On
On is a Swiss sports brand that became famous for running shoes with a striking sole full of hollow ‘clouds’. Today you wear On not only for running, but also at the office, while travelling and around town. Models such as the Cloud 6, Cloudmonster and Cloudtilt are among the brand’s best-known sneakers.
The history of On
On was founded in Zurich in 2010 by former triathlete Olivier Bernhard and his friends David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. Bernhard was looking for a shoe that lands softly but pushes off firmly, and experimented with a sole made of separate, hollow elements. That idea grew into CloudTec, the technology still found in almost every On shoe.
In 2019 tennis player Roger Federer joined as an investor and helped design new shoes. In 2021 the company went public in New York. That is how On grew from a niche running brand into a globally known sports brand.
What is On known for?
Its most recognisable feature is CloudTec: hollow elements in the midsole that compress on landing and then spring back. Many running models add a Speedboard on top, a flexible plate that supports your toe-off. Newer shoes use Helion, a light and springy foam. Lifestyle models such as the Cloudtilt use CloudTec Phase, where the clouds compress one after another for a smooth roll-through.
On also stands for a clean, sober design with few logos. As a result the shoes work just as well with sportswear as with jeans or chinos.
On also experiments with other materials and production methods. With Cyclon, for example, the brand launched a running shoe that can be fully recycled after use and is offered through a subscription. And with LightSpray, On developed an upper that is sprayed onto the shoe in one go.
Popular On models
- The On Cloud 6 is the sixth generation of the Cloud: light, with elastic laces and suited to walking, travelling and short runs.
- The On Cloudmonster is a running shoe with a high sole and extra-large clouds, built for long distances with plenty of cushioning.
- The On Cloudtilt is a lifestyle sneaker without a Speedboard, designed for long days on your feet.
Other well-known models are the Cloudnova, the Cloudmonster Hyper and The Roger, the tennis-inspired sneaker On developed together with Roger Federer.
How do On shoes fit?
Most On shoes fit true to size, so you can start with your usual sneaker size. Width does vary per model: running shoes often sit close around the midfoot, while newer models such as the Cloud 6 have more room in the forefoot. With wide feet you are usually better off with an extra half size. On uses separate size charts for women and men, so check the right chart if you order a model from the other line.
Buy On at WOOVIN
On WOOVIN you will find On sneakers for women and men, from the Cloud 6 and Cloudtilt for everyday wear to the Cloudmonster for runners. Not sure which model suits you? Choose by use: if you walk or stand a lot, cushioning helps, and for a city look a lower silhouette works better. Check per model which colours are on sale in your size.
