Since I work at a running store, I’ve tried on many, many pairs of shoes. Some were love at first sight, while others grew on me as I broke them in. Here are a few shoes that I have found to fit my shoe needs, and I think may suit yours!

The On Cloudgo

The On Cloudgo is a mid-cushioned, neutral running shoe with an 11 mm heel-to-toe drop. Featuring On’s signature CloudTec, the Cloudgo provides sufficient cushion and support with a nice lively feel. I have found it to be perfect for walking as well as standing for longer periods; it doesn’t give me annoying pressure points on my heels like some shoes do with all-day wear.

The On Cloudultra 2

The On Cloudultra 2 is a cushioned trail shoe with a 5 mm heel-to-toe drop. As a trail shoe actually intended for ultra races, I find that it is a surprisingly great travel shoe. Not only does it look good and provide support, but since it is technically a trail shoe it comes with On’s Mission Grip rubber outsole giving you traction for a variety of surfaces without too deep of a lug depth — you can still use it on concrete or road without issue. No matter where your travels take you, this shoe can be your go-to! I took these on a trip to Colorado recently and they performed well as I walked on ice and snow. Version 2 of the Cloudultra has an updated sock upper which I think is a nice feature, that makes them easy to slip on and off while providing a snug, supportive fit.

The Brooks Levitate GTS 6

The Brooks Levitate GTS 6 is a stability shoe with an 8 mm heel-to-toe drop. Compared with Brooks’ DNA Loft foams (like what you would find in the Ghost), the Levitate GTS utilizes Brooks’ DNA Amp material which feels a bit firmer directly underfoot but gives me the stability I need with a nice amount of rebound. I have the Stealthfit version which features a knit upper that is breathable, comfy, and stretchy, holding my foot in place well. I love wearing it to the gym because of its cushion level and stable platform.

I hope you try these out, and let me know some of your shoe favorites and why!

At Terra, we consider the On Cloudsurfer a lower stability shoe when compared to other On models. This is because it lacks the typical Speedboard found in every other model of On shoes. I needed a new road shoe since I have a goal of running a trail ultramarathon in September. I wanted a shoe that could train me for the trails even when I mostly run roads. Because it is very bouncy, the Cloudsurfer is less stable with its soft cushion and lack of Speedboard to provide any sort of rigidity. While that might sound like a bad thing, this is as close as I can get to simulating the uneven terrain of a trail while on the road. Training the ankles for rolling or wobbly motion is essential for a more secure and confident run on the trail. The Cloudsurfer utilizes a new cushioning technology created by On called CloudTec Phase; this technology gives the Cloudsurfer a very soft, plushy ride. The CloudTec Phase design works by collapsing the cushioning as you step down in the shoe and expanding the foam up in a forward rolling motion, propelling heel strikers forward. Midfoot and toe strikers benefit less from the rolling motion, feeling more of a spring than a forward roll. While neither of these functions quite mimics the trail, they do give a bouncy ride. I have now put around 70 miles of running on the shoes and strikingly my lower calf has become increasingly tight and irritated. While everyone’s foot reacts to shoes differently, I do attribute this tightness to the Cloudsurfers. Thinking critically about the design of the shoes, I am under the impression that due to the incredible softness under the heel, the shoe actually compresses more toward the heel side than desired. For me, this effect causes an over-extension of the Achilles and a prolonged tension on the lower calf. I have had to switch out to different shoes due to this strain. My hope is that this, too, simulates climbing up the mountains of a trail run. Overall, I really like the shoes, but only for runs less than 8 miles. For customers, I would recommend this shoe to a neutral runner who wants a fun bouncy shoe for 5k distances.