On Running Technology Explained: CloudTec, Helion & Speedboard
On develops its own cushioning pods, foam, propulsion plate and upper manufacturing process through its in-house innovation programme. Every technology in this guide is patented, developed at the On Lab in Zurich, and appears in shoes we stock and fit daily at OD's. This page explains what each system is, how it works, and which shoes carry it — so any On spec sheet finally makes sense.
By OD's Designer Clothing | Updated July 2026 | 12 min read
1 | What Is CloudTec? On Running's Signature Cushioning System
CloudTec is On's patented pod-based cushioning: hollow "cloud" elements on the outsole that compress on landing to absorb impact, then lock together at toe-off to give a firm, propulsive push forward. It is the technology the entire company was built on — soft landing, firm take-off — and it appears in some form on every On running shoe.
The origin is now industry legend. In 2010, retired professional triathlete Olivier Bernhard cut sections of garden hose and glued them to the sole of a running shoe, chasing a cushioning system that didn't just absorb energy but redirected it. Refined with co-founders David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti, the prototype won the ISPO BrandNew Award that same year and became the patented CloudTec system.
What makes CloudTec mechanically different from a foam midsole is the direction of compression. Conventional EVA or superfoam midsoles compress vertically. CloudTec pods are hollow structures that compress both vertically and horizontally, adapting to your individual foot strike — heel striker, midfoot, forefoot — rather than fighting it. On impact the pods collapse and cushion; as your weight rolls forward they close and lock, turning the sole momentarily rigid so no push-off energy is lost to soft foam.
The three CloudTec variants
CloudTec (standard). Individual, independently compressing pods. Tuned for running performance. Found across the core road range including the Cloud 6 and Cloudswift.
CloudTec Phase. Pods are angled and sized so they compress sequentially from heel to toe — On describes it as "like dominoes." The result is a smooth, rolling transition rather than a single impact event, which is why Phase appears in shoes built for walking and all-day wear such as the Cloudtilt (£150). If you're on your feet all day rather than running, Phase is the variant to look for.
CloudTec Connect. Independent flex pods that move separately from each other, giving what On calls a "sensory connection" to the ground. Built for trail, where the sole needs to read uneven terrain rather than smooth it out. Found in On’s short-distance trail range.
Deep-dive entry: CloudTec in the OD's glossary.
2 | What Is Helion Foam? On Running's Proprietary Superfoam
Helion is On's proprietary superfoam — the material the CloudTec pods themselves are made from in premium models. It blends two normally incompatible material properties: a stiff component for stability and energy return, and an elastic component for softness and shock absorption. The result is a foam that stays responsive in cold weather, doesn't pack out quickly, and adds cushioning without the mushy feel of soft EVA.
On manufactures Helion in-house as part of its own innovation programme. In the range hierarchy, Helion is what separates the full-technology models (£140+) from the entry-level construction found in the £120–£150 band: models like the Cloudmonster combine Helion-based CloudTec with a Speedboard, while the Cloudsurfer pairs CloudTec Phase with Helion and no plate.
Helion HF is the step above: a PEBA-based "hyperfoam" used in On's maximum-energy-return models such as the Cloudmonster Hyper and the Cloudboom race line. PEBA is the same class of material used in elite marathon racing shoes across the industry — lighter, bouncier and more resilient than standard foam, at a higher price.
Deep-dive entry: Helion in the OD's glossary.
3 | What Is a Speedboard? How On Running's Plate Makes You Faster
The Speedboard is a flexible plate that sits between the CloudTec pods and your foot. On landing it flexes and stores energy; at toe-off it snaps back, releasing that energy forward. It also does a structural job — spreading load across the pods and guiding the foot through a stable rolling motion.
It is not a carbon racing plate, and that distinction matters. Carbon plates (as in On's Cloudboom race models) are rigid levers built for maximum propulsion at race pace, and can feel harsh and destabilising at easy paces. The standard Speedboard is glass-fibre reinforced and deliberately tuned with more flex, so it works at everyday training speeds. Each model's Speedboard has different stiffness and geometry: the Cloudmonster's is shaped for high-mileage rolling comfort, while firmer boards appear in faster models. This is why two On shoes with identical-looking pods can feel completely different on the run.
Deep-dive entry: Speedboard in the OD's glossary.
4 | What Is LightSpray? How On Changed Shoe Manufacturing
LightSpray is On's patented upper manufacturing process, debuted in 2024. Instead of cutting, layering and gluing the twenty to thirty separate pieces that make up a conventional shoe upper, a robotic arm sprays a single continuous thermoplastic filament — roughly 1.5 kilometres of it — directly onto the midsole in a precise helix pattern. The filament fuses to itself as it cools. The entire upper takes shape in about three minutes, with no glue, no stitching and no seams.
The performance case: a LightSpray upper weighs a fraction of a conventional one and wraps the foot like a second skin, which is why it debuted on the Cloudboom Strike LS race shoe — the shoe Hellen Obiri wore to win the 2024 Boston Marathon. The sustainability case: one-piece construction dramatically cuts material waste and allows production close to market rather than in distant factories.
Care warning: never machine wash LightSpray shoes. Brush off dry dirt for daily care; hand wash with warm water only for deeper cleaning. The upper is engineered for breathability, not abuse — full instructions in our On Running care guide.
Fit note: LightSpray uppers are standard width only, with less stretch than mesh, and mould to your foot shape over time with no break-in needed. True to size.
