{"id":127714,"date":"2021-11-12T12:26:21","date_gmt":"2021-11-12T17:26:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/?p=127714"},"modified":"2021-11-12T14:56:39","modified_gmt":"2021-11-12T19:56:39","slug":"i-ran-400-km-in-ons-cloudboom-echo-shoes-heres-what-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.strongfitnessmag.com\/training\/equipment\/i-ran-400-km-in-ons-cloudboom-echo-shoes-heres-what-happened\/","title":{"rendered":"I ran 400 km in On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo shoes. Here\u2019s what happened."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"

Photos provided by On<\/p>\n

As part of a charity run to raise money for Alzheimer\u2019s research, I clocked 400 km over the course of one month. It just so happened that I had recently been sent On\u2019s latest marathon shoe, <\/strong>Cloudboom Echo<\/strong><\/a>, and with this lofty goal set, it was the perfect time to put my new kicks to the test. <\/strong><\/p>\n

As an avid runner, I won\u2019t lie, I was apprehensive to switch from my beloved Asics (I had rebought the same pair at least four times before lacing up the Cloudboom Echo). When you find a pair of runners that feel like home, you stick with them. But I was curious to test On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo and see why Olympians in Tokyo were trusting these runners with their most important races. <\/p>\n

So how did they fare after spending so much time pounding the pavement? On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo marathon shoe is literally unlike any runners I\u2019ve laced up before. Here\u2019s why. <\/p>\n

Run In Style<\/strong><\/h3>\n

First off, they are beautifully designed. I\u2019ve become so accustomed to sacrificing style for functionality with runners, and I distinctly remember feeling like I had become a \u201creal runner\u201d when I opted for a pair that looked like they came straight out of the 80s. But with On, you don\u2019t have to opt out of what\u2019s good for your style for what\u2019s best for your feet. I\u2019m inclined to reach for my Cloudboom Echo for more than just running\u2014errands, airport days, you name it.  <\/p>\n

\"\"

But First, Function<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Though these shoes are aesthetically pleasing to wear, they\u2019re also clearly designed and cry out for road running. At just 7.76 oz, this marathon shoe is on the lighter side for long distance shoes supporting an ultralight pace. <\/p>\n

About halfway through the month of running an average of 13.3 km per day, my pair of Cloudboom Echo found themselves in puddles more often than not. So, while my On shoes were drying out (which by the way, they do in record time due to the next-level ventilation), I switched back to my trusty, ol\u2019 Asics. It felt like I was running with weights on my feet in comparison. <\/p>\n

I hit some of my best paces during that rainy week wearing the Cloudboom Echo. Not only is the traction incredible in wet conditions, but this shoe is literally shaped for speed. The carbon-infused Speedboard\u00ae is engineered with a curve for high-power propulsion in every stride. While the midsole is flexible, the forefoot is firm, allowing for kick efficiency and toe pop.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not just placebo\u2014this shoe has pep that feels fast in your strides. The rocker feeling of the Cloudboom Echo produces a similar sensation as barefoot striding, but the stack height of 0.31 gave far less of a ground feel. <\/p>\n

With more cushioning in the back, this shoe favors runners like me, who tend to land towards the heel. On\u2019s dual CloudTec\u00ae technology from the midfoot to the heel reduces the impact of the asphalt without adding the extra weight.<\/p>\n

Picking Up Speed<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Throughout the month, I was surprised to discover that despite being called a marathon shoe, the Cloudboom Echo felt really good in my fast sessions too. Threshold runs, tempos, it didn\u2019t matter what the day held\u2014I was able to push my pace more during this month than in lighter running months. <\/p>\n

Holding Up<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In terms of wear, I was pleasantly surprised to discover just how durable the upper mesh is despite being so lightweight. If you look at my graveyard of runners, you\u2019ll almost always find a hole in my absence of my big toe. With the Cloudboom Echo, the engineered upper mesh doesn\u2019t appear to be worn in the slightest. <\/p>\n

When I set out for my 400 km challenge, I had put approximately 30 km on my pair already, and with a lifespan of 400 km, I pushed the Cloudboom Echo to their absolute limit. By the final couple of days of my run, despite the upper looking good as new, I could tell the shoe was dead. The CloudTec\u00ae began collapsing on the inner edges (which could be due to the pronation of my foot), and it began to impact my landings.<\/p>\n

Pros<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Extremely lightweight\u2022 Shock absorbent with a pep \u2022 All-weather approved with tight-hold traction \u2022 Made of 20 percent recycled material <\/p>\n

 Cons<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\u2022 Exclusively for paved paths (tendency for rock pick up)\u2022 The laces are slippery and were difficult to keep secure\u2022 At $269.99 USD, these are expensive (especially since I had to retire mine in just 30 days)<\/p>\n

\"\"

To Buy or Not To Buy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

So, are On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo worth the investment? Yes, but not for marathon training. Despite the claim, I felt most confident in my pair during shorter runs (between 10-15 km). Once I moved into my longer runs (20 km or more), my legs began to protest, and I felt I didn\u2019t have the protection I needed to clock those kinds of miles at a PR-pushing pace. <\/p>\n

