Are the On Cloudspikes really better than the Nike Dragonfly? Check out our thoughts.
The Cloudspike 10000m and 1500m are On’s debut track spikes in the market and have been at the center of a ton of hype sense there release. Designed with the help of OAC pros, these shoes feature many creature habits that improve performance and comfort. On the feet of pros such as Yared Neguse, these spikes have seen some past times and have become a proven option a versatile track spike. The 10000m is the more aggressive racer of the shoe while the 1500m feels much more flexible and forgiving making it great for workouts. Both feature On’s Helion HF super foam and combined they make a great little spike rotation for training and racing.
Specs On Cloudspike 10000m
Specs On Cloudspike 1500m
In the Cloudspike 10000m midsole we see On’s Helion HF foam, a PEBA based foam, and a full length carbon fiber speedboard. The foam seems to be a little softer than Nike ZoomX, and the speed board is definitely much more rigid than the one in the Dragonfly making it feel much more springy and aggressive. However, it still is designed for 10k, so On had to strike are careful balance in this shoe, making it one of the most versatile spikes on the market. In terms of durability the On Cloudspike 10000m seems to hold its feel for a while but over the spikes will only stay at peak performance for around a season depending on how many workouts you put into them.
In the Cloudspike 1500m features the same On’s Helion HF but with only a partial length speedboard. This makes it much for flexible and almost a little bouncy. The foam in these spikes feels very soft for a track spike making it a great option for workouts and training, If your a fan of the Adidas Avanti Two this spikes feels pretty similar but with a little more of a rockered feeling. For durability I’ve worn these shoe for most of my workouts over the past year and they still feel great. This is really impressive to me cause on a given week I’ll be doing up to four workout so as a training spike On really hit it out of the park.
The On Cloudspike 10000m is pretty aggressive and springy for a distance spike. The foam compresses really nicely underfoot and gives you back a nice comfortable bouncy with out being squishy. Its pretty snappy and feels rigid underfoot without being clunky. For me the best way to describe it is as a suped up Dragonfly with extra features for added comfort.
The On Cloudspike 1500m has a pretty neutral ride to it. With the partial length speed board, Cloudspike 1500m isn’t super snappy but still has a nice bounce to it thanks to the foam. It also surprisingly is not super aggressive although thanks to its neutral ride it will feel great at the top end of your speed. I’ve used this spike for everything from all out sprints to long threshold workouts and it has performed amazing in both.
The upper on both of these fits extremely similar and is honestly a bit narrow. In my mens size 9.5 I found it squishing my toes a bit at first, but over time it did start to wear in and be less of a problem. I also typically like to go down a half size in my spikes and while I would still get a 9.5 in the future these do fit true to size. The upper is also extremely breathable and thin and I had no problems with it. The lacing systems is also pretty good and I didn’t have any complaints about lockdown.
Here are alternatives to the On Cloudspike 1000m:
And some other options if you're considering the On Cloudspike 1500m:
Honestly the On Cloudspike 10000m should work pretty well for most people. It is extremely versatile and almost like an upgrade to the already amazing Nike Dragonfly. For 800m-10k I would recommend this regardless of running style so I don’t think you really can go wrong here. However, if you are a 400m-800m guy going with more of a true middle distance shoe could benefit you. For more information on some other option, make sure to check out our shoe matcher tool, where we'll choose the best running shoes for you based on your goals and preferences.
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