There is a reason On Running have a cloud theme around all their lines and that’s because they consistently manage to produce some of the lightest and bounciest running shoes out there. As the old saying goes, 1lb on your feet is meant to be the equivalent to 5lb on your back, and if you are serious about getting your pace up, being as light as you can when heading out the door is a good start. The Cloudflash weigh in, per shoe, at just 220g for men’s and 175g for women’s, bonus point here for both genders coming in the same attractive design, white with neon yellow detailing, not all girls want pink or purple colour pallets when pounding the track. Designed with racing in mind there is a lot of carefully thought-out tech going on here to help you achieve your fastest lap times. Starting with the Speedboard, it is built from Pebax and aims to deliver high energy transition with a resistance to fatigue by loading the impact straight back into the take-off, a tough but super light nano-mesh makes up the majority of the upper supported by a skeletal-structure produces a flexible and breathable comfort without rubbing, and the antimicrobial treatment to help keep those locker room smells at bay. The Cloudflash have a regular width with neutral support and low drop, they have an offset heel to toe drop but 5mm to avoid heel strike and potential knee injuries, the race car seat heel cap, keeps your feet secure and lets you accelerate without the risk of slipping or irritation. That distinctive On sole has a honeycomb slip-pattern on each section for a strong grip both on and off the road, the lacing system worked well at drawing in the mid and top section of the shoe but you will need to pull up toe section for a precise fit and when tied up they remain tied up. If you are serious about your running and spend most of your time on concrete terrains these shoes might be just what you are looking for especially if you prefer a firm shoe, unbelievably light whilst maintaining comfort and producing a good energy return. Oh - and they also look awesome! RRP £160

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4.8 out of 5

Pros

Super light

Firm

Responsive Speedboard

Standout design

Good grip

Laces don’t come undone

Slim tongue

5mm heel drop

Breathable