On Running vs New Balance — Which Is Better?
Two Different Philosophies
On Running and New Balance are both excellent brands. We are going to be honest about that from the start. This is not a guide designed to trash New Balance so you buy On Running from us instead. Both make genuinely good shoes. The difference is philosophy, and that philosophy determines which one suits you.
On Running: Swiss Engineering, Born 2010
On Running was co-founded in Zurich by Olivier Bernhard, a former professional triathlete, alongside David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti. The brand launched with a single innovation: CloudTec — a sole made of individual hollow pods that compress on impact and lock together on push-off. Everything On makes flows from that engineering-first approach. Clean design, premium materials, performance that feels different from the first step.
New Balance: American Heritage, Born 1906
New Balance started as the New Balance Arch Support Company in Boston. Over 120 years, they have evolved into one of the largest athletic footwear brands in the world. Their identity is rooted in American manufacturing (they still produce some models in the USA and UK), width options (from narrow to 6E) and a heritage aesthetic that has crossed from dad shoe to fashion icon. Their Fresh Foam and FuelCell midsole technologies deliver cushioning through traditional foam engineering.
CloudTec vs Fresh Foam
On Running CloudTec
Hollow pods moulded into the outsole. Each pod compresses independently under your body weight, cushioning the landing. At push-off, the pods lock together into a firm platform, returning energy forward. The result: soft landing, firm push-off. No other brand replicates this dual-phase feel. The sensation is distinctive — many runners describe it as “running on clouds.”
New Balance Fresh Foam
A single-density midsole foam engineered with data-driven design. The foam geometry is sculpted rather than flat — hexagonal lug patterns provide cushioning and flexibility in specific zones. Fresh Foam X (the latest iteration) is lighter and more responsive than previous versions. The ride is plush, consistent and predictable. Traditional foam, perfected through iteration.
The difference is philosophical. On Running uses structural engineering — the shape of the pod creates the cushioning, not the material alone. New Balance uses material engineering — the foam compound provides the cushioning. Both work. CloudTec feels more dynamic; Fresh Foam feels more plush. Try both if you can. The preference is personal.
For Running
Both brands produce serious running shoes. Neither is just a lifestyle brand playing at performance.
On Running for Runners
On’s running range spans from the Cloud 5 (daily trainer) through the Cloudmonster (max cushion) to the Cloudboom Strike (carbon-plated racer). The Speedboard — a rigid plate between the midsole layers — stores and releases energy through each stride, encouraging a faster cadence. On shoes tend to be lighter than their New Balance equivalents at the same cushioning level.
New Balance for Runners
New Balance’s running range is broader: the 1080 (premium cushion), 880 (workhorse trainer), Fresh Foam X Vongo (stability) and FuelCell Rebel (speed). Their width options are unmatched — runners with wide feet have traditionally defaulted to New Balance because no other brand offers comparable sizing. The 1080 is one of the highest-rated daily trainers in the world, year after year.
The Honest Assessment
For pure running performance, both brands compete at the top level. New Balance offers more width options and a broader model range. On Running offers a more distinctive ride feel and lighter weight. For runners with standard-width feet who value innovation, On Running edges ahead. For runners who need specific width fittings or a wider selection of stability shoes, New Balance has the advantage.
For Lifestyle
This is where the brands diverge most clearly.
On Running: Minimal, Modern, Swiss
On Running shoes are designed to look good without trying. The Cloud 5 in all-black is a shoe you can wear to a casual office, a lunch meeting or an evening out without anyone knowing it is a running shoe. The design language is Swiss minimalism: clean lines, tonal colourways, no unnecessary graphics. The Roger Federer collaboration elevated the brand’s lifestyle credibility globally — Federer chose On, not the other way around.
New Balance: Heritage, Retro, Chunky
New Balance’s lifestyle success is built on retro models: the 990, 574, 550 and 2002R. These are chunky, visible shoes with a heritage aesthetic that appeals to streetwear culture. The “dad shoe” trend turned New Balance from uncool to essential. They lean into colour, texture and nostalgia — the opposite of On’s quiet minimalism.
