On Cloudsurfer 2 review

The On Cloudsurfer 2 is a solid daily trainer for:

• Casual runners willing to spend a bit more for a unique design and premium-feeling materials.
• Those who value comfort and long-lasting materials over snappy responsiveness in their daily miles.
• Anyone after a stylish, all-purpose shoe that blends weekend runs with everyday wear.

We think the On Cloudsurfer 2 is too expensive for its performance. Despite its premium look and upgraded materials, it lacks the springy, energetic ride some runners expect in this price range. For a better price-to-performance ratio, we recommend the ASICS Novablast 5 or the Adidas Adizero EVO SL—especially the latter, which impressed us with its Lightstrike Pro midsole.

We’re also convinced that runners chasing a cloud-like experience won’t get it here despite the shoe's name. From our evaluation, the New Balance Fresh Foam X More v5 is a better pick for a high-stack option, while the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 fits the bill for those wanting something closer to the ground.

We tested the Cloudsurfer 2 and discovered a stack height of 37.5 mm—even though On claims just 32 mm in this area.

This difference makes it a more distance-ready choice. It's a perfect example of why measuring all shoes under the same lab-controlled conditions is essential—especially when brands might exclude parts like the insole, which we believe happened in this case.

On lists 23 mm in the forefoot, but we measured 27.1 mm—more in line with modern high-stack trainers and a clear jump from the earlier version, which reached just 21.6 mm.

Also, it's worth noting that this shoe replaces the Cloudsurfer 7. Instead of continuing to version 8, On hit the reset button and kicked off the new cycle with version 2 rather than starting from version 1.

We also noticed a mismatch in the drop numbers—though nothing alarming. On lists 8 mm, but we measured a real heel-to-toe drop of 10.4 mm. That’s still a common setup for daily trainers, making it beginner-friendly and great for heel strikers.

We tested the EVA-based Helion foam and recorded a softness of 25.5 HA, which matches the firm-leaning trend we’ve seen in most of their running shoes.

It’s worth noting that the unique CloudTec Phase setup brings more compression with each stride, making it feel somewhat softer than expected despite the number. Still, despite the name, don’t expect a cloud-like ride—because that’s not what the Cloudsurfer 2 delivers.

CloudTec Phase is On’s midsole design that features a computer-optimised sequence of collapsible pods, replacing the older setup seen in models like the Cloudmonster 2 where the pods didn’t encourage forward motion that much.

We discovered that the Cloudsurfer 2 features a modest heel curvature—nothing extreme, but enough to assist rearfoot strikers.

However, its early-stage rocker kicks in surprisingly soon and rises noticeably high, creating a forward-rolling effect. Paired with the CloudTec Phase geometry, this setup makes transitions feel smoother than on previous models.

On has been somewhat inconsistent over the years with its fit—while models like the Cloudmonster Hyper felt spacious, others, including the Cloudsurfer 2, come with a tighter, more tapered design.

After the liquid solidified in our refrigerator, we measured 93.6 mm in width. That’s just a touch narrower than the average running shoe.

We took a second measurement in the big toe area to assess the toebox width. At 73.5 mm, it delivers an average fit that should work for most runners, though toe-splay lovers might check the Altra Torin 8.

Vertical clearance measures a solid 28.0 mm, striking a good balance between giving the toes room to move upward and maintaining a secure, lockdown fit. Going too shallow or overly spacious here typically leads to some kind of discomfort.

We found that the 0.39 result in our SATRA TM144 grip test may not seem impressive at first glance, but it still delivers a rain-ready ride for daily miles. On dry pavement, especially during slow-paced runs, it remained surefooted and consistent.

The outsole of the Cloudsurfer 2 features really good rubber coverage segmented into multiple pods. It uses three distinct colours to highlight different zones: black, white, and neon yellow. 

Each pod is arranged in a diamond-textured layout with visible cutouts, while a central groove runs longitudinally through the midfoot, promoting flexibility and reducing overall weight.

We liked the result in the torsional rigidity test, but for everyday use, longitudinal stiffness matters even more. At just 11.5N, the Cloudsurfer 2 ticked this box too!

The added stack height over the Cloudsurfer 7 brings a slight bump in weight, from 8.4 oz (237g) to 9.0 oz (254g). While that’s not ideal, the trade-off feels fair, and it still fits the lightweight daily trainer category.

