On Running Is Finally Ramping Up Production of Its 'Hyper-Foam' Spray-On Shoes

"Specifically, the company is focusing on the production of its newest, weirdest shoe-a giant soled laceless running shoe with a single-piece toe box made of "hyper-foam" plastics sprayed on by robot arms. The plastics are 40 percent biofoam, and the shoe is made of just eight pieces; On says its minimalist approach saves on the shoe's carbon footprint."

"The LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is a switch-up from On's first shoe that uses its sprayed-on toe box technique, the Cloudboom Strike LS. Along with adding the LightSpray branding to the thing, the primary difference is the switch to the Cloudmonster model, which, in On shoe lore, tends to provide more cushy soles. This new version has 20 percent more foam, for all those runners who like a squishy bounce."

"While WIRED liked the first iteration of the LightSpray shoe, nobody else, except for a few hand-picked marathon runners, had a chance to use it. Production runs were very limited, and the shoes were prohibitively expensive. Now, On has beefed up production in South Korea, enabling it to expand its overall production of LightSpray shoes 30-fold in 2026."

On, a rapidly growing Swiss shoe company valued at $3 billion, announced three new shoe models and opened a production facility in South Korea to significantly increase manufacturing capacity. The flagship product is the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, featuring a minimalist eight-piece design with a single-piece toe box made from robot-sprayed hyper-foam containing 40 percent biofoam, reducing carbon footprint. Weighing 205 grams and priced at $280, the shoe offers 20 percent more foam than its predecessor for enhanced cushioning. Limited North American release begins March 5, with global expansion April 16. On plans to expand LightSpray production 30-fold in 2026, making the previously exclusive racing technology available to mainstream runners beyond elite athletes.

Read at WIRED