Switched On
On Running’s standout SS23 offerings, from the Cloudmonster to the Cloudwander
LIVESTOCK STAFF
2023.06.01
What happens when an Ironman champion starts a performance running shoe brand?
The result is On, one of the most disruptive, exciting, and competitive, new activewear brands to hit the market in recent years. Founded by former Swiss Ironman champion Olivier Bernhard in 2010, On built its foundation in the professional athletic space—a favorite of the Swiss Olympic team and tennis champion Roger Federer—and has steadily been gaining momentum in lifestyle and streetwear categories, too. Expertly curated collaborations with everyone from low key Japanese label South2 West8, to luxury tastemaker Loewe have proven that On has a valuable perspective both on and off the trail.
On has a valuable perspective both on and off the trail.
On’s patented CloudTec sole design sets them apart, giving a unique mix of style and function to each silhouette. Bernhard found the inspiration for CloudTec, in part, from a common garden hose. Curious about new cushioning capabilities, he devised the “cloud” system. “As the clouds are compressed in the forefoot it creates a firm and stable platform to push off,” explained Edouard Coyon, On’s head of footwear product management. “So you get the benefit of both the soft landing and the explosive push off.”
The versatility of CloudTec makes On sneakers the perfect tool for all kinds of terrain. For this reason, road and trail runners alike reach for On to carry them across the finish line and achieve new personal bests. We asked competitive race walker, model, and artist Alger Liang to test On’s Cloudmonster and Cloudwander in both downtown Vancouver and the mountains North of the city. Paired with a selection of Livestock fashion, both the Cloudmonster and Cloudwander tackled the adventure with style, from sprinting up concrete steps to scaling boulders at elevation.
On Cloudmonster
$210
The On Cloudmonster is a hyper-cushioned long distance performance running shoe. Its oversized branding and engineered mesh upper amp up the aesthetics without compromising function. Proprietary speedboard technology links the clouds together at the base of the shoe, creating an extra smooth transition from heel to toe. The rubberized outsole has your back when it comes to traction, offering unprecedented grip in changing conditions. Whether endurance running or walking, you can float away with the Cloudmonster.
On Cloudwander
$230
With a 95% recycled upper and a 20% recycled waterproof membrane, the Cloudwander is a sustainability-minded top contender from On. The Waterproof High Alpine shoes are lightweight but rugged, with Missiongrip technology offering superior traction. In the Cloudwander, climbing up a rock face was no problem for Liang. A complimentary touch of pattern at the heel and toe cap elevates this silhouette, making it a smart everyday choice to take you from on-grid to off-grid.
The versatility of CloudTec makes On sneakers the perfect tool for all kinds of terrain.
On’s mission is to ignite the human spirit through movement. With constant research and development they are quickly redefining the sneaker market, allowing movement-minded individuals of all levels to experience the feeling of walking on clouds. “No matter where you land,” says Coyon, “the shoe will adapt to your style of running.”
Ever evolving and pushing boundaries, On is making the sneakers of the future today.