Olivia Young is a journalist and slow travel advocate. Her favorite travel days usually involve vegan food, wildlife sightings, and an occasional liability waiver.
Everyone from marathon runners to Oprah is a fan of On running shoes, a buzzy Swedish brand known for infusing its sneakers with cloudlike comfort (hence its line of On Cloud shoes), which it does with its signature soles that have holes along the bottom of them. The gaps in the outsole are actually a complex cushioning system -- they compress and decompress on every single step. Whether you're a trail runner, frequent traveler, theme park enthusiast, avid 5K runner, or just someone who appreciates a pair of comfortable shoes, investing in a pair of On sneakers will be a genius move that your feet will thank you for later.
Of course, this patented technology typically comes at a cost. On running sneakers are normally about $150 to more than $200, with some special editions priced over $500, and it's rare to find them on sale. But with Labor Day weekend right around the corner, some of the brand's best sellers are up to 45 percent off. Shop the best On shoes sales happening right now, with savings of up to $100 off.
The On Cloud shoes are a fan-favorite style that's so popular, it's now on its sixth generation. Last season's Cloud 5 is marked down to $105, made with the brand's signature CloudTec cushion system -- i.e., the gappy soles -- in a super soft zero-gravity foam material (so it'll be incredibly lightweight). The upper is all reinforced for durability and made with antimicrobial mesh so the shoes won't get smelly easily, and the "speed laces" are elastic, so you don't even have to waste time tying them.
One color of these Cloudsurfer Next Road-runners is 25 percent off right now at REI. The shoe combines the brand's unique CloudTec cushion with a rocker shape, which means that the front and back of the shoe curve upward, helping to propel you forward and support your natural foot movement. Each shoe weighs just over half a pound, which makes these nice and lightweight to run in. "I've put over 50 miles into these shoes, and I have to say that I really am in love with them," one REI reviewer says.
The Roger collection is named after and designed in collaboration with tennis legend Roger Federer. The On Advantage shoe was created to be your everyday casual street sneaker, with a vegan leather upper and stylish court shoe profile. But don't be fooled by its fashionable look; it packs enough performance that you could wear them for a round of pickleball or a long walk. The Roger Advantage is one of the best On shoe deals out there right now, on sale at Dick's Sporting Goods for $88.
On says it took its best-selling sneaker and made it better with the Cloudstratus 3, increasing its stability, adding more padding, and boosting the energy return. The On Cloudstratus style is outfitted with double the CloudTec -- that's to say it has two rows of holes in the soles, which results in double the cloudlike comfort. The brand categorizes it as a "forward rolling" shoe, meaning it's designed for forward motion (ideal for road running). Enjoy an impressive $70 off this Labor Day weekend.
If you like to hit the trails for a run, try these Cloudsurfers while they're 25 percent off at REI. Normally, trail running shoes tend to be a little heavy due to all the added features meant to protect your feet and ankles as you navigate uneven terrain and obstacles. But reviewers are surprised at how light these are -- about eight ounces per shoe -- while not compromising on essential protection. They're not waterproof, but they maintain their high level of performance even in wet conditions.
The now-$125 Cloudflow 4 shoe is the precursor to the $180 Cloudflow 5, but both iterations share many of the same features, including extra cushioning. This version is ideal for training, racing, and everyday wear, so you'll get plenty of use out of them whether you're wearing them for daily jogs, hikes, or gym sessions.
Are you traveling for a race this fall? Or maybe you're training for one at home. Either way, this lightning-fast shoe could help you achieve a PR. The brand combined its special CloudTec and Helion "hyper" foam to create what it calls its "fastest race-day shoe" yet. These sneakers contain a Speedboard response plate designed to give you impact protection and a high energy return (no, it isn't cheating). The Cloudboom Echo 3 is one of the steepest deals we found at just over $100 off.
On calls this shoe its "softest, max-cushioned running shoe." Like the Cloudstratus 3, it has two layers of CloudTec, but this shoe has a special cushioning that has been optimized to catch your every step, ensuring "soft landings and a seamless weight transfer from heel to toe." Shop the men's Cloudeclipse Road-runner for 25 percent off now.
The Cloudnova 2 is a walking shoe made with tried-and-true running technology. It's a tad thicker underfoot and wider in the middle for increased stability -- helpful for cruising the cobblestone thoroughfares of a historic city or veering off the beaten path for a more rugged side venture. It offers such a clean aesthetic, too, with its white or sandy base and pops of red-orange or soft sage. Snag the versatile sneakers for $125, down from $167.
A Dick's Sporting Goods reviewer called the men's Cloud X 4 Trainers "probably the best affordable shoes ever created," adding they truly feel "like walking on a cloud." While the brand's rocker sneakers are designed for forward propulsion, these training shoes are specially created for multilateral and side-to-side motions. Think: dance classes, HIIT sessions, or the spontaneous tennis lesson you sign up for when you find out your resort has its own courts.
Like the men's, women's Cloudeclipse Road-runners are on sale, too. Take 25 percent off these sneakers (you'll have to add them to your cart to see the sale price), built with that cushy double CloudTec and performance-forward rocker shape. Your feet will feel 10/10 after literally pounding pavement all day long, thanks to the comfortable base. One reviewer wore them right out of the box on a nine-day trip through Europe, where they walked 10 miles a day, and their feet "could not have been more comfortable."
If you struggle with irritation and blisters on the tops or sides of your feet, here's a more adaptive shoe option. The socklike upper of On's Cloudswift 3 sneakers molds to all kinds of foot shapes. Underfoot, the CloudTec mechanism is the same as other brand favorites, featuring those bouncy Helion foam soles. These shoes are awesome for urban environments, so buy them for your next city break at a fraction of the regular price.