Deep-dive entry: LightSpray in the OD's glossary.
5 | What Is Missiongrip? On Running's Trail Traction Technology
Missiongrip is On's specialised outsole rubber compound for trail and training shoes, developed and tested by athletes in the Swiss Alps. The compound is tuned to maximise friction on wet rock, mud and loose terrain, and the lug pattern is zoned — different lug shapes under the heel, midfoot and forefoot to match how each part of the foot loads during braking, traversing and climbing.
In our current range, training shoes like the Cloudpulse line pair CloudTec cushioning with grippy rubber outsoles for HIIT and circuit training, while On’s dedicated trail line pairs Missiongrip with CloudTec Connect for real ground feel off-road. For a full trail comparison against the category benchmark, read Salomon vs On Running for trail.
6 | On Running Apparel Technologies: DryTec, GuardTec, SenseTec & CleanCloud
On's technology doesn't stop at footwear. Four fabric systems power their running and training apparel, all stocked at OD's.
DryTec. Moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric. Tiny spaces between yarn strands move sweat from skin to surface for faster evaporation. Found in the Performance Bra (£70) and Performance Tights (£65).
GuardTec. Wind- and waterproof three-layer membrane with a PFA-free water-repellent finish and taped seams — breathable but fully waterproof. Found in the Ultra Jacket (£250) and Ultra Pants (£170).
SenseTec. Soft, smooth stretch fabric for activewear that adapts to body shape with precise stretch and no resistance during movement. Found in Studio Leggings (£75–£105).
CleanCloud. Materials made from captured carbon emissions — On pioneered an entirely new supply chain to do it. The Pace collection uses CleanCloud polyester made with captured carbon emissions. Related: On's Cyclon programme is the industry's first subscription recycling model — the Cloudneo is designed to be returned and fully recycled rather than owned.
7 | Which On Running Technology Is In Which Shoe?
Every On shoe combines multiple technologies, and the combination — not any single system — determines how the shoe behaves. Here's what you get at each price point from our current range. On Running shoes run roughly £120–£210 for adults in current OD's stock: £120–£150 buys On construction and comfort without the full technology stack; £140+ buys the complete CloudTec + Helion + Speedboard system; £180–£210 covers the waterproof and trail models.
8 | Frequently Asked Questions
What is CloudTec and how does it work?
CloudTec is On Running's patented cushioning system. Hollow pods on the outsole compress on impact to absorb shock, then lock together on take-off to provide a firm, propulsive push forward. The pods compress in multiple directions, adapting to your individual foot strike.
What is the difference between CloudTec and CloudTec Phase?
Standard CloudTec pods compress independently and are tuned for running. CloudTec Phase pods are angled so they compress sequentially from heel to toe — like dominoes — creating a smooth rolling transition optimised for walking and all-day comfort.
Do On Running shoes have carbon plates?
Most On shoes use a Speedboard — a flexible glass-fibre reinforced plate tuned for everyday training speeds. Full carbon plates appear only in On's dedicated race models such as the Cloudboom line. For daily running, the Speedboard's flex is the better choice; rigid carbon is built for race pace.
What is Helion foam made of?
Helion blends a stiff component for stability and energy return with an elastic component for softness — properties that don't normally coexist in one foam. It stays responsive in cold weather and resists packing out. Helion HF, used in On's highest-energy models, is a PEBA-based hyperfoam.
What is LightSpray made of?
A single continuous thermoplastic filament — about 1.5km of it — robotically sprayed onto the midsole in roughly three minutes. No stitching, no glue, no seams. It debuted in 2024 on the Cloudboom Strike LS and must never be machine washed.
Are On Running shoes good for wide feet?
Most On models come in one standard width, but On makes Wide versions of selected road models — currently the Cloudmonster 3, Cloudsurfer 2 and Cloudrunner 3 (August 2026). Road and lifestyle models accommodate most foot widths at true to size; trail models often fit more securely through the midfoot. If you have particularly wide feet, try in-store at OD's before purchasing.
Can you machine wash On Running shoes?
No. Machine washing damages the materials — hand clean with lukewarm water and mild detergent instead. Hand wash with lukewarm water and mild detergent. LightSpray shoes: brush off dry dirt only, or hand wash with warm water. Never tumble dry.
How long do On Running shoes last?
Lifespan varies by model, running style, body weight, surface and care. Replace them when the cushioning feels flat, grip is worn, or the upper no longer holds your foot securely. Lifestyle shoes last 12–18 months with regular wear. Visible compression of the CloudTec pods or loss of responsiveness means it's time to replace.
Is OD's an authorised On Running stockist?
Yes. OD's Designer Clothing is an authorised UK stockist of On Running. Every pair purchased from us is 100% authentic with full manufacturer warranty, sourced directly from official distribution.
Not Sure Which On Shoe Is Right for You?
Read Which On Running Shoe Should I Buy? for the model-by-model breakdown, the On Running Brand Guide for the full brand story, or the Running Shoe Technology Hub to compare On's systems against Saucony and Salomon. OD's Designer Clothing has been an authorised UK On Running stockist (Reviews.io 4.6 / 2,388). Sourced by Mike and Jo, quality-checked by Les and Helen. Visit us at 44 Barrow Street, St Helens, WA10 1RY (Mon–Sat 9am–5pm), call 01744 730985 for model-specific advice, or browse the full On Running collection online.