ON Cloudboom Echo 3 FULL REVIEW- Competitive with NIKE Vaporfly?

In today's video I share my first impressions review of the new carbon racing shoe from ON, the Cloudboom Echo 3 set for release in early July 2023. It's been a long time coming but I've finally managed to get my hands on a pair. I share my likes, dislikes and the important question, is this competitive with the likes of the Nike Vaporfly 3 and Adidas Pro 3. Let me know in the comments what shoes you'd like me to review next.
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[@hummuswithpitta]

definitely one of the best looking super shoes, one that can easily become a casual shoe after retirement. will just have to wait a few years for that ridonk price to drop back down to earth!

[@BenIsRunning]

Certainly is a good looking shoe. Unfortunately on are not know for a discount

[@franciscominan3730]

Great review and camera quality is top-notch! 100% worth the investment!

[@ColeRunning]

great video mate, I honestly thought the super shoe improvement would start to stagnate.... I WAS WRONG 😍 they're just getting better and better

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks bro! Yeah it’s great to see every brand no only catching up but innovating! This time last year is someone took me the new hoka would have been as good as a Nike I’d have laughed 😂

[@Bennetti]

Thanks for the honest review Ben, On have been doing great to push the sport in Australia as well, sponsoring a lot of events In Victoria. However they are listed as $390 AUD (with all the other super shoes ~$320-330 aud) and the high wear rate makes it hard to justify the price, hoping their middle distance spikes are both competitive and a bit better priced.

[@BenIsRunning]

That’s great to hear! Looks forward to seeing how the Oceania OAC team does. Would love to know the justification on pricing but got a feeling these will sell out regardless

[@gerhardlamprecht4365]

I’ll try and get a pair of those and let you know how they run closer to the 5min pace. I am currently rocking the Cloudmonster witch is a great shoe. Thx for the great video, keep it up💪🏻

[@BenIsRunning]

Great! The cloudmonster is still my go to milage shoe!

[@HowIsThat69]

I love you talk about the pace this shoe needs to shine. Keep that up please

[@BenIsRunning]

Yeah just what I found when testing. Some shoes feel completely different at certain paces where as others feel the same at all :)

[@roter4baron]

@@BenIsRunning Actually recent studies show that slower runners benefit the most from the technology in super shoes. You don't have to run 4min/km or faster

[@cidlopez]

Thanks for the review. I’m experiencing terrible heel bursitis so I’m trying to find a shoe that helps with this painful condition. Not sure I want to drop $300 but I might give it a try.

[@iq_by_0303]

Great Video. Will you do one for the spikes?

[@BenIsRunning]

Thank you :) Possibly!

[@Arki2019]

Looks are a win, but missed a trick with that price. I just picked a vaporfly 2 up £164 so nearly 100 saving, but like you I would wear the brand not because it’s the best but because of what it’s doing for the sport and the support it’s giving

[@lukevirtualgameruk3523]

Thanks for not being a fanboy as they sent you them free I appreciate that. unlike ginger nut saying skechers are good but never seen him wear a pair at an event. I was thinking of buying these ons there nice but deep down I knew they was a hype job.

[@dojobruns]

Great video, its a real shame though that the pros are already wearing different shoes over the marathon period already. So just gonna be a wait for that one similar to what happened with this shoe.

[@BenIsRunning]

Yeah I certainly agree! It’s great they offer the pros the best shoes the company has available but if the public have to wait another 1/2 years that’s never going to sit well with the consumer I guess. Hopefully as the company grows this time will be reduced

[@timtrenholm3698]

On are definitely moving in the right direction with some of their latest offerings, but still some room for improvement before I might consider trying one...although that new Cloudsurfer is definitely tempting. Seems like the Echo might need 1 more iteration to get it right, so they can truly compete with the top racing shoes. Great review Ben!

[@AndersGr84]

New Cloudsurder is a really solid shoe! I do like 70% off all my runs in them. Even some easy trail.

[@Freebird65]

How many miles can you get out of these? I've heard conflicting reviews. 120 mi to 150 mi. Please tell me this is not true

[@scottmijin9463]

With how small the CloudTec’s are I doubt it barely compresses upon impact. On should just ditch the CloudTec or CloudPhase tech or anything gimmicky.

[@BenIsRunning]

Must be tough to drop there usp but foot to see them moving that way in the carbon racers

[@ChrisDrysdale16]

I think your comment about it arriving a little too late to market is spot on. Even the top ON athletes aren't using it... To make matters worse, it seems a little futile with sales etc on Adidas, Nike and ASICS stuff making them so accessible. Great content as always ❤️

[@BenIsRunning]

Totally agree! If this shoe came out say in 2020 it would have made a huge impact. At least for now, they’ve caught up. Looking forward to the next version already :)

[@jefreywith1f924]

Not so! On sponsered athlete Guston Iden won the 2022 Ironman World Champianship wearing this shoe. Likewise, On sponsered athlete Helen Obiri won the 2023 Boston Marathon also wearing this shoe.

