Six Running Shoes Worth Knowing About: On, Saucony, and Nike Compared

Introduction

We spent time in a fresh batch of releases from On, Saucony, Nike, and New Balance, and the takeaway is that these shoes do not all compete in the same lane. Some are daily trainers built for easy miles, one is a race-day weapon, and one left us genuinely unsure where it belongs. Here is how each one stacks up.

On Cloudmonster

The Cloudmonster is a first for our testing group in one specific way: it is the first On shoe we all genuinely agreed on. Everyone liked it, and it earned a permanent spot on rotation rather than a single test run. The oversized CloudTec pods give it a distinct look, but the real story is comfort that holds up over long wear.

It also doubles as a surprisingly good all-day shoe. With its chunky cushioning and standout colorways, it would not look out of place on a full day of walking, which makes it more versatile than a typical max-cushion trainer.

On Cloudgo

The Cloudgo is On’s answer to the daily trainer category, slotting in against shoes like the Brooks Ghost and Nike Pegasus at a price point of around $140. That is a bit more than those established rivals, but On’s pricing usually runs high, and this is one of its more accessible entries.

Our first impression was positive: it looked like it might be clunky, but it ran smoother than expected. On added an extra layer of cushioning above the speedboard and strobel layer compared to earlier models, and the cloud pods on the outsole are less pronounced than on other On shoes, leaving more midsole underfoot. The cutout in the bottom is also far smaller than before, which previously let rocks wedge into the speedboard.

It is still early days with limited miles, but it feels like a comfortable daily option in the Ghost and Pegasus range. If forced to choose, we would still lean toward the Pegasus, but the Cloudgo is a respectable contender.

Saucony Endorphin Pro

The Endorphin Pro made the strongest impression of the entire batch. One tester rotated out of another shoe mid-run and into the Endorphin Pro for the final 11 miles of a long session, and the difference was immediate. It felt that good.

It proved capable of handling tempo work too, with two three-mile segments at or faster than marathon pace rolled off comfortably in it. The ride felt bouncier and livelier than expected, which is exactly what you want from a shoe in this class.

If you want a shoe that makes hard pace work feel more manageable, this is the one from this group that left the strongest impression.

Nike Zoom Fly 5

The Zoom Fly 5 is the hardest shoe in this lineup to place. It started life as a more durable, sturdier-foam alternative to the Vaporfly for training, but this version has drifted far from that idea. It is heavy and stiff, and it is not a great daily trainer, not a fast-day shoe, and not a comfy recovery option either.

There are some quirks worth knowing about. The midsole uses what appears to be leftover ZoomX material packed in, which makes the ride a little bouncier than last year’s version, but the outsole rubber struggled badly in wet conditions and felt slippery on rain-soaked roads. There is also a cutout window in the bottom that occasionally acted like a suction cup, pulling against the foot at landing.

New Balance Fresh Foam More v4 and FuelCell Rebel v3

The New Balance pair just arrived, so these are early impressions rather than full verdicts. The Fresh Foam More v4 is the max-cushion option of the two, aimed at easy days and long, comfortable miles. The FuelCell Rebel v3 sits on the other side of the lineup as a lighter, livelier trainer for when you want a bit more snap.

We will be logging proper miles in both, but if you are building a rotation, this pair covers the soft-and-slow and light-and-quick ends of the spectrum in one brand.

View more details for New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3

Buying Advice

If you want one shoe for comfortable daily miles and all-day wear, the Cloudmonster and Cloudgo are the straightforward picks, with the Cloudgo being the more traditional trainer of the two. If your priority is pace work and race day, the Endorphin Pro is the clear standout from this group. The Zoom Fly 5 is the one to approach with caution: check the fit and consider whether its weight and quirks suit your rotation before committing. The New Balance duo makes sense for runners who want a dedicated easy-day shoe plus a lighter trainer.

Conclusion

This batch shows how different a modern running shoe lineup can be. The Endorphin Pro impressed us most for performance, the Cloudmonster earned universal praise for comfort, and the Cloudgo is a solid On entry into the daily trainer market. The Zoom Fly 5 remains a puzzle, and the New Balance pair looks promising. Match the shoe to the run you do most, and any of the top picks here will serve you well.