On Cloudsurfer 2 Shoe Review

The On Cloudsurfer 2 is the follow-up to one of On’s most well-received daily trainers. I haven’t run in an On shoe in a while, so I was excited to try these out. I remember in 2016, when On was up and coming, and I tried one of their first shoes. Now, almost a decade later, On is thriving.

The original Cloudsurfer stood out for its plush ride and stylish design, helping On shake off the “just for looks” reputation that had followed the brand for years…which is crazy because they have some serious professional athletes.

First, is it called On or On Clouds? Or QC? For those who don’t know, the brand is just called “On.” Every day I see it mislabeled on social media. The more you know. 🙂

Before trying the On Cloudsurfer 2, I had a few questions:

• Is the On Cloudsurfer 2 good for running?

• What is the On Cloudsurfer 2 designed for?

• Does the On Cloudsurfer 2 fit true to size?

With that, let’s get into an honest review of the On Cloudsurfer 2.

Quick Facts

Weight: 9.0 oz. for men / 7.7 oz. for women
Stack Height / Drop: 37 mm heel / 28 mm forefoot (9 mm drop)
Price: $160

On Cloudsurfer 2 Upper and Fit

The upper of the On Cloudsurfer 2 features a breathable mesh that keeps your feet cool, even on warmer runs…which is essential now that the Mojave Desert summer is heating up. It’s designed with comfort in mind, thanks to an updated tongue construction that helps eliminate pressure across the top of your foot. The fit feels more dialed in than the previous version, and I’ve been pretty happy with it.

The best running shoe uppers disappear off your feet, and the On Cloudsurfer 2 does. I haven’t had any issues with hot spots or blisters. Plus, it just feels comfortable.

For a bonus, the updated engineered mesh now features 88% recycled polyester. To be honest, I’m kind of surprised it features so much recycled material because the shoe breathes so well. I am all about environmentally friendly options (and I welcome them), BUT a lot of times in the running world, it means too firm of shoes and uppers that don’t breathe. That is not the case with the Cloudsurfer 2. Second, the embroidered eyelets and overlays are made with recycled yarn, giving the shoe a sustainability boost. It’s one of the more sustainable options right now.

In running shoes, I tend to wear between a women’s size 10–11 wide and found the size 11 to fit the best. In all, it’s comfortable and breathes well, which are both essential now that the summer weather is almost here. If you wear a wide, you’ll be happy to find the On Cloudsurfer 2 is on the wider side. Is it wide? No, but it’s one of the wider On shoes out right now.

On Cloudsurfer 2 Ride

The midsole is where the magic happens, and the On Cloudsurfer 2 has gotten a firmness update. On skips the traditional Speedboard in favor of its CloudTec Phase cushioning, paired with Helion foam to create a more responsive ride. More responsive is the key phrase here.

Designed with Finite Element Analysis, this midsole layout flows naturally from heel to toe and delivers balanced cushioning without feeling mushy. It’s a noticeable upgrade from the original Cloudsurfer, with better shock absorption and flexibility for easy miles, recovery days, or even walking around.

Where does the On Cloudsurfer 2 fit into my rotation? In my head, I was envisioning the On Cloudsurfer 2 to be an easy run shoe. I expected the soft, marshmallowy feel that On is known for. I didn’t really have a basis for that, other then that is what I imagined.

A pillowy, soft, easy run shoe is not what the On Cloudsurfer 2 is. It’s a daily trainer, but it’s on the firmer side. It’s a lot easier to pick up the pace and run faster. You can run easy, but I prefer something a bit softer for that. I like to use it for faster, shorter daily runs…something my body doesn’t need a ton of cushion for and I may want to pick up the pace, but it isn’t a workout.

Outsole

The outsole of the On Cloudsurfer 2 keeps things light while improving traction and durability. It’s built using computer-optimized design, the rubber placement and tread pattern were refined through Finite Element Analysis to give you grip where you need it most without adding unnecessary weight. I’ve used the On Cloudsurfer 2 in inclement weather as well as some light desert trails with no issues. Sometimes I’ve had it pick up a few rocks underneath, but in all, it’s been great to handle non-perfect weather days.

Compared to the first version, there’s more rubber coverage for better longevity, which helps justify the $160 price tag. I’ve now put about 100 miles on it with no signs of it slowing down. My guess is it will last the usual 400 miles…hooray.

On Cloudsurfer 2 Conclusion

The On Cloudsurfer 2 is a solid, middle-of-the-road daily trainer with a firmer ride and clean aesthetic. It’s not the plush recovery shoe I was expecting, but it works well for shorter efforts, picking up the pace, or even walking and all-day wear. Plus, the shoe fits true to size and handles warm weather well. It’s one of the more breathable and sustainable On options out right now.

Who Should Buy the On Cloudsurfer 2

• Runners looking for a firmer, rockered daily trainer for short to moderate runs

• Athletes who use their shoes for walking, gym work, and standing all day

Who Should Not Buy the On Cloudsurfer 2

• Runners wanting a plush, long-run-ready trainer or a race day shoe

• Bargain seekers…at $160, there are better performance options from other brands

My Current Shoe Rotation:

Easy/Daily Runs: Salomon Aero Glide 3, Mizuno Neo Zen, Topo Magnifly 5, Antepes Muscle Runners, adidas Adizero Evo SL, Newton Gravity 12, ASICS Superblast 2

Long Runs: Topo Specter 2, 361 Degrees Eleos Shoe Review

Trail Running/Hiking: 361 Futura,  Speedland SL: PDX, Hoka Tecton X 3 

Races/Speedwork: Adidas adizero adios pro 4, 361 Degrees Furious Future 2.0, ASICS Metaspeed Edge Paris, Puma Fast-R Elite 3, Nike Streakfly, Nike Vaporfly 4

Curious about how I do gear reviews? You can read about that here.

You Can See All Current Shoe Reviews Here.

Looking to learn more about running shoes? In my ebook, I talk about why you need a good running shoe, a shoe’s anatomy, neutral vs. stable, and even myths of running shoes.

Questions for you:

Have you tried the On Cloudsurfer 2?

What is your favorite running shoe?