On Cloudrunner 3 Is a Stability Shoe That Doesn’t Feel Overbuilt

In this review, we’re putting the On Cloudrunner 3 to the test to see if it truly raises the bar for the stability category.

At first glance, you’d never guess this sleek silhouette is a stability shoe—and let’s be honest, it’s a relief to find a support shoe that actually looks good. Engineered for mild to moderate stability with a “mid” level of cushion, the Cloudrunner 3 positions itself as a versatile trainer for runners who need a little extra support.

As a first-time On wearer, I was excited to see what the hype is all about. Will it really feel like running on clouds? Is that even possible for a stability shoe?!  Let’s get into it!

This shoe is great for the runner who needs some support but doesn’t want a shoe stacked with cushion. It has a firmer feel and the stability features are focused in the rearfoot in the shoe, which might not be for every runner.

On Cloudrunner 3 Overview

On first unboxing, I was excited to see how nice the design of the shoe was from an aesthetics perspective. White is usually not my first choice this time of year (hello slushy and nasty winter roads in western New York!) so I decided to save these for tread runs only. 

After swooning over the cute design, I gave them a onceover before putting them on. The shoe felt a bit stiff without much flex in the sole, but nothing out of the ordinary from other stability shoes.

I was also initially intrigued by the generous padding on the heel collar and tab from a comfort perspective. 

The first thing I noticed once I laced up was how secure, yet comfortable the shoe felt.  While the last version was noted to have felt a bit loose, this upper strikes the perfect balance between comfort and security.

The overall initial fit felt comfortable, with enough room in the toe box, and a comfortable amount of cushion. The cushion is one of the upgrades from the previous model, now using a new version of Helion foam, which is designed to give it a more responsive feel.

I took these shoes on easy runs, long runs, hill workouts, and some tempo work and overall I found them to be best on long and easy runs. They wouldn’t be the first shoe I grab for tempo or hill work, they really left much to be desired when I was picking up the pace or effort.

I love the style of this shoe so much! I would definitely grab this as a shoe for wearing in daily life or on a trip where there’s a lot of walking or standing.

On Cloudrunner 3 Fit

Overall, I was pleased with the fit of this shoe. The biggest thing I noticed was that in the first few minutes of each run my foot felt like it was slipping a bit more than I prefer in the heel collar, but that feeling faded as my runs progressed.

The upper provided a comfortable yet secure fit, and I never had to finagle with the laces which is always a plus in my book. There’s nothing worse than having to stop and adjust the laces for comfort! The tongue on these shoes is gusseted, helping it stay in place without issue.

Sizing was perfect– I have noticed that the shoes with more generous heel padding I am comfortable in a women’s 8.5, whereas shoes that have less padding in the heel I fit better in a women’s size 8. For comparison, a shoe with similar heel padding is the Brooks Glycerin GTS.

The shoe fit felt stable and with the rigidity that I would expect from a moderate stability shoe. The cushioning was decent, falling right in that middle of the road of not too rigid, not too plush. 

On Cloudrunner 3 Feel

It was apparent after a few runs that the majority of the stability features in this shoe is focused in the heel with the mid and forefoot feeling more like a neutral shoe.

This makes it great for the runner who is looking for stability in the rearfoot, but might not be for those looking for a full-blown stability shoe.

This shoe did feel heavy and was lacking that bouncy feel I expected from everything I heard about running in On’s for a “running on clouds” experience.Though Coach Amanda tells me this is actually par for the course with their earlier models and seems to carry through with stability.

The shoe does utilize their CloudTecEven with a firmer feel, I did feel that the transitions felt smooth, but felt like there could be more responsiveness in the mid to forefoot.

The toebox did allow for my toes to feel like they were able to spread naturally without any squeeze. Paired with the stiffer yet cushioned mid-foot I felt like I could definitely stand or walk in these shoes all day, even if they left a little to be desired on certain runs.

Other big changes from previous models is the change in drop and weight of the shoe. The drop in the On Cloudrunner 3 goes down from 10mm down to 8mm, which previous users will want to be aware of if you’re transitioning into the newer model.

The weight of these shoes went up in the newer model, enough that you’d probably notice it on longer runs.

The overall comfort of this shoe did set it apart from other stability shoes I have worn, with the mesh and upper being breathable but also secure. The firm Helion foam midsole, heel collar, and sidewalls make this shoe feel stable and controlled. Even with the heavier feel and lack of responsiveness I was hoping for, this is still a shoe I’d grab for logging longer or easy miles.

Similar Shoes to the On Cloudrunner 3

We’ve tested a few stability shoes that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit. 

All right that’s our take on the On Cloudrunner 3. Have you run in it? Questions, thoughts about the Cloudrunner 3 vs 2?

If you’ve been eyeing the 2 on sale, we would actually recommend going for the 3. Often we’ll tell you to save money buying the older model, but this time we think the heel drop and fit are worth it.

What to Read Next?

• See all of our stability running shoe reviews
• Hanson Marathon Method Overview
• Best On Cloud Walking Shoes