Swiss sportswear brand On has introduced an innovative technology called LightSpray, which can ‘spray’ a high-performance, lightweight upper onto a shoe in just three minutes. This groundbreaking process results in a remarkably light running shoe, weighing only 170g for a men’s US8.5 size. For comparison, the Nike Alphafly 3 weighs 201g in the same size. The weight advantage of On’s shoe comes from its sock-like upper, which weighs just 30g. The only supershoe lighter than this is the adidas Adizero Adios Pro Evo 1, at a mere 140g for unisex US8.5.
While a slight reduction in weight might seem insignificant to the average runner, it can be crucial for elite athletes pushing the limits in long-distance running. This minor weight loss could mean the difference between winning and losing, or even setting a new world record.
Hellen Obiri, the winner of the 2024 Boston Marathon, wore a development version of the shoe, hinting at its innovative design. Initially, it was assumed that the upper was a wrap concealing something novel, but it turns out the integrated upper itself is the major innovation.
On hopes LightSpray will help them catch up to industry leaders like Nike and Adidas, who have a huge head-start on them in terms of size. While On’s sales were up 55% to $2 billion in 2023, it is still dwarfed by Nike ($51.2 billion) and Adidas’ ($23.2 billion) sales figures in 2023. Perhaps LightSpray’s ultra-light design can help level the playing field a bit.
