AI is not optimistic (m)

Posted on September 18, 2026 at 10:38:33 AM by LS&Play

If On Running ever collapses like Allbirds, it will start with over-saturation. Once a brand goes from high-end running shoe to the uniform of every accountant, dentist, and tech commuter in the city, the cool factor evaporates. The early adopters move on to the next niche trend, leaving the brand heavily reliant on mainstream consumers.
Then come the product fatigue and design quirks. Those signature hollow soles are great for a clean look, but they quickly turn into gravel collectors and lose their bounce over time. Once the hype dies down, bloated inventory and a lack of true athletic performance loyalty lead straight to heavy discounting and clearance-rack purgatory.

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Thread:

I have literally never heard of On Cloud until today nor have I ever heard someone in real life mention it.* - By LS&Play September 18, 2026 at 10:04:06 AM
- I am 35 and wear them as my primary walk around the city. They are comfortable. I wouldn’t run in any because feel like all models have too much bottom/tread/whatever. - By harbaughdyssey September 18, 2026 at 11:41:33 AM
- They were primarily 50+ and nurse sneakers (m) - By Kashama September 18, 2026 at 10:43:44 AM
  - Plenty of high school and college students wear them, imagine frat bros.* - By MasterBates September 18, 2026 at 11:12:33 AM
- Daughters housemate has a pair, so the utes have found them too* - By MFlyer September 18, 2026 at 10:38:55 AM
- Athletic wear for non-athletes. (nm) - By suede September 18, 2026 at 10:31:34 AM
  - AI is not optimistic (m) - By LS&Play September 18, 2026 at 10:38:33 AM
    - The funniest thing is that On is not even in the top two tiers of shoes preferred by runners. Adidas, Nike, Puma, Asics, Brooks, Hoka all more preferred. (nm) - By suede September 18, 2026 at 10:46:35 AM
      - They do kinda suck. Mine blew out quickly and I use them to cut grass* - By Cincywolve September 18, 2026 at 10:51:40 AM
- I was given a pair. Don’t particularly love them personally* - By WOK September 18, 2026 at 10:30:26 AM
- you would recognize the shoes you see out in the wilds of smyrna if you googled.** - By kal September 18, 2026 at 10:30:00 AM
- I’ve heard of And One but not On Cloud. Sounds Chinese like Super Dry.* - By Lodz September 18, 2026 at 10:24:10 AM
- they are popular and high end. I splurged. 200 is too much for casual running shoes but I'm not 18 anymore and they are comfortable* - By chiwalker September 18, 2026 at 10:14:04 AM
  - Is it like the All Birds craze from a while back? Assuming it’s another shoe fad that will collapse but then again I know nothing about shoes* - By LS&Play September 18, 2026 at 10:19:55 AM
    - don't think so. I liked all birds but they were ugly. Comfortable at first but then just like any other shoe. All birds was massively aided by 1 NYT article - By chiwalker September 18, 2026 at 10:34:08 AM
      - I tried Allbirds based on uncw mentioning he liked them. I liked the pair I bought* - By MFlyer September 18, 2026 at 10:37:31 AM
    - No. Swiss company with lots of big names. * - By Cincywolve September 18, 2026 at 10:22:43 AM
      - Big names in the US or just Europe?* - By Lodz September 18, 2026 at 10:29:16 AM
        
        Roger Federer involved. Ben Shelton* - By Cincywolve September 18, 2026 at 10:32:34 AM
        
        Shelton joining NB. (nm) - By suede September 18, 2026 at 10:48:45 AM
- really? They are quite popular* - By DoctorD September 18, 2026 at 10:12:51 AM
  - Apparently not with anyone around the age of 30.* - By LS&Play September 18, 2026 at 10:13:57 AM
    - I see them on dozens of people in their late 20s, early 30s in the hospital every day* - By DoctorD September 18, 2026 at 10:53:29 AM
- Have you heard of Crocs? OLD SOLDIER* - By Cincywolve September 18, 2026 at 10:10:55 AM
- You have seen them, kinda weird looking running shoes with a small OC logo on them.* - By MasterBates September 18, 2026 at 10:09:29 AM
  - Possibly, but I’m not a shoe guy at all* - By LS&Play September 18, 2026 at 10:13:16 AM

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AI is not optimistic (m)