On Cloudboom Strike LS vs Asics Metaspeed Ray:
Which to Choose

October 16, 2026

Verdict

These two are closer than almost any cross-brand pairing you'll compare — same stack, same near-flat drop, same tippy neutral race-only brief — so the decision is about feel and weight, not purpose. Go with the Metaspeed Ray if you're a forefoot striker chasing the lightest possible, firm-and-snappy ride, and the Cloudboom Strike LS if you want a softer, bouncier shoe with a full-length rocker and a more wrapped, secure fit. Both will deliver a PB in the right legs; pick the one whose ride matches your stride.

On Cloudboom Strike LS

310.00 USD

Asics Metaspeed Ray

286.00 USD

Pace

6 of 6

Cushioning

5 of 6

Responsiveness

6 of 6

Stability

2 of 6

Drop

4 mm

Support

Neutral

Plate

Carbon

Distances

HalfMarathon

Pace

6 of 6

Cushioning

5 of 6

Responsiveness

6 of 6

Stability

1 of 6

Drop

5 mm

Support

Neutral

Plate

Carbon

Distances

HalfMarathon

At a Glance

On Cloudboom Strike LSAsics Metaspeed Ray

Who Should Choose Each Shoe

Choose

On Cloudboom Strike LS

Choose the Cloudboom Strike LS if you want a little more forgiveness in a race shoe — the softer, bouncier Helion foam and full-length plate deliver a smooth, continuous forward roll that suits heel-to-midfoot strikers and runners who want consistent propulsion across the whole stride rather than a pure forefoot snap. It's the pick for the marathoner who values a locked-in, wrapped midfoot feel from the sprayed upper and a touch more cushioning character on long efforts. If you're racing the half or full and want super-shoe propulsion that stays composed without demanding a razor-sharp forefoot turnover, this is the one.

Choose

Asics Metaspeed Ray

Choose the Metaspeed Ray if you're a forefoot-oriented runner with a strong, well-controlled stride who wants the absolute lightest shoe on the start line — at around 129g it's dramatically lighter than the Strike LS, and that matters most to runners counting grams in the back half of a marathon. Its firmer FF Leap foam and three-quarter plate reward a quick, aggressive turnover with a sharp, eager springback rather than a plush roll. It's the choice for the confident marathon racer who can hold 3:00–3:20 min/km and wants a shoe that feels feathery and urgent, accepting even less stability and durability as the price.

Head-to-Head

Start with the specs that are genuinely close: both sit near the 40mm World Athletics limit (the Strike LS at about 39.5mm heel / 35.5mm forefoot, the Ray at 40mm / 35mm), both run a near-flat offset (4mm vs 5mm), and both are unapologetically neutral, tall, narrow race platforms that feel tippy and unsettled at jogging pace and only come alive once you're truly moving. The decisive difference is weight: the Metaspeed Ray is one of the lightest super shoes ever made at roughly 129g in a men's US 9, while the Cloudboom Strike LS lands around 183g — a gap of over 50g that you feel on every late-race stride. The other real split is character. The Strike LS pairs PEBA-class Helion HyperFoam with a full-length carbon Speedboard, so the ride is softer, bouncier, and rolls you through the entire footstrike with an aggressive forward motion. The Ray runs firmer FF Leap (aliphatic TPU) over a three-quarter, forefoot-biased carbon plate, so it springs back sharply and snaps off the toe with a little forefoot flex rather than one continuous rocker. Uppers differ too: On's sprayed, seamless LightSpray build locks the midfoot snugly but offers no adjustability, while the Ray's woven MATRYX upper is minimal and breathable. Both sacrifice everyday durability and stability for race-day speed, with the Ray's extreme paring-back the more uncompromising of the two.