AS a semi-regular plodder pounding the pavements of London’s streets, I am far from what you would call an athlete.
My typical routine consists of dragging myself around the outer circle of Regent’s Park a few times a week, dodging aggressive geese, over-enthusiastic Labradors and influencers filming their “morning routines.”
We tested ON’s super-comfortable new Cloudrunner 3 trainers Credit: ON
They are built for comfort and sturdiness, but weigh just 310 grams Credit: ON
I’m firmly in the 5km-and-a-bit-of-a-pant club.
So when the Swiss running giants ON dropped their highly anticipated Cloudrunner 3 trainers , promising maximum support and effortless comfort, I knew these were the shoes for me.
And if they can carry my aching joints for a couple of laps on a drizzly Tuesday morning, they can handle anything.
Here is my honest, no-nonsense verdict on the ON Cloudrunner 3 .
THE LOOK
LET’S be honest, the main reason people buy ON running shoes is because they look like they belong in a futuristic design museum rather than a sweaty gym bag.
The Cloudrunner 3 does not disappoint in the style stakes.
It keeps that classic Swiss sleekness, but it feels a bit chunkier and more robust than its predecessors.
The mesh upper looks smart enough that you could easily wear these to a pub lunch without looking like you’ve got lost on the way to the running track.
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QUICKFIRE Q&A
How much is it? £140 from the ON website
Who is it best for? Everyday runners looking to mix performance with comfort and stability.
What we loved: They look good on the eye, but are even better on the feet. Like running on a hotel mattress.
What we didn’t love: Slightly heavier than previous Cloudrunner models and not runners who want an extra spring in their step.
THE FEEL
SLIPPING my feet into these was like sinking into a premium hotel mattress.
ON is famous for its “CloudTec” cushioning — those little holes on the sole that look like Swiss cheese.
In the Cloudrunner 3, they’ve paired this with their ultra-plush Helion superfoam.
The moment I stepped out of my flat, the comfort was undeniable.
For an everyday runner who carries a few extra “pie and pint” pounds compared to the pros, this level of plush comfort is an absolute godsend.
ON THE ROAD
NOW for the real test: the Regents Park 10k loop.
The first thing I noticed is how stable these feel. The Cloudrunner line is built for support, meaning it’s designed to stop your feet from rolling inward when you get tired.
And believe me, by kilometre seven, I am very tired.
As I hit my usual wall near London Zoo, the shoes really started to show their worth.
The camels saw me motor past for once — admittedly the shoes were doing much of the hard work, absorbing the shock from the pavement as I went.
There’s also a wider platform on the sole than in the previous model, which gave me plenty of confidence when swerving groups of schoolchildren or lost tourists.
THE NIGGLES
IT can’t all be sunshine and Swiss chocolate, though.
If you are looking for a lightning-fast, feather-light shoe to smash your personal best, this isn’t it.
The Cloudrunner 3 is a supportive cruiser, not a springy race-day rocket.
At times, it felt a little heavy when I tried to kick into a sprint to beat a changing traffic light.
THE VERDICT
THE ON Cloudrunner 3 is a triumph for the everyday jogger.
At a price point of around £140, they aren’t exactly cheap.
But if you want a sturdy, incredibly comfortable and stylish partner to get you through your weekly miles without losing a toenail, the Swiss have absolutely nailed it.
OTHER OPTIONS
SunSport has put the miles in to test some of the best running trainers on the market. Here are some we really liked:
Brooks Glycerin 23 – Taking comfort on your easy and recovery runs to a whole new level
Lululemon Split Shift – Unique technology is a game changer to speed up everyday runs
Saucony Endorphin Azura – the perfect challenger for Adidas’ prized Evo SL
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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