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Close-up of CloudTec shock absorbing units in the forefoot; photo by E. Shiwanov
engineer of the duo noticed a horizontal
shock component most cushioning
systems fail to address. So CloudTec’s
design continues to dissipate shock carried
by horizontal momentum just after
ground contact.
With all that shock absorption going
on, you would think you would lose a
substantial portion of your energy at toeoff
– like springing off Jell-O. CloudTec
has a solution for that too. As the Cloud-
Tec units compress, locking elements
within engage each other, effectively creating
a firm surface from which to propel.
Just before that happens, another
feature of CloudTec kicks in. A momentary
instability forces your lower body’s
stabilizer muscles to fire.
“On activates the postural musculature
through a controlled instability
that is experienced in the split-second
when the 13 CloudTec elements close on
impact,” explains David Allemann, cofounder
and CEO of On Running. “On
is offering activation combined with
intelligent cushioning that is superior to
traditional running shoes.”
A just released study conducted
by the Institute of Human Movement
Sciences and Sport at the Swiss Federal
Institute of Technology (ETH) confirms
what On Running athletes surmise. Lead
researchers Urs Boutellier and Claudia
Knöpfli-Lenzin found statistically significant
lower heart rates and lactic acid
levels from 40 fit athletes using On Running
shoes versus their favorite trainers.
28 | InsideOutdoor | Summer 2011
“The physiological benefits of the
On compared to conventional running
shoes seem to increase at higher
speeds,” remarks Boutellier. “It will be
exciting to see how this translates into
competition results.”
Basically, their findings imply you
can run faster expending the same
amount of energy you are now.
TEST rIDE:
CLOUDSUrFEr
For those wanting to take the leap
into the midfoot striking world but up
to now have been undecided, this is the
vehicle to do it in. Even though On’s
midsole platform is lower than conventional
running product, the CloudTec
units in the heel easily will absorb any
momentary lapses back to heel striking.
“On is offering the advantages of
barefoot running without its downsides,”
says Allemann. “You might agree
that barefoot is not a realistic option for
most people, except for short training
sessions on forgiving surfaces. We
On-Running Cloudsurfer, catching
the wave of performance art,
MSRP $159
therefore do see On as going into the
same not the opposite direction of natural
running shoes. In short, On provides
superior cushioning and the activation
of a natural running shoe.”
There is no question about it, the
shoes have scads of shock absorption.
On the downhills, trails or hard surfaces,
I found the impact protection very obvious.
Still, the minimalist feel was right
there with plenty of feedback during
midstance (weight on your midfoot)
through toe-off. The midsole flex has
a definite forefoot hinge due to the
CloudTec element’s forefoot placement,
but that was not a problem. I wondered
if I would feel the individual CloudTec
units through the midsole when I was
up on my toes during long steep uphills.
That proved not to be the case.
While not inexpensive at about $160,
the prospect of better competitions,
training, injury recovery or longer-lasting
shock absorption could well justify
the price of admission. On Running
North American distribution will be
limited to specialty running shops and
select Footlockers close to major running
communities.
aLTra SpOrTS
Jeremy Howlett, co-founder,
cousin and vice president of marketing,
confirms the story. South of Salt
Lake City, in Orem, Utah to be exact,
Runner’s Corner, a family owned and
operated specialty running store, is
where it all started.
It was fertile ground for co-founder
Golden Harper to sharpen his ideas
on what running footwear should be.
His mom and dad, both accomplished
competitive marathoners (his mom
Cheryl being a five time Olympic
Marathon trials qualifier) became the
sole owners of Runner’s Corner in 1995.
Harper started working in the store at
age 9, getting the opportunity to see
the product and hear the customer
feedback, which would later influence
his ideas. Part of that process included
the Runner’s Corner staff and local
runners who began altering their shoes.
Customers saw the staff doing this and
how the alterations could address some
of their own running problems. Under
the guidance of the store staff, 2,000-