On Cloudboom Zone vs Cloudboom Max

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

On Cloudboom Zone
On Cloudboom Max

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Jan 07, 2026 09:16 PM

Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 07, 2026 08:21 PM

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Amazon.com

Our Verdict

On Cloudboom Zone

On Cloudboom Max

The On Cloudboom Zone and On Cloudboom Max are two boisterously named, ambitiously marketed, but ultimately limited-use case shoes. On claims the Zone is a versatile trainer that can handle 99 percent of a runner's mileage, but in practice, its lightweight build, partial plastic shank, and subtle rocker make it more suited to uptempo workouts. Similarly, On markets the Cloudboom Max as an elite-level super shoe, but its bulky construction that prioritises stability over speed makes it more suitable for middle-of-the-pack runners aiming for a 4-hour marathon.

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Variants

  • Cloudboom Zone (White/Flame - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudboom Zone (White/Flame - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudboom Max (Honeydrew/Lilac - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudboom Max (Honeydrew/Lilac - (Women - US 7))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

7.5
7.3

Weight  

7.4
4.9

Plate 
 

Plastic Shank
Plastic

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.2 mm
43.0 mm

Heel Energy Return 
 

7.4
6.4

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

7.4
4.9

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

223.0 g (7.87 oz)
287.8 g (10.15 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

37.2 mm
43.0 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

30.1 mm
31.7 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.1 mm
11.3 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
8.0 mm
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
On Cloudboom Zone 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
On Cloudboom Max 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

85 mm (3.4")
101 mm (4.0")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

77 mm (3.0")
73 mm (2.9")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

112 mm (4.4")
115 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.28
2.35

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.72
3.63

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
On Cloudboom Zone 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
On Cloudboom Max 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

269 mm (10.6")
281 mm (11.1")

Internal Heel Width 
 

65 mm (2.5")
50 mm (2.0")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

91 mm (3.6")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Plastic Shank
Plastic
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

7.4
6.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

77.7%
74.3%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

7.6
7.4

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

78.9%
77.7%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.7
8.1

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.21 J
3.38 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.30 J
10.07 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

13.97 J
17.90 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.4
8.0

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.41 J
4.97 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.92 J
8.61 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.03 J
12.71 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

6.4
4.8

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

58.0 N/mm
50.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

127.4 N/mm
94.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

284.6 N/mm
202.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.8
7.8

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

105.9 N/mm
103.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

205.7 N/mm
195.8 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

389.9 N/mm
406.3 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

7.2

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.89 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.71 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.49 J
Show Text 

On Cloudboom Zone

On Cloudboom Max

Comments

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On Cloudboom Zone vs On Cloudboom Max: Main Discussion

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