On Cloudboom Strike 2

The On Cloudboom Strike 2 is a racing shoe designed for comfort and speed over long distances. Priced at $250, it competes with shoes like the Puma Deviate Nitro Elite 4 ($250) and Saucony Endorphin Elite 3 ($290). In this new iteration, On kept the drop-in midsole while introducing a new CloudTec Sphere™ geometry, which refers to the partially decoupled midsole design featuring a puck of Helion HF foam in the heel/midfoot, another under the forefoot, and a third beneath the toes. The Cloudboom Strike 2 weighs almost the same as the original (just over 220 grams in our men's US size 10.5), making it a little heavier than many of today's top-tier race shoes. The upper has a somewhat scratchy feel, but there is good padding around the heel, and unlike the previous version, we experienced no bunching or crinkling. On the run, the Helion HF foam feels bouncy and on the softer side of Goldilocks. The shoe performs well across a wide range of paces and should be a very approachable option for steady long runs. It's not overly soft, offers good stability, provides a nice amount of bounce, and there is no weirdness. That said, the geometry isn't particularly aggressive, and during faster workout efforts, the shoe felt a little heavy and lacked the pop and explosiveness off the forefoot that we expect from the best race-day shoes. If you're looking for a cushioned, comfortable, and protective marathon shoe at a great price, the Cloudboom Strike 2 is an excellent option. However, if your priority is maximizing speed for workouts or race day, there are stronger choices on the market.