SHOE REVIEW: On Cloudboom Echo 3

Swiss running brand On’s newest carbon road racer, the Cloudboom Echo 3, has made a significant impact in the North American market, and trust me when I say it’s their best carbon shoe to date. The hype surrounding the Cloudboom Echo 3 is justified, with athletes like Hellen Obiri and Canada’s Ben Flanagan dominating road races while wearing it, from the 5K to the half-marathon. Designed with a focus on speed and efficiency, this shoe is meant to propel you to new heights, allowing you to go fast and set new personal bests with its exceptional energy return and propulsion.

Category: Neutral racing
Drop: 9 mm
Stack: 37 mm/29 mm
Price: CAD $370
Weight: 215 g (M9)
Available: Now

Upper

The Cloudboom Echo 3’s breathable microfibre upper is a standout feature that separates the shoe from its competition, adding to its allure and performance capabilities. Designed with the utmost precision, the lightweight upper is similar to a distance track and field spike, enhancing feel and breathability during threshold and race-pace runs. Additionally, the microfibre construction boasts effective water resistance, making it a reliable choice even in unpredictable weather conditions.

Another standout feature is the silicone inserts on the laces and insole, providing a secure and comfortable fit that keeps your feet locked in during races. It’s worth noting that the shoe runs a little on the narrow side, but fits similarly to the Nike Vaporfly Next% and Adidas Adios Pro 3. (If you have wider feet, you may find the toebox a bit snug.)

Midsole

The Cloudboom Echo 3’s midsole construction is a combination of elite athlete-tested and approved features. The foam is a mix of ultra-soft Helion hyperfoam made of Pebax and On’s CloudTec technology, which provides bounce on every step. The ride is a little on the firm side, but I found that the faster I ran, the more I’d feel the two layers of Pebax foam working with the full-length carbon plate, providing that much-needed boost during tough mile reps.

While the shoe does have a firmer feel compared to others on the market, when you pick up the pace and get on your toes, you’ll feel the bounce of the Pebax foam and the plate driving you forward with each stride.

Outsole

The outsole is similar to that of its predecessor, with the forefoot having grippier sections that extend back to the middle, providing good traction. I found the shoe performs extremely well on the roads and feels like a road track spike, offering grip on the straights and decent handling while cornering. However, for faster efforts on the track, I found the shoe a little unstable on the bends. 

After about 60 km, I noticed some wear at the midfoot, suggesting that, like other carbon racers, for maximum durability, it’s best to save it for your fastest runs and races.

Verdict

The On Cloudboom Echo 3 is a racing shoe that delivers on its promise of speed and performance. It’s one of the fastest road shoes I’ve tested so far, and I honestly cannot wait to wear it in a race.

Although the shoe has a lot of pros, one con is the cost. If you’re searching for the best value marathon racing shoe, the Echo 3 might not be your top choice, due to its higher price ($370). However, I do believe there is good value in the Cloudboom Echo 3. I found that the faster I ran, the more the shoe benefitted me. If you’re a heel striker or if you’re participating in your first half-marathon or marathon, I would suggest taking it for a run or two before finalizing your decision to purchase it for your upcoming race. The perfect distance for this shoe would be a fast 5K or 10K.