Picking the right running shoe matters a lot. On Running makes two popular shoes called the Cloud Flyer 4 and Cloudflow. Both shoes feel good, but they work best for different types of runners. Let’s see how they compare so you can choose the one that fits your needs best.
Contents
- 1 On Cloud Flyer 4 vs Cloudflow Shoes
- 2 What Makes These Shoes Special
- 3 Who Should Wear Each Shoe
- 4 Cushioning: How Soft Are They?
- 5 Stability: How Much Support They Give
- 6 Weight: How Heavy Are They?
- 7 Fit and Size: How They Feel On Your Feet
- 8 Upper Materials: How They Breathe and Last
- 9 Outsole: How They Grip and Last
- 10 Price: How Much They Cost
- 11 What Runners Say About These Shoes
- 12 How Flexible They Are
- 13 How They Handle Water and Weather
- 14 Conclusion
- 15 Frequently Asked Questions
On Cloud Flyer 4 vs Cloudflow Shoes
On Cloud Flyer 4 and Cloudflow shoes is their purpose. Cloud Flyer 4 offers more support and stability for runners whose feet roll inward, while Cloudflow is lighter and faster for neutral runners who don’t need extra support. Cloud Flyer 4 has more cushioning for longer runs, while Cloudflow feels more responsive.
Before comparing the specifics, here is an overview of On Cloud Flyer 4 vs Cloudflow Shoes:
| Feature | Cloud Flyer 4 | Cloudflow |
| Best For | Runners who need support, feet roll inward | Neutral runners, speed training |
| Weight | Heavier (Men: 9.8 oz, Women: 8.1 oz) | Lighter (Men: 8.5 oz, Women: 7.2 oz) |
| Cushioning | More plush, softer landing | Firmer, more responsive |
| Toe Box | Wider, more room for toes | Narrower, snug fit |
| Stability | High – corrects foot rolling | Low – allows natural movement |
| Price | $159.99 | $139.99 |
| Durability | 400-500 miles | 300-400 miles |
| Best Use | Long distance, daily training | Speed work, races |
In summary, choose Cloud Flyer 4 if your feet roll inward when running or if you need more support and cushioning for long runs. Pick Cloudflow if you have normal running form and want a lighter, faster shoe for speed training or racing. Both shoes use On’s cloud cushioning technology but are designed for different types of runners with different needs.
What Makes These Shoes Special
On Running started in 2010. They made shoes with special cushions called “clouds” on the bottom. These clouds make it feel like you’re running on soft clouds but still help you push off the ground with power.
The Cloud Flyer 4 helps runners who need extra support. The Cloudflow is for runners who want to feel fast and light. Both shoes look cool, but they’re made for different needs.
Who Should Wear Each Shoe
The Cloud Flyer 4 Is Best For
The Cloud Flyer 4 works great if your feet roll inward too much when you run. This is called overpronation. These shoes help fix this problem.
The Cloud Flyer 4 is good for runners with high arches. It’s also great for heavier runners who need more cushion. If you run long distances or are coming back from an injury, you might like these shoes.
The Cloudflow Is Best For
The Cloudflow works best for neutral runners. These are people whose feet don’t roll in too much. The shoes are lighter and help you feel fast.
If you’re training for a race or want to run faster, the Cloudflow might be right for you. They work well for people who have good running form already.
Cushioning: How Soft Are They?
Cloud Flyer 4 Cushioning
The Cloud Flyer 4 has big cloud cushions that make your run feel soft. The shoe has special foam called Helion that stays soft in hot or cold weather.
What’s cool about the Flyer 4 is that it has different firmness on each side of the shoe. The outer side is a bit firmer, while the inner side has more support. This helps keep your foot from rolling in too much.
Cloudflow Cushioning
The Cloudflow also uses Helion foam, but its cloud cushions are smaller and there are more of them. This makes the shoe feel more springy than soft.
The Cloudflow lets you feel the ground better. Many fast runners like this feeling. It gives you quick bounce-back with each step, which is great for speed.
