On Cloudace Review: Original 2018 Model, 7mm Drop

On Cloudace Review: Original 2018 Model, 7mm Drop

Disclosure: TrainingPlan has not hands-on tested this exact model. This research-based review uses the original 2018 launch release plus three contemporaneous independent exact-model reviews. No Amazon US listing is currently verified for publication.

Quick Verdict

This record refers to the original On Cloudace released June 21, 2018. It combined Zero-Gravity heel Clouds, Rebound Rubber forefoot Clouds, a wide liquid-injected Speedboard, engineered mesh, and a TPU heel counter. Contemporary published specifications are 30/23mm, a 7mm drop, 11.6 ounces for men, 9.8 ounces for women, standard width, and a MSRP: $200 MSRP.

Cloudace was a heavy, firm, support-oriented road trainer rather than a soft modern maximal shoe. Its wide plate and secure upper created guidance without a traditional medial post. A Runner's World lab measurement found a dramatically taller heel and 15.6mm drop, so geometry must be presented as conflicted. The model is discontinued and should not be confused with the revised April 2021 Cloudace.

Key Specifications

The original launch release verifies the June 2018 identity, dual-compound CloudTec, Speedboard, upper, heel counter, and £170 launch positioning. RoadTrailRun's contemporaneous review supplies 30/23mm, 7mm, 11.6/9.8 ounces, and the MSRP: $200 US price.

What Changed

The prior catalog blended unsupported values—38/30mm, 8mm, 11.6/10.0 ounces, and MSRP: $180—without naming a generation. The local image and article context align with the original 2018 design, so the record now resolves that identity explicitly. Its values have been replaced with contemporaneous evidence.

The previous article also recommended it for “serious overpronation,” knee pain, and shin splints. Those medical and severity claims are unsupported and removed. A stability category describes construction, not a diagnosis or treatment. The Amazon URL was quarantined because it could not be verified to the original generation.

Ride and Intended Use

The wide Speedboard resists torsion and transfers load forward, while heel and forefoot Cloud elements use different materials. Contemporary reviewers described firm cushioning, substantial rearfoot protection, and a surprisingly smooth transition for the shoe's weight. The heavy build becomes more noticeable as pace increases.

Believe in the Run's exact review measured an 11.8-ounce men's sample and described a stable, responsive but heavy ride. That supports easy and steady road use for runners who liked the geometry, not universal speed or long-distance suitability.

Current buyers should view Cloudace as archival old stock. Foam, adhesives, and storage history matter after many years, even if the shoe appears unused. The stability-shoe guide covers current options.

The Stack Conflict

Runner's World's laboratory test measured a men's sample at 38.7mm heel and 23.2mm forefoot, a 15.6mm drop. That differs materially from the contemporaneous 30/23mm and 7mm published record. The lab likely captured the tall rear Cloud geometry differently, but the discrepancy is too large to dismiss.

Catalog policy uses the contemporaneous published spec while retaining the lab result as a material conflict. The article does not average them or pretend the choice is certain.

Fit and Sizing

Reviewers generally found normal length, a secure heel, and a well-executed upper. The substantial TPU counter and midfoot structure may feel restrictive for sensitive heels, while the toe area can feel narrow at first. Standard is the only verified width.

With old stock, use returnable ordering and inspect the materials before running. The shoe-fit guide separates length, width, and heel shape; do not size up reflexively to escape a rigid counter.

What Works Well

The original Cloudace was carefully constructed. Its upper distributes pressure, the heel counter secures the rearfoot, and the Speedboard provides guidance without a hard medial post. The shoe also brought unusual visual and material quality to the 2018 support category.

Tradeoffs

Weight, price, a firm forefoot, standard-only width, and the dramatic lab geometry conflict are substantial. Cloud channels can collect stones, and the rigid plate and counter will not suit every runner. Discontinued stock also carries age risk that a discount may not offset.

No evidence supports an injury benefit or fixed durability. Inspect actual cushioning, rubber, adhesives, and comfort using the replacement guide.

Who Should Consider This Shoe

Only consider original Cloudace as known-fit old stock or an archival reference. A runner who previously loved its firm guided ride may value an unworn pair after careful inspection.

Who Should Look Elsewhere

Most buyers should choose a current support shoe with fresh materials, broader sizing, easier returns, and contemporary evidence. Avoid buying solely because a listing says Cloudace; the 2018 and 2021 constructions differ.

Cross-Brand Comparison

The original Cloudace competed with older ASICS Kayano and Brooks Adrenaline generations. Current comparisons are not apples-to-apples. The ASICS Gel-Kayano 32 and HOKA Gaviota 6 represent newer guidance approaches.

Same-Brand Comparison

The revised 2021 Cloudace added Helion and different geometry. Current On Cloudrunner 2 and On Cloudstratus 3 should be evaluated independently, not as direct spec continuations.

Value

MSRP: $200 was the 2018 launch benchmark. Age and discontinuation now matter more than nominal discount. An inexpensive old pair with degraded foam or no returns is poor value.

Final Verdict

Original On Cloudace is a 2018, 7mm published-drop support shoe with a major 15.6mm lab conflict. Its secure build and wide Speedboard were distinctive, but weight, firmness, age, and generation ambiguity make it primarily an archival decision today.