On Cloudboom Zone vs Cloudboom Max

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

On Cloudboom Zone
On Cloudboom Max

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated May 05, 2026 06:30 PM

DicksSportingGoods.com

Tested using Methodology v0.11

Updated Apr 30, 2026 04:54 PM

SEE PRICE
On
On Cloudboom Zone Picture

Track

On Cloudboom Max Picture

Track

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.

0 

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))

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

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)

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

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

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.5
9.2

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

2.5 mm (0.100")
1.0 mm (0.038")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

1.8 mm (0.069")
7.8 mm (0.306")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

6.9
10

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

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

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-3.8 mm (-0.148")
1.3 mm (0.050")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

8.6
7.9

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-2.5 mm (-0.099")
-3.5 mm (-0.139")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.4
8.4

Heel Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Heel Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

22 mm (0.9")
32 mm (1.3")

Heel Apex Position 
 

22.5%
26.7%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

18.7°
21.8°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

6.6
5.7

Forefoot Rocker Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Rocker Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

45 mm (1.8")
40 mm (1.6")

Toe Apex Position 
 

61.9%
63.3%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

22.2°
20.0°

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
Performance

Heel Compression 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%

Forefoot Compression 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%

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

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

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

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

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.8
7.2

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

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

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

7.42 J
7.89 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

7.23 J
7.71 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

7.11 J
7.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

7.01 J
7.49 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

8.1
5.0

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

122 N
43 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

7.6
7.4

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

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

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

68.4%
67.6%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

7.9
8.4

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Zone Forefoot Bending Resistance
 Preview Graph
On Cloudboom Max Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

17.6 N/mm
23.5 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

322 N
343 N

On Cloudboom Zone

On Cloudboom Max

Comments

  1. Comparison

On Cloudboom Zone vs On Cloudboom Max: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Members have direct access to buying advice on our member forum.

PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones