On Review: Are the Cloud Shoes Worth Their Premium Price?
The Swiss brand behind the pod-soled Cloud has become a status sneaker as much as a running shoe; we read its US store and policies to see what you actually get for the money.
Verdict, fast
- The Cloudrunner 3, Cloudsurfer 2 and Cloudmonster 3 are solid everyday trainers, and several now come in wide versions.
- Prices run higher than Brooks or HOKA for comparable shoes, and limited-edition colorways add a premium without changing the shoe.
- Returns are free in the US, but shoes must be in new condition, so you cannot run in a pair and send it back.
- Refunds can take up to fourteen business days just to be checked in at the warehouse, plus a few more days to reach your card.
- On's Trustpilot profile is dominated by one-star reviews about refunds, lost parcels and chatbot support.
How On scored
Well-made, good-looking shoes held back by premium pricing, an unworn-only return rule and a public service record that is hard to ignore.
- Product20/25
- Value13/25
- Service14/25
- Trust16/25
What we'd buy from On
Cloudrunner 3 $160
On's stable everyday trainer and the safest first pair for runners.
On lists the Cloudrunner 3 for everyday running with a stable ride, and marks it as a bestseller. It is the shoe we would point new runners and walkers toward, because it trades some of the bounce of the Cloudmonster for a steadier platform. Wide and waterproof versions are listed at the US site, which widens its appeal. Because returns require new condition, try it on carpet before you commit, since a single outdoor run ends your return option.
- Best for
- New runners and daily mixed running and walking
- Weak spot
- Unworn-only returns make fit risky to test
Cloudmonster 3 $190
The max-cushioned, bouncier On for runners who want a lively ride.
The Cloudmonster 3 is listed for everyday running with a responsive ride, and it is the On shoe most people mean when they talk about the brand's big, rockered look. It is fun at easy and moderate paces and comes in a wide version. The price is the issue: it sits well above mainstream rivals, and a Hyper version and a LightSpray edition go higher still. Buy it if you like the feel, not because the name is everywhere.
- Best for
- Runners who want cushioning with some bounce
- Weak spot
- Pricey for an everyday trainer
Cloudsurfer 2 $160
A smooth-riding everyday shoe aimed at easy miles rather than speed.
On describes the Cloudsurfer 2 as an everyday running shoe with a smooth ride, priced level with the Cloudrunner 3. It is a sensible pick for easy miles and for people who mostly walk but want a running-grade shoe. A wide version is listed. If you want more cushioning for long runs, the Cloudsurfer Max is the step up at a higher price, while the Cloudsurfer Next is a lower-priced alternative.
- Best for
- Easy runs and comfort-first walking
- Weak spot
- Not built for faster sessions
Cloud 6 $160
The everyday lifestyle Cloud, now with an easier step-in and wider opening.
The Cloud 6 is what you see on airport travelers and office commuters. On calls it an all-day signature shoe, and this version adds a new sockliner for easier step-in and a wider opening. It uses CloudTec cushioning and a Speedboard plate, and a separate wide model is listed. It is a casual shoe, not a running shoe, and at this price it competes with plenty of good-looking sneakers. Buy it for travel and city days.
- Best for
- Travel, commuting and all-day casual wear
- Weak spot
- A lifestyle shoe priced like a trainer
Cloudsurfer Max $180
The softest long-run option in the road lineup, with a wide version.
On lists the Cloudsurfer Max for long runs with a smooth ride. It is the pick for runners who like the Cloudsurfer feel but want more foam for weekend long runs, and for walkers who want the most cushioning On makes. Several limited-edition colorways are listed at the same price or slightly more, which is a fair deal compared with other limited runs. Max-cushioned shoes are heavier and less nimble, so it is not the shoe for speed work.
- Best for
- Long runs and recovery days
- Weak spot
- Heavy and sluggish at faster paces
Leave these on the shelf
LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
The LightSpray edition uses On's sprayed-on upper process and is listed well above the standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. For the vast majority of runners, the regular Hyper delivers the same purpose (long runs and tempo work) for considerably less. It is a technology showcase first and a training shoe second, and the gap pays for the story.
Cloudmonster 2
The previous-generation Cloudmonster is still listed at a price only a little below the current Cloudmonster 3. That is a thin discount for an outgoing model, and the newer version also comes in a wide fit. Unless the Cloudmonster 2 shows up on a proper markdown, spend the small difference on the current shoe.
On against the field
Two brands a shopper is likely to be weighing at the same time. Words only; the numbers change too often to print.
| Row | On | HOKA | Brooks Running |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range | Road, trail, racing and lifestyle shoes plus a growing apparel line | Max-cushioned road and trail shoes, hiking boots and recovery footwear | Road, trail and walking shoes in many widths, plus running apparel |
| Price position | Premium, usually the highest of the three for comparable trainers | Upper end of mainstream running shoes | Mainstream running prices with regular discounts on outgoing models |
| Returns | Thirty days for shoes in new condition and original packaging, free return shipping | Thirty-day guarantee and free returns, with a longer window for free members | Ninety-day trial that accepts worn shoes, original shipping not refunded |
| Standout | Distinctive pod soles and design that crosses into everyday fashion | Thick, rockered midsoles and three widths on core models | Wide and narrow widths plus very reachable phone support |
The fine print at On
Each line below was read on On's own site in October 2026. Policies move; if one has, tell us.
Buy if, pass if
Buy if you are
- Runners who like a firm-to-bouncy, rockered ride and On's styling
- Commuters and travelers who want a comfortable shoe that looks sharp
- Shoppers who already know their On size and model
Pass if you are
- First-time runners who need to test a shoe outdoors before committing
- Value shoppers comparing like-for-like trainers from Brooks or HOKA
- Anyone who wants to reach support by phone
Questions readers ask
Can I return On shoes after running in them?
No. The returns page requires items in new condition and in their original, intact packaging. That is stricter than Brooks, which accepts worn shoes within 90 days. Try new On shoes indoors on a clean surface, and keep the box until you are sure.
How long do On refunds take?
On says it can take up to 14 business days for the warehouse to check in a return, after which the refund takes another two to five business days to show. Budget three weeks or more from drop-off, which matches the delays many Trustpilot reviewers complain about.
Does On make wide shoes?
Yes, for a growing number of models. The US listings include wide versions of the Cloudrunner 3, Cloudmonster 3, Cloudsurfer 2, Cloudsurfer Max and Cloud 6. They are listed as separate products, so search for the wide model by name rather than looking for a width selector.
Is the Cloud 6 good for running?
On sells the Cloud 6 as an all-day lifestyle shoe, not a training shoe. It is fine for a short jog, but if you plan to run regularly, the Cloudrunner 3 or Cloudsurfer 2 cost the same and are built for it.
The bottom line
On makes good shoes that look better than most running brands, and the Cloudrunner 3 and Cloudsurfer 2 are easy recommendations for people who like the ride. You pay a premium for the name, and buying direct carries more risk than it should: returns need unworn pairs, refunds are slow, and support is chat-first. Know your size before ordering, keep the box, and wait for the extended holiday return window if you can.
See it at OnDesk notes and sources
This is desk research: the brand's own pages plus published customer reviews, read in October 2026. Nothing was sent to us and nothing was tried in person.
- On US road running listings and the Cloud 6 product page, checked for current models and list prices
- On returns and exchanges FAQ, shipping FAQ and warranty claims page
- On profile on Trustpilot, including recent and one-star reviews