BEST RETRO

On Cloudtilt Arc Shoe

The world was introduced to On’s Cloudtilt Arc style on September 8, and it has already managed to become the talk of the town: due in no small part to the sneaker’s intentionally retro ethos. In fact, this might be the brand’s first full-fledged “dad shoe” — embracing the bulk and mixed-media makeup that’s traditional to the trend.

Why we love the Cloudtilt Arc more than its vintage-minded competitors? The fresh arrival offers what On calls “massive cushioning,” secured by CloudTec Phase technology (consisting of sequentially collapsing Cloud pods for optimal weight transfer) and reinforced with impact-eliminating Helion superfoam.

On an aesthetic level, this shoe is a looker: taking advantage of textured overlays on the upper for a three-dimensional look and a high stack height that makes all that chunkiness possible. This one’s going to go fast, so don’t think twice before taking out your credit card.

BEST FOR LONG DISTANCES

On Cloudrunner 3 Max Shoe

On’s Cloudrunner 3 Max, unveiled this August, is a beast — plain and simple. Designed for dedicated runners, the shoe specializes in stability, comfort, breathability, and traction, even on tricky surfaces. A dual-foam midsole ensures the running sneaker‘s cushioning can stand up to wear and tear, while a heel clip and higher sidewalls work towards that “locked in” feel (and limit lateral movement, a godsend for overpronators everywhere).

More to look forward to comes in the form of a “wide base [that] promote[s] longer ground contact,” according to On; a soft tongue and collar for kicking Mile 10 discomfort to the curb; and diverse hue options for making a statement… or keeping it lowkey.

MOST MAXIMALIST

On x FP Movement Cloudmonster 3 Shoe

If you’re all for “more is more,” you’ll find a lot to appreciate in this collaborative version of the Cloudmonster 3 — delivering “responsive cushioning for every mile,” per On, and being targetted towards “peak performers and everyday runners.” The average Cloudmonster 3 reads elevated as is, but On’s recent partnership with Free People’s activewear offshoot, FP Movement, has effectively infused the shoe with unmissable, floral-fueled drama.

Wrapped in a coquettish, pink-on-pink color scheme and marked by the On x FP Movement collection’s overarching Alpine Floral motif, the shoe references the whimsical wildflowers of On’s native Switzerland while, by all accounts, remaining focused on function.

Here, a Speedboard plate supplies propulsion, just as an enhanced rocker pampers runners with smooth transitions and energy when they need it most. We don’t know what we adore more: this Cloudmonster 3’s inherent maximalism or all those technical specs, whose only goal is to help you achieve greatness (in style, obviously).

One secret we’ll let you in on: Stability footwear almost never looks this good.

CLASSIC PICK

On Cloud 6 Shoe

On says its Cloud is the “shoe that started everything,” and there’s real value in going back to the originals. Packable, lightweight at just 216 grams, more breathable than its predecessor, and so versatile that it can be easily worn under a dress, this Cloud 6 lives up to the hype with a myriad of utilitarian features.

Among them are the overachieving CloudTec pods and the aforementioned Helion Superfoam midsole — quick to rebound and comfort-optimized to the max. To accommodate all sorts of foot anatomies, the Cloud 6 has also been upgraded with a wider opening and an improved sockliner that mimics a second skin.

This stepper appeals to the fashion insider and the distance runner alike, combining everything the company prides itself on in one travel-ready package. Catch us reaching 20,000 steps in the pictured Gardenia pair during a Euro getaway, but know that you have over 10 other colorway choices where that came from.

BEST FOR TENNIS

On The Roger Wildcard LC Shoe

This kick is deemed a “wildcard,” but you can bet with certainty on its ability to get you from tennis court to brunch date to farmers market run — evoking the sensation of walking on clouds, every step of the way. Part of a line that’s co-developed and co-created with Federer (in a rare display of athletes not just endorsing but owning the process behind their collaborative launches), The Roger Wildcard LC honors the 2026 Laver Cup… and, we’d like to think, the legend’s August 2026 induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Adorned by doodles of the London skyline, the Laver Cup’s host city this year, the tennis-inspired design lends itself well to actual matches and casual, daily pursuits. Its woven mesh upper is a master at regulating temperature while you’re staying active, a snap-button lace keeper contributes to the shoe’s overall sleekness, and subtle “R” branding nods to the man in charge.

It’s flexible, it’s efficient, it’s crisp, and it deserves your attention — whether or not you’re a pro at the backhand.

MOST SUSTAINABLE

On Cloudnova Form 2 Shoe

Running-grade but built for the day-to-day, On’s Cloudnova Form 2 has a stylish, semi-transparent upper that keeps toes breezy; an ideally proportioned platform that never overwhelms the foot; an unfussy range of styles for matching practically everything in your wardrobe; and an energy-storing, nylon-blend plate that will propel you the only way you need to be going. Forward.

We’re burying the lede, of course, because the Cloudnova Form 2’s pièce de résistance is really the fact that it contains the label’s most sustainable midsole to date: partially manufactured out of renewable materials like cooking oil (you heard that right). By reducing emissions and cutting back on water usage in the shoe’s coloring process, On is teaching the industry a vital lesson — superior construction need not come at the cost of environmental consciousness.