On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2

The On LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 is a marathon race shoe designed for speed and comfort. Priced at $310, it uses On's proprietary upper technology to create a more lightweight feel, and competes with models like the ASICS Metaspeed Ray ($300) and the Runsifly Flare Elite ($200). The step-in feel is fantastic, with a perfectly dialed fit and lightweight feel. This shoe theoretically has the same midsole construction as the standard version, but our experience with the OG Cloudboom Strike, as well as the Cloudmonter 3 Hyper, is that the lightspray uppers do provide a different underfoot feel and ride experience. While we thought the standard Cloudboom Strike 2 was an incredibly comfortable and smooth shoe to run in, we did not think it had the pep and pop that we expect in a race shoe. The lightspray version did provide the same comfortable, pleasant ride as the standard version where you don’t feel the plate and there is no harshness underfoot, but you also get a fun, bouncy, cushioned, energetic experience and the incredibly lightweight, streamlined upper allows you to turn your legs over easily. It still doesn’t have the most explosive or bounciest feel underfoot. The compound On is using is more tuned for smooth comfort and a nice pleasant bounce than for any type of explosive experience like you got in the forefoot of the OG Cloudboom Strike. If you are looking for a workout and race shoe that has an incredibly smooth geometry with a really comfortable underfoot feel and a sleek and streamlined feel with the lightweight upper, the LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 will be a really nice shoe that is capable of helping you run fast.