On has unveiled the Cloudboom Strike 2, its latest high-end racing shoe built for everything from 5Ks to full marathons. According to On’s official press sheet, the new Cloudboom Strike 2 will launch on July 30 for $250. It arrives alongside the updated LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2, which will cost $310.
The Cloudboom Strike 2 is the second generation of On’s top-tier race-day shoe, and the biggest update is underfoot. On has introduced a new CloudTec Sphere cushioning system, which uses engineered channels in the foam to improve impact absorption and rebound.
Simply put, the foam is designed to move more freely as the runner’s foot shifts through each stride. That should help the shoe stay efficient and comfortable deeper into a race, not just at the start.
The new CloudTec Sphere setup is paired with an updated Helion HF midsole. On says the new super foam is 15 percent lighter than the previous version, helping bring the shoe’s weight down to 191g.
There is also a redesigned Curved Carbon Speedboard, which is placed between layers of dual-density foam. Like other carbon-plated racing shoes, the idea is to help generate more forward momentum with every stride.
On is also updating the LightSpray version of the Cloudboom Strike 2. This model keeps the brand’s more futuristic laceless upper, aimed at runners who want the lightest and most experimental version of the shoe.
The standard Cloudboom Strike 2 is clearly the more accessible option of the two, at least by elite racing shoe standards. At $250, it is still expensive, but its price is in line with many other carbon-plated marathon shoes.
For serious runners, the upgrades are hard to miss – lighter foam, a stiffer carbon plate, and a more advanced cushioning system, all wrapped in the same sleek race-day shape.
The Cloudboom Strike 2 and LightSpray Cloudboom Strike 2 will both be available from July 30.