On Running Cloudnova Form 2 – CloudTec® Cushioning, Refined for the City

On Running’s Most Refined Lifestyle Silhouette. Swiss Engineering, Street-Ready Form.

The On Running Cloudnova Form 2 is the second generation of On’s premium lifestyle runner — a shoe that takes the performance-rooted CloudTec® cushioning platform and reframes it for the demands of everyday urban wear. Where the original Cloudnova established the silhouette, the Form 2 refines it: cleaner paneling, a more considered last shape, and material choices that elevate the shoe from a performance trainer with lifestyle credentials to a lifestyle shoe with genuine performance foundations. The result is a shoe that works across the full range of daily movement — from the commute to the weekend, from the coffee run to the actual run.

CloudTec® Cushioning

• Signature CloudTec® pods in the outsole — On Running’s patented cushioning system uses individual, hollow rubber pods arranged across the outsole that compress independently on impact, absorbing shock from the specific angle and force vector of each footstrike. Unlike a continuous foam midsole that responds uniformly to every impact, the individual pod configuration means the cushioning response is localized to where the foot actually contacts the ground, creating a more precise feel underfoot.
• Zero-gravity foam midsole between the CloudTec® pods and the upper — On’s lightweight foam compound provides the structural base for the pod system while adding a secondary layer of cushioning that smooths the transition between pod compressions and makes the overall cushioning feel more consistent across a full day of wear.
• Soft landing, firm toe-off — the CloudTec® geometry is engineered so the pods open on landing (absorbing impact) and close on push-off (creating a firm, responsive platform for toe-off). This dual behavior — soft at heel strike, firm at push-off — is the functional core of the CloudTec® system and distinguishes it from foam-only platforms that are either consistently soft or consistently firm throughout the stride.

Upper and Construction

• Premium engineered upper with a clean, refined aesthetic — the Form 2 upper uses materials selected as much for their visual quality as their functional properties. The paneling is simplified compared to performance-focused runners, reducing visual complexity and giving the shoe a cleaner profile that integrates naturally with everyday outfits.
• Precise fit construction with a last shaped for a snug, contained feel — the Form 2 last narrows slightly at the midfoot relative to the standard Cloudnova, creating a more tailored silhouette that reads as more considered and less bulky on the foot.
• Padded collar for comfort during extended daily wear — the collar padding is calibrated for all-day comfort rather than the performance-focused lockdown of a training shoe, prioritizing the low-key comfort of a shoe that will be on your foot for twelve hours of urban movement.

Outsole

• Rubber CloudTec® outsole with On’s characteristic pod configuration — the rubber compound provides durable grip on urban surfaces (pavement, tile, polished floors) while the pod geometry creates the visual signature that makes On Running shoes immediately recognizable. The outsole durability is calibrated for the mixed-surface, high-frequency use pattern of daily urban wear.
• Speedboard® — a semi-rigid plate integrated between the midsole and outsole that stores and releases energy through the toe-off phase of the stride, contributing to the shoe’s characteristic propulsive feel without adding significant weight or stiffness to the overall construction.

Design and Context

The Cloudnova Form 2 occupies the intersection of On Running’s performance credibility and a cleaner, more lifestyle-oriented aesthetic. It carries the brand’s Swiss engineering heritage in its cushioning architecture while presenting it through a silhouette designed to work across the full range of contemporary casual dress. Available in a range of tonal and contrast colorways suited to both active and everyday wear contexts.

Details

• Style: On Running Cloudnova Form 2
• Best for: Daily lifestyle wear, light running, urban commuting, all-day comfort
• Cushioning: CloudTec® pods + Zero-gravity foam midsole + Speedboard®
• Upper: Premium engineered construction
• Outsole: Rubber CloudTec® pod configuration
• Sizing: Men’s US 7–12 / Women’s US 5–10 (including half sizes)
• Retail Price: $170