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Cloudboom on Echo 3: One minute review
The On Cloudboom Eco 3 is the Swiss running brand’s third attempt at creating a running shoe that will rival the shoes typically seen on the feet of the fastest runners. The best running shoes for racing are usually the Nike ZoomX Vaporfly Next%2, the adidas AdiZero Adio Pro 3, or the Asics Metaspeed Sky+, and I want the Cloudboom Eco 3 on that list.
Whether you’re looking to run a faster marathon on a specific course or are just hoping for a shoe for whenever speed is a priority, there are some key changes to make in your first two Cloudboom shoes.
The first generation Cloudboom was omitted from On, while cloudboom echo It felt like it was a step in the right direction for its more expensive racing alternative. Now with a new midsole setup and lightweight design, the Cloudboom Eco 3 is the super shoe we’ve been waiting for.
Cloudboom On Echo 3: Specifications
| Component | Cloudboom on Echo 3 |
| weight | 221 grams (UK size 8 for men) |
| upper | Microfiber |
| midsole | Hellion Hyper Foam |
| outer sole | cloudtech |
| fall head over heels | 9 mm |
Cloudboom On Echo 3: Price and availability
- $289.99 in the US
- £260 in the UK
- AU$390 in Australia
On Cloudboom Echo 3 Launching on June 29, 2023 Price $289.99 / £260 / AU$390
It’s a step up in price from the Cloudboom Echo and is more expensive than the shoes the Echo 3 is competing against.
For example, the Nike Vaporfly 3 costs $250 / £234.95 / AU$330.00, while the adidas AdiZero Adios Pro 3 is even cheaper at £220 / $250 / AU$359.99.
On Cloudboom Echo 3: Design
- Microfiber Upper
- Hellion Hyper Foam
- carbon speedboard
We’ll start by saying that when it comes to making great looking running shoes, few people do it better than On. The Cloudboom Echo 3 looks like a true racing shoe with its white and mint color scheme and low-profile look.
It’s very light, weighing in at 221g for our UK size 8, although the weight of a side is closer to the claimed 215g. Either way, it’s dropped a few grams from the already fairly light Cloudboom Echo, though it’s still not as light as Nike’s Vaporfly 3, which weighs in at under 200 grams.
Sticks to the same 9mm drop as the Echo, although stack height at the heel and forefoot has changed, reaching 37mm at the heel (previously 35mm) and 28mm in the forefoot (up from 27mm).
Its upper was good on the Echo, but On decided to swap out the recycled polyester mesh for microfiber, which still feels almost paper-thin and makes this narrow shoe feel a bit more spacious in the front at the toes , which is ideal when you need extra room to move them apart.
Beneath that is a midsole that marks a new direction for On’s shoes. Its CloudTech cushioning technology is still present, but it’s decidedly toned down and less prominent than the first two Cloudboom shoes. There is now ON’s Helion Hyper Foam, which is a PAYBAX-based foam and ON joins Nike, Saucony, New Balance and Hoka in adopting PAYBAX-based super foams. It is a lightweight foam and is designed to put more energy back into your running time, especially to benefit long distance runners.
That new foam is mated to a full-length carbon plate, or Speedboard, as On calls it, with a rocker design that collectively aims to provide an energizing feel that aims to propel you through speedy turns. to be obtained from.
The outsole doesn’t look much different from the sole used on the Cloudboom Echo, with the larger grippier sections in the forefoot now reaching slightly further back into the middle of the shoe and key areas of the heel have been covered to ensure extra weight is shed Get that allure without major areas.
Cloudboom on Echo 3: Performance
- very stable racing shoe
- smooth and stimulating ride
- Still a bit firmer than other racing shoes
We’ll start with the fit and the Echo 3 is a bit on the narrow side, which was fine for our slim feet, but could be more of a strain for wider feet as there’s no wide fit option available. Unlike some carbon racing shoes we’ve tested, it feels like you need to work a little harder to get a secure lockdown here, with very long laces and a thin tongue to sit on top of those laces To be sure, something needs to be done around this. No sliding around on heels.
Once you lock things into place, the running experience in the Echo 3 is right up there with those top-tier racing shoes. It’s not one you can lug around in and you won’t feel comfortable doing slow, easy runs in it, but that’s not what they’re made for. Everything here is designed to give you a fast experience and it does a good job. Like we said, On’s CloudTech lags a bit and that’s not a bad thing at all. The new midsole isn’t super soft and bouncy like rival shoes, but it certainly isn’t as firm as previous Cloudbooms and the combination of the new foam, rocker design and carbon Speedboard makes for a smooth, peppy and punchy ride.
In our first run, a fast 5km run on a very flat course, it felt like an enjoyable shoe to run around at our normal 5km race pace. It handled interval track sessions well and didn’t cause any problems during or after the race. In testing a 10km race on the hilly LeValley Velopark course, the Echo 3 ran faster than marathon pace with the combination of hills making it difficult to run, but we could coast at a more settled pace when needed If it was, then it felt good to do so.
As we increased the distance and got closer to our marathon pace, that good feel persisted and it felt like a shoe you could really wrap yourself in. That being said, it still feels like a race shoe that is geared towards runners under 3 hours. Many times (we run at a 3-hour, 20-minute pace) that’s who would benefit most from what the On has to offer here. No real surprises here, though we will certainly say that there are shoes against which the Cloudboom Echo 3 is competing that feel more accessible and more comfortable for running outside at specific times like that.
From an external perspective, it was good on the Cloudboom Echo and it is equally so on the Echo 3. We didn’t get a chance to use them in rainy conditions, but it gripped well on flat roads, pavements and hill climbs and handled cornering without any issues. We’ve ridden 50km in it and we’re starting to see some wear in the heel of the shoe, which tells us the durability is likely to be in line with other carbon racers and this is one you’ll want to reserve for your fastest races and races .
Cloudboom on Echo 3: Should I buy?
| Social class | Comment | Number |
| worth | A step up in price and more expensive than comparable shoes. | 4/5 |
| design | Beautiful, well engineered, well constructed shoes. | 5/5 |
| Display | A perfect shoe for less than 3 hours. Reserve them for your fastest races. | 4.5/5 |
| Total | A great shoe for race day. Its extra expense is what keeps it away from five-star territory. | 4.5/5 |
Buy it if…
On the Cloudboom Echo 3: Don’t buy it if…
consider also
| Component | Cloudboom on Echo 3 | ASICS Metaspeed Sky+ | nike zoomx vaporfly next% 2 |
| weight | 221 grams (UK size 8 for men) | 208 grams (men’s UK size 8) | 188 grams (UK size 8 for men) |
| upper | Microfiber | motion wrap trap | Net |
| midsole | Hellion Hyper Foam, Carbon Plate | FF Blast Turbo, Carbon Plate | ZoomX Foam, Carbon Plate |
| outer sole | cloudtech | AsicsGrip Rubber | ZoomX Foam |
| fall head over heels | 9 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
First review: July 2023
(credits: thanks run through for the race entry used to test the On Cloudboom Echo 3)
