WARNING: The information described in this diagnosis is for illustrative purposes only. Always entrust physical intervention to a qualified professional in technical footwear repair.
CHECK 1
Purpose: Identify delamination (detachment) of the Speedboard® plate from the Helion™ foam.
Probability: High (65%). This is the most frequent failure for creaking and localized collapse.
Action:
- Visual and tactile inspection: Carefully observe the edges of the Speedboard® visible in the CloudTec® channels of the sole. Look for micro-cracks or areas where the plate has slightly separated from the surrounding foam.
- Manual flexion test under load: Grasp the shoe with both hands and flex it vigorously along the longitudinal axis, focusing on the medial and forefoot areas. Listen carefully: a "damp" or "plastic" creak that clearly manifests during flexion almost certainly indicates rubbing between the plate and the foam due to deteriorated adhesive.
If your On Cloud shoes creak with every step, this annoying noise is often caused precisely by the micro-rubbing of the Speedboard plate against the Helion foam. A common problem that can be solved by restoring the correct cohesion between the materials with the right products.
Key signals: Constant and localized creaking (often medial/forefoot), absence of obvious cracks on the plate but possible perception of a slight detachment between the materials.
Why it happens: The polyurethane adhesive, subjected to cyclic stress and thermal variations, can lose adhesion, creating a micro-interstice where the rigid plate rubs against the elastic foam.
Common mistake: Confusing this creaking with noises from pebbles stuck in the sole. Always clean the sole thoroughly before checking.
| Check | Main Purpose | Key Signals | Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1: Speedboard Delamination | Identify plate detachment from foam | "Damp/plastic" creak, micro-cracks, slight detachment | High (65%) |
| 2: Speedboard Breakage | Diagnose structural crack of the plate | Dry "click", sudden collapse, loss of responsiveness | Medium (25%) |
| 3: Helion Foam Collapse | Evaluate intrinsic deformation of the foam | Permanent deformations, perceptible collapses, "sinking" | Low (10%) |
CHECK 2
Purpose: Diagnose a breakage or structural crack of the Speedboard® plate.
Probability: Medium (25%). Less common than delamination, but more serious.
Action:
- In-depth visual inspection: Use a powerful, focused flashlight to illuminate the inside of the Helion™ sole channels and the transverse slits where the Speedboard® is exposed. Look for clear fracture lines or transverse/longitudinal cracks in the thermoplastic polymer of the plate.
- Localized compression test: Press with a finger or a blunt object on the area of the sole where you feel the collapse. If the plate is broken, you will hear a dry "click" and the area will yield more markedly and asymmetrically than the rest of the sole.
Key signals: Sharp, dry "click" sound under load, structural collapse sudden and localized (the shoe "sinks" or tilts), almost total loss of responsiveness during push-off.
Why it happens: The Speedboard® can fracture due to material fatigue, especially after impacts or prolonged use in extreme conditions, nullifying its ability to distribute loads.
Output for technician: "Check for micro-fractures or fatigue cracks along the body of the Speedboard®."
CHECK 3
Purpose: Evaluate the intrinsic structural collapse of the Helion™ foam.
Probability: Low (10%). Usually a consequence, not the primary cause of creaking.
Action:
- Sole flatness check: Place the shoe on a flat, rigid surface (e.g., a table). Observe if the sole shows permanent deformations, perceptible collapses, or an abnormal inclination of the support axis, even when the shoe is unloaded.
- CloudTec® module height comparison: If possible, compare the height of the CloudTec® modules in the affected area with those of an intact shoe (or the twin shoe if unaffected). A significant difference indicates "yielding" of the foam.
Key signals: Sole collapse without obvious creaking, perceptible permanent deformation of the CloudTec® modules even at rest, sensation of localized "sinking" during walking.
Counter-example: If you hear a pronounced creaking, it is less likely that the cause is solely foam collapse; it is more likely associated with Speedboard® delamination or breakage.
Cost: This is not an effectively repairable fault; the cost of an intervention to restore the foam's properties would exceed the value of the footwear.
CONCLUSION
If CHECK 1 (damp/plastic creak, micro-cracks) confirms probable Speedboard® delamination (65%), contact a specialized technician in sports footwear. Repair is complex and requires the use of specific adhesives such as Kövulfix polyurethane shoe glue, combined with a Loctite plastic and rubber activator primer. It will also be necessary to use a Bosch Professional heat gun and spring clamps to ensure correct pressure during bonding. The estimated cost is €10-€20 for materials and €25-€50 for labor, making it an economically viable solution. If CHECK 2 (dry click, perceptible plate breakage) or CHECK 3 (permanent foam deformation without creaking) are positive (overall probability 35%), repair is often uneconomical or ineffective for the performance required by a technical shoe; in these cases, device replacement (the footwear) is the most recommended decision to avoid biomechanical risks and ensure cushioning effectiveness.
ReeFix provides this diagnosis EXCLUSIVELY for educational and informational purposes.
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