Cloudventure vs Cloudboom Shoes

Cloudventure and Cloudboom is their intended terrain. Cloudventure is designed for trail running with aggressive grip, rock protection, and more durability for rough paths.

Cloudboom is built for speed on roads with a lightweight design, carbon plate for propulsion, and less cushioning to help racers feel connected to the pavement.

Feature	Cloudventure	Cloudboom
Best for	Trail running	Road racing
Weight	Heavier (10.7 oz men’s)	Lighter (7.9 oz men’s)
Cushioning	Medium, protective	Firm, responsive
Grip	6mm lugs for mud and trails	Shallow lugs for pavement
Special features	Rock protection plate	Carbon fiber plate for speed
Durability	High for rough terrain	Medium, focused on race days
Toe box	Roomy for toe splay	Snug for secure fit
Water resistance	Water-repellent upper	Minimal, quick-drying
Breathability	Good with dirt protection	Excellent, very airy
Price	Around $150	Around $200
Best uses	Trail adventures, hiking	Races, speed workouts

In summary: choose Cloudventure if you love exploring trails and need shoes that can handle mud, rocks, and uneven ground. Pick Cloudboom if you mainly run on roads and want to get faster in races.

What Are On Running Shoes?

On Running is a Swiss company that makes special running shoes. They started in 2010 and are known for their unique “cloud” cushioning.

This special design has little pods on the bottom of the shoes that look like clouds. These pods help you feel comfortable when you run and give you extra bounce in your step.

Cloudventure: The Trail Explorer

What Is The Cloudventure?

The Cloudventure is made for running on trails and uneven ground. If you like to run in forests, mountains, or parks with dirt paths, these shoes might be perfect for you. They have extra grip on the bottom to help you stay steady on rough ground.

Designed For Adventure

Think of the Cloudventure as your hiking buddy for your feet. These shoes are ready to take on mud, rocks, and bumpy trails. They protect your feet while still feeling light when you run.

Cloudboom: The Speed Racer

What Is The Cloudboom?

The Cloudboom is made for running fast on smooth roads. If you want to beat your best time in a race or run quickly on sidewalks, these shoes are designed to help you speed up. They’re lighter than the Cloudventure and made for pavement.

Built For Racing

The Cloudboom is like a race car for your feet. It’s made to be super light and help you feel fast. If you enjoy running on roads and want to improve your speed, these shoes might help you reach your goals.

Comparing Features: Cloudventure vs Cloudboom

Durability: How Long Will They Last?

Cloudventure: The Cloudventure is built tough. The outer part (called the upper) is made from strong materials that can handle scratches from branches and rocks. The bottom sole has thick rubber in high-wear areas to last longer on rough trails.

Cloudboom: The Cloudboom isn’t as rugged as the Cloudventure. It’s made to be light for racing, so the materials aren’t as thick. If you only use them for races and not everyday running, they can last a good while. But using them on trails might wear them out faster.

Breathing: Do Your Feet Stay Cool?

Cloudventure: The Cloudventure has a mesh upper that lets air flow to your feet. However, since it needs to keep dirt and small rocks out, it’s not as open as road shoes. Your feet might get warmer on hot days, but they’ll stay cleaner on muddy trails.

Cloudboom: The Cloudboom has a very thin, breathable upper that lets lots of air reach your feet. This keeps them cooler during fast runs and races. If you run on hot days, your feet will likely feel less sweaty in these.

Cushioning: How Soft Is The Ride?

Cloudventure: The Cloudventure has medium cushioning with On’s special CloudTec pods. These pods compress when you land and then firm up when you push off. This gives you comfort on hard trails while still letting you feel the ground beneath you.

Cloudboom: The Cloudboom has less cushioning than the Cloudventure. It’s designed for feeling the road and moving fast. Inside the shoe, there’s a carbon plate that helps push you forward with each step. It feels firmer but more responsive when you run quickly.

Shoe Fit: How Do They Feel On Your Feet?

Cloudventure: The Cloudventure has a roomier toe box (the front part where your toes go) than the Cloudboom. This gives your toes space to spread out when going downhill on trails. The heel cup holds your foot securely to prevent sliding on uneven ground.

