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Olivier Bernhard: From World Champion to Design Visionary in Running Footwear

Before Olivier Bernhard helped redefine running shoes, he was best known for dominating the world of endurance sports. As a three-time world duathlon champion and a multiple-time Ironman finisher, Bernhard spent his career pushing physical limits. But his legacy extends far beyond the podium: he became the rare athlete who transitioned from user to creator, designing gear that solved the problems of running shoes he once had to endure.



From Garden Hoses to Groundbreaking Design

After retiring from competition, Bernhard couldn’t shake his frustration with conventional running shoes. They were either too cushioned and slow or too fast and unforgiving. Instead of settling, he turned his dissatisfaction into experimentation, cutting up pieces of garden hose and gluing them to the soles of shoes. The goal was simple yet radical: create a sole that could land softly but rebound explosively.


“I wanted to create a running sensation that no one had ever felt before, something that combined a cushioned landing with a firm, responsive push-off.”Olivier Bernhard

This crude prototype laid the foundation for CloudTec®, the signature sole design of On Running. While others chased thinner, sleeker silhouettes, Bernhard leaned into function, and in doing so, created a form that would become iconic.



Beyond the Pod: Design Contributions That Shaped On

Bernhard’s impact went far beyond inventing CloudTec. As the brand developed, his hands-on role in product evolution continued to influence every layer of shoe design:


  • CloudTec Geometry: Bernhard co-developed the signature “cloud” pods, focusing on vertical compression for cushioning and horizontal motion for rebound. He insisted each pod worked independently, which led to the dynamic, segmented midsole On is known for.

  • Fit and Ride: Using his athlete intuition, he shaped the heel-to-toe transition, rocker geometry, and low-drop construction for natural stride mechanics. The shoes were meant to disappear on foot, enhancing performance without distraction.

  • Uppers by Testing: He ran in every prototype, offering notes that improved mesh airflow, overlay placement, and lockdown feel. His experience informed the upper design that was lightweight yet secure.

  • Iterative Process: Bernhard championed fast prototyping and real-world athlete testing before any shoe moved forward. This athlete-first method became part of On’s design culture.

  • Performance Aesthetics: He influenced the visual identity of On, tech-forward but clean, where the underside of the shoe became a defining feature, not just the upper.




Athlete-Led, Athlete-Tested

Even as On scaled into a global brand, Bernhard remained at the heart of its performance testing and product development. His influence is felt not only in the cushioning system, but in the way On shoes fit, flex, and respond. From the lightweight Cloudflow to the daily Cloudswift, the essence of each model can be traced back to his original vision.


Rather than chasing trends, Bernhard focused on solving problems athletes didn't even know they had, making his work timeless rather than trendy.


Redefining What a “Designer” Is

Olivier Bernhard’s story blurs the lines between athlete, inventor, and designer. He didn’t enter the industry through art school or fashion, it was his relentless pursuit of better performance that created one of the most recognizable silhouettes in modern footwear.


In a design world that often separates creativity from utility, Bernhard proved that sometimes, the most disruptive ideas come from the people using the product. He didn't start with sketches; he started with pain points. That difference, rooted in use, not aesthetics, is what continues to define his legacy today.


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