On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 review

The On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 is an interesting pick for:

• On fans who want a versatile door-to-trail shoe that handles light off-road paths while still feeling comfortable on pavement.
• Heel strikers who benefit from a high drop and smooth transitions during easy runs and mixed-surface outings.
• Runners who prioritise premium materials and clean design over pure performance and are comfortable paying On’s higher price.

We found in the lab that the super-high drop makes this shoe a poor match for forefoot strikers and likely midfoot runners too. Unless you truly need that extreme offset, we think it’s not the best choice. From our perspective, the Nike Pegasus Trail 5 (9.6 mm) or the Altra Experience Wild 2 (6.1 mm) feel more balanced, with the latter also working better for wide feet.

We also believe the premium pricing of the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 limits its appeal for most runners. In our view, if you want a more value-driven option with fewer compromises, the Merrell Nova 4 makes more sense.

The Cloudsurfer Trail 2 is designed as a versatile option, and its shock absorption reflects that goal well. With 124 SA in the heel and 98 SA in the forefoot, it delivers a balanced ride that works for both short and long runs, as well as lighter and heavier runners.

As often happens when we tested On shoes with Helion foam, the energy return is disappointing. We measured 49.1% in the heel and 51.0% in the forefoot, numbers that once again landed clearly on the dull side.

At this point, this result did not surprise us, as the pattern feels familiar. We hope On moves to a more modern foam—Helion HF (PEBA) makes no sense here, but a lighter, bouncier supercritical EVA sounds like a reasonable deal, especially at this price point.

On loaded the Cloudsurfer 2 with 40.8 mm of cushioning, clearly pushing it into max-stack territory.

That did not surprise us, as this shoe is essentially the road-to-trail take on the Cloudsurfer 2 that we already reviewed in the lab, albeit having some extra height coming from the trail-ready outsole.

The forefoot measured 26.8 mm, much closer to the average trail shoe than the heel. You may have already noticed that this points to a very large heel-to-toe drop, so let’s take a closer look at that next.

This was not a surprise, as the road version also showed a higher drop than stated, but our testing revealed a striking 14.0 mm instead of the official 8.0 mm.

This clearly favours heel strikers, and the cross-section confirmed it, with much more height in the rear than the front, creating a strong forward roll but a platform that can feel too steep for many runners and turn into a deal-breaker.

The familiar firm feel found in many On shoes was present here, and we clearly noticed it on our runs.

That said, it did not feel as brick-like as the 28.0 HA reading suggests, because the CloudTec Phase cutouts allow easier compression and add some softness, even though the ride still leans firm overall.

Given its door-to-trail focus, we were not surprised to find a clearly rockered shape across the entire midsole, which made transitions feel more road-like than what is common in trail shoes.

After freezing the gel mould to set it fully, we ran our measurements and recorded a maximum width of 94.5 mm at its widest point.

That result landed slightly below the average, aligning closely with most rival trail shoes. It did not feel narrow or especially roomy, and there were still other fit areas left to examine before drawing final conclusions.

The next fit check focused on the toebox, which is often the most critical area. Here, the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 showed a strong taper at 70.4 mm, leaving little space for toe splay and potentially causing pressure for those with wide feet, especially on longer outings.

Vertical clearance measured 26.0 mm, which sits in a comfortable and safe range for a trail shoe.

We found that this amount of height delivered a good balance between comfort and a secure lockdown, especially on descents and when cornering.

Missiongrip rubber is often a strong point in On shoes, and the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 confirmed that again in our testing. With a 0.59 score, it proved reliable on mixed terrain and in varied weather, reinforcing its road-to-trail focus.

The clearest sign that this is a hybrid rather than a true trail shoe is the lug depth.

At just 2.0 mm, the CT2 is not meant for demanding terrain, but instead works best on well-maintained trails, gravel roads, and easy paths where it feels right at home.

In terms of outsole design, the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 showed several changes from the road version. Instead of simply adding lugs, On reworked the rubber layout with larger, well-placed patches that increased coverage and protection where it matters most, and leaving the midfoot exposed.

The outsole uses uniform chevron-shaped lugs across the contact zones, without mixing different lug styles. This simple layout looked simple but made sense on terrain like compact dirt where the shoe felt most confident.

