On Cloudflow 5 Review: In Its Main Character Era
The On Cloudflow 5 delivers more cushioning and a more responsive ride thanks to its rocker shape.
Gear
All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.
The On Cloudflow has been a staple in On’s lineup for years, but it’s often felt like the brand’s in-between shoe — light and minimalist, yet never quite carving out a clear identity next to On’s more defined models like the Cloudsurfer and Cloudmonster.
Now in its fifth iteration, it’s like the Cloudflow has finally discovered who it was meant to be all along (cue the main character moment in a prime-time TV drama).
Inspired by the race-ready Cloudboom family, this update delivers a firm, responsive ride with an aggressive rocker shape. The Cloudflow 5 looks fast, feels firm, and finally knows what it wants to be — but how does it perform on the run?
On Cloudflow 5
Tech Specs
| Weight |
8.1 oz (W), 9.8 oz (M)
|
|---|---|
| Stack height (heel/forefoot) |
36 mm/28 mm
|
| Heel-to-toe drop |
8 mm
|
| Experience |
Springy
|
| Surface |
Road, track
|
| Price |
$180
|
| Comparable to… |
New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5, Saucony Endorphin Speed 5
|
| Ride | 2/5 on the Firm to Plush Scale |
| Cushioning | 3/5 on the Minimum to Maximum Scale |
| Energy | 3/5 on the Relaxed to Propulsive Scale |
Forward-rolling firmness
The On Cloudflow 5 continues On’s trend of innovation with a dual-layer midsole and a glass-fiber infused nylon plate underfoot. The bottom layer of the midsole is made up of On’s proprietary Helion foam, a lightweight material that combines rigid and flexible elements for a balanced ride.
On top of the Helion foam sits On’s signature Speedboard, which compresses as you land and flexes as you take off to return energy back to your stride. On top of the Speedboard is On’s superfoam — Helion HF — which first debuted in the Cloudmonster Hyper in 2024.
I was lucky enough to test the Cloudflow 5 in April during a meeting with On in New York City. I got to run with my two favorite On reps in Manhattan and into Brooklyn via the Williamsburg Bridge. I was happy to have something light and peppy on my feet, as they were much faster than me.
The midsole felt firm — a bit too firm for my taste, if I’m being honest — but the aggressive rocker shape helps bring the shoe to life. Oftentimes when I run in firm shoes (which I try to avoid at all costs), I feel like my feet are just slapping the ground. But the rockered forefoot really kept me on my toes (pun intended), so I felt like I was moving smoothly and efficiently — even when running up the bridge that never seemed to end.
Locked down and locked-in
When I said the On Cloudflow 5 draws inspiration from the Cloudboom family, I wasn’t just talking about the ride. The upper uses the same big, bold logo and grip-pads on the tip of the toe box to communicate the Cloudflow’s use case — to lock in and run fast.
The upper is made of a nylon and polyester blend that wrapped around my feet perfectly. I like my shoes to feel snug when I’m trying to run fast, and the Cloudflow 5 delivered. It’s secure in the midfoot and heel with a touch of wiggle room in the forefoot, allowing my toes to breathe. Extra eyelets on either side of my ankles allowed me to tie the marathon loop for a locked-down fit.
I have low-volume feet (feet that don’t take up much space within the shoe) and my left foot is slightly wider than my right. That said, the standard width of the Cloudflow 5 felt true-to-size on me, which is great since this shoe is not currently available in wide sizing.
Not sure about the width or volume of your feet? Your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.
On Cloudflow 5 versus On Cloudflow 4
Tech Specs | On Cloudflow 5 | On Cloudflow 4 |
Weight | 8.1 oz (W), 9.8 oz (M) | 7 oz (W), 8.2 oz (M) |
Stack height (heel/forefoot) | 36 mm/28 mm | 31 mm/23 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 8 mm |
Price | $180 | $160 |
As I mentioned above, the Cloudflow 5 feels like a completely new shoe. While the Cloudflow 4 felt minimalist and extremely lightweight, the Cloudflow 5 delivers more cushioning and a more responsive ride thanks to its rocker shape. While the added cushioning comes with an increase in weight, I felt that the additional underfoot protection was worth it.
If you enjoyed the Cloudflow 4, you’ll likely appreciate the familiar firmness underfoot — but the additional weight might stand out to runners who prioritize ultra-light shoes. If you wore the last version and found yourself wishing for a touch more cushioning or a more forward-rolling ride, this update might be exactly what you were hoping for.
How does the On Cloudflow 5 compare?
We took a look at some comparable models to see how the On Cloudflow 5 stacks up. Here’s what we found:
Tech Specs | On Cloudflow 5 | New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 | Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 |
Weight | 8.1 oz (W), 9.8 oz (M) | 6.3 oz (W), 7.5 oz (M) | 7.5 oz (W), 8.4 oz (M) |
Stack height | 36 mm/28 mm | 35 mm/29 mm | 36 mm/28 mm |
Heel-to-toe drop | 8 mm | 6 mm | 8 mm |
Price | $180 | $145 | $175 |
The On Cloudflow 5’s firm, responsive ride reminds me of the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 and Saucony Endorphin Speed 5. The Speed 5 and Rebel v5 both use PEBA-based foams and, while I’m not exactly sure what On’s Helion foam is made up of (it’s confidential!), it feels similar — although I think the Cloudflow 5 feels the firmest of the three. It also has a much more pronounced rocker shape than the other two shoes.
Who is the On Cloudflow 5 best for?
The Cloudflow 5 is a perfect choice for runners seeking a firm, rigid platform to push off from when running at top speeds. I found its forward-rolling sensation to encourage quick turnovers and help me stay engaged as I tried to keep up with my faster running buddies.
I recommend this shoe for speed work and uptempo efforts only. I don’t think the firm cushion or pronounced rocker shape would feel very enjoyable on easy days or recovery runs — save it for the days when you’re chasing splits, not softness.
