On Cloudboom Volt Review | Speedy in Short Bursts

On shoes always look amazing, and the On Cloudboom Volt is no exception.

It’s sleek, futuristic, and absolutely looks the part of a supershoe, but after spending some time running in them, did the shoe live up to the hype?

As always, this is one runner’s experience, but I’m here to give you the honest, unfiltered take on how the Cloudboom Volt actually feels once the miles start adding up.

Overall, the Cloudboom Volt is best suited for runners who like their shoes on the firm and structured side and plan to use them for shorter, more relaxed efforts. If you’re looking for a soft, bouncy supershoe that makes race pace feel effortless, this probably isn’t the experience you’ll get here.

On Cloudboom Volt Overview

The On Cloudboom Volt is a new, more affordable entry into On’s racing lineup.

It still checks the brand’s supershoe boxes with Helion HF foam, a carbon fiber plate, and an aggressive forefoot rocker, but the ride is noticeably firmer and less energetic than the Cloudboom Strike or Cloudboom Echo 3.

On seems to have designed the Volt with a more controlled ride in mind.

The platform is relatively narrow, the heel bevel is moderate, and the aggressive rocker helps move you forward without feeling overly dramatic. But that firmer version of the Helion HF changes the personality of the shoe quite a bit.

Instead of the soft, bouncy ride we’ve come to expect from many modern racing shoes, the Volt feels more at home when you’re cruising through relaxed miles.

That doesn’t necessarily make it a bad race-day option, but it does make the Volt a bit more of a niche choice.

If you prefer your racing shoes on the firm and stiff side, you may appreciate the controlled feel. If you’re looking for that smooth, energetic, bounce-your-way-to-the-finish-line experience, though, the Volt might leave you wanting a little more.

Of course, that’s just the first impression. After putting the Cloudboom Volt through my own mix of easy miles, faster efforts, and a long run, I had plenty more to say about where this shoe fits into the supershoe conversation. Let’s get into it!

On Cloudboom Volt Fit

Length: Tiny bit short
Width: Standard
Toe Box: Roomy
Arch: Neutral
Volume: High

On always seems to nail the fit, and the Cloudboom Volt is no different!

This shoe gives me just enough space to feel comfortable without ever veering into cavernous territory. It has a secure, race-ready feel from heel to toe, with a few quirks worth noting.

The heel fits quite snug and features a prominent, fairly stiff heel counter. I didn’t experience any irritation myself, but runners with sensitive Achilles tendons may want to pay close attention to this area.

The heel also felt surprisingly elevated during my first few strides. That’s not necessarily a good or bad thing, but it was definitely noticeable, especially because I’ve never experienced that sensation from an On shoe before.

Once I settled in, though, the heel provided excellent security and structure. I had zero issues with slipping, blisters, or unwanted movement, and the nicely padded collar added another layer of comfort.

The midfoot narrows slightly, but this is, by far, the most accommodating On midfoot I’ve experienced.

Granted, I have relatively narrow feet, but I had plenty of room through this section without feeling like my foot was swimming around.

The shoe also doesn’t flare dramatically at the heel or forefoot, which creates a steady, consistent platform from landing to toe-off.

Up front, the forefoot is plenty wide enough to let your toes spread naturally, but the shoe does run a bit short. We’ll get into whether I think this is a good option for longer distances in the Feel section, but for now, just know that you’ll want to bump up at least a half size. Your toes will thank you later!

The upper is another highlight. It’s incredibly secure, to the point that I barely had to cinch down the laces to achieve a locked-in fit.

That’s a refreshing change of pace for me, because I’ve definitely tested shoes where getting the upper secure meant cranking down on the laces and creating a whole new set of problems.

The tongue is thin with mild padding, and its generous width kept it from shifting around during my runs.

I also appreciated that I didn’t need to tighten the laces much, as these laces can create quite a bit of pressure across the top of the foot if you overdo it.

Breathability is decent, especially compared to some of the other On shoes I’ve tested, but it’s not quite at the level I expect from a top-tier racer.

The bigger issue is what happens when things get wet. Once the upper gets soaked, it takes a little while to dry out, which isn’t exactly ideal for a race-day shoe if you’re dealing with rain or a particularly sweaty effort.

Overall, I really love the way the Cloudboom Volt fits. It feels secure without being restrictive, gives me more room through the midfoot than I’m used to getting from On, and keeps my foot comfortably locked in without requiring an aggressive lace job.

Now the big question: does that dialed-in fit translate into an equally impressive ride?

On Cloudboom Volt Feel

The On Cloudboom Volt is a plated superfoam racing shoe, featuring two layers of Helion HF PEBA foam in the midsole and a full-length, stiff carbon fiber plate.

On paper, that sounds like a recipe for speed. In practice? Well… I had a bit of a different experience.

Maybe it’s just me, but I’ve never had an On shoe that felt particularly soft or bouncy, and the Cloudboom Volt doesn’t exactly break that streak.

At 7.4 ounces, it’s certainly lighter than some of the other On shoes I’ve tested, but it still feels a little heavy compared to many of the shoes competing in the racing category.

More importantly, the ride is considerably firmer and stiffer than what I’ve come to expect from a modern plated racer.

And unfortunately, the faster I went, the more noticeable that stiffness became. I tried everything from marathon goal pace down to 5K pace, but I never quite found a steady rhythm.

Instead of the carbon plate and superfoam working together to create that smooth, propulsive feeling I look for in a race shoe, the shoe often felt like it was fighting my stride.

The impacts are also a bit jarring, particularly through the heel.

Remember that elevated heel feeling I mentioned earlier? It becomes even more noticeable once you combine it with the firm ride. Heel transitions feel stiff, too, which makes it difficult to find that effortless roll from landing to toe-off.

Truthfully, I found the Cloudboom Volt much more enjoyable at shorter, relaxed paces.

Even my striders didn’t feel particularly natural in the shoe, which is usually a pretty good indicator that a racing shoe and I aren’t quite on the same page.

I also took the Volt out for a long treadmill run during this summer’s absolutely bonkers heat, but ended up swapping them out for another pair after eight miles because my feet were starting to hurt.

Interestingly, the Cloudboom Volt is actually quite pleasant to walk in.

The fit is comfortable, the upper looks fantastic, and the shoe has that sleek, futuristic On aesthetic that makes you feel a little faster just standing still.

But at $200, that’s a pretty expensive pair of everyday shoes, and I don’t think that’s where this shoe was intended to shine.

The outsole is another area where I’d exercise a little caution. Traction hasn’t been a standout for me, and during one rainy run, I experienced some slipping on wet pavement.

If you’re considering these for race day, I’d definitely keep the weather forecast in mind.

I’ll admit, I’m a little bummed that I didn’t enjoy running in the Cloudboom Volt more. I really like the fit, I love the aesthetics, and I wanted the ride to match.

But for me, the combination of a firm, stiff platform and limited energy return makes it difficult to recommend as a go-to racing shoe.

When I try to go fast, I want my shoes working with me, not against me.

Unfortunately, that’s the biggest issue I had with the Cloudboom Volt. It’s comfortable, sleek, and surprisingly accommodating for an On shoe, but the ride simply doesn’t give me the smooth, energetic response I’m looking for when it’s time to race.

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