On Cloudeclipse Review
Specifications & Fit
Shoe Specs
| Weight | Men's: 9.7 oz (size 9) | Women's: 8.5 oz (size 8) |
| Stack Height | 40 mm (Heel), 34 mm (Forefoot) | 6 mm Heel-Toe Offset |
| Terrain | Road |
| Stability | Neutral |
| Sizing | True to Size |
Individual Thoughts
I have really enjoyed putting well over 100 miles on the Cloudeclipse in the past few weeks. I have chosen it as my shoe to travel with on two recent trips, as it feels great. The fit is always comfortable, and it looks good. I’d recommend this to someone who wants a highly cushioned shoe for their rotation, without losing the bouncier experience of some of the lower stack shoes.
I had high hopes for the Cloudeclipse coming off the Cloudsurfer release. Personally, as a soft shoe lover, I was a little let down. I do think the Cloudeclipse is less firm perhaps than the On shoes of the past, but there isn’t a situation where I would reach for this shoe over say a 1080 or a Nimbus. When I want a max cushion shoe, I want premium comfort, and this one is simply too firm for me. Initially, it felt stiff to the point that I felt my arches were a little strained and running in the shoe didn’t feel natural. I did feel that the shoe softened up with some additional wear. Sadly this one wasn’t a good fit for me, but I’m sure runners who prefer a firmer ride and want a lot of protection will be interested to try it out.
Our In-Depth Look
Upper
Becky: "The upper is one of the biggest highlights of the Cloudeclipse. It is surprisingly roomy in the toebox. The materials used are soft and comfortable. I have had no hotspots or need to lock down the fit, but I could see them being too roomy for someone with a narrow foot."
Risa: "Per usual with On, the upper of the Cloud Eclipse is amazing. It felt luxurious and I had no issues with getting a secure lockdown. The shoe also looks great."
Midsole
Becky: "The ride of the Cloudeclipse is quite soft relative to the midsole being so thick. It is also bouncy, which makes for a fun experience when I am tired and needing a more fun shoe to inspire me to get out the door. It exceeds the experience I had envisioned when I first put them on my feet in terms of being soft and bouncy, without feeling like mush."
Risa: "Here is where I was surprised. When I see a max cushion shoe, I think it’s going to be like the ASICS Gel Nimbus 25 or the New Balance 1080 v13. This shoe is almost the opposite of that scale, within the max cushion category. I love my soft, squishy shoes, so the midsole of the Cloudeclipse wasn’t my favourite. I did feel like it softened up a bit once I got a few runs in, but it is still firm. The shoe also felt a little stiff, to the point that I had a little irritation to my arches. It does feel like it has some energy return, keeping in mind it is a max cushion shoe that isn’t designed for speed days. The shoe feels squishy walking around but firms up on the run."
Outsole
Becky: "I have had no issues with grip so far, but have not yet taken them out in wet or slippery conditions. I do not think the experience of taking them on the trails would be ideal because the upper mesh is quite light and breathable, and I think it could collect a lot of dirt/debris."
Risa: "If you’ve complained about On’s outsoles in the past, you may be happy to hear that this is not On’s traditional cloud pod outsole. (No issues with getting rocks stuck in there.) It seems like this shoe will be quite durable, and I had no issues with grip on the roads."
Comparable Models
On Cloudeclipse vs. HOKA Bondi or New Balance More
Becky: "The Bondi has a firmer, more stable ride without rebound, and the More feels like a marshmallow for slow recovery jogs. The Cloudeclipse is not as stable as the Bondi or as soft as the More, but for me, it has the perfect balance of softness with rebound, making it an easy choice day after day."
On Cloudeclipse vs. On Cloudsurfer
Risa: "As mentioned, this one stands out from other max cushion shoes I have tried. I have never worn a firm max cushion shoe before. I’m honestly at a loss for comparable models for the Cloudeclipse. Looking at it, I thought it would feel like a souped up Cloudsurfer but this one definitely feels firmer. It has a Speedboard while the Cloudsurfer does not."