On Running
Cloudsoma Running Shoe - Men's
$180.00
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The Grivet Take
The Cloudsoma is On's hybrid road-and-trail crossover. CloudTec Connect cushioning flexes with the foot for natural ground feel; Helion HF foam reads responsive without crossing into max-cushion territory; Missiongrip outsole grips well on smooth trail and gravel but the 2mm lug depth limits technical-trail capability. Best thought of as a gravel-class shoe, ideal for runners who run mixed surfaces, gravel paths, and smooth-to-moderate trails. Skip it for technical or muddy trails (the Speedgoat 6 and Peregrine 16 are the right answer there), pure road running (a road trainer like the Cloudsurfer is better), and ultra-distance trail efforts.
Fit & Feel snapshot
Fit
LengthHow the shoe fits compared with true-to-size expectations.
True to size
Toe box widthHow much side-to-side room the shoe has across the front of the foot.4 of 5
NarrowWide
Toe box volumeHow much vertical room the shoe has above the toes.3 of 5
LowHigh
MidfootHow snug or roomy the shoe feels through the arch and laces.3 of 5
SnugRoomy
Heel holdHow securely the back of the shoe holds the heel.4 of 5
LooseLocked
Ride
CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.3 of 5
MinimalMaximal
SoftnessHow soft or firm the cushioning feels underfoot.3 of 5
FirmPlush
RockerHow much the shoe's shape rolls you forward through the step.2 of 5
FlatAggressive
ResponsivenessHow much pop or energy return the shoe feels like it gives back.4 of 5
DeadBouncy
Support
Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
Neutral
Stability
Motion Control
No added support structure
PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
Standard platform
How it fits
Fits true to size with moderately roomy forefoot space. Standard (D) width only. Heel hold is solid; midfoot is normal volume. The upper feels stiff out of the box but breaks in within the first few runs. Tongue is thin but comfortable over the instep.
How it feels
Light, responsive, ground-aware. CloudTec Connect cushioning is On's evolution of the iconic CloudTec sole, with channeled islands of foam and outsole that flex independently for natural trail feel. Helion HF foam reads as energetic and responsive at moderate paces. Missiongrip outsole grips well on smooth trail and gravel, but the 2mm lug depth means muddy and technical terrain isn't where this shoe shines. Flexibility is high for a trail shoe; ground feel is generous.
Quick specs
- Category
- Daily trainer
- Surface
- Smooth trail · Mixed terrain · Road plus light trail
- Heel stackHow much shoe sits between your foot and the ground.
- 33.0 mm
- Forefoot stack
- 27.0 mm
- DropThe difference between heel height and forefoot height, measured in millimeters.
- 6.0 mm
- Weight (men's 9)
- 8.5 oz · 241 g
- CushionHow much material sits underfoot. This is about amount of cushioning, not how soft it feels.
- 3 / 5
- Support TypeSupport Type describes how much built-in guidance the shoe has. Neutral shoes do not add support structure. Stability shoes use geometry, rails, firmer foam, or frame designs to create a more guided feel. Motion control shoes are the maximum-support category and are rare in modern running.
- Neutral
- PlatformPlatform describes the width and shape of the shoe's base underfoot. A wider platform can feel steadier even when the shoe is neutral. This is separate from Support Type.
- Standard platform
- Midsole
- Helion HF
- Outsole
- Missiongrip rubber
- PlateA stiff layer, usually carbon, nylon, or TPU, built into some shoes to add structure, snap, or propulsion.
- No
- WidthsThe width options this shoe is made in. Actual availability depends on current inventory.
- D
Tech, translated
CloudTec Connect cushioning: On's evolution of the iconic CloudTec sole. The individual cloud elements are channeled into islands designed to flex independently with the foot's natural motion, providing more sensory feedback than the older, more rigid CloudTec.
Helion HF (Hyper Foam): On's premium superfoam, lighter and more energetic than standard Helion. Tuned for responsive performance.
Missiongrip outsole: On's trail-specific rubber compound. The Cloudsoma uses 14 separate small lug patches at 2mm depth, optimized for gravel and smooth trail surfaces. Less aggressive than deep-lug technical-trail outsoles like Vibram Megagrip on the Speedgoat 6.
Sock-like upper: seamless, performance-fit construction that hugs the foot for natural-feel lockdown. Stiff out of the box but breaks in quickly.
Frequently asked
Does the On Cloudsoma run true to size?
Yes, the Cloudsoma fits true to size for most runners. The forefoot has moderately generous room, with the upper occasionally wrinkling slightly over the toes during the run-in. Heel and midfoot lockdown are solid. Standard (D) width only; runners with notably wider feet may want to look at the Brooks Cascadia 19 (D and 2E available) instead.
How does the On Cloudsoma compare to the Saucony Peregrine 16?
Both target trail running but at different intensities. The Cloudsoma is best thought of as a gravel and light-trail shoe, with light 2mm lugs, flexible CloudTec Connect cushioning, and a softer ride for mixed-surface running. The Peregrine 16 is a dedicated trail shoe with Vibram Megagrip outsole, deeper lugs, and a rock plate for technical trail use. Choose the Cloudsoma for gravel paths, smooth-to-moderate trails, and runs that mix road and trail. Choose the Peregrine 16 for technical, rocky, or muddy trails where premium grip and protection matter most.
Is the On Cloudsoma firm or soft underfoot?
Medium and notably responsive. Helion HF foam delivers more energy return than standard Helion at moderate paces, with CloudTec Connect cushioning that flexes more than older CloudTec. The result is a ride that reads firmer than max-cushion options like the Speedgoat 6 but more forgiving than minimal trail racers. Best at uptempo to moderate paces; slower paces don't activate the foam's bounce.
Compare it toSimilar shoes or common alternatives, with the key fit and ride differences called out.
Saucony Peregrine 16
Choose the Cloudsoma if you run mostly gravel and smooth trail with mixed surfaces. Choose the Peregrine 16 if your routes include technical or muddy trail where Vibram Megagrip and deeper lugs matter.
Compare Saucony Peregrine 16 →
Brooks Cascadia 19
Choose the Cloudsoma for the lighter, more flexible CloudTec Connect feel on gravel and smooth trail. Choose the Cascadia 19 for Brooks's articulated rock plate and a more traditional trail-shoe character.
Compare Brooks Cascadia 19 →
Saucony Peregrine 15
Choose the Cloudsoma for the lighter weight and more flexible road-to-trail character. Choose the Peregrine 15 for the previous-generation Saucony all-mountain shoe at potential closeout pricing.
Compare Saucony Peregrine 15 →
Saucony Peregrine 14
Choose the Cloudsoma for On's CloudTec Connect feel on gravel paths. Choose the Peregrine 14 for the older Saucony trail shoe at lower stack and price.
Compare Saucony Peregrine 14 →
Buyer's guide
Read our trail running shoes guide
Lugs, rock plates, stack height, and fit for everything from gravel to technical singletrack.
Read the guide