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On Cloud X 4

In production · road · Daily / Tempo · $150

Gym-to-run hybrid built for HIIT, lifts and short runs.

Built for daily, tempo, at a target pace of 7:30–10:00 /mi on road.

The spec sheet

Weight
268 g / 9.5 oz
Heel stack
30 mm
Drop
9 mm
Midsole foam
Helion
Plate
—
Cushioning
3 / 5
Energy return
3 / 5
Responsiveness
3 / 5
Rocker
2 / 5
Flexibility
4 / 5
Stability
3 / 5 (5 = most guidance)
Toe-box
Standard
Sizing
True to size
Durability
~350 mi
Price
$150

How it rides

The foam

The midsole is Helion, tuned balanced (3/5 on our cushioning scale). Energy return is moderate — comfortable and predictable rather than bouncy. 30 mm of heel stack keeps you low and connected, with more ground feel than most current trainers. Combined, the ride reads as lively at 3/5 responsiveness.

The plate

There is no plate here. The midsole does all the work, so the shoe flexes naturally and stays versatile across paces — easier on the feet day to day, but without the snap of a plated shoe when you want to roll.

The geometry

A tall 9 mm drop tips weight forward off the heel, which usually suits heel strikers and calves that dislike low-drop shoes. The geometry is fairly traditional and flat, so the shoe follows your foot rather than steering it. The forefoot flexes easily, so the shoe adapts to slower, shorter strides. Support is light — neutral, with a mildly steady platform.

Fit, sizing & life

The toe-box is standard width — comfortable for most feet without swimming. It fits true to size. Expect roughly 350 miles from the outsole, about $0.43 per mile at $150.

For the foams and plates On uses across its line, read the On brand guide.

How it compares

Measured against the 542 currently-available shoes in the catalog. The bar shows where this shoe sits in that range.

Weight

268 g / 9.5 oz

7 g lighter than the catalog median of 275 g

Heel stack

30 mm

6 mm lower than the catalog median of 36 mm

Drop

9 mm

3 mm higher than the catalog median of 6 mm

Price

$150

10 cheaper than the catalog median of 160

Responsiveness

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Cushioning

3 / 5

Catalog median 4 / 5

Energy return

3 / 5

Catalog median 3 / 5

Durability

~350 mi

Catalog median ~400 mi

Within the On line it is lighter than the brand's median (270 g / 9.5 oz) and sits lower than its median stack (34 mm).

Closest alternatives

Current shoes with the nearest combination of weight, stack, drop, foam feel and plate.

On Cloud X Shift

270 g / 9.5 oz · 32 mm · 8 mm drop · — · $160

Cushioned cross-trainer for mixed training days.

Under Armour HOVR Turbulence 2

290 g / 10.2 oz · 30 mm · 8 mm drop · — · $90

HOVR-cushioned value daily trainer with a springy heel.

Brooks Launch GTS 12

255 g / 9.0 oz · 32 mm · 8 mm drop · — · $120

The budget-friendly Launch with GuideRails added for mild support.

Skechers GO Run Elevate 2.0

270 g / 9.5 oz · 30 mm · 6 mm drop · — · $80

Ultra Go daily trainer with an easy, soft footstrike.

Asics GT-1000 14

265 g / 9.3 oz · 34 mm · 8 mm drop · — · $110

Entry-level stability trainer — mild guidance at a friendly price.

Lineage & siblings