Discovering the best trainers can really feel a bit like following in Goldilocks’ persnickety footsteps. An excessive amount of cushion or not fairly sufficient? Too mushy and pillowy, or too agency and harsh? Too heavy and gradual, or too minimal and unsupportive?

Most runners’ preferences fall someplace in the course of these spectrums, and discovering one which strikes all the best balances—particularly should you’re on the lookout for a do-it-all working shoe—isn’t at all times simple.

For me, for instance, I like cushion and a mushy touchdown underfoot, however detest feeling like my footwear are heavy or clunky. I wish to really feel like I’m being propelled ahead, however not a lot in order that the experience feels harsh or overly-aggressive.

With On’s new Cloudflow 4, an uptempo coach with some critical upgrades from the earlier iteration, I’ve discovered a type of unicorn *good* footwear. And whereas I can’t declare they’ll be *good* for everybody, I wouldn’t be stunned to search out that what I like about them—the sleek, propulsive experience, the combo of softer and firmer foam, the substantial however not too heavy stack—makes this revamp of the Cloudflow a preferred one.

On Cloudflow 4 — $160.00

Sizes accessible: 5-11
Weight: 200g
Heel-to-toe drop: 8mm
Shade choices: 5

• Snug, locked-in match
• Light-weight
• Snappy, forward-rolling experience
• Good stability of softness and firmness
• Fashionable search for non-running put on
• Manufactured from 25% recycled supplies

• Could also be too agency for some runners
• Could not have ample cushion for longer distances
• Some reviewers complain about lace chew or laces coming undone

What’s new within the Cloudflow 4

Earlier fashions of the Cloudflow acquired plenty of flack: Reviewers complained that it was too agency, may get rocks caught within the outsole, and didn’t have a lot pop for speedier runs.

Associated Tales

I by no means acquired the prospect to check them out myself, but when that was the case, it’s secure to say that the brand new mannequin is a very reinvented shoe. For one, it’s each lighter and extra cushioned than its predecessor, with 23mm of cushion within the toe and 31mm within the heel and weighing in at a moderately mild 200g. In comparison with a few of right now’s max-cushioned trainers, it’s not an enormous stack. However at the same time as somebody who sometimes gravitates in direction of footwear with extra cushion, I discovered them to have a cushty experience. That’s in all probability a minimum of partially because of the dual-density foam, which has a softer cushion on the highest layer of the midsole and a firmer layer on the underside.

Lee Firestone, DPM, a podiatrist and authorized working coach, says On’s signature CloudTec—aka these pods that the majority of their footwear have—additionally helps to soak up impression, offering a extra cushioned touchdown whereas holding down the burden of the shoe. Nonetheless, the only is unquestionably on the firmer finish of what I’d sometimes attain for, however with simply sufficient softness to not really feel harsh on the joints.

The higher of the Cloudflow 4 can also be completely redesigned, a brilliant light-weight woven materials that’s a barely thicker model of the ultra-thin higher on On’s Cloudboom Echo 3 racing shoe. It’s breathable and cozy, with a gusseted tongue for safety (although some reviewers have discovered the tongue to be too skinny for consolation, inflicting lace-bite, or irritation of the pores and skin on the highest of the foot, and others have discovered the laces onerous to tie securely, although I had neither of those points).

And the place the earlier Cloudflow was comparatively flat, the 4 has a fairly aggressive toe spring because of the spoon-shaped nylon Speedboard plate, which supplies the shoe its poppy springiness. So far as plates go, the Speedboard is a comparatively versatile one, however between its slight propulsive stiffness and the shoe’s forefoot rocker—which Dr. Firestone says he’s an enormous fan of—working within the Cloudflow 4 appears like being gently propelled ahead, making a fast turnover really feel simple and enjoyable.

I discovered the match to be true-to-size, and locked-in however not overly comfortable for my barely broad toes. (These with legit wider toes may discover the tapered form a bit too slender.) The Cloudflow 4s even have new rubber pads on elements of the outsole for higher traction and sturdiness—I felt loads grippy on the moist roads and slippery observe I ran on. And there’s a brand new outsole design to stop stones and pebbles from getting caught: The channel that runs between the pods down the center is just not as deep because it was once (although I can see how different particles like leaf litter may nonetheless make its means in there).

What the Cloudflow 4s are greatest for

Whereas the Cloudflow 4s may do nearly something, short-to-medium tempo runs really feel like what they’re born for, with their clean experience and glorious vitality return. However simple miles really feel good in them, too, as did the speedwork I put them via. They may even be a strong possibility for races as much as 10k or possibly even a half marathon, although I in all probability gained’t be reaching for them for something over 10 miles on account of their comparatively low cushioning.

The Cloudflow 4s are solidly impartial, so should you sometimes go for stability footwear, they in all probability gained’t be for you. In any other case, although? It’s onerous to think about discovering a lot else to dislike about them—particularly since their glossy design makes them not only a do-it-all shoe for working but additionally for on a regular basis put on. This Goldilocks is happy.