On builds a variety of shoes for different contexts and training settings. The On Cloud 5 is one of On’s most popular shoes for daily wear and travel and was previously known as the On Cloud. On has added a number the 5 to this shoe to help indicate that this model has been updated and this is the fifth version of the On Cloud.
This shoe delivers a comfortable and lightweight construction. These features help the On Cloud 5 to excel as being a good shoe to look into for casual settings. As a fan of the On Cloud X shoe, I was excited to see how the On Cloud 5 compared in regard to comfort.
There is a lot to like about the On Cloud 5 like its lightweight build and comfortable CloudTec midsole. However, there are a couple of cons and drawbacks to this shoe which I’ll discuss below.
In this On Cloud 5 review, I’m going to discuss a variety of topics to help you decide if this shoe is a good fit for the context of your needs and wants.
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Who Should Invest In the On Cloud 5?
The On Cloud 5 is a really good shoe for daily wear, traveling, walking, and standing all day. This shoe is lightweight and breathable so they feel easy to wear for longer durations. Personally, I rock this model most often when I’m running errands and I’m on my feet all day or when I have long travel days ahead of me.
The CloudTec midsole provides a nice amount of cushion and this shoe has a good level of maneuverability. Plus, this shoe comes suited with On’s “speed lacing” system and separate pair of laces if you like a more traditional lace.
The speed lacing is nice for easily slipping this model on and off, which is also why I like them for travel. You can easily slip these off in the car or airplane once you’re seated.
The only knocks I have with the On Cloud 5 is that the outsole lacks long-term durability for outdoor wear and that it fits a bit more narrow/neutral. I think the big thing with this shoe is understanding the context in which it will excel and perform its best. It’s a good daily driver, but not a super durable serious training shoe.
On Cloud 5 Pros
Throughout the course of my testing and review process, I’ve found multiple things to like about the On Cloud 5.
- Great Shoe for Slipping On and Off
- Comfortable, Lightweight, and Breathable for Daily Wear
- Good for Walking, Standing, and Traveling
The first pro with the On Cloud 5 that I really enjoy is that it’s a good shoe for easily slipping on and off. If you like rocking shoes that somewhat look like training shoes on a casual, then this is a good shoe to look into. Not every training shoe looks good on a daily wear basis and they’re not always the easiest to get on and off.
The On Cloud 5 has a sporty and clean look to them and they come with On’s speed lacing system. This lacing system is great because you don’t have to worry about lacing and unlacing your shoes and it provides enough security to where you never run into heel slip issues. This shoe also comes with traditional laces if you prefer those.
The second aspect to like about the On Cloud 5 is they’re comfortable, lightweight, and breathable. All of these characteristics help this shoe to excel for daily wear and they make this model a pleasure to wear for longer periods. In my size 10 model, they have a weight of 8.40 oz, which is comparatively light compared to the other daily wear shoes I have.
The mesh upper on this model breathes really well through the forefoot and midfoot. I noticed this most when rocking these on a windy cold winter day as my feet were starting to get cold. This is why I think On also recommends this model for warmer settings. For the summer months, I could easily see the On Cloud 5 becoming one of my daily go-to shoes.
The final aspect to like about the On Cloud 5 is that they’re a good shoe for walking, standing, and traveling. This model is designed specifically to be a model for daily wear and travel, and I think they hit the mark pretty well at delivering a strong performance for these contexts.
For walking, the sole construction of this model feels natural and the 8mm heel-to-toe drop and toe spring help feed into this activity. Additionally, the CloudTec midsole provides a nice cushioned, yet somewhat supportive feel for standing for long durations. It’s easy to shift your weight in these shoes so they’re a good dynamic model for being on your feet all day.
On Cloud 5 Cons
There is a lot to like about the On Cloud 5, but there are also a couple of cons that come along with this shoe. Below are two of the bigger cons that I could see bothering others.
