The On Cloudboom Volt is On’s shorter-distance super shoe, built around a dual layer of PEBA-based Helion HF racing foam and a full-length carbon Speedboard plate. Despite there being no Swiss-cheese midsole in sight, it still delivers the trademark On ride, pairing impressive cushioning with a firm forefoot that performs best when picking up the pace. The heel rocker helps smooth out transitions, but the more laid-back forefoot geometry stops the ride from feeling especially propulsive at toe-off. As a result, while it has the setup of a super shoe, it lacks the mechanics of a true marathon machine, making it most at home over shorter races and geared towards runners who want a race-day option that remains unmistakably On.
Our Verdict
The Cloudboom Volt is a great marathon racer on paper, pairing a highly cushioned PEBA-based midsole with a full-length carbon Speedboard plate. However, it’s heavier than many shoes in its class, its cushioning doesn’t hold up especially well over longer distances, and the forefoot bottoms out, which means it stops short of being a true long-distance specialist.
Highly protective PEBA-based midsole.
Full-length carbon Speedboard plate.
Impressive forefoot energy return.
Firmer forefoot becomes less forgiving deep into races.
Heavy in its class.
The Cloudboom Volt is a very good 5K/10K racer. Its firm forefoot and full-length carbon Speedboard plate combine to create a fast, efficient ride, while the impressive forefoot energy return helps maintain speed when pushing the pace. However, it’s comparatively heavy for its class and lacks the propulsive toe-off of more aggressive super shoes.
Full-length carbon Speedboard plate.
Impressive forefoot energy return.
Firm forefoot suits faster paces.
Heavier with less propulsive toe-off than more aggressive super shoes.
The Cloudboom Volt delivers decent responsiveness. The PEBA-based midsole and plate provide good energy return, but the soft and passive rocker keep the ride from feeling propulsive.
Very good forefoot rebound.
Mild rocker lacks propulsion.
The Cloudboom Volt provides impressive cushioning, with excellent heel protection and great forefoot cushioning to comfortably handle race-day efforts. However, there is a noticeable decline after the first 10km, so its not the best pick for longer races.
Excellent heel protection.
Great forefoot cushioning.
Cushioning fades as the miles build.
The Cloudboom Volt offers decent stability for a racing shoe. Its broad platform and firm forefoot help keep the ride controlled at speed, though the softer heel prevents it from feeling especially planted overall.
Firm forefoot helps stabilize the ride.
Soft heel stops landing feeling truly planted.
The Cloudboom Volt fits true to size in length, so most runners can stick with their usual size. The forefoot is very accommodating for a performance shoe, while the arch fits a bit snugger. That said, this is common for performance-oriented shoes and shouldn’t be an issue for most runners, though it could bother those with higher-volume feet or wider arches.
True-to-size length.
Very accommodating forefoot for a race shoe.
Snugger arch may trouble wider feet.
Performance Usages
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the On Cloudboom Volt in men's US size 9, as indicated on the label of our pair. The color featured on the shoe we tested is Black/Juniper, but you can also get the shoe in other colors, depending on the region. At the time of testing, no wide variants are available. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other sizes and gender variants to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The On Cloudboom Volt is On’s take on a short-distance super shoe, built around a PEBA-based midsole and a full-length carbon Speedboard plate. However, despite having all the ingredients of a modern super shoe, it falls short compared to others in its class. Among similar plated super shoes, the ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 offers a snappier ride with a more aggressive forefoot rocker, while the PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 delivers much better responsiveness in a significantly lighter package. The result is a shoe that remains distinctly On, but one that isn’t quite sure what it wants to be and struggles to stand out against the competition.
Within On’s performance lineup, the Cloudboom Volt sits as the brand’s shorter-distance super shoe. The Cloudboom Strike is the flagship marathon racer, while the Cloudboom Max offers a more forgiving alternative for longer races, targeting four-hour plus marathoners.
If you’re interested in other options from On, check out our recommendations for the best On running shoes. For more race-day options, have a look at our recommendations for the best running shoes and the best marathon running shoes.
The On Cloudboom Volt and On Cloudboom Strike are both plated super shoes that sit in On’s Cloudboom lineup, but they target different race distances. The Strike combines slightly more cushioning with better responsiveness and long-run comfort, making it a more versatile option across distances. The Volt, meanwhile, is better suited to shorter races, thanks to its much firmer forefoot, as well as it bottoming out over longer distances.
The On Cloudboom Volt and ASICS MAGIC SPEED 5 are both plated super shoes that target faster training and shorter races. The ASICS is lighter and uses a more aggressive rocker geometry, making it quicker through toe-off and easier to turn over at speed. The On offers more cushioning, but its firmer forefoot and more restrained geometry make it less efficient when racing.
The On Cloudboom Volt and PUMA Deviate NITRO Elite 4 are both carbon-plated race shoes, but they target different runners. The PUMA is significantly lighter and pairs a more responsive midsole with a more aggressive rocker geometry, making it quicker and more efficient across race distances. The Cloudboom Volt delivers a firmer, more recognizably On ride, but lacks the responsiveness and race-day efficiency of the PUMA.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
