On Cloudsurfer Next review

We believe the On Cloudsurfer Next is an appealing choice for:

• Runners who appreciate the Cloudmonster 2 but crave a more dynamic ride.
• Those seeking a narrow, sleek daily trainer with high-quality materials and top-notch build quality.
• Anyone preferring firmer, stable cushioning over a plush feel in their daily trainer.

We believe heel strikers may find the Cloudsurfer Next less enjoyable due to its narrow heel and low heel-to-toe drop, making it more suitable for midfoot and forefoot strikers. In our view, better options exist for this group of runners, like the Nike Pegasus 41 or ASICS Novablast 4.

Additionally, those preferring a softer running experience may struggle with the Cloudsurfer Next’s firmer midsole, even with the addition of CloudTec Phase. We suggest considering the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 or New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v14, both offering a plush alternative for daily runs at a similar price point.

In our tests, we discovered a slight discrepancy in the heel stack height stated by On. While the Cloudsurfer Next is listed at a 37 mm rearfoot stack, our calliper measured it at 33.8 mm—falling short by 3.2 mm.

This minor reduction in height does bring a subtle decrease in cushioning, but it also enhances stability, creating a more grounded ride.

We measured the midsole thickness at 29.3 mm in the forefoot, confirming our initial impression during testing—this model has significantly more cushioning than its sibling, the Cloudsurfer 7.

It’s a bit confusing to navigate On’s lineup with these names. It may seem to you like the Next replaces the 7, but we can confirm that both models will coexist in the lineup.

On has a reputation for low-to-moderate heel-to-toe drops, and the Cloudsurfer Next stayed true to that trend. Our measurements revealed a 4.5 mm offset—ideal for forefoot and midfoot strikers!

Many still believe that On shoes lean toward softness, but in our experience here in the lab, they usually land on the firmer side. The CloudTec Phase technology helps by compressing with each stride, yet the ride is still notably firm.

The Cloudsurfer Next embodies this quality well. We measured a softness of 31.8 HA on our durometer, making it one of the firmest daily trainers we’ve tested.

While this feel may not suit every runner, those who enjoy a more stable ride will likely appreciate this midsole.

And what about the foam itself? Well, On’s Helion combines EVA and Olefin Block Co-Polymers, offering a denser, more structured feel than ASICS’ FF Blast+. It doesn’t deliver a huge energy return, but for a training foam, it holds up well, especially with the new CloudTec Phase inclined pods that provide a more dynamic feel.

After placing the Cloudsurfer 7’s midsole in the freezer for 20 minutes to simulate cold weather, we re-tested its softness, yielding a 22% increase. This resilience of Helion outperforms most EVA-based foams, reinforcing the advantage of adding Olefin to the formulation.

In our tests, the Cloudsurfer Next's insole measured 4.7 mm on our caliper—definitely within the average range for road running shoes.

The Cloudsurfer Next features a gentle rockered profile from heel to toe, a helpful addition given its firmer-than-average midsole and slightly stiffer structure compared to typical daily trainers.

We also believe a slightly more pronounced heel bevel could enhance the shoe’s flow, especially with its low drop—as this design that may not suit extreme heel strikers.

In our experience, while the midsole is narrower than most shoes, the toebox felt mostly average. Our digital calliper measured it at 97.3 mm, making this model slightly narrower than the norm, though differences under 2–3 mm are virtually undetectable while running.

For volume, the upper offers minimal stretch, and the toebox height was moderate—adequate for most runners but potentially a touch low for those who need extra room.

In our testing, the big toe area follows a standard taper, coming in at 77.2 mm—suitable for most runners. This measurement aligns well with a design that meets general foot shapes comfortably.

However, for those who prefer a roomier toebox, the On Cloudmonster Hyper could be an appealing choice. We found its wider toebox offers additional space, making it a solid upgrade for extra toe comfort—and it comes with the side benefit of improved energy return.

A firmer ride might not suit everyone, but it brings clear advantages—especially in stability. A solid landing platform minimizes wobble, and the Cloudsurfer Next exemplifies this benefit beautifully.

The impressive stability of this shoe isn’t just due to its firm foam. We found that its high torsional rigidity—rated at 4/5 from our team in the lab—adds significantly to the supportive feel it provides.

In our testing, we found that the Cloudmonster Next’s heel counter is crafted to suit most runners, featuring a moderate stiffness level we rated at 3/5. This design tries to strike a balance providing enough support without being too rigid or uncomfortable.

We discovered that one reason On managed to keep this shoe lightweight—despite the substantial rubber coverage and dense midsole—is its skinny profile. Measuring 111.6 mm, it’s significantly narrower than most running shoes we test in the lab today.