[@BenIsRunning]

@@jefreywith1f924 Helen ran in a on prototype I believe of the on cloudtri

[@jefreywith1f924]

@Ben Is Running My mistake! She wore these in the 2022 New York Marathon placing 6th.

[@chrisshent]

On athletes like Nicola Spirig or Dominic Lobalu wore the Echo 3 throughout 2022. Hi-performance testing is rigorous until the go-to-market. And yes, Hellen Obiri wore at Boston 2023 a triathlon prototype, which we might never see in this form.

[@markcleary7195]

Hi Ben. I use the nike vapourfly for my races and the hoka arahi for easy runs. I'm missing a pair of shoes for tempo days and I'm thinking of investing in a new pair of alphaflys as I'm taking running a bit more seriously. I'm doing about 40k a week and just looking for a shoe that will bring me along for the faster tempo paces and provide my feet and legs with support. Would you have an recommendations please?

[@jolawrencerun]

Hey Ben, I hope you can get your hands on a pair of the Asics Superblast shoe - would love to see a review on this one!

[@BenIsRunning]

I’ve got it in my rotation! Have done since Feb just haven’t got round to reviewing it

[@jolawrencerun]

@@BenIsRunning How are they? I just ordered a pair excited to have them in my marathon training rotation!

[@gabeduran8321]

Brilliant Ben! so if I am running 7:30 min/km average then you would recommend not getting the Echo 3? Again Brilliant video! all the best!! GG!

[@BenIsRunning]

Thanks gabe! Probably would say something like the cloudmonster or cloudsurfer would be better options :)

[@gabeduran8321]

@@BenIsRunning Thanks so much Ben, I'm gonna go try those this weekend, all the best,

[@nodefense]

Hi Ben, I’m not a very fast runner (5:10-5:30/km) so I’m not sure if it’s worth investing in a super shoe like the vaporfly or the one in todays video. Do you still recommend these carbon plated shoes for the slower runners like myself or is it not worthwhile? Cheers, keep up the great work mate!

[@jeremyfoo6984]

Anyone can benefit from a super shoe. In fact one can make the argument that slower runners need more help!

[@nodefense]

@@jeremyfoo6984 Appreciate it Jezza

[@BenIsRunning]

I personally would recommend carbon shoes still because they’ve been found to improve running efficiency still at relatively slower pacers. If I were recommending a show to someone looking to run a marathon in 4+ hours however I would recommend choosing a shoe on comfort over performance :) the best super shoe for all paces that I’ve found is the adidas adios pro 3 :)

[@BenIsRunning]

One study found that marathon runners under 3hours benefit around the 4/5% in running efficiency where as 4hours+ generally had a lower percentage of 2/3% but there’s still an improvement. If you can afford a pair/want to experience a ‘supershoe’ there’s no reason why someone running 5:30/km shouldn’t give some a go in my opinion :)

[@nodefense]

@@BenIsRunning Thanks for the insight Ben! Appreciate it

[@miller10]

Which feels better these or the next%?

[@6155ends]

hey bro i’m a big heel striker would this be better then a alpha fly for that head to head

[@rhondaojongmboh5789]

Can you review the cloudsurfer?

[@flatfootedrunner]

What’s the stack height @BenIsRunning ?

[@aditudose4762]

It looks like this shoes are more like to be compare to Takumi sen 9. In what way to you think they are different?

[@roter4baron]

Actually recent studies show that slower runners benefit the most from the technology in super shoes. You don't have to run 4min/km or faster

[@BenIsRunning]

That’s interesting. I read a study recently that suggested runners running around 5-6min/km still benefit from super shoes but at a much smaller percentage in running efficiency in comparison to runners around 3-4mins/km

[@roter4baron]

@@BenIsRunning it was in the German runner's world magazine and podcast recently

[@ABucc]

I noticed that On is going with that Cloudsurfer 7 style midsole, where they have the pattern holes in the midsole. Looks very nice, glad to see On is improving in the right direction.

[@BenIsRunning]

Really been enjoying the cloudsurfer for my easy/recovery running

[@santussz]

Hey ben with these newer launches, what brand is your go to in most occasions?

[@BenIsRunning]

I use a wide range for different runs so would be hard to nail down a brand. I’d say ASICS or On if I had to pick :)

[@santussz]

@@BenIsRunning thanks man, been trying to find the perfect brand for me, appreciate it

[@NateCrail]

I'm curious to see how these compare to the On CloudTri (the shoe Obiri used in Boston this year)

[@BenIsRunning]

I doubt we’ll see the cloudtri for at least another year

[@rizontherun9684]

Mate i love your videos. But to be honest this video is a bit weird on the likes part. Usually talk about what you like for the SHOES, but this one you talked about what you like in the company. Which is a bit weird. Anyway, always love your work.