- Outsole Lacks Long-Term Durability
- Fit In Toe Box Is Pretty Narrow
The first drawback to the On Cloud 5 is that the outsole lacks long-term durability, especially if you plan to use these outdoors a lot on concrete and asphalt. The CloudTec midsole does have rubber that covers the forefoot and heel, however, the midfoot CloudTec does not.
The CloudTec throughout the midfoot on the On Cloud 5 has exposed foam which can be problematic on certain surfaces. This is why I recommend not regularly wearing these shoes for outdoor running and training. The friction produced in these contexts could make this shoe’s midsole and outsole breakdown pretty fast.
Since these shoes also have a higher price point, I think recognizing the context in which these shoes will perform the best will help your investment go the distance. If you want a pair of On shoes for cross-training and doing outdoor workouts, then I’d suggest looking into the On Cloud X.
The second drawback to the On Cloud 5 is that it is fairly narrow through the to box and midfoot. This is not surprising since a lot of On shoes typically run a bit more narrow with their midfoot and toe box fit. If you have wide feet and want more width in your shoe’s toe box, then you’re going to want to look into other shoes.
I think for both flat and wide feet, the On Cloud 5’s last will not align the best with your foot’s anatomy. On updated the sizing in this model so their length fits more true, however, and unfortunately, this did not change their narrower width.
Performance
To discuss the performance in On Cloud 5, I’m going to talk about how this shoe performs in different contexts. Note, this is not a shoe designed for training specifically, but I did test them in a few light training settings to see if they could be a feasible option for anyone that wants to use this model in multiple settings.
On Cloud 5 for Light Workouts and Bodyweight Training
For light workouts and bodyweight training, the On Cloud 5 can be a feasible shoe option. For example, if you’re tackling home workouts where you’re using lighter weights and your own bodyweight, then you should be okay using this model casually. It will not be your best bet for heavier and more serious sessions, so I’d suggest keeping it casual in this shoe.
The CloudTec midsole compresses pretty easily which could impact your balance and ability to root the foot with the ground. This is why I also suggest limiting the use of the On Cloud 5 to more casual and light training. The On Cloud X would be a better option if you like On Shoes and want a pair for a bit more serious training.
On Cloud 5 for Classes, HIIT, and Versatile Training
In the context of classes, HIIT workouts, and more versatile training, the On Cloud 5 is okay, but once again, it’s not designed for these activities so there will always be a cap on their performance and potential. The CloudTec midsole provides a nice level of support for more plyometrics, but I think you’ll find them limiting in regard to their ground feedback when performing power-focused exercises.
I’m also not the biggest fan of this shoe’s outsole for this style of training. In most of these settings, you’ll be tackling multi-directional work, which could be problematic for two reasons.
First, the shoe’s midfoot outsole construction may break down pretty quickly on certain surfaces. Second, the midsole compresses a good amount so you may find that it’s tough to stabilize and find your balance in these shoes when tackling unilateral work or multi-directional exercises.
On Cloud 5 for Walking, Standing, Traveling, and Running
As mentioned above, the On Cloud 5 excels for daily wear and casual contexts. This shoe is a really good option for longer walks and being on your feet all day. They never feel heavy on the feet and they breathe well. Additionally, their midsole construction is comfortable and maneuverable which makes them a pleasure to wear.
For traveling, I like how easy it is to take this shoe on and off. The speed lacing system is a nice touch for giving this model an almost “slipper-like” feel on travel days. You can take these off easily to stretch your feet, then slip them back on with ease.
For running, the On Cloud 5 can technically work, but I’d suggest keeping your mileage on the lower end with this shoe and limiting them to indoor runs only. I’m not the biggest of the outsole on this model for running outdoors due to the exposed midsole. If you’re looking for an On shoe for running, then I’d suggest checking out something like the On Cloudswift.
On Cloud 5 Vs On Cloud X
The core differences between the On Cloud 5 versus the On Cloud X revolve around how each shoe intended to used. There are three major differences between the On Cloud X and On Cloud 5 that I think are worth mentioning.
