Is This Exclusive New Lifestyle Sneaker On’s Answer to Adidas’s Stan Smith?

With a nod to the courts, the Cloudnova Form 2 “Abundant Green” elevates everyday casual footwear — and looks damn good in the process.

On Cloudnova Form 2 Abundant Green macro

By Steve Mazzucchi

Published March 25, 2025

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Updated March 25, 2025

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Fun fact #1: One of the most iconic sneakers in history was originally called “The Adidas Robert Haillet.”

Launched in 1965 and named for a prominent French tennis player of the time, the shoe did not pick up the Stan Smith moniker until 1978.

Most of the 30 million-plus pairs sold have come during the association with that American player.

on-cloudnova-form-2-abundant-green-hero — On’s tennis-themed lifestyle shoe opens up the color palette a bit more than the classic Stan Smith does.

Fun fact #2: Sixty years since that shoe first appeared, a fast-rising 15-year-old Swiss brand has issued a more technical alternative that has my attention.

As closely associated as On is with tennis legend (and On shareholder) Roger Federer, I’m not talking about “The Roger.”

I’m talking about an exclusive drop available only at Revolve and FWRD, the Cloudnova Form 2 “Abundant Green.”

Court of appeal

So what makes this shoe a worthy rival to the Stan Smith?

From an aesthetic standpoint, it bears some similarity, highlighted by a minimalist, primarily white upper and midsole.

on-cloudnova-form-2-abundant-green-top — Thanks to a bit of branding on the insole, you’ll never forget where you got this pair.

However, while the Stan Smith accents the white with only a bit of green around the ankle and at the tongue — complete with Smith’s portrait — On’s offering extends beyond swatches of green at the ankle, toe and tongue.

It includes references to not only tennis but also Swiss watchmaking via bits of yellow and gold in these areas as well as at the heel and the upper.

on-cloudnova-form-2-abundant-green-outsole — The Cloudnova Form 2 boasts a much more technical outsole, bursting with energy return and traction.

And though no one would mistake the original for technical footwear — not even Adidas or Stan Smith themselves would make that case — On can’t help but carry modern innovations into even a lifestyle shoe.

Toward that end, the Cloudnova Form 2 features a perforated microfiber tongue, a comfort-boosting Zero-Gravity foam midsole and of course a flexible energy-returning Speedboard.

on-cloudnova-form-2-abundant-green-court — These shoes rise to the level of court-worthy not only with their looks but with their underpinnings.

So, while very few sneakers rival the Stan Smith in terms of staying power, and these are both essentially lifestyle shoes, it’s safe to say the new guy is a better bet should an actual tennis match break out.