[@olegundel169]

Nice shoe, I like the look as well. For me the price is the downside.

[@BenIsRunning]

Yeah I have to agree with you Ole :)

[@infocuslearning]

Key question for you Ben. When this pair wears out, would you pay £260 for another pair or buy something else?

[@BenIsRunning]

At £260 probably not. At a discount yes but as I’d personally say it’s on par with a nike/adidas/ASICS it would have to be on par price wise for me to purchase again down the line. That being said I’d rather have on on my feet over most brands what the way they are investing in the sport

[@smallbrain7849]

I have a question. Right now, I am running in the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23, but I want to try something different because I have been running in this type of shoe for a year now. Plus it is boring to run in lol. With summer cross country training coming up, my weekly mileage will go up to around 50-ish milles and I will be doing a long run once a week consisting of 10-12 miles as well as 6-7 mile runs 5 days a week. I will also be doing a double run once a week consisting of 3 miles in the afternoon. With that in mind, what shoe do you think I should pick up? Possibly two shoes to rotate with if they are cheap enough and fit into my budget. I want something that is able to handle the longer distances and something that will keep me injury free because I tend to have issues with my knees like IT band syndrome and Peteller tendinitis. I want something that can pick up the pace sometimes because my friends like to go unnecessarily fast lol. Plus it needs to be durable, as I am running lots of miles this summer. Also, I run mostly on the roads with the occasional trail run here and there. A shoe that you recommend that can do all of this would be great but if you recommend two shoes that I can rotate with, that would be fine as well. Thanks.

[@fayliyur3899]

Go with Adidas Prime X (preferably the strung version) or New Balance SC Trainer

[@Exodianotforbidden]

Nice shoes, but in where i live its gonna cost $500 for sure😮😮😮😂

[@anthonyolivieri413]

They’re going in the right direction, but why would somebody choose this over the vaporfly when it’s lighter and cheaper?

[@diegollanos8511]

When is it releasing 🤧

[@joemalone1836]

Hi Ben, would you buy this over the Nike Alphafly 3?

[@BenIsRunning]

I prefer the alphafly 3

[@marathonranati]

It looks very interesting indeed! so the midsole is "like" a "vaporfly midsole" and the upper is "like" the "adios pro 3 upper". Im not very fond with that price tag though... But I think (unlike the alphafly) they sacrificed the "comfort" for the "speed" I guess? (I wonder what is the fastest marathon time by a "ons runner"?)

[@BenIsRunning]

The midsole is now pebax yes so they same as what ASICS/Nike use in the vaporfly and Metaspeed sky :) I believe the fastest athlete is tadesse abhram who’s ran 2:06 in on carbon shoes and Helen orbiri on the women’s side 2:21 :)

[@marathonranati]

@@BenIsRunning Thank you!

[@thabaninjokwe3439]

One Comrades Marathon in a brand new pair, and when you get to the finish line. The shoe is finished 😢

[@chriss7688]

Ngl I still prefer the Vaporfly for the best just cause even though it’s not the best preforming maybe, the chances of finding it on sale us very high like I have paid tor 2 pairs together less than the price of 1 at full price like you can find them for very good prices

[@BenIsRunning]

I guess that’s the benefit of having a super shoe way back in 2019. They can now undercut competitors with discounts

[@jaskieee]

Not sure if you have answered this before but curious as to your height and weight? Just wondering based on your shoe size, I have found as a smaller runner that I get less benefit from carbon plated shoes (compared to others), theorized that it may be due to smaller plate and less engagement but just a theory!

[@BenIsRunning]

I’m 5f9.5, 61kg and size 7.5 uk. Does that fit your theory 😂

[@jaskieee]

@@BenIsRunning if you agree with the abstract it does 😁

[@chriss7688]

Side note lightstrike pro is a tpu based foam Ben not pebax ASICS and saucony use pebax in their super shoes but not adidas

[@BenIsRunning]

Ah right, thanks for that. My mistake. Zoom x pebax? And do you know the difference between the two compounds at all?

[@joshuashields8512]

Yeah and adidas sucks so that explains a lot on why they are so behind

[@chriss7688]

@@BenIsRunning zoom x is pebax but I think the other brands used a different version of it since Nike had zoomx patented so only they can use that version of the compound so other companies have to find a different version of it

[@chriss7688]

@@joshuashields8512 in my opinion the con of adidas is their super shoes are heavier than others cause most are in the high 6 low 7 for weight but the adidas shoes are like mid to high 7 ounces for weight

[@alainbrouillaud484]

A downside is how long it has come to market?!?! Well I guess you really haven’t noticed how ON has exploded in a very crowded shoe market. Nike, Adidas, Asics have been long established… in 2010 most of the 🌎 didn’t know ON running shoes even existed and look at where they are now!