Cloudboom: The Cloudboom fits more snugly throughout the shoe. It hugs your foot to prevent any movement that might slow you down during races. Some runners find them a bit narrow, especially if they have wider feet.

Stability: Will They Keep You Steady?

Cloudventure Stability

The Cloudventure is made to keep you stable on uneven trails. It has a wider base than the Cloudboom, which helps you balance on rocky surfaces. The shoe doesn’t twist easily, which protects your ankles when you step on roots or rocks.

Cloudboom Stability

The Cloudboom focuses on forward stability rather than side-to-side movement. The carbon plate inside the shoe helps you run in a straight line efficiently. However, it’s not designed for uneven surfaces and might feel wobbly if you take them on trails.

Comfort: How Do They Feel During Long Runs?

Cloudventure Comfort

The Cloudventure balances comfort with protection. The cushioning feels soft enough for long trail runs, but doesn’t feel mushy.

The shoe protects your feet from rocks and roots with a plate in the sole. Some runners say it feels a bit firm at first but gets more comfortable after breaking them in.

Cloudboom Comfort

The Cloudboom puts speed before plush comfort. It feels firm underfoot and is designed for shorter races rather than ultra-marathons.

If you’re used to very cushioned shoes, these might feel too hard for your liking. But some runners love the connected-to-the-ground feeling for fast runs.

Materials and Quality: What Are They Made Of?

Cloudventure Materials

Part	Material	Benefit
Upper	Ripstop mesh	Prevents tears and keeps debris out
Midsole	Helion foam	Provides bounce and doesn’t get stiff in cold weather
Outsole	Missiongrip rubber	Offers excellent traction on wet and dry surfaces
Protective elements	Rock plate	Shields feet from sharp objects on trails

Cloudboom Materials

Part	Material	Benefit
Upper	Engineered mesh	Extremely light and breathable
Midsole	Helion foam	Provides energy return for faster running
Carbon plate	Carbon-infused speedboard	Propels you forward with each step
Outsole	Lightweight rubber	Gives good grip on roads and tracks

Style: How Do They Look?

Cloudventure Style

The Cloudventure comes in earth tones and brighter colors too. The design looks rugged but still stylish enough to wear around town after your trail run. The signature On cloud pods are visible from the side and bottom of the shoe.

Cloudboom Style

The Cloudboom has a sleeker, more race-ready appearance. It often comes in bold colors with reflective details for visibility during early morning or evening runs. The thinner profile and racing stripe details give it a fast look even when standing still.

Weight: How Heavy Are They?

Weight Comparison

Shoe	Men’s Average Weight	Women’s Average Weight
Cloudventure	10.7 oz (305g)	9.2 oz (260g)
Cloudboom	7.9 oz (225g)	6.6 oz (190g)

The Cloudboom is significantly lighter than the Cloudventure. This weight difference makes the Cloudboom better for speed, while the extra weight of the Cloudventure comes from its protective features for trail running.

Flexibility: How Do They Bend?

Cloudventure Flexibility

The Cloudventure has moderate flexibility. It bends enough to move with your foot on uneven terrain but stays firm enough to protect you from sharp objects. The shoe flexes mainly at the forefoot where your foot naturally bends.

Cloudboom Flexibility

The Cloudboom is less flexible due to the carbon plate inside. This stiffness is actually helpful for racing because it creates a springboard effect that propels you forward. Some runners need time to adjust to this stiffer feel.

Water Resistance: Will Your Feet Stay Dry?

Cloudventure Water Resistance

The Cloudventure has a water-repellent upper that keeps light rain and morning dew from soaking your feet. It won’t keep your feet completely dry during heavy rain or stream crossings, but it dries fairly quickly after getting wet.

Cloudboom Water Resistance

The Cloudboom isn’t designed to be water resistant. The thin mesh upper lets water in easily but also drains and dries very quickly. These shoes are best for dry road conditions, though they can handle a light rain shower during a race.

Sole: What’s The Bottom Like?

Cloudventure Sole

The Cloudventure sole has aggressive 6mm lugs (the bumpy parts on the bottom) that grip well on mud, loose dirt, and grass. The pattern is designed to shed mud rather than collecting it. The CloudTec pods compress individually to adapt to uneven ground.