We began our breathability test on the Cloudsurfer 2 with some hope, especially after seeing the ventilation holes scattered across the toebox. After all, the Cloudsurfer 7 earned a 3/5, and we were expecting an upgrade.

But in the end, the result didn’t change. Once again, we measured a 3/5 during our lab evaluation—neither bad nor exciting. This kind of airflow is generally fine for year-round use, though it may feel a bit warm on those hot summer days.

It's clear that the upper had us fooled. It looks extremely airy at first glance, and we thought it would score better. However, we dug deeper to figure out what really happened.

Using our digital microscope, we examined the upper and saw oversized, oval-shaped holes that looked super promising—but these were just the outer layer. Beneath that sits another, tighter mesh that prevents most of the air from coming through.

That inner layer isn’t there for no reason. We know that it boosts durability while adding a plush-and-cosy feel around the foot.

In fact, the padding is top-notch, and the overall material quality still lives up to the premium reputation of On’s lineup.

The On Cloudsurfer 2 is built for neutral runners, and we don’t think it’s a solid pick for those needing extra support. There’s no wide landing platform, firm heel counter, or raised midsole walls. Still, it feels stable enough for non-pronators.

One of the metrics that keeps rising in our lab tests is torsional rigidity. Many brands are pushing ultra-stiff, maximalist midsoles, so we’re glad the Cloudsurfer 2 stays moderately flexible with a 3/5 score. That makes it great for walking, jogging, and relaxed runs.

The heel counter lands right in the middle too—neither ultra-soft nor overly stiff—with a 3/5 score in our test. It’s comfortable enough for daily use, especially thanks to the generous, pillow-like padding surrounding the heel area.

The On Cloudsurfer 2 keeps its footprint under control with a 113.6 mm forefoot width—something we really appreciate.

It delivers a balanced ride that feels nimble and versatile, avoiding the bulky-underfoot sensation found in many high-stack running shoes, and offers a classic ride like the Nike Pegasus 41.

The heel sticks to the same slimmed-down approach, measuring 88.8 mm at its widest point. That’s slightly narrower than average, but for neutral runners who land on their heels, we think it still offers enough stability.

Thanks to the dual-layer mesh, durability performed above average and earned a solid 3/5 in our test. That's definitely a respectable score for such a comfort-oriented upper.

The heel padding scored a nice 4, which—compared to our lab average—is on par with a 3 in the toebox.

The Cloudsurfer 2 lost just 0.6 mm of rubber. That's an impressive result that clearly outperforms its predecessor and confirms it features durable materials.

Indeed, with a thick 3.0 mm layer and great results in our Dremel test, we’re confident runners won’t have to worry about premature wear here.

The insole of the Cloudsurfer 2 measures 4.5 mm in thickness.

When we placed the Cloudsurfer 2 in the freezer, we measured an 18% drop in softness. It’s not extreme, but for a shoe that already leans firm, it’s certainly noticeable.

Removing the insole is super quick, and swapping in your favourite one is no hassle at all.

We really like how On handles reflective details. While some brands skip them entirely or toss in random patches, On integrates them into the logo. 

The On Cloudsurfer 2 sports a unique lacing system with flat, soft laces threading through reinforced eyelets built into the upper. Two stitched webbing loops replace a pair of traditional eyelets. This design helps distribute pressure evenly across the foot, though it sacrifices the extra eyelet needed for a runner’s knot and brings up some durability concerns.

On went all-in on step-in comfort with the tongue, showing that this shoe works not just for running but also for day-to-day wear. We measured a thick 10.6 mm of plush-and-puffy foam stuffed into the tongue using digital callipers—definitely on the upper end, even for a daily trainer.

When a daily trainer comes with a premium price tag, you expect a gusseted tongue for better lockdown and zero shifting. Unfortunately, that feature is missing here, and that’s a big letdown.

Anyone considering the On Cloudsurfer 2 needs to accept its premium price tag—it’s clearly more expensive than most daily trainers out there. While the build quality is solid and comfort is top-tier, it doesn’t offer performance advantages over cheaper shoes. Still, this is classic On pricing... and no surprise to us!

As with most On running shoes, there’s no finger-loop heel tab—just a clean design.