On Cloudeclipse Review: The Best On Shoe Yet?

The On Cloudeclipse is one of the most highly anticipated releases of 2023. Reviewers first caught a glimpse of the Cloudeclipse last year at The Running Event and waited in anxious anticipation for launch day to tell you about it.

Is the new On Cloudeclipse so amazing that it will eclipse all other running shoes, leaving them in their shadow? Read on to find out why several reviewers called the Cloudeclipse their new favorite On running shoe.

On launched their innovative new cushioning technology, dubbed Cloudtec Phase, in March 2023 with the release of the new Cloudsurfer. Cloudtec Phase was created using computer-based simulation technology that enabled shoe designers to predict the impact between the foot and the ground while running. This allowed designers to fine-tune the ride of the cushioning based on biometric data from over a thousand different runners.

The result is a buttery-smooth ride that rolls you forward with every step. But the best part? The On Cloudeclipse features a double-layer of Cloudtec Phase cushioning, versus the single layer used in the Cloudsurfer.

“I am stoked on this shoe!” says Kate. “The Cloudtec Phase cushioning is so dense. It provides a lot of impact protection for my joints, and it just feels good for standing, walking and running. The foam is soft and compresses a bit underfoot, but it’s thick enough that it only squishes down a little bit at the start of impact. I can get into a better rhythm on the run when my shoe isn’t overly squishy. The shoes also have a really high stack height, and the wide platform keeps them feeling stable.”

On describes the On Cloudeclipse cushioning as being “noise canceling for your feet,” and reviewers agreed.

“The Cloudeclipse is my new favorite On running shoe because I can feel less of the ground under my feet compared with other models, which is always the feeling I’m going for,” says Caroline.

Reviewers also lauded the responsiveness of the Cloudeclipse, which is due to the Cloudtec Phase cushioning. According to On, the oblong-shaped pods underfoot act as dominoes. As each pod collapses under your weight, it falls into the next, creating a rolling sensation that helps you transition from heel to toe.

“On my first test run, I was just rolling along with ease,” says Travis. “It was one of those runs where you feel like you’re going easy, but when you look at your watch the pace is much faster than anticipated. It was one of the best runs I’ve had in a couple of years—the shoes just made the run feel so much fun.”

Cloudtec Phase cushioning isn’t the only feature to thank for the shoe’s energetic feel. The Cloudeclipse features a redesigned Speedboard, which is a rigid plastic plate embedded inside the midsole of most On running shoes. The Speedboard compresses under your weight as you land and then rebound as you take off, propelling you forward. The On Cloudeclipse features a brand-new X-shaped Speedboard, which is designed to keep you moving forward as efficiently as possible, eliminating any side-to-side movement during the gait cycle.

A grippy rubber outsole rounds out the shoe, and reviewers were pleased to discover that the oblong-shaped pods don’t pick up any hitchhiking rocks along the ride.

Several reviewers wished that the heel collar was a bit more padded to go along with the overall plush feeling of the shoe, but it wasn’t an issue on the run.

“The cushioning around the heel collar is certainly there, but it doesn’t feel as soft or plush as some other shoes,” says Max. “With that said, the upper is very breathable and I really dug the tongue. It’s stretchy with minimal cushioning, but it’s so soft that it doesn’t really need any.”

As previously mentioned, the On Cloudsurfer was the first shoe to feature On’s Cloudtec Phase cushioning. The Cloudeclipse followed suit, but the two shoes have some pretty noticeable differences.

First, the Cloudeclipse has an additional 5 millimeters of stack height in the heel and 9 in the forefoot, which really brings this shoe into the max-cushion category. The shoe also has a lower heel-to-toe drop than the Cloudsurfer, which reviewers had mixed opinions on.

“While I loved the Cloudsurfer, the Cloudeclipse just didn’t agree with my gait,” says Mandy. “The rocker shape, emphasized by the tall cushioning and low drop, felt a little bit too aggressive for me as a mid-to-forefoot runner.”

“If it were up to me, I wouldn’t change anything about the Cloudeclipse,” says Caroline. “It definitely felt like it rolled me along during takeoffs. Once I stopped my watch and ended my run, it almost felt like there was a slight forward tilt to the shoe that was begging me to keep running. It was one of the rare moments when I truly didn't want to stop!”

However, all reviewers agreed that the Cloudtec Phase cushioning was a treat for their feet.

“When I first stepped into the Cloudeclipse, it was like stepping on one of those promotional stress balls that companies hand out at health fairs and parades,” says Mandy. “It was soft, yet the foam felt as if it rebounded with your foot to go back into its original shape.”

Because the Cloudeclipse is much more cushioned than the Cloudsurfer, it’s offered at a higher price point. It also weighs more due to the additional materials. However, when asked to guess the weight, reviewers estimated it to be much lighter than the 8.5 ounces for women and 10.6 ounces for men.

We took a look at the On Cloudeclipse to see how it stacks up against its competitors. Here’s what we found.

The On Cloudeclipse isn’t your average max-cushion trainer—and neither is the New Balance SC Elite v2 or the ASICS Novablast 4. All three shoes, while boasting high stack heights, also offer springy, responsive rides thanks to various technologies used.

As previously mentioned, the On Cloudeclipse features Cloudtec Phase cushioning and a X-shaped Speedboard plate in the midsole. Similarly, the New Balance SuperComp Trainer v2 sits on a thick bed of snappy FuelCell midsole foam, with a carbon-fiber plate embedded in the midsole for a bouncy ride. While the ASICS Novablast 4 doesn’t have any type of plate, its FF BLAST PLUS ECO cushioning was responsive enough to put a pep in our reviewers’ steps.

Thanks to its thick, dense Cloudtec Phase cushioning, the On Cloudeclipse is a great choice for long runs or long days on your feet. And with an energetic ride, it can be used for speedwork, tempo runs, interval workouts and the like.

While it’s not classified as a stability shoe, its wide base and X-shaped Speedboard provide an inherently stable ride for those seeking extra support.

“The Cloudeclipse is an excellent everyday trainer,” says Kate. “It’s also a stellar travel shoe since it’s got such a great look and it’s super comfortable. I would pick this shoe if I needed to be on my feet for long periods of time and wanted something highly cushioned and supportive.”

To learn more about your feet and the support they need, head into your local Fleet Feet for an expert one-on-one outfitting.