Ever wonder how an Amberjack shoe gets made? It starts with high-quality materials and ends with a final hand-stitched detail.Every step is done by hand to make sure the quality's there
The On Cloudflash fits true to size. The achilles pillows and soft foam in the heel really make the heel feel more comfortable than is typical of a racing shoe. You sink in just enough to feel a nice hug. The upper fits much better than the upper on the Cloudboom. The tongue is still slippy, but not as much as the Cloudboom's tongue. That's thanks to the more dialed-in fit of the upper.
On's racing shoes still badly need a gusseted tongue. I'm hopeful those are coming in the next generation. The Cloudflash is much more in line with On's typical craftsmanship than the Cloudboom.
The Cloudflash has a basic internal heel counter but it's not very stiff. Additionally, the Cloudflash features synthetic suede internal reinforcement around the edges of the shoe from heel to toe to keep you on top of the footbed. The internal reinforcement also connects up to the front two lace holes to better support the forefoot on tight turns.
The On Cloudflash comes with great traction. It's an odd addition to something so race focused. Usually, shoe companies sacrifice traction so a racing shoe weighs less. The Cloudflash outsole really grabs the ground using a multi-level repeating "x" pattern at the heel and forefoot. It's an ideal pattern for digging into a rubber track during intervals.
Just like with the Cloudboom, the outsole's got some durability questions. The outsole's forefoot lugs are showing plenty of wear from my testing. I think you will most likely get 200-250 road miles out of these but I can't guarantee it. Using a treadmill or track (outside of races) will help avoid extra wear from pavement and extend the shoe's lifespan.
The upper of the Cloudflash is a single layer of very nice engineered mesh with strategically placed fuse around the lace loops for strength and on the heel for shape. The tongue is made of the same synthetic suede from the Cloudboom and the New Balance FuelCell TC. As with all On shoes, the materials look nice, but there's nothing here that other racing shoes aren't already doing.
And while the single layer of engineered mesh makes the shoe feel incredibly light, it's still heavier than the Nike Vaporfly Next%, the world's current favorite racing shoe.
L'Artiste Hand-Painted and craft - The Shoemaking Progress