[@aditudose4762]

Hi Ben! I have tried racing shoes just Adizero adios pro 3 and to be honest I really intrigued by this one. Would you truly recommend them? They are really expensive and I don't want to waste the money.

[@edhare4572]

Just seen them on Runners Need for £230 and well stocked. Hoka Rocket X2 or these…..? 🤔

[@BenIsRunning]

Thats the previous verison. The echo 3 doesn't release until early July :)

[@kristiansully4874]

I would say the mizuno wave rebellion pro easily beats these! Also much cheaper, the price for these cloud boom echo 3 is just wayyy to high.

[@BenIsRunning]

Out of interest have you tried these? Mizuno wave rebillion pro is certainly a great shoe though your not wrong :)

[@kristiansully4874]

​​@@BenIsRunning no I havent tried the on shoes , I just think mizuno have done such a great job with pricing it at £200 , not being greedy like on have done with this shoe, if they had priced it lower I would of given it a green light, but the mizuno is cheaper and better in my opinion.

[@kristiansully4874]

Mizuno wave rebellion pro or echo 3 ?

[@BenIsRunning]

Echo 3

[@na-dk9vm]

What is ONs fastest shoe right now, available to the public??

[@Harsh._exe]

How toh buy these shoes in india can u help

[@BenIsRunning]

They come out in early July so keep an eye out online would be my advice

[@Harsh._exe]

@@BenIsRunning which website we can buy them from india

[@laszlokovacs9596]

true story

[@theboybrand]

A quarter of a grand for a shoe that is falling apart after 80k and looks stinking (imo). Aye, I think I'll pass. 😂

[@ThatRunnerAaron]

Really want a pair but just downright refuse to pay that price point. No shoe is worth that, not even the Alphafly tbf…

[@fabsterun]

First

[@mkdesu]

nope

[@fabsterun]

@iCharlesdesu you win some you lose some it's fine 🙂 but I'm still the first writing first so 🤷. Edit actually I just checked yes I did win

[@mkdesu]

@@fabsterun wtf you won it just updated, all good i podium 2nd place ill take it

[@fabsterun]

@@mkdesu 🫡

[@BenIsRunning]

You can’t be the 🐐 of first comments

[@vincewarne228]

That wear is a bit whack!

[@BenIsRunning]

Most carbon racing shoes I’ve tried are pretty similar. When it comes to saving weight for performance I guess that comes at the expense of durability

[@vincewarne228]

@@BenIsRunning 50 Miles though? I’m not sure it is totally normal for the outsole to start peeling at this sort of mileage. I’ve seen reports from the Vaporfly 3 that are similarly alarming and tbh that seems worse than the Vaporfly 2. Are they being built worse now?

[@thomasbeasley3271]

On are an absolute scam personally. Have a reputation for making rubbish shoes and putting a huge price tag on them. Considering they have a reputation for being bad charging 260 for their first super shoe is just ridiculous. Saucony put out the elite for 280 because they had already built a good reputation with the pro and others but On have nothing. This shoe should cost maximum 180.

[@BenIsRunning]

I come across this view a fair bit - sometimes to the point where people think I’m being paid to say good things about the company but in my opinion this is a little dated view. Since the release of the monster and more recently the cloudsurfer there reputation is at a all time high. On are becoming one of the most desirable brands to wear from my observation at run clubs/events 😏

[@thomasbeasley3271]

@BenIsRunning I can definitely appreciate what On do with regards to events but still have work to do to catch up with the rest. Just think it was a little bold to come out and charge crazy money for their first proper super shoe. But I agree that they definitely appear to be improving with their releases over the past year. Haven't tried an On shoe in a while so maybe my views were a little outdated.

[@BenIsRunning]

@@thomasbeasley3271 yes I agree £260 is too expensive simple as that. If you manage to get your feet in the newer on shoes I think you’d have a much better experience than say the on running shoes of 3/4 years ago :)

[@ramore1000]

On are a really interesting company but yet again you credit them with the Night of 10,000m this just false- do your research and give credit to those who deserve it for that event.

[@BenIsRunning]

The night of the 10,000mpbs started in 2013 and has been put on since by the Highgate harriers and Ben pochee. On are now the headline sponsor investing thousands in an event that is never going to be profitable. Please inform me of why this doesn’t deserve credit for investing in the sport. When was the last time you saw Nike invest in a similar scale event?

[@ThatRunnerAaron]

@@BenIsRunning *mic drop*

[@mkdesu]

ayeee

[@BenIsRunning]

🎉🎉🎉