We are forever fans of Swiss engineering here at MR PORTER, given the country’s status as the home of the luxury wristwatch. It would make sense that a nation dedicated to impeccable timing should draw on this expertise elsewhere. So, how about a little Swiss ingenuity on your feet? Step forward ON, the Zurich-based brand, which, for more than a decade, has been injecting serious blue-sky thinking into running.

Its foundations lie in ON’s proprietary CloudTec technology, an innovation designed to support your every stride. Beyond making you stand out in style on the starting line, perhaps the most ingenious aspect is that you can see the science in action. All On sneakers feature hollow elements made of foam (the Cloud moniker comes from their resemblance to the meteorological phenomenon) that compress for a soft landing and then rebound for a serious boost to your take-off.

The newest model, the Cloudmonster 2, has been bolstered with superfoam to ensure optimal forward-rolling, plus extensive padding around the heel, all of which should mean a considerably more comfortable run for you.

If all this makes speed trials sound positively blissful, that’s because the brains behind ON have done the legwork. The brand was founded in 2010 in the Swiss Alps by former duathlon champion Mr Olivier Bernhard, who used pieces of a garden hose to develop a prototype running shoe. Since then, ON has made its mission to apply cutting-edge tech to the simple effort of putting one foot in front of the other.

In this regard, ON applies its engineering know-how to the entire running machine (that’s you, by the way), developing performance-enhancing kit from head to toe. Take for example its ergonomic socks, knitted for arch support and padded stress points. Similarly, ON’s Pace Shorts are not just a strong look for half marathon days. Cut from CleanCloud® fabric, which is made using recycled carbon emissions, they are part of a collection that encourages motion while reducing environmental impact.

ON is high-performance apparel that will ensure you do 30 minutes on the treadmill in some style (the brand’s new collaboration with South Korean brand Post Archive Faction is a particularly fine example). But this is gear that positively encourages you to break out into the fresh air, expertly engineered for everything the road can throw at you.

Again, pieces are designed to ensure you give it your best shot and – hear us out – enjoy that steep uphill climb (the view’s amazing, we promise). ON’s latest range also includes a Zero Cap, which has a flexible brim that can be adjusted to shield from the sun and ensure you get to savour the stunning panorama.

The weather won’t hold you back, either. Long-sleeved T-shirts come in breathable mesh, sufficiently lightweight for sunnier days and can be layered up when cold. In chillier weather, nothing beats a pair of ON’s Performance Tights, worn under shorts. Designed to ensure the most comfortable run possible, these are made from high-stretch fabrics that wick sweat and dry fast, using considered materials.

Which brings us to the other strand of innovation at ON: its goal of a more sustainable future. Ambition is as high here as it is on designing performance running gear. ON boldly envisions a future where each of its pieces is fossil free and circular. It is making great strides in that direction with the likes of its Cyclon range, a collection of T-shirts and sneakers specifically designed to be recycled, and the aforementioned Pace collection, made by reshaping carbon emissions into running apparel. But if your mind is a bit blown by that or any of the science behind the brand’s sportswear, don’t sweat it. ON is about doing the hard maths on high-performance gear, so all you have to do is run.