First Look: A Trail Shoe Made for the 1% — On Delivers it's First Ever Trail Super Shoe
What happens when engineering mixes with an obsession to win UTMB. You get the On Cloudultra Pro
Busy week and great to have you. A few weeks ago, On hit me up and asked if I’d be interested in a new, totally awesome, secret super shoe they were developing, testing and going to market with.
Um. yes!
But first. Let’s get this out of the way early: On is not a paid partner. I’m working on it, ok! But they did send us a pair of their new Cloudultra Pro trail shoes ahead of today’s release. And if you read this newsletter at all, we genually are impressed by the company’s direction—especially the way they’re thinking differently about performance footwear. Their a brand doubling down on innovation with intention. And nowhere is that clearer (just read the backstory) than with the Cloudultra Pro.
This isn’t just another trail shoe.
This is a shoe designed specifically for the world’s most prestigious ultramarathon: the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). We’re talking about a race that covers 105 miles (171 kilometers) through the Alps, with over 32,800 feet (10,000 meters) of elevation gain. It’s brutal. It’s beautiful. And it’s arguably the Super Bowl of trail running. If you are a trail runner, you’ve likely dreamt of doing this race much like a road runner dreaming of New York, or a triathlete hoping to hit Kona.
Each year, more than 2,300 runners from around the globe earn their way to the UTMB start line in Chamonix, France.
An On sponsored runner has never won the race.
*Side note. On did sign 2024 UTMB winner Katie Schide away from The North Face this year. Katie will be the first pro to be racing in these shoes at Hard Rock 100 on July 11 in Silverton, CO.
Built for Speedy Descents
On didn’t just build a shoe and slap a “pro” label on it.
In my discussion with their team, On actively engineered the cloudultra Pro with a singular purpose: help athletes keep their speed during a notorious downhill section of the UTMB course.
Why?
Because when they crunched all of the athletes data, they discovered a fascinating insight—runners who stay efficient from Grand Col Ferrett to La Fouly dramatically improve their chances of winning.
The descent is initially gentle, passing through alpine meadows and charming Swiss chalets. Further down, the path becomes steeper, crossing the Dranse de Ferret a couple of times before reaching La Fouly.
Armed with this insight, On’s innovation team asked, How can we help athletes conserve energy and move faster through this section of the race?
Their answer? Build a shoe that maximize energy efficiency on descents.
8 Different Prototypes
They took to the lab and ultimately created 8 different prototypes, tested them on a modified downhill treadmill that mimicked the exact terrain and slope of the UTMB course. Elite On runners logged two-hour sessions in these shoes while scientists monitored oxygen consumption to measure efficiency. They even tested outsole variations against wet rock, marble, and other unpredictable surfaces you might face in the mountains.
From the sound of it, every detail was analyzed and considered.
The result is the Cloudultra Pro—a $260 technical, purpose-driven tool designed for the athlete who doesn’t just run ultras… but want and ultra-race shoe.
So, What’s the Cloudultra Pro Like?
Over the last week I put in 30 trail miles and to nobody’s surprise, nowhere near the 30,000 feet of elevation one faces at UTMB.
So my time has been limited but, this is a serious trail shoe.
What surpised me most was the dialed-in outsole grip, its lightweight build and responsive cushioning. It’s got everything you expect with an On shoe and more, the cush that absorbs roots and rocks like your granddads Cadillac, while still having the ability to speed things up like a Porsche you only dream of.
While I wish I had enough time between receiving the shoes and writing this to fit in an Ultra race, I easily find myself daydreaming of what my 30K in January would have been like should I have had these on my feet. What I appreciate the most is that they’re well thought out, even the laces were designed and perforated in a way that keeps them from coming loose.
Key Features
But What If You're Not Racing UTMB?
Good question—because most of us aren’t! We’re casuals. We’re dreamers of UTMB but stick to Ultras in the United States.
If you’re like me, and you’re a passionate, everyday trail runner—not planning on climbing the Alps anytime soon—you might wonder -
Is this shoe still for me?
I asked On directly, and their answer was encouraging: "More to come on the trail front soon."
Translation: The Cloudultra Pro is just the beginning. If you love trails, crave new gear, and appreciate brands that treat running like an evolving sport (not just a hobby), you’re going to want to keep an eye on On’s next moves.
But if you’re like me and you want the best-of-the-best; from training to data and aren’t afraid to lay down $260 (the norm cost for a super shoe), then you have my backing. These shoes rip!
They’re race-specific and treat them as such, just like anything else you cherish. Respect them and they will respect you.
We’ll keep testing the On Cloudultra Pro and bring you more real-world feedback. But for now, consider this a new sign of things to come: race specific shoes are not only coming, but they’re here.
As always.
Stay moving. ✌️
sb