Running Shoe
Products
In The Lab
Forums
Newsletters
Join now
Best
Running Shoes For Men Women Nike Brooks Marathon Long Distance For Beginners New Balance ASICS Stability HOKA adidas Cheap Cushioned Heavy Runners On Most Comfortable Saucony PUMA
Tools
Compare 3D Compare Results Table Tool Review List Review Index Graph Review Pipeline Vote Custom Ratings
Popular
Dynafish Xiaonian Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Ultra ASICS MEGABLAST Li-Ning Feidian 6 Elite adidas Adizero Evo SL HOKA Bondi 9 ASICS SUPERBLAST 3 ASICS NOVABLAST 6 adidas Adizero Pacer Nike Vomero Plus PUMA Velocity NITRO 5 ASICS NOVABLAST 5 Saucony Endorphin Azura Li-Ning Red Hare 9 Pro Saucony Hurricane 26 Nike Vomero Premium Kiprun Kipstorm Challenger ASICS GEL-KAYANO 33 PUMA Deviate Pure NITRO Saucony Triumph 24
304 Running Shoes bought and tested
Supported by you via membership, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
  1. Home
  2. Running Shoe
  3. Compare

On Cloudrunner 3 vs Cloudrunner 3 Max

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      WeightStack HeightsExternal ShapeInternal ShapeForefoot Fit: WidthForefoot Fit: HeightArch Fit: WidthLength FitHeel Rocker GeometryForefoot Rocker GeometryFoamLacesOther Features
    Performance
      Heel Compression Energy ReturnForefoot Compression Energy ReturnHeel CushioningForefoot CushioningHeel FirmnessForefoot FirmnessForefoot Long Run CushioningRocker StiffnessForefoot Bending Energy ReturnForefoot Bending StiffnessHeel Compression DepthForefoot Compression Depth
    Comments

Products

On Cloudrunner 3
On Cloudrunner 3 Max

Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Aug 26, 2026 06:52 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon

Tested using Methodology v0.15

Updated Sep 03, 2026 04:14 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon
On Cloudrunner 3 Picture

Track

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Picture

Track

Heel Stack Height
35.3 mm
Weight
297.9 g (10.51 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
5.5 mm
Plate
None
Heel Stack Height
44.8 mm
Weight
344.3 g (12.14 oz)
Heel-To-Toe Drop
10.1 mm
Plate
None
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. On

Our Verdict

On Cloudrunner 3

On Cloudrunner 3 Max

The On Cloudrunner 3 Max and On Cloudrunner 3 are support trainers built around stable, controlled rides. The Max is the higher-stack, more cushioned version, and it's the better running shoe overall. It provides much better impact protection and a smoother roll, making it more suitable for longer runs, but it's also substantially heavier, and both shoes feel flat underfoot. The regular Cloudrunner 3 can still make sense if you value a lighter, lower-profile ride.

GIFT THIS COMPARISON

0 

Variants

  • Cloudrunner 3 (Black/Black - (US - Women 7))
  • Cloudrunner 3 (Black/Ivory - (US - Men 9))
  • Cloudrunner 3 Max (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudrunner 3 Max (Black/Black - (Women - US 7))

Review

See On Cloudrunner 3 Review
See On Cloudrunner 3 Max Review
0 
0 

Check Price

SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEE PRICE
On
SEE PRICE
On
SEE PRICE
RoadRunnerSports.com
SEE PRICE
DicksSportingGoods.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Half/Full Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Half/Full Marathon Racing 
 

4.6
5.4

Weight  

4.5
2.4

Plate 
 

None
None

Heel Stack Height 
 

35.3 mm
44.8 mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.2
6.6

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

29.8 mm
34.7 mm

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.5
2.4

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

297.9 g (10.51 oz)
344.3 g (12.14 oz)

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

35.3 mm
44.8 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

29.8 mm
34.7 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

5.5 mm
10.1 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

10.0 mm
8.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
On Cloudrunner 3 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
On Cloudrunner 3 Max 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

95 mm (3.7")
101 mm (4.0")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

76 mm (3.0")
75 mm (3.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

116 mm (4.6")
122 mm (4.8")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.69
2.25

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.89
3.52

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
On Cloudrunner 3 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
On Cloudrunner 3 Max 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

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

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
66 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

90 mm (3.5")
95 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

Yes
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.6
9.2

Forefoot Width Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Width Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

