On was born in the Swiss alps with one goal: to revolutionize the sensation of running. It’s all based on one radical idea. Soft landings followed by explosive take-offs. Or, as we call it, running on clouds.
From small beginnings in Zürich, Switzerland, On set out in 2010 with a big ambition: to change the world of running. In the ten years since, On has been embraced into the hearts, and onto the feet, of more than seven million runners in over 50 countries. And there's no sign of slowing down...
It’s not just a love of running that brought former professional athlete Olivier Bernhard and his friends David Allemann and Caspar Coppetti together. They were dedicated to developing a revolutionary idea. This is their story.
After retiring from professional competition, three-time world duathlon champion and multiple Ironman winner Olivier Bernhard devoted himself to finding a running shoe that would give him the perfect running sensation. In doing so, he crossed paths with a like-minded Swiss engineer who had an idea for a new kind of running shoe. In the years that followed, the perfect symbiosis of running experience and engineering expertise allowed that first radical idea to be refined.
Dozens of prototypes were developed, but the basic concept – cushioned landing, firm take-off – remained paramount throughout. It was this unique running sensation that convinced Caspar Coppetti and David Allemann to come aboard too. Together with Bernhard, they formally established the On in Zürich in January 2010. Their mission to develop a product range fully engineered in Switzerland using the latest technology picked up pace.
Just a month later, in February, the prototypes won the ISPO BrandNew Award, one of the most important prizes for innovation in sport. Test runners were enthusiastic and spoke of running on clouds. In July 2010, the first running stores had On shoes on their shelves.
Ten years later, you can buy On running shoes at over 8700 premium retail stores in over 50 countries. In addition to its European headquarters in Zurich, On has now opened offices in the USA, Japan, Australia and Brazil. On products are winning international design and technology awards. And there's no finish line in sight.
January
David Allemann, Olivier Bernhard and Caspar Coppetti design the first On and create a company that aims to make running even more fun.
May
The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich publishes a study demonstrating that test runners wearing On run at significantly lower pulse rates and lower blood lactate levels.
April
On releases the Cloudracer competition shoe.
October
The Wall Street Journal describes On as a revolutionary running shoe.
January
Martin Hoffmann and Marc Maurer join the On team as CFO and COO, respectively.
March
On adds to its Zurich HQ by opening a US head office in Portland, Oregon.
June
Switzerland's Olympic champion triathlete Nicola Spirig switches to On and uses the Swiss-engineered cushioning technology to change things up, moving to track and field athletics with more intensive running sessions.
November
The Belgian Frederik Van Lierde wins the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii, wearing the new Cloudracer 2014.
February
With the On Cloud, On launches the world’s lightest fully cushioned running shoe.
March
Runner’s World magazine ranks On as one of the 20 most important running shoes in the USA, Great Britain and Germany.
February
The On Cloud wins the ISPO Gold Award for the Best Performance Shoe 2015/16.
May
On opens an office in Japan, further expanding its global footprint.
November
On presents the all-new Cloudflyer that offers stabilty, yet remains light and agile. At the same time, the new Cloudsurfer hits the shelves. Its open Cloud construction unleashes even more speed.
February
After winning Oscars for Birdman and Gravity, Mexican Emmanuel Chivo Lubezki earns his third consecutive Academy Award for best camera for his work in The Revenant. At the Oscar photoshoot for Variety he wears his preferred shoe: The On Cloud.
June
On expands its range of running shoes and launches the Cloudventure family. The Cloudventure is a lightweight trail running shoe, built to excel in demanding outdoor conditions. The soft landing of the CloudTec® cushioning lets runners own the downhill.
July
Six years after starting up, On introduces its own Performance Running Gear range, engineered to make running feel effortless.
August
Four years after winning gold at the 2012 London Olympic Games, Nicola Spirig wins silver in the women’s triathlon at Rio 2016.
November
On presents the Cloudflow. A record-breaking 18 Clouds propel precisely where you need it. Ready, set, flow.
January
On kicks off the year with 3,000 shops in over 50 countries carrying On shoes, while three million happy runners showcase the shoes on their feet.
July
Two new race shoes are launched with the Cloudflash (ISPO Product of the Year) and the Cloudrush underlining On's performance core.
August
A specially assembled refugee team competes at the World Athletics Championships in London, UK, wearing On Performance Running Gear designed specifically to help them shine on the world stage.
November
The next generation of a favorite is born with the new and improved Cloud, plus the launch of the all-new performance Cloud X for runners that remix their workouts.
April
The ultra-limited edition Cloud Edge sees the classic On Cloud taken to the edge with a street-ready Triple-Grey colorway. And sells out in no time.
May
The first On production documents the inspirational story of Ironman Tim Don’s battle back to elite Ironman competition after suffering a broken neck just days before the world championships.
May
With a time of 7:39:25 at the Ironman North American Championships, Matt Hanson beats the previous record of 7:40:23 set by his Team-On teammate Tim Don in the South American Championships the year before.
