Lidl’s £13 Trainers Compared With £150 On Cloudtilt Shoes

Published: 11 September 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Lidl is preparing to put a new range of budget-friendly fitness products on sale across the UK, including a pair of £12.99 trainers that could attract shoppers looking for the appearance of a more expensive designer-style running shoe without the corresponding price tag.

The CRIVIT Ladies’ Trainers are due to arrive in Lidl stores on Sunday, September 20, as part of the supermarket’s latest Middle of Lidl fitness promotion. The range will include the trainers in black and white, while a men’s version will also be available for the same £12.99 price. Lidl’s official fitness promotion confirms that the wider CRIVIT event runs from September 20 to September 26, subject to availability.

The release is likely to appeal to consumers who have become increasingly conscious of the cost of sportswear. With household budgets still influencing everyday spending, affordable alternatives to premium trainers can offer a way for shoppers to update their wardrobes without paying the prices associated with specialist footwear brands.

The Lidl shoes have a relatively straightforward design, with the women’s versions available in black and white. According to the product information supplied by Lidl, they feature a breathable mesh upper and textile lining intended to improve comfort. Each shoe also comes with a removable memory-foam insole, adding another feature that could make them attractive for everyday wear.

Their appearance has prompted comparisons with the increasingly popular Cloudtilt range from Swiss sportswear company On. The comparison is primarily visual and price-related rather than an indication that the two products have identical construction or performance. The £12.99 Lidl trainers should therefore be viewed as a budget alternative for shoppers who like the general aesthetic of contemporary lightweight trainers, rather than as a direct technical equivalent of the On shoe.

The price difference is substantial. On currently lists its Cloudtilt at £150 in the UK, meaning the Lidl pair costs £137.01 less.

On describes the Cloudtilt as a lightweight, ultra-cushioned shoe designed for all-day movement and city walking. Its construction includes the company’s CloudTec Phase cushioning system, which is designed to promote smooth weight transfer, while the midsole uses Helion superfoam for energy return. The shoe also features an engineered mesh upper and a sock-style construction with speed laces.

That specification helps explain why the two products sit at very different points in the market. While Lidl is competing on affordability and everyday practicality, On positions the Cloudtilt as a technically developed premium lifestyle and performance-inspired shoe.

On’s current UK range shows several Cloudtilt versions at £150, including women’s and men’s models. The company describes the footwear as being made for city strolling, with a combination of cushioning, lightweight construction and a contemporary silhouette.

The contrast nevertheless illustrates the growing popularity of budget retailers offering products influenced by mainstream fashion and fitness trends. Consumers do not necessarily need to choose between traditional inexpensive trainers and highly technical sports footwear. Increasingly, supermarket clothing ranges are designed around the same broad visual language seen in specialist sportswear: streamlined shapes, mesh uppers, chunky midsoles and neutral colour combinations.

For shoppers, the attraction of the Lidl trainers is likely to be particularly strong because of the relatively low financial commitment. At £12.99, the shoes cost less than one-tenth of the current £150 price of the Cloudtilt. That difference may matter to customers who want a pair for walking, casual exercise, travel or general day-to-day use rather than those seeking a specialist running shoe.

There is, however, an important distinction between looking similar and performing similarly. The Cloudtilt incorporates On’s proprietary cushioning technology and is marketed around engineered movement, cushioning and energy return. Lidl’s product description focuses instead on features such as a breathable mesh upper, textile lining and memory-foam insole. There is no basis for assuming that the two shoes will deliver the same level of support, durability or performance.

For people who intend to use trainers for serious running or demanding exercise, factors such as foot shape, stability, cushioning, fit and intended activity remain more important than appearance or price. A shoe that works well as an everyday trainer may not necessarily be the right choice for intensive training.

For casual shoppers, however, the Lidl launch could represent a considerably less expensive way to follow the current trainer trend. The simple black and white options also make the shoes relatively easy to combine with everyday clothing, potentially broadening their appeal beyond people who are specifically shopping for gym equipment.

The trainers are arriving as part of a wider Lidl fitness promotion rather than as a standalone footwear launch. Lidl says the September 20 event will include a selection of fitness products starting at £3.49, alongside activewear from £5.99. The supermarket has also highlighted other CRIVIT products within its sports and leisure range.

The timing comes shortly after Lidl’s autumn fashion event, which begins on September 17. The supermarket is also preparing a range of lower-priced clothing for men and women, continuing its strategy of combining food shopping with rotating non-food promotions.

Among the other fashion items is an Esmara ladies’ cardigan priced at £7.99, available in beige and black. The cardigan follows the same broader retail approach: offering shoppers a fashionable, relatively inexpensive item at a fraction of the price of some comparable high-street and premium alternatives.

Lidl’s Middle of Lidl promotions are typically subject to availability, meaning products can sell out even when they have been advertised for a particular promotional period. The supermarket also warns that stock information can change quickly.

Customers who want to check whether a particular Middle of Lidl product is available at their local branch can use Lidl’s digital customer-service assistant. The retailer says shoppers can provide their location or preferred store when asking the assistant about specific Middle of Lidl offers, although availability may change between checking online and arriving at a store.

For consumers considering the new trainers, the central question is therefore less about whether the Lidl shoes are an exact substitute for the £150 On Cloudtilt and more about what they actually need from a pair of trainers.

The two products occupy very different price categories. On’s Cloudtilt is built around proprietary cushioning technology, engineered materials and a premium footwear proposition, while Lidl’s CRIVIT trainers focus on accessible pricing, basic comfort features and a familiar modern trainer aesthetic.

That distinction may not matter to someone searching for an inexpensive pair of shoes for everyday use. At £12.99, the Lidl option dramatically reduces the cost of experimenting with the style. For a shopper who prioritises technical performance, meanwhile, the higher-priced On model offers specifications that go beyond appearance.

Ultimately, the September 20 Lidl launch is another example of how supermarket fashion continues to blur the boundary between budget clothing and premium-inspired design. The £12.99 CRIVIT trainers may not replicate everything offered by a £150 Cloudtilt, but their similar visual appeal could make them an interesting proposition for shoppers who want a contemporary look while keeping more money in their pockets.

With the fitness promotion running from September 20 and stock limited by availability, customers interested in the trainers may need to check their local Lidl early rather than assume the shoes will remain on shelves throughout the promotional period. For those prepared to compromise on premium branding and specialist technology in exchange for a substantially lower price, the new trainers could prove one of the more eye-catching additions to Lidl’s latest fitness event.

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