On Cloud

Cloud 

Olivier Bernhard established On in 2010, and by 2013, he and co-founders Caspar Coppetti and David Allemann had already won their first award. Buoyed by this, they set about crafting a new silhouette which could become the company’s flagship. The result was the remarkable On Cloud.

Released in 2014, the Cloud featured groundbreaking CloudTec cushioning. Consisting of hollow tubes set into the lightweight Zero-Gravity foam midsole, it offered a unique, cloud-like running experience that was both comfortable and responsive. A supportive Speedboard added structure, deep outsole grooves facilitated flexible movement, and its lightweight, breathable mesh upper delivered a secure fit. Classy and minimalist, it was also stylish, with bold cushioning, distinctive design details and elegant branding all making it a compelling casual sneaker.

The Cloud’s success helped On expand from Europe to the United States and Japan, and in 2015, it took the ISPO Gold Award for Best Performance Running Shoe, with one jury member describing it as “a true design statement”. Meanwhile, professional athletes like Nicola Spirig and Tim Don benefited from its agile, breathable design, which contributed to their medal-winning performances in triathlon and Ironman events.

Through the mid-2010s, On improved the Cloud’s design, making it more durable without compromising its lightweight feel or minimalist look. The brand began to emphasize its lifestyle use, introducing esthetic updates and promoting it as a daily shoe for work, home and everywhere in between. Practical variants like the Waterproof and the Dip were released, and by the early 2020s, it had been transformed into the ultimate all-round sneaker for blending “work, play and sports into an active lifestyle”.

In 2022, the series continued to evolve with the On Cloud 5. Now considered a true flagship, it featured an improved Speedboard, remolded heel, enlarged midsole and premium fabrics, but was also more sustainable, incorporating around 44% recycled materials and manufactured using environmentally friendly processes.

More variants followed, from the plush Terry to the hard-wearing Ready, the ultra-flexible Coast and the athletic Push, demonstrating its versatility as an “everyday performance shoe”. This was further showcased in a marketing campaign depicting diverse individuals including musicians, writers and athletes wearing the On Cloud as they lived varied lifestyles. Fashionable celebrities were also pictured in different Cloud variants, with actress Lucy Hale and Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen both using it as a daily shoe, and American actress Brooke Shields donning it for a charity run.

These high-profile appearances increased the shoe’s fashion appeal, and the On Cloud 6 was incredibly popular on its release in 2025. Incorporating more recycled materials than ever before, this innovative design took performance and sustainability to new heights, with enhanced durability and comfort alongside a sole that was just as bouncy and well-cushioned as its predecessors.

In a mere decade, the On Cloud has gone from versatile running shoe to iconic flagship performance sneaker. With its combination of supportive features, unique cushioning and stylish esthetic, it is the ideal silhouette for active urban living.