Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes vs On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes

9.0/10 Excellent

4.5★ (12,400 owners)

Boost midsole, Primeknit+ upper, Linear Energy Push, 11mm drop. Energy-return road runner.

Full Review

On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes

9.1/10 Excellent

4.5★ (18,400 owners)

CloudTec pods, zero-gravity foam, versatile road + casual, 255g lightweight. Swiss engineering.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes	On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes
247Verdict Score	9.0/10	9.1/10
Owner Rating	4.5★ (12,400)	4.5★ (18,400)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent
Foam	Boost (energy return)	Zero-gravity
Reviews	12,400 at 4.5★	18,400 at 4.5★

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes: Boost midsole, Primeknit+ upper, Linear Energy Push, 11mm drop. Energy-return road runner. On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes: CloudTec pods, zero-gravity foam, versatile road + casual, 255g lightweight. Swiss engineering. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes

Boost midsole is the original energy-return foam that influenced every subsequent running shoe foam
Primeknit+ upper is breathable and adapts to foot shape without pressure points
Linear Energy Push plate guides the foot through efficient toe-off geometry
12,400 Amazon reviews at 4.5★ from runners who've tested Ultraboost over multiple generations
Adidas's running shoe engineering applied to the lifestyle-to-performance crossover shoe

Less maximal cushioning than Hoka Clifton — not ideal for high-mileage easy running
SPEEDROLL alternatives like Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are faster for tempo work
Premium pricing at £150+ for a shoe that sells as much on style as performance

On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes

CloudTec pod system compresses independently on impact for adaptive cushioning from Swiss engineering
Zero-gravity foam midsole is lightweight at 255g while delivering significant impact absorption
Versatile enough for running, walking and casual wear — one shoe for multiple contexts
18,400 Amazon reviews at 4.5★ validate comfort across diverse use patterns
On's Swiss engineering heritage from 2010 — founded by Roger Federer's training partner

CloudTec pods are distinctive — aesthetics are bold and not universally appreciated
Less maximal cushioning than Hoka Clifton for high-mileage marathon training
£140+ is premium pricing for a running shoe

FAQ

Which is better, Adidas Ultraboost 23 or On Cloud 5 Running &?

Is the Adidas Ultraboost 23 worth the extra cost?

The On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Adidas Ultraboost 23 best suited to?

Boost midsole, Primeknit+ upper, Linear Energy Push, 11mm drop. Energy-return road runner.

Who is the On Cloud 5 Running & best suited to?

CloudTec pods, zero-gravity foam, versatile road + casual, 255g lightweight. Swiss engineering.

What are the main downsides of each?

Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes: Less maximal cushioning than Hoka Clifton — not ideal for high-mileage easy running; SPEEDROLL alternatives like Saucony Endorphin Speed 4 are faster for tempo work. On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes: CloudTec pods are distinctive — aesthetics are bold and not universally appreciated; Less maximal cushioning than Hoka Clifton for high-mileage marathon training.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Adidas Ultraboost 23 Running Shoes sits at 4.5★ from 12,400 verified Amazon owners, and On Cloud 5 Running & Walking Shoes at 4.5★ from 18,400.

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