ON Cloudflow 5 review
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ON Cloudflow 5 Verdict
The pros
- Lightweight and breathable
- Responsive
- Durable
The cons
- Narrow
- Firmer ride
Rating breakdown
Facts / Specs
Size/Fit
Cushioning & ride
Usage
Who should buy the ON Cloudflow 5 ?
This shoe is ideal for runners who want a fast, moderately cushioned daily trainer—something comfortable for medium distances but still snappy when you pick up the pace.
Who should not buy the ON Cloudflow 5 ?
This is not the shoe for runners seeking maximum cushioning. It’s also a narrow-fitting model, so I wouldn’t recommend it for runners who don’t have narrow or low-volume feet.
ON Cloudflow 5 Introduction
The On Cloudlfow 5 is a versatile daily trainer that is heavily focused on fast training runs,
intervals, and speed workouts. They are part of On’s lineup of performance-oriented footwear;they are not just an “everyday” sneaker. It is packed with numerous great technologies from On.
Some of the new features include a top layer of Helion HF supercritical foam, a nylon-blended Speedboard, a rockered midsole geometry, and an upper made from engineered mesh.
Weight-wise they are coming in at 9.7 oz for men and 8.14oz for women. This isn’t very heavy,but it also isn’t a super light shoe. When you are wearing them, they do make you feel slightly taller, and you can attribute this to the 37mm heel/ 31 mm forefoot.
ON Cloudflow 5 First Impressions
My initial reaction to the Cloudflow 5 was honestly a bit “blah.” I’m a big fan of On, and many of their shoes are favorites of mine, but when I pulled these out of the box, I could tell they weren’t going to be as cushioned or plush as the models I typically prefer.
Putting them on confirmed that—they felt very firm and extremely narrow. If you have a wider foot, these would likely be a no-go. I even had to be selective with which socks I wore.
My first run, an interval workout on the treadmill, was not great. They felt overly firm and just… off. But after looking into the shoe’s design and intended purpose, I realized they were built for performance, not comfort. I decided to give them more time.
By the fifth run, they finally started to make sense. When used for the purpose they were built for—speed—they came alive.
ON Cloudflow 5 Upper
The engineered woven mesh upper is ultralight and extremely breathable—you can actually feel wind coming through on breezy days. Because the material is thin, you can often see the silhouette of your foot while wearing them. I ran in the rain and they dried out fairly quickly, due to the upper material being very well ventilated.
Although the shoe overall is narrow, the forefoot in this version offers more space than previous Cloudflows. This allows better toe splay and make mid- to long-runs and faster efforts more comfortable.
The heel and ankle collar are lightly padded and hold the foot securely without slipping.
On uses a speed-lacing” / elastic lace system. I never had an issue with them coming untied.
The tongue is a gusseted / attached-tongue design, which helps keep the tongue in place around the lacing, contributing to a secure fit when laced up.
ON Cloudflow 5 Sole Unit
This is where the shoe really shines—especially for an On model. You still get the brand’s signature pod-like cushioning, but here it’s combined with Helion HF foam for maximum energy return.
The Cloudflow 5 creates an effective balance of rocker geometry, responsive forefoot, and the fiberglass-reinforced Speedboard that adds spring and forward propulsion. The rocker and toe spring generate a smooth, fast rolling gait that shines during tempo runs and speed work.
A solid shoe that is comparative would be, the Saucony Endorphin Speed 4. A go-to for runners who want “almost race-shoe” energy without the firmness of full carbon. Its PWRRUN PB midsole + SPEEDROLL geometry gives you a springy, explosive ride that does well in faster training sessions.
I tested them out on various surfaces and weather conditions. Such as, road, track, gravel, and concrete. I experienced no slipping.
The outsold has strategic rubber pads / grip zones. Rather than a full rubber outsole, the Cloudflow 5 has rubber “pads” or traction zones in high-impact areas (e.g. forefoot, toe-off zones) to offer traction and make them more durable.
ON Cloudflow 5 Conclusions
In the end, I really enjoy the Cloudflow 5 for fast running. It’s never a shoe I grab for daily wear or easy runs, but it delivers excellent responsiveness and energy return during workouts.
I wouldn’t recommend it to just anyone, especially at its price point. But if you rotate multiple pairs and want a dedicated tempo/speed shoe, this could be the perfect addition to your lineup.
How does the Cloudflow 5 compare?
Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
ON Cloudflow 5
Asics METASPEED Edge Tokyo
Why you can trust us
As editorial policy, we do not accept free samples from companies.We purchased this pair of ON at Running Warehouse with our own money.
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Reviewed by Olivia
Lives in Marietta, Pennsylvania with her husband, two kids, and dog. Olivia is a personal trainer and soccer coach. She has been running for 10 years and competes in various distances. For the past few years she has been concentrating on the ultra distances. She never would have thought that one sport would change her whole outlook on life like running has.
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