The On Cloudultra Pro is On’s race-focused ultra trail shoe, and it is very different from the older On trail shoes that were more casual, firmer, or better for mellow dirt than actual long trail efforts. This is built for ultra-distance racing, with dual-density Helion HF foam, a reinforced fiberglass Speedboard, a Leno weave upper, and Missiongrip outsole designed for mixed terrain.
Before trying the On Cloudultra Pro, I had a few questions:
Is the On Cloudultra Pro good for ultra marathons?
Yes, that is what it’s built for. The high stack, dual-density Helion HF foam, and Speedboard are all designed to reduce fatigue over long distances. It works best in races where you are running consistently rather than hiking technical terrain.
How does the On Cloudultra Pro fit? Does it run true to size?
The On Cloudultra Pro runs true to size for most runners. The forefoot has more room than older On models, which helps for longer efforts. It still is not a wide shoe, so runners with wide feet may find it snug through the midfoot.
Is the On Cloudultra Pro good for technical trails?
It handles moderate technical terrain fine, but it is not designed for steep, rocky, or highly technical trails. The higher stack and smoother outsole make it better for runnable trails, dirt paths, and rolling terrain.
What is the difference between the On Cloudultra Pro and On Cloudultra?
The Cloudultra Pro is lighter, more race-focused, and uses a more advanced midsole with Helion HF foam and a Speedboard. The regular Cloudultra is more of a daily trail shoe with a firmer, more traditional ride.
Is the On Cloudultra Pro a trail super shoe?
It fits into that category with a high stack, responsive foam, plate, and rocker geometry. It is designed for efficiency over long trail distances rather than short, technical racing.
Is the On Cloudultra Pro worth $260?
It depends on how you plan to use it. For racing or key long efforts, it makes more sense. For daily trail running, there are more affordable options that hold up better over high mileage.
Can you use the On Cloudultra Pro for hiking?
You can, but it is not ideal. The high stack and responsive midsole feel better when running. For hiking or slower movement on uneven terrain, a more stable, lower shoe works better.
How does the On Cloudultra Pro compare to other trail race shoes?
It sits closer to shoes like the HOKA Tecton X or Nike Ultrafly in terms of cushioning and efficiency, but with a smoother, less aggressive feel underfoot.
Is the On Cloudultra Pro good for road-to-trail running?
Yes, especially for gravel, dirt roads, and mixed surfaces. The outsole is not overly aggressive, so it transitions well between pavement and trail.
How durable is the On Cloudultra Pro?
The outsole and upper hold up well for a race shoe, but like most high-end trail racers, it is not built for hundreds of miles of daily use. It works best when saved for long runs and races.
Now, let’s get into an honest On Cloudultra Pro shoe review.
On Cloudultra Pro Quick Facts
- Weight: 275 g men’s EU 44, 220 g women’s EU 38.5
- Stack height: 39 mm heel, 33 mm forefoot
- Drop: 6 mm
- Price: $260
- Best use: ultra-distance racing, long trail runs, faster trail efforts where you want cushion and efficiency
On Cloudultra Pro Upper and Fit
The upper is one of the bigger changes from older On trail shoes. The Cloudultra Pro uses a Leno weave upper, which On says is built for breathability, fast drying, abrasion resistance, and structure. It is thin, airy, and more stripped down than a traditional trail upper, but it still has enough structure through the midfoot to keep the shoe from feeling sloppy.
The fit is true to size for most runners. I’m happy to report some of the new On trail shoes have more room for us wider feet folks. I would still be careful if you have a truly wide foot because the upper has give, but the platform is not a high-volume, wide-foot-specific fit.
The tradeoff with this kind of upper is debris. A breathable trail upper is great in heat, but it also means dust, sand, and fine dirt can get in more easily. I haven’t had huge issues but my socks will have debris from time to time post desert run.