2.4 mm (0.094")
1.7 mm (0.067")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

2.2 mm (0.085")
-2.6 mm (-0.103")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

9.9
6.8

Forefoot Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Height Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-0.4 mm (-0.017")
-3.8 mm (-0.151")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

9.8
10

Arch Fit Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Arch Fit Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

2.2 mm (0.085")
0.8 mm (0.031")

Length Fit 
 

10
10

Toe Clearance Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Toe Clearance Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Toe Clearance Photo

Heel Rocker Geometry 
 

7.0

Heel Rocker Photo  

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Heel Rocker Photo

Heel Spring 
 

22 mm (0.9")

Heel Apex Position 
 

24.7%

Heel Rocker Angle 
 

16.3°

Forefoot Rocker Geometry 
 

7.2

Forefoot Rocker Photo  

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Rocker Photo

Toe Spring 
 

50 mm (2.0")

Toe Apex Position 
 

63.8%

Forefoot Rocker Angle 
 

24.4°

Foam 
 

Primary Foam Picture  

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Primary Foam Picture

Secondary Foam Picture  

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Secondary Foam Picture

Primary Foam Name 
 

Helion HF

Primary Foam Type 
 

TPEE

Secondary Foam Name 
 

Helion

Secondary Foam Type 
 

EVA

Laces 
 

Laces Picture  

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Laces Picture

Lace Type 
 

Flat

Width 
 

5.0 mm (0.2")

Thickness 
 

1.4 mm (0.1")

Stretch 
 

10.0%

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Semi-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Performance

Heel Compression Energy Return 
 

0.8
1.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Heel Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

62.9%
65.9%

Forefoot Compression Energy Return 
 

1.4
1.5

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Energy Return
 Compare in Graph Tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

66.4%
66.7%

Heel Cushioning 
 

5.7
7.3

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Heel Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

2.65 J
2.85 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

7.34 J
8.95 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

13.15 J
17.41 J

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.6
7.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.89 J
4.28 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

6.92 J
7.84 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

10.83 J
12.25 J

Heel Firmness 
 

6.4
8.7

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Heel Firmness

Heel Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Heel Firmness Graph

Firmness At 550N 
 

66.2 N/mm
52.5 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

137.1 N/mm
61.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

232.4 N/mm
79.7 N/mm

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.1
8.9

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Firmness

Forefoot Firmness Graph  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Firmness Graph

Firmness At 800N 
 

121.1 N/mm
66.8 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

229.5 N/mm
84.2 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

366.7 N/mm
113 N/mm

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

5.2
6.6

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Compare in Graph Tool

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.04 J
7.31 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

5.69 J
7.06 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

5.48 J
6.93 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

5.33 J
6.84 J

Rocker Stiffness 
 

7.0

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Video  

Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Rocker Stiffness Graph

Force To Flatten The Rocker 
 

85 N

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

3.6

Forefoot Bending Video  

Forefoot Bending Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Bending Energy Return

Forefoot Bending Energy Return 
 

51.9%

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

7.8

Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture  

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Bending Resistance Picture

Forefoot Bending Resistance  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Bending Resistance

Forefoot Bending Stiffness 
 

14.4 N/mm

Forefoot Bending Force 
 

369 N

Heel Compression Depth 
 

5.3

Heel Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Heel Compression Graph

Heel Compression At 550N 
 

10.5 mm

Heel Compression At 1100N 
 

18.0 mm

Heel Compression At 1900N 
 

23.8 mm

Forefoot Compression Depth 
 

5.3

Forefoot Compression Graph  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudrunner 3 Max Forefoot Compression Graph

Forefoot Compression At 800N 
 

12.0 mm

Forefoot Compression At 1300N 
 

15.4 mm

Forefoot Compression At 2050N 
 

18.2 mm

Check Price

SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEE PRICE
Amazon
SEE PRICE
On
SEE PRICE
On
SEE PRICE
RoadRunnerSports.com
SEE PRICE
DicksSportingGoods.com
Back to Top

On Cloudrunner 3

On Cloudrunner 3 Max

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 month ago

On Cloudrunner 3 vs On Cloudrunner 3 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.

See All Shoe Discussions
 Share
0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via Membership (which gives you access to extra features), when you buy RTINGS.com Merch, and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. See what products we currently have for sale.
© 2026 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved.