On Cloud vs New Balance: A Detailed Comparison Guide

On Cloud vs New Balance: When it comes to running shoes, two brands stand out from the crowd: On Cloud and New Balance. Both are renowned for their exceptional comfort, superior performance, and stylish designs.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the key differences and similarities between On Cloud and New Balance, examining everything from cushioning and support to weight and breathability.

On Cloud vs New Balance: A Quick Overview

On Cloud:

• Known for their cloud-like cushioning and soft landing
• Lightweight and responsive with a focus on comfort and performance
• Ideal for runners with medium to high arches and neutral foot pronation
• Offers a range of models, including the popular Cloud X and Cloudflow
• Typically priced between $130-$180

New Balance:

• Famous for their wide range of sizes and widths to fit various foot types
• Offers a variety of models, including the popular Fresh Foam and 574 series
• Known for their supportive and stable ride with excellent arch support
• Suitable for runners with low to high arches and neutral to pronated foot pronation
• Typically priced between $60-$150

Cushioning and Comfort: How On Cloud and New Balance Stack Up

Cushioning

• On Cloud:
  • Features a patented CloudTec cushioning system for a soft, cloud-like landing
  • Provides excellent shock absorption and rebound for a smooth ride
  • Offers a more responsive and springy feel with each step
• New Balance:
  • Employs a range of cushioning technologies, including Fresh Foam and Revlite
  • Provides a more subtle, yet still effective, cushioning experience
  • Offers a more supportive and stable ride with a focus on comfort

Comfort

• On Cloud:
  • Features a seamless, one-piece upper for a comfortable, sock-like fit
  • Offers a roomy toe box and a comfortable, breathable upper material
  • Provides a comfortable, cushioned ride with a focus on comfort
• New Balance:
  • Offers a range of upper materials, including mesh, synthetic, and suede
  • Provides a comfortable, supportive fit with a focus on stability
  • Features a more substantial, supportive heel counter for added comfort

Sole Searching: A Deep Dive into On Cloud and New Balance Outsoles

Outsole Materials

• On Cloud:
  • Features a durable, high-quality rubber compound for excellent grip and traction
  • Uses a unique, segmented outsole design for improved flexibility and grip
  • Offers a more aggressive tread pattern for better traction on various surfaces
• New Balance:
  • Employs a range of outsole materials, including blown rubber and carbon rubber
  • Features a more traditional, horizontal tread pattern for improved durability
  • Offers a more substantial, supportive outsole design for added stability

Traction and Grip

• On Cloud:
  • Provides excellent grip and traction on a variety of surfaces, including roads and trails
  • Features a unique, zig-zag tread pattern for improved grip on wet and slippery surfaces
  • Offers a more responsive, agile feel with each step
• New Balance:
  • Offers excellent traction and grip on roads and tracks, with a focus on durability
  • Features a more aggressive, angular tread pattern for improved grip on dry surfaces
  • Provides a more stable, supportive ride with a focus on comfort

Durability

• On Cloud:
  • Features a more durable, high-quality outsole material for improved longevity
  • Offers a more flexible, adaptable outsole design for improved durability
  • Provides a more responsive, agile feel with each step
• New Balance:
  • Employs a more substantial, supportive outsole design for added durability
  • Features a range of outsole materials, including blown rubber and carbon rubber
  • Offers a more comfortable, supportive ride with a focus on stability

Weight and Responsiveness: Which Shoe Comes Out on Top?

Weight

• On Cloud:
  • Typically weighs between 8.5-10.5 oz (240-300g) for men’s sizes
  • Features a lightweight, cloud-like design for improved responsiveness
  • Offers a more agile, responsive feel with each step
• New Balance:
  • Typically weighs between 10-12 oz (280-340g) for men’s sizes
  • Features a more substantial, supportive design for added stability
  • Provides a more comfortable, supportive ride with a focus on stability

Responsiveness

• On Cloud:
  • Features a highly responsive, springy feel with each step
  • Offers a more agile, adaptable ride with excellent rebound
  • Provides a more dynamic, energetic feel with each stride
• New Balance:
  • Offers a more subtle, yet still responsive, feel with each step
  • Features a more supportive, stable ride with a focus on comfort
  • Provides a more comfortable, smooth ride with a focus on stability

Comparison

• On Cloud is generally lighter and more responsive than New Balance
• New Balance is more focused on stability and support, with a slightly heavier design
• Both shoes offer excellent responsiveness, but On Cloud is more agile and dynamic, while New Balance is more comfortable and supportive.

Upper Materials and Breathability: A Comparison of On Cloud and New Balance

Upper Materials

• On Cloud:
  • Features a lightweight, breathable mesh upper for excellent ventilation
  • Uses a seamless, one-piece construction for a comfortable, sock-like fit
  • Offers a more minimalist, stripped-back design for improved flexibility
• New Balance:
  • Employs a range of upper materials, including mesh, synthetic, and suede
  • Features a more substantial, supportive upper design for added stability
  • Offers a more traditional, layered construction for improved durability

Breathability

• On Cloud:
  • Provides excellent ventilation and airflow through the mesh upper
  • Features a more open, airy design for improved breathability
  • Offers a cooler, drier ride with excellent moisture management
• New Balance:
  • Offers good ventilation and airflow through the upper materials
  • Features a more balanced, supportive design for improved comfort
  • Provides a more comfortable, supportive ride with good breathability

Comparison

• On Cloud features a more minimalist, breathable design for improved ventilation and flexibility
• New Balance offers a more substantial, supportive upper design for added stability and comfort
• Both shoes provide good breathability, but On Cloud is more focused on ventilation and airflow, while New Balance prioritizes comfort and support.

Support and Stability: How On Cloud and New Balance Measure Up

Support

• On Cloud:
  • Features a more neutral, cushioned ride with moderate support
  • Offers a comfortable, supportive fit with a focus on comfort
  • Provides a more flexible, adaptable ride with good support for runners with medium to high arches
• New Balance:
  • Offers a more supportive, stable ride with a focus on support and stability
  • Features a range of support levels, from moderate to high, depending on the model
  • Provides a more substantial, supportive ride with good support for runners with low to high arches

Stability

• On Cloud:
  • Features a more neutral, cushioned ride with moderate stability
  • Offers a comfortable, stable fit with a focus on comfort
  • Provides a more flexible, adaptable ride with good stability for runners with neutral to mild overpronation
• New Balance:
  • Offers a more stable, supportive ride with a focus on stability and support
  • Features a range of stability levels, from moderate to high, depending on the model
  • Provides a more substantial, stable ride with good stability for runners with mild to severe overpronation

Comparison

• On Cloud is more focused on comfort and flexibility, with moderate support and stability
• New Balance is more focused on support and stability, with a range of support and stability levels depending on the model
• Both shoes provide good support and stability, but On Cloud is more suited to runners with medium to high arches and neutral to mild overpronation, while New Balance is more suited to runners with low to high arches and mild to severe overpronation.

Trail vs Road: Which Shoe is Best Suited for Your Running Style

Trail Running

• On Cloud:
  • Features a more aggressive, lugged outsole for improved traction on trails
  • Offers a more responsive, agile ride for navigating technical trails
  • Provides a more comfortable, cushioned ride for longer trail runs
• New Balance:
  • Features a more substantial, supportive upper for added protection on trails
  • Offers a more stable, supportive ride for navigating uneven terrain
  • Provides a more durable, rugged outsole for improved traction on trails

Road Running

• On Cloud:
  • Features a more cushioned, comfortable ride for long road runs
  • Offers a more responsive, agile ride for faster road runs
  • Provides a more breathable, ventilated upper for improved comfort
• New Balance:
  • Features a more supportive, stable ride for longer road runs
  • Offers a more comfortable, cushioned ride for runners with high arches
  • Provides a more durable, long-lasting outsole for high-mileage road runners

Comparison

• On Cloud is more suited for trail running, with a more aggressive outsole and responsive ride
• New Balance is more suited for road running, with a more supportive, stable ride and durable outsole
• Both shoes can be used for either trail or road running, but On Cloud is more geared towards trail running, while New Balance is more geared towards road running.

Pricing and Value: Is On Cloud or New Balance the Better Investment?

Pricing

• On Cloud:
  • Typically priced between $130-$180
  • Offers a premium, high-quality product with advanced technology
  • Provides a more expensive, high-end option for runners who want the best
• New Balance:
  • Typically priced between $60-$150
  • Offers a more affordable, value-oriented product with quality materials
  • Provides a more budget-friendly option for runners who want a good product at a lower price

Value

• On Cloud:
  • Offers a high-quality, premium product with advanced technology
  • Provides a more comfortable, cushioned ride with excellent support
  • Offers a more durable, long-lasting product with a longer lifespan
• New Balance:
  • Offers a good quality product with value-oriented pricing
  • Provides a comfortable, supportive ride with good cushioning
  • Offers a more affordable option with a shorter lifespan

Comparison

• On Cloud is a more expensive, premium product with advanced technology and a higher price point
• New Balance is a more affordable, value-oriented product with a lower price point
• Both shoes offer good value, but On Cloud is a better investment for runners who want a high-quality, long-lasting product
• New Balance is a better option for runners on a budget who want a good product at a lower price

The Verdict: Which Shoe is Right for You – On Cloud or New Balance?

On Cloud

• Ideal for runners who prioritize comfort, cushioning, and responsiveness
• Suitable for runners with medium to high arches and neutral to mild overpronation
• Features a more premium, high-quality design with advanced technology
• Offers a more comfortable, cushioned ride with excellent support
• More expensive, with a higher price point

New Balance

• Ideal for runners who prioritize support, stability, and value
• Suitable for runners with low to high arches and mild to severe overpronation
• Features a more affordable, value-oriented design with good quality materials
• Offers a comfortable, supportive ride with good cushioning
• More affordable, with a lower price point

Ultimate Verdict

• If you prioritize comfort, cushioning, and responsiveness, and are willing to invest in a premium product, On Cloud may be the better choice.
• If you prioritize support, stability, and value, and are on a budget, New Balance may be the better choice.

FAQs

Q: What is the main difference between On Cloud and New Balance?

A: On Cloud is known for its cloud-like cushioning and responsive ride, while New Balance is known for its supportive and stable ride.

Q: Which shoe is better for runners with high arches?

A: On Cloud is a better option for runners with high arches, as it provides more cushioning and support for runners with this foot type.

Q: Which shoe is better for runners with low arches?

A: New Balance is a better option for runners with low arches, as it provides more support and stability for runners with this foot type.

Q: Which shoe is more expensive?

A: On Cloud is generally more expensive than New Balance.

Q: Which shoe is better for trail running?

A: On Cloud is a better option for trail running, as it provides more aggressive traction and a more responsive ride.

Q: Which shoe is better for road running?

A: New Balance is a better option for road running, as it provides more support and stability for runners who log high mileage on roads.

Q: Can I wear On Cloud or New Balance for casual walking or hiking?

A: Yes, both shoes can be worn for casual walking or hiking, but On Cloud is a better option for more rugged terrain, while New Balance is a better option for more casual, everyday wear.