On Cloudeclipse Preview: Max Cushion, Mild Stability

On has been on a run over the past two years. First they dropped the Cloudstratus 2, offering a competitive daily trainer with structured cushioning and a supportive, peppy feel. Next came the Cloudmonster, a fun, rockered trainer for easy days and high-mileage weeks of marathon training. And this year, they dropped the soft Cloudsurfer and are now following it up with the Cloudeclipse, a brand new max cushioned offering Here's everything we know.

On Cloudeclipse Overview

The On Cloudeclipse is the newest max cushioned training shoe from On. It follows in the footsteps of the Cloudsurfer, which ushered in a new era for the brand. Previous top-tier training models like the Cloudstratus 2 and Cloudmonster used a plastic Speedboard in the midsole and CloudTec pods. The Cloudsurfer introduced CloudTec phase pods into the On lineup, which are computer-generated slits designed to maximize impact absorption and energy return. The Cloudsurfer also removed the Speedboard, offering a softer ride.

The On Cloudeclipse uses the same CloudTec phase midsole as the Surfer, with a similar upper and overall design aesthetic. However, the Speedboard is back in action here, but it's on the bottom of the shoe this time to add support to the platform. The Cloudeclipse also has a taller stack of cushioning than the Surfer.

On doesn't currently have a max cushioned cruiser to compete with the likes of the New Balance More v4, Saucony Triumph and Asics Gel-Nimbus. The Cloudeclipse will fill the max cushioned role in the lineup, though it may be firmer and more supportive than those shoes, making it competitive with mild stability trainers like the Saucony Endorphin Shift 3 and Asics Gel-Kayano 30. The 10.8 ounce mens weight is also more in line with those shoes than the soft, neutral shoes, which are in the low 10 ounce and high 9 ounce range.

The On Cloudeclipse will release in fall 2023, though the date has not been confirmed by On. Based on their premium pricing strategy and competitor prices, we anticipate the Cloudeclipse will go on sale for $180. Sign up below and we'll let you know once we have more details on the shoe.

On Cloudeclipse Midsole

The On Cloudeclipse has a max stack of Helion foam. We don't have specs for the stack height yet, but we know there will be a 6mm drop. Based on how it looks compared to the Surfer, which has a 32mm heel stack and 22mm forefoot, the Cloudeclipse likely has a heel stack around 40mm and forefoot stack around 34mm. This will make it the tallest On shoe.

The Cloudeclipse is using the same Helion foam we see across the range of On training shoes, though the formulation does have a different feel depending on which model you use. In the Surfer, it's soft and bouncy, whereas the Monster and Stratus have a firmer feel. The Helion in the Eclipse will likely skew to the firm and structured side, especially due to the tall stack height.

Working with the tall stack of foam is a Speedboard on the bottom shaped like an X. This is likely more for stability and structure than speed, as the firm plate can prevent the soft foam from wobbling too much. In other On shoes with a Speedboard, the feel is less like a traditional carbon plate racing shoe and more like a slightly peppier daily training feel.

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We'll have to wait to get the Eclipse on foot to see how the Speedboard shows up—whether it's for stability or pop. More confusing is that the marketing copy for the Cloudeclipse emphasizes both control (i.e., stability) and speed. Here's what we got from our sources, translated into English via Google Translate:

"The On Cloudeclipse [...] is a great running shoe with excellent cushioning. A double layer of CloudTec Phase cushioning under the tread pads dampens every step for ultimate comfort.

Ready for more control and speed thanks to the built-in Speedboard® in the midsole. The upper is made from 100% recycled polyester mesh for a comfortable fit, while the knitted tongue construction provides a firm locked down system for your feet. Equipped with a rubber outsole for extra grip, you're ready to tackle that mile with ease!

Features and benefits

- CloudTec Phase® cushioning

- Speedboard® in the midsole

- Mesh made of 100% recycled polyester

- Locking system for the midfoot

- Rubber outsole"

On Cloudeclipse Upper

On has some of the best uppers out there. The fits are dialed in, with strong lockdowns, and the materials have just the right amount of padding. That tradition continues on the upper of the Eclipse, which has a similar look to the Cloudsurfer.

The Cloudeclipse uses the same lacing system as the Surfer. There are lacing passthroughs attached to the upper and the tongue, with wider first loop upfront. As of now, there's a black launch colorway for men and an orange launch colorway for women.

The upper on the Cloudeclipse is padded around the back. It's designed like a daily trainer or recovery running shoe, where comfort and support are key versus weight savings. At 10.8 ounces for men, it's not excessively heavy from the extra padding.

On Cloudeclipse Outsole

The Cloudeclipse has a strategically placed rubber outsole. The forefoot has a generous covering of rubber that covers most of the front landing area with a gap in the middle for flexibility. There are two pieces of rubber on the back of the shoe in high wear areas.

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On's rubber tends to have average at best durability. The Cloudeclipse looks like it may have a reworked version of the formula—and if not, at the very least, it has more of it than in shoes like the Stratus and Monster. One final note on the rubber is that early shoes has different rear applications for the men and womens colorways, which is possibly due to the pictures being prototypes, or because On is using different treads to match wear patterns. 

Closing Thoughts: Who It'll Be Best For

The Cloudeclipse looks like a solid max cushioned trainer. If our sources are correct, it will be a mild stability shoe that's cut from the same cloth as the Endorphin Shift and Gel-Kayano. This means while it may not have the most pillowy underfoot sensation, the strong rocker will keep you rolling along in comfort over the long haul. Sign up below to get notified when we get more details on the price and release date.