June
The most advanced On yet arrives with the Cloudace: an ISPO-Gold-Award-winning combination of maximum support and speed. As tested in a 24-hour round-the-world relay, the sensation is Seriously Ace.
August
Waterproof yet breathable, these all-weather editions of On-fan favorites mean you can get out for urban exploration, road runs or trail missions in any conditions. With the expanded waterproof collection, there are no excuses.
September
On’s first range of running socks arrives – The perfect high-performance pairing for running on clouds.
Running on clouds reaches new places with the opening of On offices in Australia, China and Brazil.
November
The clever cushioning of CloudTec® goes tougher for the trail with the addition of the Missiongrip™ rubber overlay. With its varied traction pattern and stud configuration, trail runners can truly own the downhill.
January
Two of the most prestigious running teams in the US start competing on clouds. Both On ZAP Endurance and the Mammoth Track Club start training and racing in On shoes and apparel for a Swiss-engineered advantage.
February
Helion™ foam, cushioning without compromise, drops to shake up the running game. Swiss-engineered specifically to do it all. Lightweight yet durable. Big on rebound and temperature resistance. In short, it’s everything you need to run on the road.
The first shoe to feature Helion™ is the Cloudswift. Made to perform on hard surfaces and protect from impact, and with a sock-like engineered upper for snug comfort, it’s the ultimate urban runner.
May
The first Run Your Local Mountain (RYLM) event is a huge success as more than 81,000 runners in 180 different countries team up to climb an incredible 21,104,426 meters in just one weekend – smashing the initial 10,000,000m target and having a lot of fun in the process.
June
Running on clouds gets taken to a new level. For the first time, two layers of CloudTec® combine to offer hierarchical and sequential cushioning in the revolutionary Cloudstratus.
July
The launch of the Cloudrock Waterproof marks the arrival of the first On hiking boot. At the same time, the next-generation Cloudventure Peak™ adds Missiongrip to the ultralight feel of its trail-racing predecessor.
July
To celebrate our origins in the Swiss alps, where the first On business plan was put together by our three co-founders while hiking in Engadin, we went back to the source and built the temporary On Mountain Hut. Completely self-sufficient and set up to leave no waste behind, it offered a home for two, constructed from sustainable materials in keeping with the alpine setting.
September
The iconic silhouette continues to evolve with the ballistic canvas of the Cloud Dip, the 3D-embossed upper of the Cloud Beam and the bold color blocking of the Cloud 70 | 30. The original limited-edition Cloud Edge evolves to become the Cloud Terry and is eclipsed as the fastest-selling On by the Cloud Edge Moon. Released to mark the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, this ultra-limited edition see over 50% of pairs sold within 15 minutes of launch.
November
By joining On as a co-entrepreneur, Roger becomes a close partner to our founders and the On team. He brings his unique experience to help take our product development, marketing and fan experiences to new levels. Roger will also play a role in developing the athlete spirit that’s at the core of our high-performing culture.
June
In an inspiring tale of unrelenting human spirit, RUN: The Athlete Refugee Team Story premieres on YouTube. Filmed over three years and three continents, the documentary follows 31 athletes from South Sudan, Rwanda, Somalia, Morocco and the Congo, as they attempt to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
July
The first product with Roger Federer’s golden touch arrives as THE ROGER Centre Court is revealed during ROGER Live, a unique interactive event with the Swiss maestro himself. The tennis-inspired all-day sneaker blends a timeless aesthetic with the lightweight comfort of CloudTec® and the agile performance of a hidden Speedboard®. It sells out instantly.
May
In a landmark moment, the Cloudnova, our first ever official sneaker, launches. Fusing performance running shoe tech with a street-ready silhouette for a new breed of shoe.
August
Made up of elite athletes from all over the globe, the On Athletics Club (or OAC) arrives on the competitive running scene. Led by three-time US Olympian and running legend Dathan Ritzenhein, we’ve got high hopes for the first official On team of athletes.
September
Our first fully-recyclable shoe is announced. Made from castor beans, it will be available only through subscription. Run in them, return them and we’ll give you new shoes. On repeat. 100% recyclable. 100% performance. The shoe is part of the Cyclon project, which is all about making a real commitment to producing sustainable gear and that includes apparel. Stay tuned for more...
March
The Cloudultra, our first running shoe for ultra distances, launches. Winning awards for trail running innovation straight away.
March
The first-ever On tennis shoe, THE ROGER Pro, developed by Roger with the On Lab is announced. Two years in the making, this one-of-a-kind competition shoe was the original technology inspiration for THE ROGER sneaker collection. It was worn by Roger Federer as he made his comeback from injury at the 2021 Qatar Open in Doha.
Today
On continues to grow and so does our team of bright minds who think fast and think different. Think you could keep up? Then put your application on the start line. Visit our Careers page to see current opportunities.
