Without fear of innovation, On has managed to position its technology among the most sought-after and create a distinct style.
On, the origins and Olivier Bernhard
It all started in the Alps. Olivier Bernhard, a former duathlon athlete who won the long distance World Championships in 1998 and 1999, was looking for new sensations in his daily training shoes. His goal was to combine a soft feel with reactivity, keeping you on the move. The “Eureka” moment occurred, as it often does, in an unexpected situation: stepping on a hose. It was only an idea, but it inspired the creation of the first prototypes, which, while not perfect, served to open up a wide range of possibilities.
The experience was to take you on a walk among the clouds; the goal was to create the best performance shoe, with cushioned landings and powerful impulses, with a Swiss design that balanced engineering and style.
The birth of On
In 2010, Olivier Bernhard’s idea became a reality with the addition of Caspar Coppetti and David Allemann, two of his friends with whom he decided to form On. His first success came directly from the industry, with an ISPO Brandnew award for innovation only a few months after the brand’s official launch. Of course, it was not their only success; as their products received awards, cushioning sensations and style with a distinct Swiss design hit the streets.
On, founded by a triathlete in the mountains, provided an easy way to advance in running and outdoor activities. Its technical superiority resulted in sporting success in the sports for which it was developed, attracting the attention of a diverse range of athletes. Roger Federer joined On as a collaborator and investor in 2019, propelling the brand’s expansion into new contexts while remaining true to the brand’s core ideas of technology, sustainability, and movement.
Technology, sustainability, movement
CloudTec technology absorbs shock, reduces pressure and adapts the footprint to create a unique, cloud-like walking sensation. CloudTec responds to every movement, compressing horizontally and vertically just where it is needed, with performance adapted to each model.
Progress and evolution according to On can only be understood from a sustainable future, that is why it develops new foams such as CleanCloud, created from recycled and bio-based materials. In addition, On works on the circularity of its products starting from the design itself and is developing complete circularity systems involving reverse trade platforms (Onward™) or the Cyclon™ circularity program, a subscription project that allows the total recycling of sneakers.
A brand created by athletes for athletes, with a strong emphasis on style, as evidenced by collaborations with Loewe, Post Archive Faction (PAF), Ronnie Fieg, and Bang & Olufsen that take unexpected directions.
On’s main silhouettes for running (Cloudmonster, Cloudrunner), trail (Cloudvista, Cloudsurfer), lifestyle (Cloud5, Cloudtilt) or tennis (THE ROGER), are available at FOOTDISTRICT.