We liked that, despite the tougher outsole, the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 stayed reasonably flexible and recorded a near-average 14.7N in our stiffness test, further supporting its versatile, door-to-trail nature.

That said, take into account that it's a bit stiffer than the road version, which scored 11.5N in the same test.

As expected, the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 gained weight due to the changes needed to make it more rugged than the road-only version. Instead of 9.0 oz (254g), we measured 10.0 oz (283g) in our lab.

That weight felt reasonable for this type of hybrid shoe, but the difference versus the Cloudsurfer 2 was still noticeable underfoot, and a small reduction would be welcome in future updates.

At first glance, the upper looks very similar to the road version, but a closer inspection reveals a completely different material choice and overall design.

Despite the added ruggedness, airflow actually improves in this version. The Cloudsurfer Trail 2 earned a 4/5 for breathability, while the road model sits at a 3 in the same test.

The upper features many ventilation holes, although the most effective ones are located in the toebox. The midfoot openings are backed by a denser inner layer that limits airflow in that area.

Under the microscope, the engineered mesh clearly differs from previous On designs. This version shows more structure and reinforcement, making it better suited for outdoor and mountain use.

Overall, we believe that this upper lives up to On’s reputation for quality. Padding felt solid, comfort stood out, and the materials felt premium and well finished to the touch.

The On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 is built for neutral runners, and we do not recommend it for those who need extra support. Its compact midsole keep it agile, but they also limit overall stability.

We were not surprised to see a small increase in torsional rigidity, as trail shoes often score higher than road models due to added material in the upper and outsole. As a result, it earned a 4 out of 5 instead of a 3.

The heel counter stiffness also increased by one level after a small redesign of the heel area. It moved from 3/5 to 4/5, which makes sense given the shoe’s steep drop and its clear focus on heel strikers.

Trail runners who dislike modern shoes with wide, bulky midsoles will enjoy the Cloudsurfer Trail 2. Its compact build keeps the ride agile and nimble underfoot, and it also works surprisingly well as an everyday sneaker or do-it-all travel shoe.

Indeed, at 108.5 mm, the midsole width came in lower than expected. We anticipated a more average result, so this slimmer platform clearly reinforces the shoe’s sleek and non-bulky character.

The heel also measured below the current lab average, though it landed closer at 88.0 mm. It is far from being wide, and as we already noted, it is not the best option if you rely on a broad base for extra support.

One of the main reasons behind the added weight is the extra reinforcements On included to make the shoe trail-ready. Thanks to these changes, toebox durability improves clearly and reaches a solid 3/5.

The heel padding performed well in our second durability test, earning a solid 4/5 and easing any concerns about long-term wear in this area.

Missiongrip rubber proved extremely durable, with only 0.5 mm of wear after our Dremel test. That result beat most competitors and added real value, making the shoe suitable for daily use, even beyond the trails.

The outsole measures just 1.3 mm, but we did not see that as a concern. For the Cloudsurfer Trail 2’s intended use, a thinner outsole helps preserve flexibility and adaptability.

We measured the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 insole at 3.9 mm thick using our callipers.

The insole features a slight heel contour, but it remains fairly basic overall. Replacing it is easy, as it is not glued in place.

The Helion midsole performed well in our freezer test, which did not surprise us. While EVA usually struggles in cold conditions, the added OBC (olefin block copolymers) clearly help improve temperature resistance.

On took a smart approach by making its logo reflective, adding visibility without extra elements. It’s a neat 2-for-1 detail that does double duty.

The eyelet chain keeps the same layout as the Cloudsurfer 2, but this time On switched to a tougher setup by using punched eyelets instead of less durable lace loops. Smart decision.

During our testing, the tongue stood out as well, with a very padded design measuring 10.2 mm, delivering a plush and comfortable step-in feel.

The tongue is fully gusseted, as expected from a trail shoe, leaving little to complain about. This photo also highlights the elastic lace band that On includes for runners who prefer to keep the laces neatly secured.

As with most On training shoes, the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 delivers less performance for the price than many rivals. So, in our view, the choice largely comes down to style preferences or a desire for a slightly higher-quality upper than what mainstream brands usually offer.

To add convenience and a more trail-ready feel, On includes a finger-loop heel tab here, a feature that is missing from the road-only version.