The first major difference is the base of the shoe and the CloudTec midsole construction. Both shoes have a low-profile CloudTec midsole, but the On Cloud X’s midsole is slightly wider and more stable. This is to help the On Cloud X perform better in cross-training settings by increasing. the base and surface area of the shoe to support different exercises.
More specifically, the On Cloud X has a built-in Speedboard with raised sidewalls to assist with balance and stability. It’s a subtle detail that isn’t inherently noticeable, but you can feel the difference when training.
The second major difference is the upper construction and lacing system used. The On Cloud 5’s eyelets are built to accommodate On’s speed lacing system and traditional laces. This feature changes the midfoot construction slightly and makes the boot a bit longer to easily slip the shoes on and off compared to the On Cloud X.
The On Cloud X utilizes a traditional lacing system and its upper construction is a bit more durable for training purposes. On the forefoot and midfoot, the upper is more abrasion resistant and delivers a slightly thicker material compared to the On Cloud 5.
The final difference how each shoe designed to used. If you’re looking for an On Shoe for cross-training, then go with the On Cloud X. The On Cloud X can also work well as a daily wear shoe so it does have a slight edge for versatility compared to the On Cloud 5.
If you already have a pair of training shoes and don’t plan to lift and workout in your shoes and just want something casual for day-to-day use. Then you’d best-suited to opt for the On Cloud 5.
On Cloud 5 Sizing
For the On Cloud 5, most should be safe going true-to-size. Compared to prior On Cloud models, this shoe’s length fits more true, so you shouldn’t have to size up in order to make them work.
The only issue I have with this shoe’s sizing is how narrow they feel through the forefoot and midfoot. On not a shoe company known for their wide-fitting shoes, so if you have wider or flatter feet. Then you may want to look into other shoes for daily wear purposes.
On Cloud 5 Sizing Thoughts: True-to-size for most. Narrow fit with limited volume through the midfoot and forefoot.
If you have additional sizing and fit questions about the On Cloud 5, drop a comment below and I can try to help you out accordingly.
Price Breakdown
For the On Cloud 5, you can expect to pay $139.99 USD. This price point is similar to prior models and compares to most On Shoes, which do have slightly higher price points.
I think this price makes sense for anyone wanting to buy this shoe for daily wear, walking, standing, and traveling. This will not be the best shoe for training and running, so I think it’s important to recognize the context of this shoe’s best uses and where it will falls short in order to make sure the price point makes sense for you.
Construction
The On Cloud 5’s construction is fairly simplistic in nature and compared to other On Shoes. I’d categorize this model as having a more “no-frills” build to them.
Below are some of the biggest construction callouts that influence this shoe’s comfort, durability, and performance in different settings.
- Heel-to-Toe Drop: 8mm
- Weight: 8.40 oz (for my size 10 model)
- Removable Insole: Yes
- CloudTec Midsole
- Mesh Upper Construction
- Speed Lacing System (Traditional Laces Included)
- 44% Recycled Content/Materials Used
If you have additional questions or thoughts on the On Cloud 5’s construction, drop a comment below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can you run in the On Cloud 5?
The On Cloud 5 can technically work for shorter runs. However, it’s primarily built to a travel and all-day wear shoe. If you do run in this shoe, then you may want to keep your mileage on the lower end.
Can you lift weights in the On Cloud 5?
The On Cloud 5 can work okay for lighter workouts and bodyweight training, but they’ll fall short for recreational lifting. The CloudTec midsole in this model compresses fairly easy so you’ll lack stability in this shoe if you plan to lift moderate and heavyweights in them.
Are the On Cloud 5 good for walking?
For daily wear, travel, walking, and standing all day, the On Cloud 5 does an exceptional job. This shoe is great for these contexts and the On Cloud 5 provides a nice amount of cushion for all-day comfort.
Takeaway Thoughts
The On Cloud 5 delivers consistent and strong performance for daily wear, walking, standing, and traveling. This shoe is comfortable and easy to slip on and off and it looks sporty with a clean aesthetic.
The On Cloud 5 will not be your best shoe for tackling different forms of exercise and training, so I think it’s important to recognize the context of this model before investing.
