Saucony Guide 18 vs On Cloudrunner 3

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

Saucony Guide 18
On Cloudrunner 3

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Jan 22, 2026 07:54 PM

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Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated May 07, 2026 05:47 PM

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Amazon
Saucony Guide 18 Picture

Track

On Cloudrunner 3 Picture

Track

Our Verdict

Saucony Guide 18

On Cloudrunner 3

The On Cloudrunner 3 and Saucony Guide 18 are two support trainers, but they approach their role quite differently. The Saucony uses a much wider platform, which makes it feel more substantial underfoot, even though it is slightly lighter. Its midsole is also a bit more cushioned, which adds protection without sacrificing control, resulting in a more stable and more complete ride overall. The On relies more on a structured heel clip and raised sidewalls, with a firmer, more rearfoot-focused approach to guidance that feels less forgiving and less well-rounded.

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Variants

  • Guide 18 (Ballad/Skydiver - (Women - US 7))
  • Guide 18 (Black/Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudrunner 3 (Black/Black - (US - Women 7))
  • Cloudrunner 3 (Black/Ivory - (US - Men 9))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

4.8
4.6

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

3.9
1.4

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

26.4 mm
29.8 mm

Weight  

5.3
4.5

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

5.3
4.5

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Guide 18 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Guide 18 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

277.5 g (9.79 oz)
297.9 g (10.51 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Guide 18 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

35.1 mm
35.3 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

26.4 mm
29.8 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.7 mm
5.5 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.0 mm
10.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
Saucony Guide 18 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
On Cloudrunner 3 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

103 mm (4.1")
95 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
76 mm (3.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

117 mm (4.6")
116 mm (4.6")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.93
2.69

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.43
3.89

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
Saucony Guide 18 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
On Cloudrunner 3 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

280 mm (11.0")
276 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

63 mm (2.5")
66 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

94 mm (3.7")
90 mm (3.5")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
Yes

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.6

Forefoot Width Photo  

On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

2.4 mm (0.094")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

2.2 mm (0.085")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

9.9

Forefoot Height Photo  

On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.4 mm (-0.017")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.8

Arch Fit Photo  

On Cloudrunner 3 Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

2.2 mm (0.085")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

On Cloudrunner 3 Toe Clearance Photo

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Guide 18 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.3
0.8

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Guide 18 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

66.0%
62.9%

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

3.9
1.4

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Guide 18 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

70.5%
66.4%

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.0
5.7

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Guide 18 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Guide 18 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.60 J
2.65 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

7.39 J
7.34 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.14 J
13.15 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.4
6.6

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
Saucony Guide 18 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Guide 18 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.42 J
3.89 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.88 J
6.92 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

12.05 J
10.83 J

Heel Firmness 
 

6.2
6.4

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Guide 18 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

73.2 N/mm
66.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

122.7 N/mm
137.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

210.4 N/mm
232.4 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.8
8.1

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
Saucony Guide 18 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

111.2 N/mm
121.1 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

201.8 N/mm
229.5 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

376.2 N/mm
366.7 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.2

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.04 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

5.69 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

5.48 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.33 J

Saucony Guide 18

On Cloudrunner 3

Comments

  1. Comparison

Saucony Guide 18 vs On Cloudrunner 3: Main Discussion

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