On Running’s share price has more than doubled throughout 2024. Their approach to innovation and sustainability has captured the global running community, putting other athletic brands on notice. On’s latest invention is called LightSpray™, inspired by Spiderman’s web-slinger, it uses robotic precision to spray ultra-thin shoe uppers onto foot molds.
From Swiss origins to global innovation, On Running was founded in 2010 by Olivier Bernhard, Caspar Coppetti, and David Allemann in Zurich, Switzerland. The company’s inception was driven by Olivier Bernhard, a former professional athlete and three-time world duathlon champion, who sought to revolutionise running shoes. Dissatisfied with existing options, Bernhard collaborated with a Swiss engineer to prototype a shoe featuring unique cushioning elements designed for both soft landings and explosive take-offs. This was the beginning of the now patented CloudTec® technology, which is the foundation of On Running’s philosophy: Performance-driven innovation coupled with sleek, minimalist Swiss design.
On Running started to gain significant momentum in 2019 when tennis legend Roger Federer joined as an investor and collaborator. Federer’s involvement went beyond financial backing; he contributed to product development, including designing the Roger Pro, a tennis-inspired lifestyle shoe. His partnership underscored On’s commitment to blending performance with lifestyle.
In 2023, On Running went one step further, announcing actress and style icon Zendaya as a brand ambassador. Her collaboration focused on showcasing On’s aesthetic appeal in lifestyle settings, continuing to bridge the gap between sportswear and fashion. 
Equal to On Running’s celebrity endorsements and marketing, is their commitment to innovation and sustainability. In 2024, On unveiled its LightSpray technology, a cutting-edge, single-step process to manufacture shoe uppers. The innovation uses robotic precision to spray ultra-thin, seamless, and recyclable uppers directly onto molds. The result is a feather-light shoe, ideal for elite runners. This process reduces carbon emissions by 75% compared to traditional methods and eliminates waste from adhesives and excess materials.
The LightSpray technology demonstrates how inspiration can emerge from the most unexpected sources and lead to tangible real-world applications. For LightSpray, it all began with a simple Halloween decoration.
Johannes Voelchert, now a senior member of On’s innovation team, came across a video showcasing filament-like “spiderwebs” created using a hot glue gun. Fascinated by the ability to rapidly form intricate shapes from a textile, Johannes developed the concept further and unveiled it as a spray-on shoe at the Milan Design Fair.
I saw there was a quick way of creating a textile onto a complex shape. A shoe seemed to be the right object.
Innovation Design Lead at On., Johannes Voelchert
LightSpray sets On Running apart as a leader in sustainable sportswear manufacturing. However, other brands are also exploring similar sustainable innovations. Adidas has developed its Futurecraft Loop, a fully recyclable running shoe made from one material without adhesives. Similarly, Nike’s Flyknit technology minimises waste by knitting uppers with precision-engineered patterns. While these innovations emphasise sustainability, On’s LightSpray stands out for its unique robotic application process.
On Running’s commitment to sustainability and cutting-edge technology positions it as a leader in reshaping the future of performance footwear.
