These Three-Minute, Spray-On Sneakers that weigh just 170g are super cool and have a pretty solid pedigree already. We first saw the Swiss ON's revolutionary technology on Kenyan runner Hellen Obiri. Hellen is the only woman to have won indoor, outdoor and cross-country world titles. She won this year’s Boston Marathon wearing a pairì and Bronze in the Paris Olympcis Marathon.
As someone watching the convergence of tech, sport, and sustainability, On’s latest innovation, LightSpray, is a remarkable pivot in sneaker production. Imagine a pair of trainers created in just three minutes, sprayed into form by a robotic arm.
This matters . I think On is shaping the future of athletic footwear
- Innovation at Speed: With LightSpray, On’s robotic arm sprays a quick-drying coating onto a mould with a sole, creating a full trainer in record time—three minutes. That’s a game-changer for efficiency in a typically labour-intensive industry.
- Eco-Friendly Efficiency: The process drastically reduces textile waste, manufacturing stages, and environmental impact. On’s spray-on method allows for near-zero waste production—a shift that resonates as more consumers seek sustainable options.
- Form Meets Function: These shoes fit like a sock, and each men’s pair, are about 200g lighter than several popular running shoes of the same size. With no heel-cap, laces or tongue, the translucent, sock-like sneaker looks like a running shoe that has shed weight like Ozempic.
- Brand Evolution: Known for CloudTec and the original water-pipe-inspired sole, On is now taking its tech up a notch, challenging giants like Nike and adidas. The brand has already achieved high growth (70-80% annually), proving that technical innovation paired with cultural clout works.
- Celebrity and Athletic Backing: From Roger Federer’s stake to endorsements by top athletes, On leverages high-profile collaborations to build credibility. Even at the New York Marathon, Hellen Obiri took second place in LightSpray shoes, a live endorsement if ever there was one.
Looking ahead, On’s goal is to scale LightSpray to more models and reduce costs. A step closer to a sustainable, tech-driven future for sportswear that holds the potential to redefine how we think about running shoes. Exciting to watch. Love this