Cloudboom Sole

The Cloudboom has a flatter sole with shallow lugs for gripping smooth pavement. The rubber is placed only in high-wear areas to save weight. The carbon plate runs through the sole to create a rocker effect that helps you roll through your stride efficiently.

Size: Do They Run True To Size?

Sizing Guide

Aspect	Cloudventure	Cloudboom
Length	True to size	Runs small (consider ½ size up)
Width	Medium to slightly wide	Narrow to medium
Toe box	Roomy	Snug
Heel fit	Secure	Very secure

Most runners find the Cloudventure fits true to size, while the Cloudboom often requires going up half a size for comfort.

User Reviews and Ratings

Cloudventure User Feedback

Aspect	Rating	Common Comments
Comfort	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	“Great for long trail runs but needs breaking in”
Durability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	“Still going strong after 300 miles on tough trails”
Traction	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	“Excellent grip on wet rocks and muddy paths”
Value	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	“Expensive but lasts longer than cheaper trail shoes”
Overall	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	“My go-to shoes for all trail adventures”

Cloudboom User Feedback

Aspect	Rating	Common Comments
Speed	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	“Helped me set a new personal best in my 10K”
Comfort	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	“Good for races but too firm for everyday training”
Durability	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	“The lightweight upper started to wear after 150 miles”
Value	⭐⭐⭐☆☆	“Expensive for a shoe I only use on race days”
Overall	⭐⭐⭐⭐☆	“Great racing shoe but not versatile enough for all runs”

Price Comparison

Shoe	Regular Price	Sale Price (Average)
Cloudventure	$149.99	$119.99
Cloudboom	$199.99	$159.99

The Cloudboom is more expensive than the Cloudventure, reflecting its specialized racing technology with the carbon plate. Both shoes are premium-priced compared to many other running shoe brands.

Which Shoe Is Right For You?

Choose the Cloudventure if:

You run mainly on trails, dirt paths, or uneven ground
You want a shoe that can handle mud and rocks
You need good grip for going up and down hills
You prefer more foot protection and don’t mind a slightly heavier shoe
You want a shoe that works for hiking too

Choose the Cloudboom if:

You run primarily on roads or tracks
You’re training for races and want to improve your speed
You prefer a lightweight, responsive feel
You don’t mind a firmer ride for the sake of performance
You want a specialized racing shoe for competition days

Conclusion

The Cloudventure and Cloudboom are both excellent shoes, but they serve different purposes. The Cloudventure is a reliable trail companion that will protect your feet on rough terrain, while the Cloudboom is a speedy road racer designed to help you run faster on smooth surfaces.

Your choice depends on where you run most often and what you want from your running shoes. Some runners even own both pairs – using the Cloudventure for trail adventures and saving the Cloudboom for race days on the road.

Whatever your choice, both shoes show why On Running has become popular with many runners. Their unique cloud cushioning and attention to detail make them stand out from other shoe brands.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do Cloudventure shoes typically last?

With regular trail use, most runners get 300-500 miles from their Cloudventure shoes before the grip and cushioning start to wear down significantly.

Are Cloudboom shoes good for marathon distances?

Some runners find the Cloudboom works well for marathons, especially if they’re used to firmer shoes. Others prefer more cushioning for the full 26.2 miles. It depends on your running style and comfort preferences.

Can I use Cloudventure shoes for road running?

Yes, you can use Cloudventure shoes on roads, but they might wear down faster. The lugs designed for trail grip will rub against hard pavement more than they would on softer trails.

Do Cloudboom shoes have the same cloud pods as other On shoes?

Yes, but they’re designed differently. The Cloudboom’s cloud pods are flatter and firmer to work with the carbon plate for better speed performance.

Are these shoes good for people with wide feet?

The Cloudventure offers more width than the Cloudboom, especially in the toe box. If you have very wide feet, you might find both models a bit narrow, with the Cloudboom being the narrower of the two.

How do I clean my Cloudventure shoes after muddy trails?

Remove excess mud when it’s dry, then wash them with cold water and mild soap. Avoid hot water or machine washing as this can damage the water-resistant coating and glued parts. Always air dry them away from direct heat.

Do these shoes come in waterproof versions?

The Cloudventure is available in a waterproof version called the Cloudventure Waterproof, which uses a membrane to keep water out. The Cloudboom does not come in a waterproof version since it’s designed for road racing in fair conditions.