On’s story starts with a familiar problem: Olivier Bernhard, a Swiss Ironman triathlon champion, couldn’t find a running shoe that felt both cushioned and responsive. His solution, a sole built from hollow rubber pods rather than a single slab of foam, became the foundation of CloudTec, the technology that now defines On’s entire shoe lineup.
What has kept On growing since its 2010 launch is how consistently that pod-based cushioning delivers on its original promise. Customers describe the ride as soft on landing but quick off the ground, a combination that has made the brand a favorite for everything from marathon training to tennis to everyday errands. The full range is available at On’s official site.
Who is On?
On Holding AG was founded in January 2010 in Zurich, Switzerland, by Olivier Bernhard alongside David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. Bernhard’s frustration as a triathlete, wanting a shoe that could cushion the impact of running without sacrificing the springy feel needed to run fast, led directly to the brand’s first prototype and its patented CloudTec sole.
That Swiss engineering focus has carried through as the company has grown from a single running shoe into a global performance brand. On remains headquartered in Zurich and has expanded well beyond its original road-running roots into trail running, tennis, training, hiking and lifestyle footwear and apparel, with Roger Federer joining as an investor and design partner in 2019.
What On does best
A few qualities keep coming up when people explain why they chose On.
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A cushioning system unlike anything else
CloudTec’s individual pods compress independently on impact, giving each step a soft landing while the pod structure firms up to help propel the runner forward on the next stride.
A shoe for nearly every discipline
Between the cushioned Cloudmonster, the daily-trainer Cloudsurfer and the race-day Cloudboom, On has built out a lineup that covers recovery runs, everyday training and competitive racing without losing its signature feel.
Genuine Swiss engineering credibility
On continues to develop new cushioning and upper technologies out of its Zurich headquarters, an engineering-first culture that shows up in frequent, well-reviewed updates to its core shoe lines.
Versatility beyond running
On’s tennis shoes, training shoes and hiking boots all carry the same CloudTec DNA into other sports, giving customers a consistent feel whether they’re on a court, a trail or a treadmill.
A distinctive, recognizable look
The pod-soled silhouette has become one of the most visually identifiable designs in footwear, turning a performance feature into a style statement customers wear well outside the gym.
High-profile athlete partnerships
Collaborations with athletes like Roger Federer and footballer Kylian Mbappé, along with sponsorships across elite marathon and track athletes, have helped On pair its engineering story with real competitive credibility.
Products and pricing at a glance
| Product line | What it is | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud 5 | Lightweight, everyday sneaker with classic CloudTec cushioning | $140 |
| Cloudmonster | Maximum-cushion road shoe with a bold, oversized sole | $180 |
| Cloudsurfer | Smooth, stable daily trainer for everyday mileage | $150 |
| Cloudboom | Race-day shoe built for speed with a carbon-infused plate | $230 |
| Cloudrunner | Supportive trainer designed for runners who need extra stability | $170 |
| Cloud X | Cross-training shoe built for gym workouts and agility work | $150 |
| Apparel & accessories | Running apparel, socks and hats built for performance | $25-$160 |
What customers say
On has built a reputation for a ride that’s instantly recognizable once you’ve tried it, and customers consistently describe the CloudTec sensation as something they don’t find in other running shoes. The Cloudmonster in particular draws praise for how plush it feels while still encouraging a quick turnover, and the Cloudsurfer is a frequent recommendation for runners who want a dependable daily trainer.
Beyond the shoes themselves, customers point to how easy On makes the buying experience: free shipping and returns on direct orders, a straightforward 30-day window, and a prepaid return label that removes the usual hassle of sending back a pair that doesn’t fit quite right. The brand’s tennis and training shoes earn similar praise for translating the same cushioned, energetic feel into lateral-movement sports, rather than simply repackaging a running sole.
Who On is best for
On suits runners who want a cushioned ride that still feels energetic and fast, rather than soft for the sake of softness, along with anyone drawn to the brand’s distinctive design aesthetic. Tennis players and gym-goers benefit from the brand’s sport-specific lines, while frequent travelers and lifestyle shoppers appreciate how easily the Cloud 5 and similar everyday styles pair with casual outfits. Hikers looking for a lighter, more trail-capable boot also have a growing number of On options built with the same cushioned, grippy approach.
Price and value
On’s lineup spans roughly $140 for everyday Cloud styles up to $230 for the race-ready Cloudboom, placing the brand firmly among premium performance labels. Free shipping and returns, paired with a 30-day trial window, help offset that price by making it easy to confirm fit and feel before fully committing, and the brand’s continued investment in CloudTec updates keeps each new release feeling genuinely improved rather than just re-skinned. Entry-level styles like the Cloud 5 also give newcomers an affordable way to try the brand’s signature feel before stepping up to a performance-focused model.
Verdict
More than a decade after one triathlete’s frustration led to a sole built from hollow pods, On has turned that idea into one of running’s most distinctive and genuinely effective cushioning systems.
Frequently asked questions
Yes u2014 On's CloudTec cushioning delivers a distinctive ride that balances softness with responsiveness, and the brand has built a loyal following among road runners, trail runners and everyday wearers alike.
On provides free shipping and returns on orders placed through On.com, with a 30-day window to send back unworn items in their original packaging.
Customers have 30 days from delivery to return unworn On products with tags attached, and the brand provides a prepaid return label for orders placed on its own site.
Both are excellent cushioned-running brands; On's CloudTec pods tend to feel firmer and more energetic underfoot, while HOKA leans into maximum plush cushioning for a softer overall ride.
On was founded in January 2010 in Zurich, Switzerland, by Olivier Bernhard, David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti, and remains headquartered there today.
CloudTec is On's patented sole system built from individual hollow pods that compress on landing for a soft touchdown, then firm up to provide an energetic push-off.
Yes u2014 beyond its core running lineup, On produces tennis shoes, training shoes, hiking boots and a growing apparel collection, all built around the same cushioning philosophy.
Roger Federer became an investor and brand partner in 2019 and has collaborated with On on footwear design, lending the brand added visibility in performance tennis.
