On Cloudflow 4 Review

Picture this: you’re running down your favorite path listening to your favorite running playlist. You check your GPS watch and see that you’re running faster than intended. But you feel good, so you keep rolling along. Your mind feels clear and focused, and your body seems to be flying over the pavement, hovering in a state of effortless fluidity. What you’re experiencing is runner’s flow.

Will the On Cloudflow 4’s lightweight and responsive ride help you find your flow state? While we can’t promise that running in the On Cloudflow 4 will feel effortless, we can break down whether or not it’s worthy of its name.

The On Cloudflow 4 is built to propel you forward. The latest updates to the shoe maintain its status as an ultra-lightweight daily trainer while adding more energy and softness. But don’t be fooled—the Cloudflow 4 is fundamentally a new shoe from the ground up, according to On.

The Cloudflow 4 features an additional 8 millimeters of On’s proprietary Helion superfoam under the heel for a softer ride. The foam is molded into pods, which On calls their Cloudtec cushioning, giving it a unique feel. Reviewers noticed that the pods feel a lot smoother in the latest iteration of the Cloudflow.

“While in the previous version of the Cloudflow I could distinctly feel the pods underfoot, the pods are less noticeable in the latest version,” says Kate. “The Cloudflow 4 also feels really energetic. While the Helion foam isn’t super thick or bouncy, the shape of the shoe provides a rolling sensation. I feel like I really got in a flow when I was running in this shoe.”

The rolling sensation that Kate mentions is a result of On’s signature Speedboard, a thermoplastic polymer plate that’s sandwiched between layers of Helion foam. The Speedboard in the Cloudflow 4 is now spoon-shaped, helping your body use its natural momentum to propel you forward. It’s shaped after the Speedboard in On’s racing supershoe, the On Cloudboom Echo 3.

“Every time I lace up these shoes, I just feel fast,” says Mandy. “I was able to hit my target pace during a half-mile repeat workout. I’ll definitely be reaching for the Cloudflow 4 as a speedwork and race-day shoe.”

The Cloudflow 4 is rounded out with a grippy outsole, with high abrasion rubber on areas that see the most wear and tear, such as the forefoot and heel. While the On Cloudflow 4 has transitioned to a closed-channel outsole, some reviewers still had a rocky experience with stray stones and pebbles.

“As much as I love the Cloudtec pods, rocks seem to love them too…so gravel runners be warned!” says Nate.

The good news is that the Cloudflow 4 feels and performs best on the road, so you shouldn’t need to worry about stray rocks too much.

The On Cloudflow 4 runs smoother and feels lighter (0.2 ounces lighter for the men’s model, to be exact) compared to the previous version.

The smoother ride can be attributed to the increase in Helion superfoam cushioning and the reformation of the Speedboard. And not only has the cushioning increased, but the foam used has been reformulated to feel softer and lighter than before.

“In previous versions of the Cloudflow, the Speedboard felt a bit too firm,” says Travis. “But the redesigned Speedboard and the added cushioning really made the Cloudflow 4 a super comfortable shoe. The added two millimeters of heel-to-toe drop also adds a propulsive sensation.”

While the updates to the Cloudflow make it feel a touch softer and more cushioned, it still stays true to its roots as a lightweight, no-frills trainer.

“The On Cloudflow 4 is a great update because it can be enjoyed by runners who liked the previous versions, but also by runners who may have found the previous versions too firm or not cushioned enough,” says Caroline. “It runs smoother and feels peppier without adding any weight or unnecessary features.”

We took a look at some comparable models to see how the On Cloudflow 4 stacks up. Here’s what we found.

Reviewers found the lightweight, energetic On Cloudflow 4 to feel similar to the Saucony Kinvara 14 and the HOKA Mach 5. All three shoes offer a peppy, responsive ride despite not having a carbon plate or a super tall stack height.

All three shoes use a combination of lightweight foams to create a smooth ride, although the HOKA Mach 5 is decidedly softer than the Kinvara or the Cloudflow.

“The Cloudflow 4 is on the peppier side when it comes to daily trainers,” Nate says. “It’s not any one feature that gives it a propulsive sensation—it’s not just the Helion foam or the Speedboard— but it’s the whole shape of the shoe and how it runs along. It wasn’t the cushiest shoe, but I liked that.”

While the On Cloudflow 4 has undergone some updates to improve the overall fit and feel, it still shines as a firm, snappy daily trainer that offers a super lightweight ride.

“The Cloudflow 4 will be enjoyed by anyone who likes a more minimal look and feel in their everyday trainer,” says Kate. “This shoe is great for everyday runs and speedwork. I also think it would be a perfect travel shoe because they’re good looking enough to wear on their own, and super functional for walking, running and standing.”

Reviewers also noted that, because the Cloudflow 4 feels so lightweight and agile, it’s a great gym companion. Reviewer Travis is even wearing his pair to rehearsals for an upcoming musical he’s starring in. Even if you’re not a theater superstar or track speedster, the Cloudflow 4 is versatile enough to be enjoyed by just about anyone.