This streamlined design appeals to those who favour a sleeker build and want to avoid the maximalist, ultra-wide models currently popular. We also understood why On used a firmer midsole, as it pairs well with the narrow platform. A softer foam would likely feel unstable on such a slim base.

In our view, reflective elements should be part of every daily trainer released to the market. And indeed, they’re a regular feature in many On shoes adding safety at night—but surprisingly, they’re missing in the Cloudsurfer Next.

With its firmer midsole, we anticipated a bit more longitudinal stiffness but tested it to confirm.

Our 90-degree test showed a 30.3N result, reinforcing that this shoe might not be flexible enough for daily walks or gym sessions. If that’s a concern, we recommend the On Cloudrunner 2 (21.1N) instead.

At 9.3 oz or 264g, the Cloudsurfer Next delivers a lightweight ride, and we believe it holds up well in its category. While there are some shoes that feature a similar weight with higher stack like the ASICS Superblast 2, these remain rare in the market.

For us, the Cloudsurfer Next passes this test comfortably. Its padded, cosy upper is a nice bonus without tipping the scales, making it a great balance of comfort and weight for everyday runs.

At our lab, we always insist on digging deep to get precise results, and the Cloudsurfer Next showcases this approach when it comes to breathability.

After purchasing the shoe and unboxing it, we expected the toebox to ventilate exceptionally well. However, our smoke-pumping test, conducted under the usual conditions, revealed a different story, delivering a disappointing 2/5 score.

Next, we used an LED flashlight and found that very little light passed through—ventilation in this shoe seems minimal! On the plus side, this design likely adds warmth for colder conditions.

But this is where things get interesting.

Under the microscope, the upper’s design appeared packed with ventilation holes, suggesting great airflow. But the black fabric that adds comfort and durability blocks these pathways. Had we only used the microscope, we would’ve been misled for sure.

As expected from On—a brand known for quality—the construction of the upper is flawless. We found no glue marks; everything is neatly crafted, and the padding is impressive, maintaining high standards of execution and manufacture.

Although it earned a fair 3/5 score, we believe the result should have been stronger.

When we reached the heel counter, the results took a sharp downturn. Disaster.

We had to give the Cloudsurfer Next a disappointing 1/5. In our view, this is a glaring red flag for those who often wear out shoes in this area.

After less-than-ideal results in the first three tests, we hoped for some redemption in another crucial area of any running shoe—the outsole.

Before firing up the Dremel for a final test, we measured the rubber’s hardness at a fairly average 84.5 HC.

We believe this should offer decent durability, which is a good thing, as traction felt fine but not particularly impressive. And yes, we are pretty sure that the central groove in the outsole will get a few pebbles on gravel roads.

As we hinted earlier, we fired up the Dremel for a final test on the Cloudsurfer Next, hoping to see a stronger result.

The outcome was good, but not great. We observed a 1.1 mm dent in the rubber—enough to suggest the Cloudsurfer Next can handle regular wear but won’t be the kind of shoe that boasts legendary rubber longevity.

We found that 2.5 mm of rubber, though thinner than the average daily trainer, is sufficient for this outsole based on our previous findings. Using a thicker layer would likely have made the ride even firmer, and that would have been a disaster in this shoe.

Many On shoes tend to feel slightly overpriced—but the Cloudsurfer Next offers a more reasonable price tag, aligning closely with other daily trainers on the market. And to be honest, the build quality is one of the best we've ever seen at this price point.

In our view, reflective elements should be part of every daily trainer released to the market. And indeed, they’re a regular feature in many On shoes adding safety at night—but surprisingly, they’re missing in the Cloudsurfer Next.

With a generous 10.7 mm of foam, On prioritised plush comfort over weight reduction in the Cloudsurfer Next’s tongue, creating a pillow-like cushion that spans the entire length of it, delivering amazing instep comfort.

And though we usually favour punched eyelets over wire loops, the lockdown felt secure, and the tongue loop effectively kept the tongue centred, especially during faster paces.

Engineered with Swiss precision, we found that the Cloudsurfer Next’s tongue stays securely in place thanks to its semi-gusseted design. No disappointments here!

True to the design of the Cloudsurfer series—and in line with most of On’s road shoes—the Next lacks a heel tab. We found that, like other On models, it sticks to a minimalist design.

The stock insole in the Cloudsurfer Next is easily replaceable and, aside from a slight heel flare, doesn’t offer anything distinctive. Therefore, we believe this shoe it’s perfectly compatible with a third-party footbed, allowing for easy customization without issue.