On Cloudspike Review: The Ying Yang Twins

What You Need To Know

Introduction to the On Cloudspike 1500m and 10000m

MERCER: Yin and Yang — the dark cannot exist without light, nor can light exist without darkness.

The ocean — in order for waves to crash, the water must pull back, but pull back too much, and you get a tsunami.

This is what the On Cloudspike represents. The 10000m model has been seen across the world on elites and amateurs alike, but where are the fast times and love for the 1500m? Just like the shoe lineups before these spikes, athletes had to choose between the Victory and the Matumbo, and now, on short roads, the Streakfly and the Next%. Each shoe with its pros and its cons, balancing each other out on race day.

Editor’s note: I know Mercer is referring to the Yin and Yang, but hip-hop fans would probably come after me if I spelled the Ying Yang Twins wrong. Don’t hate that they’re spelled differently, it is what it is.

What we like about the On Cloudspike 1500m

MERCER: Since getting this shoe, I’ve had a lot of people ask me why it exits. And to be honest, I had no idea. But after racking up miles in both the 10000m and the 1500m, I think I have it figured out. It’s like the dynamic between the Streakfly and Next%, as you’ll want to train in the shoe with less foam and less plate, so when you strap that long-distance option on, it feels that much better. The difference between the 10000m and 1500m is night and day, but the 1500m fills a niche that’s already been filled on the road but never on the track.

Now, let’s get how the 1500m feels.

The 1500m has a stripped-down feeling compared to most superspikes. It gives runners a nice cushion on landing with the HF foam while still feeling firm on the ground. In contrast with the 10k, you get no real bounceback from that foam — only the plate and good ol’ human anatomy get you to the next step. Does it really work as a classic horseshoe combined with a 15% carbon forefoot plate? I’ll believe it when I see it, but the double-plate feeling is very noticeable. It keeps the toes angled up, making sure you find that optimal footstrike.

If track and field was a beauty contest, the offset logos on the 1500m are winning everything and could even marry and divorce Tom Brady.

What we like about the On Cloudspike 10000m

MERCER: This is the Nike Dragonfly killer. On took what’s been working for New Balance with the carbon plate outsole, refined it with a Speedboard made of fiberglass and nylon, and placed it in the midsole with the exact positioning and geometry as the Dragonfly. Having a stiffer plate underfoot in the Dragonfly positioning gives you a similar ride to the people’s champion but with an extra burst.

The new Helion HF in On’s racing shoe lineups is magical. It feels very similar to the new Saucony PwrRun HG but a little softer — almost mushy, but not quite. The Helion HF paired with the Speedboard is just like the ocean but not Ocean City, Maryland. I’m talking about the crystal clear waters of Bora Bora.

The upper on this spike is also beautiful but not the main seller. While a little thicker than most, it’s still a fairly breathable spike with a lot of structure in the heel allowing for a comfortable Cadillac-like ride. The laces are a huge part of why I like this upper, with rubber or silicone laced into the thread, making sure the laces don’t come apart during the race.

What we don’t like about the On Cloudspike 1500m and 10000m

MERCER: Both sets of On Cloudspikes have weird rubber grips along the sole, and when you don’t wear socks in them, they get slippery and make a weird squeaky sound. Also, the grips just feel gross underfoot. But they’re a small detail that some may actually enjoy.

Also, I think Cloudtec is stupid in this shoe — the channels don’t go all the way through, so I don’t actually know what it’s accomplishing other than brand recognition. Helion HF is an amazing foam, so just give us all of the foam.

While the upper works great on the 10000m spike, on the 1500m, I want something more stripped down. I think On could probably save a little bit of weight by trimming the overlays near the toes and slimming down the colossal heel counter to make the shoe feel a little bit more race-ready.

On Cloudspike 1500m and 10000m conclusion

MERCER: Let’s hop back to my yin and yang theme. You don’t need both of these spikes in your rotation. However, they complete each other, and it’s hard to imagine having one without the other. Use the 10000m for those all-out efforts and save the 1500m for everything else, and you’ve got a perfect duo that maximizes the life of both spikes. On has had its latest speedsters cooking for an unbelievable amount of time, and it was worth waiting to get them.

If you don’t feel like repping On, you can also try the Saucony Endorphin Cheetah and Nike Dragonfly.

You can pick up both the On Cloudspike 1500m and 10000m for $149 each at Running Warehouse (featuring free 2-day shipping and 90-day returns) using the buttons below.