Stability: How Much Support They Give
Cloud Flyer 4 Stability
The Cloud Flyer 4 is all about keeping your feet stable. It has a wide base that touches more ground. This helps you feel steady when you run.
The shoe has a special pattern on the bottom that guides your foot to move the right way. The inner side of the shoe is firmer to stop your foot from rolling in too much.
Cloudflow Stability
The Cloudflow doesn’t try to control how your foot moves. It lets your foot move more naturally.
The shoe still holds your foot in place with a snug middle part and a shaped heel cup. But it doesn’t try to fix your running style like the Flyer 4 does.
Weight: How Heavy Are They?
The weight of your shoes can make a big difference in how they feel when you run.
| Model | Men’s Weight | Women’s Weight |
| Cloud Flyer 4 | 9.8 oz | 8.1 oz |
| Cloudflow | 8.5 oz | 7.2 oz |
Why Weight Matters
The Cloud Flyer 4 is heavier because it has more support features and cushioning. Most runners think this is okay because the extra support is worth it, especially for long runs.
The Cloudflow is lighter, which helps you feel faster. When you don’t have as much weight on your feet, you can run faster with less effort. If you want to beat your best time, the lighter Cloudflow might help.
Fit and Size: How They Feel On Your Feet
Getting the right fit is super important for comfort when you run.
Cloud Flyer 4 Fit
The Cloud Flyer 4 has a roomier toe box. This means there’s more space for your toes to spread out. This feels good on long runs when your feet might swell a bit.
The middle part hugs your foot to keep it from moving around. The heel has good padding to stop your foot from slipping. People with wider feet often like the Flyer 4 better.
Cloudflow Fit
The Cloudflow has a more snug fit. The toe box is still comfy but not as roomy as the Flyer 4. The middle part wraps your foot tightly, which helps when you’re running fast or turning.
The heel is less structured than the Flyer 4 but still works well for most runners. The Cloudflow fits best on people with narrow or medium-width feet.
Upper Materials: How They Breathe and Last
The top part of the shoe affects how cool your feet stay and how long the shoes last.
Cloud Flyer 4 Upper
The Cloud Flyer 4 has a mesh top that lets air flow through. It also has stronger parts in key spots for support. The material helps wick away sweat to keep your feet dry.
The shoe has reflective parts so cars can see you when it’s dark. The material is strong enough to help with stability but still feels nice and flexible.
Cloudflow Upper
The Cloudflow has a lighter mesh that weighs less and lets in even more air. It feels more like a second skin and is great for hot days.
While still strong for its weight, the Cloudflow’s upper might not be as tough as the Flyer 4’s. But it dries very quickly if it gets wet, which many runners love.
Outsole: How They Grip and Last
The bottom of the shoe affects how long they last and how well they grip the ground.
Cloud Flyer 4 Outsole
The Cloud Flyer 4 has rubber on high-wear spots to help it last longer. The cloud parts absorb shock well while still letting you feel the ground.
The pattern on the bottom helps the shoe bend in the right places. The grip works well on roads and sidewalks, but not as well on trails or loose gravel.
Cloudflow Outsole
The Cloudflow has smaller cloud parts on the bottom. They’re set up to help you move quickly from heel to toe. The rubber is a bit firmer, which helps push you forward with each step.
Most runners get about 300-400 miles from their Cloudflow shoes before they show much wear. The grip works best on roads and tracks, not rough trails.
Price: How Much They Cost
Price is always something to think about when buying running shoes.
| Model | Regular Price | Sale Price | Value Rating |
| Cloud Flyer 4 | $159.99 | $120-140 | 4.3/5 stars |
| Cloudflow | $139.99 | $100-120 | 4.5/5 stars |
Long-Term Value
The Cloud Flyer 4 costs more, but it might last longer and gives more support. If you need the extra stability, the higher price is worth it.
The Cloudflow costs less and is a good deal for neutral runners. You might need to replace them a bit sooner than the Flyer 4, but many runners think the lower price and faster feel are worth it.
