.
- However, buying online does make sense, especially if you're replacing a shoe that you've bought before and know the exact size that you need. I've bought online a few times, but always for shoes that are being replaced with the exact same pair. View on Amazon .
In the end, while the On CloudStratus offers a solid and comfortable ride with good breathability and cushioning, the issue with the cutaway sole consistently collecting stones became a dealbreaker for me. Despite their strengths, it’s hard to recommend them for outdoor running. That said, if you're looking for a gym or track shoe, these could be a great option. However, for road runners, there are better alternatives—Hokas, for example, have proven to be my go-to for long, uninterrupted runs. See my post on On Cloud vs Hoka . Ultimately, your choice will depend on the surfaces you run on and whether the sole design works for you. If you found the same, or had a different experience, let us know in the comments below!