On Cloudboom Strike 2: First Look

A brand-new midsole technology, pinnacle materials, a choice of uppers and a reduced price. Is the Cloudboom Strike 2 the best deal in super shoes?

With two versions of On's pinnacle marathon shoe available, you can choose between a traditional but highly technical upper and the innovative Lightspray upper, created from 1.5km of filament sprayed onto a robot arm.

History

On's first attempt at a carbon-plated super shoe, the Cloudboom Echo, fell a little flat. Despite seemingly having all the right materials, it felt firm and made its power difficult to access. The brand went back to the drawing board, dropped the shoe entirely and created the much more user-friendly Cloudboom Strike.

On also pioneered Lightspray during the shoe's lifecycle. A robot arm sprays filament in a predetermined pattern, allowing On to create a seamless, precisely targeted upper with the right levels of hold, comfort and breathability across each part of the shoe.

Closer Look

For seasoned On fans, the first thing you notice about the Cloudboom Strike 2 is the lack of visible CloudTec in the heel. We are used to seeing some form of void built into an On midsole, whether that is standard CloudTec, the forward-slanted CloudTec Phase used across the Cloudsurfer family or the more minimal design found in the original Cloudboom Strike.

On has stayed true to its roots, though, introducing a new version called CloudTec Sphere.

CloudTec Sphere takes the form of two vertical gaps within the midsole. One sits just behind the forefoot, with the other positioned between the forefoot and the toes. At first, I presumed these gaps were there to help the shoe flex. However, the carbon-fibre plate deliberately stiffens the forefoot to improve efficiency and power at toe-off, so that initial theory was wide of the mark.

The gaps instead give the foam more room to flex, expand and move through key parts of the stride. Allowing the foam to compress more freely can help produce greater energy return and spring, getting more performance from the midsole material.

On has used a supercritical TPEE foam, currently one of the leading materials for creating a responsive racing midsole. Combined with CloudTec Sphere, it delivers strong energy return and responsiveness throughout the run, while still offering genuine step-in comfort.

The carbon plate has also been revamped. It is lighter and stiffer than before, while a new nanotube rubber outsole is designed to improve slip resistance and reduce weight.

Cloudboom Strike 2 vs Lightspray Cloudboom Strike 2

Both shoes use the same midsole, CloudTec Sphere construction, outsole and carbon plate. The main difference is the upper.

The standard Cloudboom Strike 2 features an engineered Leno weave fabric. It is lightweight and breathable, with targeted support placed around the foot. It is a premium performance upper that would stand out on most racing shoes.

The Lightspray version takes a more innovative approach. With the midsole and outsole mounted onto the end of a robot arm, 1.5km of filament is sprayed directly onto the shoe over approximately three minutes.

This process creates a seamless, one-piece upper with targeted hold and breathability. The lightweight construction gives the Lightspray version a closer, second-skin fit while producing very little manufacturing waste.

Conclusion

Lighter, more responsive and more comfortable, the Cloudboom Strike 2 combines premium technology with an unexpectedly reduced price. Add the new CloudTec Sphere midsole, and it becomes a serious contender among the current generation of marathon racing shoes.

For me, the additional weight saving and seamless comfort make the Lightspray version the more performance-focused option. Whether you choose Lightspray or the standard upper, however, the Cloudboom Strike 2 is a significant step forward and moves On closer to the front of the super-shoe pack.