The On Cloudsurfer 2 is smoother, firmer and built for versatility
Weight: 261g (M), 225g (W)
Stack height: 32mm (heel), 23mm (forefoot)
Drop: 9mm
Type: Neutral, daily trainer
On Cloudsurfer 2
The shoe
The Cloudsurfer 2 is the successor to the Cloudsurfer 7 — On’s neutral daily trainer. If you’re surprised by the non-linear numbering system, it seems On has decided to reset things with the eighth iteration. So what should, by rights, have been the Cloudsurfer 8 is, in fact, the Cloudsurfer 2. Confused? Us too – let’s move on.
Regardless of its name, the previous Cloudsurfer was a resounding hit at RW, earning our coveted ‘Best in test’ award back in spring 2023. It was the softest and cushiest shoe that On had ever produced, particularly for a brand known for its firmer-leaning cushioning. It was also the first On shoe to feature CloudTec Phase, an advanced version of the brand’s original CloudTec cushioning system, built with a staggered arrangement of the cloud elements. These activate progressively from heel to toe, allowing for a smoother and more fluid transition during each step.
But the Cloudsurfer 7 wasn’t without its flaws. For one, the heel was arguably too soft, especially compared with the forefoot. This felt a little disjointed at faster paces and somewhat deterred from the shoe’s versatility over longer distances.
Enter the Cloudsurfer 2, which retains a lot of the core features of its predecessor, while promising to shake things up. I’ve been putting the shoe to the test over the past three weeks to see if the changes pay off.
How does the On Cloudsurfer 2 fit?
I feel like a broken record at this stage, but there’s a reason why On’s shoes are such a popular choice for walking, gyming and generally life-ing purposes – they never fail to impress with their slick, swish looks. I got my test sample in all-out ivory, but I would have been happy with any of the colourways available. Top marks in the looks department for On, as per usual.
I always find On’s shoes fit on the slightly roomier side, and the On Cloudsurfer 2 is no exception. I don’t mean this in a sense of needing to go up a size – my UK 8.5 fits perfectly – but there’s always a modest amount of room in the toe box both in terms of length and width, that suitably accommodates those with standard to wider feet, like me.
In terms of the upper, the previous iteration’s dual-layered mesh has been replaced with a new engineered mesh made from 88% recycled polyester. In the forefoot, it offers a relaxed and breathable fit, while at the midfoot it wraps around things nicely, thanks to the well-designed lacing system. On this, there are a few updates. First up, there’s a panel running down either side on the middle three eyelets. The first lacing row is also attached to cords connected to the base of the upper, while the top eyelets connect down to the heel. This helps to enhance foot hold in both the forefoot and the heel.
Usually, On is pretty conservative with the padding on its running shoes, hitting that Goldilocks balance between bulk and comfort. So I was pretty surprised with the level of padding on both the tongue and the heel collar. It’s straight out plush – the type of thing you might expect on a shoe from Brooks or Asics. Don’t get me wrong, the tongue does a good job of preventing pressure on top of the foot, but I feel like On could have afforded to pair things back slightly more than they have.
The heel counter has also been modified slightly from the last iteration for a more secure lockdown. Overall, I didn’t experience any slippage in these and ran comfortably in them straight out of the box.
What's it like to run in the On Cloudsurfer 2?
On is still calling the Cloudsurfer’s midsole foam ‘Helion’, but if the ride is anything to go by, the formulation has definitely changed from the previous iteration. We’ve moved away from that softer cushioning to a more classic On feel: one that’s on the firmer side, but offers a good level of stability and balance. This shift, combined with the mild rocker, adds a newfound responsiveness to the shoe. It’s not one that’s going to knock your socks off in terms of bounce or liveliness, but it’s noticeable, and makes tempo or marathon pace efforts entirely manageable, as well as cruisey miles. I’d also argue that these changes make the Cloudsurfer 2 more versatile over a range of distances, given the increased resilience from the foam throughout the midsole.
In terms of cushioning, you’ve got a moderate stack height of 32mm in the heel and 23mm in the forefoot, which creates a shoe that offers both protection from the road and a sense of ground feel. This is something I really value in a daily trainer and is why I rate the likes of the Saucony Ride 18 and New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4: it just adds that bit more control versus something with a bigger bed of cushioning. For a shoe you’re tackling the bulk of your miles in, I think that awareness of your foot strike is really important.
All in all, as someone who prefers a slightly firmer, more balanced ride from their daily trainers, the Cloudsurfer 2 works well for me. That being said, I can see it dividing some runners, particularly those who enjoyed the plushness of the last iteration, or who want a bit more rebound from their shoe. It’s also worth noting that on days where my legs have felt a little heavier – like the week after a recent ultramarathon – I have found myself wanting something a touch more forgiving underfoot. For me, this is where the beauty of a shoe rotation comes in and the likes of the more cushioned Cloudeclipse comes into play.
Finally, on the outsole, there’s a generous level of rubber, divided into ‘zones’ on higher impact areas. I found the shoe provided ample grip running on wet or slippy surfaces. I've also worn it for strength training sessions in the gym, tackling moves like box jumps and pogo jumps with ease.
RW verdict
Not all daily trainers need to be all-singing, all-dancing to earn a spot in your shoe rotation, and the Cloudsurfer 2 is proof of that. Through smart updates, On has created a more consistent running shoe; one that isn’t super bouncy but isn’t dull; and one that isn’t overly soft but isn’t too firm. Combine that with good looks and a grippy outsole, and the Cloudsurfer 2 is a solid daily trainer that works across a range of distances and paces. Admittedly, for £150, some runners might want more foam and a touch more bounce underfoot, but if you‘re someone who values balanced cushioning, premium materials and a smooth, controlled ride, there’s a lot to like here.
Also consider...
If you’re after something a little more paired back and ‘racey’, the New Balance FuelCell Rebel v4 (£140) offers a similar sense of ground feel with a PEBA-blended midsole for added zip and versatility. Great for tempo runs and half-marathons. Similarly, Adidas' Adizero Evo SL combines excellent versatility with great value at £130.
For a smidge more cushioning underfoot, the Saucony Ride 18 (£130) comes in with an extra 2mm of stack height compared with the Cloudsurfer 2 and is an equally capable all-rounder for a very respectable price.
And if you’re looking for soft cushioning with a bouncy, responsive ride, the Asics Novablast 5 (£130) veers more into max-cushioned territory, but provides excellent bang for your buck.
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