The best running shoe uppers disapear off your feet and I was able to take the Cloudultra Pro out with no issues and need to “break in”. In running shoes, I wear between a womens size 10-11 wide and have found the size 11 to fit the best.
On Cloudultra Pro Midsole and Ride
The midsole is where the Cloudultra Pro feels most different from other On trail shoes. On uses two layers of Helion HF foam with different densities, which is designed to balance energy return, cushioning, and stability over long distances. The ride feels cushioned without becoming mushy.
The CloudTec system is still there, but it does not feel like the older firm On pods that some runners either loved or hated. This is smoother, more protective, and better suited for long running. I’ve found the longer I run, the better it feels…which with a name like Cloudultra…you’d think that would be the case.
The fiberglass Speedboard adds some propulsion, but it does not feel as rigid as a carbon-plated road racer. That is a good thing for trails because too much stiffness can feel awkward when the ground is uneven. The nylon-style plate felt more flexible and comfortable on climbs than a stiffer carbon setup.
Outsole
The Cloudultra Pro uses On’s Missiongrip outsole with a redesigned lug profile. On says the outsole was developed with computer analysis and field testing, with the shape, direction, and density of the lugs refined from more than 200 options.
The outsole is built for mixed terrain rather than extreme mud. It is a strong option for dry singletrack, gravel, rolling trails, fire roads, and runnable mountain terrain. I would be less excited about it for mud season, wet grass, or sloppy trails.
The Cloudultra Pro does not look as aggressive as some trail shoes, but that is also why it runs well. Big, heavy lugs can feel clunky when you are trying to move faster on runnable terrain. This outsole feels more race-oriented, especially for the kind of trail races where you are actually running most of the time. Thank goodness, there are none of On’s traditional pods which are great but pick up rocks.
Where the On Cloudultra Pro Fits in a Rotation
The On Cloudultra Pro is not a daily trail trainer for most people because of the $260 price and race-focused build. It fits best as a long trail workout shoe, ultra race shoe, or premium option for runners who want a more efficient ride over distance. If you’re someone competing in ultra marathons, then it’s a good fit.
I would not use it as my main shoe for slow hiking, technical scrambling, deep mud, or loose rocky trails where I want a lower, more protective, more locked-down platform.
On Cloudultra Pro Conclusion
The dual-density Helion HF midsole gives it a smoother, more protective ride than older On trail models, the Speedboard adds structure without making the shoe feel too stiff, and the Missiongrip outsole works best on runnable terrain where you can actually use the shoe’s efficiency.
The biggest drawback is the price. At $260, the Cloudultra Pro is expensive even by modern trail racing shoe standards…but let’s be honest here, you aren’t going to find many “cheap” carbon plated shoes these days. It also is not the shoe I would grab for mud, scrambling, or highly technical terrain. For long dry trail races, rolling dirt, desert miles, and runnable ultras, though, the Cloudultra Pro is one of my favorite shoes from On yet.
Who Should Buy the On Cloudultra Pro
- Runners who want a plated, cushioned ultra trail racing shoe
- Runners who race on dry, runnable, mixed terrain
- Runners who want a long-distance trail shoe that feels protective without feeling heavy
Who Should Not Buy the On Cloudultra Pro
- Runners who want a budget trail shoe
- Runners who need deep mud traction
- Runners who prefer low-stack, ground-connected trail shoes
- Runners with very wide feet who need a high-volume fit
- Runners who mostly hike or run highly technical terrain
My Current Shoe Rotation:
Easy/Daily Runs: Reebok Floatzig Tread, Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, On Cloudboom Max
Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, adidas Prime Strung X3,
Trail Running/Hiking: Altra Experience Wild 3, Hoka Tecton X 3
Races/Speedwork: ASICS Metaspeed Ray, Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Tokyo, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Vaporfly 4
Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.
You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.
Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.
Question for you:
What is your favorite running shoe?
Have you tried the On Cloudultra Pro?