What Runners Say About These Shoes
Reading what other runners think can help you make a good choice.
| Model | Overall Rating | Cushioning | Stability | Durability | Fit | Style |
| Cloud Flyer 4 | 4.6/5 stars | 4.7/5 | 4.8/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Cloudflow | 4.5/5 stars | 4.2/5 | 3.8/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
What People Say About the Cloud Flyer 4
Many runners love how the Cloud Flyer 4 gives both cushioning and support. Runners who have mild foot rolling issues say the shoe helps fix their form without feeling weird.
Some runners wish the shoe was lighter. Others say it takes about 15-20 miles of running before the shoes feel perfect on their feet.
What People Say About the Cloudflow
Cloudflow users love how the shoe feels fast and works well for different types of runs. Many like how they can feel the ground while still having enough cushion to be comfy.
Some common complaints are that the fit is a bit narrow and that some runners want more cushion for very long runs. A few people mention that small rocks can get stuck in the cloud parts sometimes.
How Flexible They Are
How a shoe bends with your foot matters for comfort when you run.
Cloud Flyer 4 Flexibility
Even though it’s a stability shoe, the Cloud Flyer 4 bends pretty well. It has cuts in the sole that let it flex in the right places. The shoe bends mainly at the front, which helps you push off naturally.
This good flex prevents the stiff feeling that some support shoes have. This makes the Flyer 4 good for different running speeds.
Cloudflow Flexibility
The Cloudflow bends very easily with your foot. Being lightweight helps it move naturally with each step. Your foot can move the way it wants to in these shoes.
This makes the Cloudflow great for runners who already have good form and want shoes that move with them rather than trying to control them.
How They Handle Water and Weather
You might run in rain or heat, so it’s good to know how these shoes work in different weather.
Cloud Flyer 4 in Different Weather
The Cloud Flyer 4 handles light rain pretty well. The upper part keeps some water out, but it’s not waterproof. The bottom grips well on wet sidewalks.
In hot weather, the mesh lets your feet breathe, but the shoes are a bit warmer than the Cloudflow. In cold weather, the extra structure keeps your feet a bit warmer.
Cloudflow in Different Weather
The Cloudflow’s light mesh dries quickly but doesn’t keep water out much. The grip still works well on wet surfaces unless they’re super slippery.
Where the Cloudflow really shines is in hot weather. The very breathable upper and lighter build help keep your feet cool during summer runs. But this makes them less good for very cold days.
Conclusion
Choosing between the On Cloud Flyer 4 and Cloudflow comes down to what you need for your running.
The Cloud Flyer 4 is better if you need help with foot rolling issues, want more cushion for long runs, have wider feet, or like a more supportive feel.
The Cloudflow is better if you have neutral running form, want to feel fast and light, prefer more flexible shoes, or like to feel more connected to the ground.
Both shoes are great options with On’s special cloud cushioning. Your running style, foot shape, and goals should guide your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do On Cloud Flyer 4 shoes last?
Most runners get 400-500 miles from their Cloud Flyer 4 shoes. Heavier runners might see wear sooner. Lighter, more efficient runners might get more miles out of them.
Are Cloudflow shoes good for marathon training?
Cloudflow shoes can work well for marathon training for efficient runners who like a responsive feel. Some runners might want more cushion for very long training runs. Many use Cloudflow for speedwork and race day but train in softer shoes.
Can people whose feet roll in wear the Cloudflow?
People with mild foot rolling might be okay in the Cloudflow for short runs or races. Those with more severe rolling would do better with the Cloud Flyer 4 to prevent injuries.
Do On Running shoes fit true to size?
Most On Running shoes, including both the Cloud Flyer 4 and Cloudflow, fit true to size or slightly small. People with wider feet might want to go up half a size, especially with the Cloudflow which is a bit narrower.
Are these shoes good for walking or everyday wear?
Both shoes work well for walking and everyday use. The Cloud Flyer 4 gives more cushion and support for all-day comfort. The Cloudflow is lighter and more responsive, which some people prefer for active days.