After over 400 km in On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo, the pros outweighed the cons. Keep your eyes open for their next release\u2014On\u2019s quality and design give Nike and Asics a run for their money.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Is this Swedish shoe brand really worth the hype? We put what On calls their \u201cfastest marathon shoe\u201d through a rigorous 30-day test. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9129,"featured_media":127746,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":"","tve_updated_post":"

\"\"<\/span><\/div>
\t

Photos provided by On<\/p><\/div>

\t

As part of a charity run to raise money for Alzheimer\u2019s research, I clocked 400 km over the course of one month. It just so happened that I had recently been sent On\u2019s latest marathon shoe, <\/strong>Cloudboom Echo<\/strong><\/a>, and with this lofty goal set, it was the perfect time to put my new kicks to the test. <\/strong><\/p>

As an avid runner, I won\u2019t lie, I was apprehensive to switch from my beloved Asics (I had rebought the same pair at least four times before lacing up the Cloudboom Echo). When you find a pair of runners that feel like home, you stick with them. But I was curious to test On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo and see why Olympians in Tokyo were trusting these runners with their most important races. <\/p>

So how did they fare after spending so much time pounding the pavement? On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo marathon shoe is literally unlike any runners I\u2019ve laced up before. Here\u2019s why. <\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n<\/div>

Run In Style<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>

First off, they are beautifully designed. I\u2019ve become so accustomed to sacrificing style for functionality with runners, and I distinctly remember feeling like I had become a \u201creal runner\u201d when I opted for a pair that looked like they came straight out of the 80s. But with On, you don\u2019t have to opt out of what\u2019s good for your style for what\u2019s best for your feet. I\u2019m inclined to reach for my Cloudboom Echo for more than just running\u2014errands, airport days, you name it.  <\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n<\/div>
\"\"<\/span><\/div>

But First, Function<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>

Though these shoes are aesthetically pleasing to wear, they\u2019re also clearly designed and cry out for road running. At just 7.76 oz, this marathon shoe is on the lighter side for long distance shoes supporting an ultralight pace. <\/p>

About halfway through the month of running an average of 13.3 km per day, my pair of Cloudboom Echo found themselves in puddles more often than not. So, while my On shoes were drying out (which by the way, they do in record time due to the next-level ventilation), I switched back to my trusty, ol\u2019 Asics. It felt like I was running with weights on my feet in comparison. <\/p>

I hit some of my best paces during that rainy week wearing the Cloudboom Echo. Not only is the traction incredible in wet conditions, but this shoe is literally shaped for speed. The carbon-infused Speedboard\u00ae is engineered with a curve for high-power propulsion in every stride. While the midsole is flexible, the forefoot is firm, allowing for kick efficiency and toe pop.<\/p>

It\u2019s not just placebo\u2014this shoe has pep that feels fast in your strides. The rocker feeling of the Cloudboom Echo produces a similar sensation as barefoot striding, but the stack height of 0.31 gave far less of a ground feel. <\/p>

With more cushioning in the back, this shoe favors runners like me, who tend to land towards the heel. On\u2019s dual CloudTec\u00ae technology from the midfoot to the heel reduces the impact of the asphalt without adding the extra weight.<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n<\/div>

Picking Up Speed<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>

Throughout the month, I was surprised to discover that despite being called a marathon shoe, the Cloudboom Echo felt really good in my fast sessions too. Threshold runs, tempos, it didn\u2019t matter what the day held\u2014I was able to push my pace more during this month than in lighter running months. <\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n<\/div>

Holding Up<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>

In terms of wear, I was pleasantly surprised to discover just how durable the upper mesh is despite being so lightweight. If you look at my graveyard of runners, you\u2019ll almost always find a hole in my absence of my big toe. With the Cloudboom Echo, the engineered upper mesh doesn\u2019t appear to be worn in the slightest. <\/p>

When I set out for my 400 km challenge, I had put approximately 30 km on my pair already, and with a lifespan of 400 km, I pushed the Cloudboom Echo to their absolute limit. By the final couple of days of my run, despite the upper looking good as new, I could tell the shoe was dead. The CloudTec\u00ae began collapsing on the inner edges (which could be due to the pronation of my foot), and it began to impact my landings.<\/p><\/div>

\n\t
\n<\/div>

Pros<\/strong><\/h3>

\u2022 Extremely lightweight
\u2022 Shock absorbent with a pep
\u2022 All-weather approved with tight-hold traction
\u2022 Made of 20 percent recycled material <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>

 Cons<\/strong><\/h3>

\u2022 Exclusively for paved paths (tendency for rock pick up)
\u2022 The laces are slippery and were difficult to keep secure
\u2022 At $269.99 USD, these are expensive (especially since I had to retire mine in just 30 days)
<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

\n\t
\n<\/div>
\"\"<\/span><\/div>

To Buy or Not To Buy<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>
\t

So, are On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo worth the investment? Yes, but not for marathon training. Despite the claim, I felt most confident in my pair during shorter runs (between 10-15 km). Once I moved into my longer runs (20 km or more), my legs began to protest, and I felt I didn\u2019t have the protection I needed to clock those kinds of miles at a PR-pushing pace. <\/p>

After over 400 km in On\u2019s Cloudboom Echo, the pros outweighed the cons. 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