Did you know that On, a shoe company, has recently been making headlines all over the internet? Be it in articles or YouTube videos, the shoes On makes are undoubtedly gaining such popularity that one must ask if all their shoes can be comparable.
Of all the shoes that On has released, their Cloud collection received the most praise. The On Cloud collection has many shoes that can be compared against each other. In this article, we will be comparing Cloudflyer vs Cloudstratus. At the end of the article, you will get a quick comparison table where we have compared both styles side by side.
Difference Between Cloudflyer and Cloudstratus
The main difference between the Cloudflyer shoes and Cloudstratus shoes of On is that the former provides comfort the most, and the latter is made with support kept in mind as a priority.
While it may seem like comparing both shoes from On is a good idea initially, the shoes are made with different focuses.
Hence the pros and cons may vary and not exactly be fair enough to compare. But we will do it to give you, the user, an idea of what you may be getting into before deciding what to buy.
👉🏿 Comfort (Is Cloudflyer or Cloudstratus better?)
In general, Cloudstratus is the better shoe when put up against the Cloudflyer. Why? Because Cloudstratus offers two layers of On’s exclusive CloudTec foam in both the midsole and heel.
Despite being heavier because it has an extra foam layer, users prefer the Cloudstratus’ comfort to compensate for the excess weight. After all, a comfortable foot is the main priority of most users, if not all.
Although Cloudstratus is heavier, to some people, the extra weight does not make a huge impact, and the shoes still feel super lightweight. Of course, this may not apply to every user out there. Because once you try out the Cloudflyer, the Cloudstratus may feel heavier.
But to someone who never tried Cloudflyer shoes, the Cloudstratus may as well seem lightweight to them.
I tried my friend’s pair of Cloudstratus a while ago, and they felt light to me, probably because I never wore a pair of Cloudfly shoes to make me feel the difference in weight.
But after I tried another friend’s Cloudflyer, I could tell that the shoes felt lighter than my experience with the Cloudstratus shoes. But it did not seem like that much of a deal-breaker to me.
You can also check our article on the contrast between Cloudswift and Cloudflyer.
👉🏿 Sizing (Do Cloudflyer and Cloudstratus fit the same?)
The Cloudflyer and Cloudstratus shoes of On fit true to size, so it is safe to say they fit the same without any difference.
Cloudstratus has the advantage of a wider toe box than the Cloudflyer, a must for many runners and even average everyday shoe users. A wide toe box is essential to ensure that your toes have proper space to move around your feet without any issue.
Both Cloudstratus and Cloudfly come between the sizes of 7 to 14. There is no difference in the sizes available.
👉🏿 Material
Vegan mesh upper makes the Cloudflyer the best choice for vegan users who want to contribute to a greener planet, even when buying shoes.
However, Cloudstratus consists of only a regular mesh upper that manages to be durable yet somewhat light (not more than the Cloudflyer, though). More on this later down the line.
If interested, You can also check our article on the contrast between Cloudflow and Cloudswift.
👉🏿 Durability
The Cloudstratus wins this round as the most durable shoe, with its durable upper, midsole, and outsole.
On the other hand, the Cloudflyer is somewhat durable. Still, the shoe’s midsole has received criticism for not being durable enough to withstand normal to heavy usage by users. This puts it in a tough spot for users who want to buy this shoe.
Have you ever heard of pebbles getting stuck under your outsole? This is yet another issue that occurs on Cloudflyer shoes, which puts doubt on durability in general. Pebbles getting stuck can mean that the outsole can be damaged without you having any control over it.
You can also check our article on the contrast between Cloudflyer and Cloudflow.
👉🏿 Variety
Cloudflyer comes in the most varieties, boasting six different styles on On’s website.
But Cloudstratus only comes in 4 styles, making it less appealing to those who prefer having more options when buying shoes for any reason.
👉🏿 Cost
The Cloudflyer costs cheaper than the Cloudstratus. Cloudflyer comes at $159.99, whereas Cloudstratus comes in for $169.99, $10 cheaper.
👉🏿 Availability
There is no problem with the availability of both the Cloudstratus and Cloudflyer shoes. Both collections are always in stock on their website for anyone looking to buy them. Most of On’s collections, no matter what style, are always available to purchase, which is a massive plus for any loyal user.
Table for Comparison
Cloudflyer vs. Cloudstratus. Which one do you think is better?
Now that the main points have been covered for users like you to make your judgement, how about I make a table for you guys so that the points can be compared much quickly? Here it is:
| Features | Cloudflyer | Cloudstratus |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | Less comfortable. | More comfortable for having double layers of foam. |
| Sizing | True to size. | True to size. |
| Material | Vegan mesh. | Normal mesh. |
| Durability | Durable enough. | More durable. |
| Variety | 6 | 4 |
| Cost | It costs are cheaper than Cloudstratus. | It costs more than Cloudfly. |
| Availability | Easily available. | Easily available. |
Summary
As said before, you cannot precisely compare Cloudflyer and Cloudstratus easily due to both being made with different focus points. But we did it anyway, and now you know what to get when you realize what you want from your shoes.
I have owned a couple of On Cloud shoes, which have served me nicely and comfortably. If you prioritize comfortability, the Cloudstratus is for you. But if you prefer support over anything else, then Cloudfly shoes are the way for you.