The On Cloudsurfer is the type of shoe you can run in straight out of the box; they feel soft and secure, hugging your foot in all the right places. And when you start to run, the Clouds collapse seamlessly, matching the rolling motion of your foot. But it wasn’t always like that… In fact, the Cloudsurfer was the Swiss brand’s very first shoe back in 2012, but seven iterations later, and many different styles of shoes, they’ve created what could possibly be one of their best running shoes on the market. And that says a lot, considering the hype that came with the On Monsters - a great training and race shoe.
If you’ve run in the old version of the Cloudsurfer, you may be wondering how the shoe can really be ‘this good’. Well, keep reading and we’ll tell you all the reasons why - the most important being that they’ve finally gotten rid of the retro cloud pods, replacing them with the brand’s new CloudTec Phase™ cushioning. About the On Cloudsurfer
The specs:
The older versions of the On Cloudsurfer looked very different to the new version 7, which was released in March 2023. Fit with a speedboard and the old cloud pods, the shoe had a much more minimal look and feel, yet weighed quite a lot - over 300g, almost 30% more than the new style. In the new On Cloudsurfer 7, the pods have been dropped and in its place the new, plush CloudTec Phase™ cushioning with Helion foam. Computer-generated, following thorough testing, the new clouds collapse seamlessly like dominoes underfoot. This creates a softer, smoother rolling transition from heel to toe, accentuated by the shoe’s rocker profile. At the end of your stride, when the clouds release, you can also feel the energy return, giving a forwards propulsion. The other new developments in the Cloudsurfer are the lacing system, which helps provide flexibility in the shoes as you run, and construction of the upper, which has soft padding throughout the shoe, specifically in the heel and tongue. There’s also a breathable mesh in the toe box, allowing more airflow. On calls these shoes a ‘training shoe’. They’re light and bouncy, making them a very versatile training shoe, and while the cushioning is soft, they still have brilliantly snappy return, and can handle it when you pick up the pace. This makes them ideal for everything from speed work to 5ks or longer runs - even marathons. That said, you could easily wear them for HIIT working in the gym or outside - especially if there’s a lot of jumping and running involved. In fact, these are so comfortable (and also look pretty cool too), that you could use them as a commuter shoe, and if someone asks you to do a 5k at lunch, you’re ready to go!
What’s new in the On Cloudsurfer?
Are the On Cloudsurfers good workout shoes?
If you’ve run in On shoes over the last couple of years, you will know that generally you need to go up ½ a size. This is quite common with most sports brands, especially as our feet swell when we run. The fit is fairly narrow and snug, while the toe box has quite a lot of wiggle room. For most people, this shoe will feel very comfortable, especially with the new padded upper and heel. The new lacing system allows a pretty secure lockdown but there’s also an additional flexibility due to four pieces of durable string, which have been stitched into the shoe on either side. This allows the shoe to move with our foot, rather than restricting our natural movements as we run.
How does the On Cloudsurfer shoe fit?
Cloudsurfers:
Pros Cons Lightweight Upper cushioning can get very warm in summer High comfort and cushioning 10mm drop could be too high for some runners who prefer more minimal runs Springy CloudTec offers a plush ride Versatile Durable Pros and cons
THE VERDICT
On have really stepped up their game with the new On Cloudsurfer. We really enjoyed testing out this shoe, from track work to 10-20 km runs. We found the cushioning and springy energy return meant we had less fatigue post run, meaning our recovery was a little quicker.
We also love how light these shoes are - the only lighter one being On’s race shoe, the Cloudboom Echo at 190g. Considering there’s no carbon plate in the Cloudsurfers, unlike the Booms, they really respond well when you pick up the pace. These shoes are now in our regular rotation of running shoes, in-fact, they’re fast becoming our go-to.