If your style is clean, modern and understated, On Running fits. If your style is retro, expressive and street-influenced, New Balance fits. Neither is wrong. They simply address different aesthetics.
Beyond the Shoe
This is where On Running pulls ahead for our customers. On’s apparel range — jackets, tracksuits, base layers, shorts — is built with the same Swiss engineering philosophy as their shoes. The Core Jacket and Pant set (£285) is a complete tracksuit that works for running, commuting and casual wear. The Trek Waterproof set (£390–£400) adds genuine all-weather performance. The All-Day Puffer (£430) is a winter jacket that competes with dedicated outerwear brands.
New Balance produces apparel, but it leans toward graphic tees, retro-inspired hoodies and heritage pieces. Their clothing is driven by brand nostalgia rather than technical performance. For a complete head-to-toe athletic wardrobe, On Running offers a cohesion that New Balance does not match.
Why We Chose On Running
We stock On Running because it aligns with what our customers want: premium quality, clean design and genuine performance. Our customers are not looking for retro streetwear. They want shoes and clothing that work from the gym to the office to the restaurant without a wardrobe change. On Running delivers that.
Our Reasons
- Design coherence: On’s shoes and apparel form a complete system. Shoe, jacket, trousers — all designed with the same aesthetic language.
- Performance credentials: CloudTec is a genuine innovation, not marketing. The ride feels different from any foam-based shoe.
- Lifestyle crossover: Our customers need shoes that work in multiple contexts. On Running bridges running and lifestyle more cleanly than any competitor.
- Brand trajectory: On went public in 2021 and has grown consistently without diluting quality. Their investment in R&D is visible in every new release.
- Customer feedback: Our On Running customers have the highest repeat-purchase rate of any shoe brand we carry. Once they try CloudTec, they come back.
That said, if you need wide-width running shoes or love the retro 990 aesthetic, New Balance is an excellent choice. We do not stock it, but we respect it. This is about fit — both for your foot and your style.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| Feature | On Running | New Balance |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2010, Zurich | 1906, Boston |
| Cushion tech | CloudTec (structural pods) | Fresh Foam (engineered foam) |
| Ride feel | Dynamic — soft landing, firm push-off | Plush — consistent cushion throughout |
| Weight | Lighter at equivalent cushioning | Slightly heavier |
| Width options | Standard (D) | Narrow to 6E |
| Lifestyle aesthetic | Swiss minimal, modern, clean | Retro heritage, chunky, expressive |
| Apparel range | Full technical system | Heritage/lifestyle focused |
| Price range | £130–£430 | £80–£260 |
| Made in | Vietnam (designed in Switzerland) | Some models USA/UK made |
| Celebrity backing | Roger Federer (co-investor) | Jack Harlow, various athletes |
Our On Running Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is On Running better than New Balance?
Neither is objectively “better.” On Running offers a more innovative cushioning system (CloudTec), lighter weight and a cleaner lifestyle aesthetic. New Balance offers wider width options, a broader model range and a heritage design language. The better brand depends on your feet, your style and your priorities.
Why do you stock On Running but not New Balance?
Our customers gravitate toward clean, modern, premium brands. On Running’s Swiss design philosophy and complete shoe-to-apparel system aligns with what our customers want. New Balance’s retro heritage aesthetic, while excellent, serves a different audience. We stock the brands that fit our customers, not every brand available.
Are On Running shoes comfortable for everyday wear?
Extremely. The Cloud 5 in particular is designed for all-day wear. The CloudTec sole provides responsive cushioning without the bulk of a traditional running shoe. Many of our customers wear them daily for work, errands and casual outings as well as exercise.
Are On Running shoes good for running?
Yes. On was founded by a professional triathlete and their shoes are used by competitive runners worldwide. The Cloudmonster and Cloudsurfer are dedicated running models with serious performance credentials. The Cloud 5 works for casual running up to 10K. For marathon training, look at their Cloudflow or Cloudboom range.
Can I try On Running shoes in-store?
Yes. We stock On Running shoes and apparel at OD’s Designer Clothing, 44 Barrow Street, St Helens. Try before you buy — the CloudTec feel is distinctive and trying it in person is the best way to understand the difference. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm.