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Tom's Guide
08-08-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ran 40 miles in the On Cloudsurfer Max — here are its pros and cons
Despite the fact that all of On's running shoes have cloud in the name, it has never been a brand that makes particularly soft sneakers. That remains the case with the On Cloudsurfer Max, which is firmer than your average max-cushioned shoe. That's not a bad thing per se, but a little unexpected given the marketing around the Cloudsurfer Max, which suggests it will be the last word in comfort. Once you reconfigure what you expect from the Cloudsurfer Max, however, it's a good daily trainer with a smooth, rockered ride, and I enjoyed running in it during marathon training. It doesn't match the performance of the best running shoes for me, though, and the high price will only be worth paying if you love the look of the Cloudsurfer Max for casual use as well. The On Cloudsurfer Max launched in July 2025 and costs $180 in the U.S. and £170 in the U.K., which is more expensive than most cushioned running shoes of its type. It sits above the On Cloudsurfer 2 in the brand's range, offering more cushioning at a higher price, and replaces the On Cloudeclipse within the line-up. The On Cloudsurfer Max is currently available in five colors, including the Ivory | Salmon shoe I tested. It fit me well in my normal running shoe size, and it isn't especially narrow. While more cushioned than other On running shoes, the Cloudsurfer Max is not as maxed out as other brands. It has a stack height of 37mm at the heel and 31mm at the forefoot for a 6mm drop, yet many brands go above 40mm in their cushioned shoes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Despite not being the most cushioned shoe out there, the Cloudsurfer Max is quite heavy at 10.8oz in a US men's size 9.5. For comparison, the Asics Novablast 5 is 9.6oz and has a higher and wider stack of foam in the midsole. I'm yet to come across an On running shoe upper I don't like, and that's still true after testing the Cloudsurfer Max. The material is comfortable and has some stretch, but holds the foot securely without being overly padded. As ever with On shoes, the Cloudsurfer Max is good-looking enough for casual use alongside your runs, as long as you don't run in the rain and immediately get the white upper mucky, like I did. The midsole of the Cloudsurfer Max contains a double layer of the brand's CloudTec Phase cushioning, which has distinctive holes in the midsole that collapse into each other like dominoes when you land to create a rockered ride. This rocker is the most notable feature of the midsole, because the materials used — there's On's Helion foam as well as CloudTec Phase — are not the most exciting or lively foams. The On Cloudsurfer Max has extensive outsole coverage, with rubber covering most of the bottom of the shoe, and the main impact areas at the heel and forefoot being well protected. I found the grip reliable too, even in wet conditions, and there are no signs of any wear on the rubber after 40 miles. I used the On Cloudsurfer Max for a mix of training runs, including some easy runs, a hilly 10-miler and a progression run where I moved from an easy to a tempo pace over 10 miles. Given its billing as a cushioned cruiser, I expected the easy runs to be the most enjoyable in the shoe, but I found that the opposite was true. At an easy pace, it felt quite firm, the rocker didn't work that well for me and I felt the weight of the shoe. It wasn't uncomfortable, but it also wasn't as plushly comfortable as shoes like the Saucony Hurricane 25 or Asics Gel-Nimbus 27. When I ran a little faster, however, I did find I got into a nice rhythm with the rocker on the shoe, and it felt a lot smoother, which surprised me by being enjoyable at tempo pace. It's still not a shoe that truly excels for fast running, though; it thrives at in-between paces, where you're making a bit of effort without pushing too hard. As a result, if you're a runner following a structured training plan with a lot of either easy or hard runs, the Cloudsurfer Max might not fit any of them that well. If you're running for fitness and heading out for hard(ish) runs a few times a week, it will work better. Though I would say you can get shoes that match the performance of the Cloudsurfer Max for this job for a lot less than $180. The On Cloudsurfer Max is a good running shoe, but unless you're in love with its looks, I'd be looking elsewhere for daily trainers that offer more versatility and value. Top of my list to check out would be the Asics Novablast 5 and Hoka Clifton 10, both of which are lighter, more cushioned and cheaper. The Puma Velocity Nitro 4 would be another great shoe to look at, which has less foam underfoot but feels comfortable and sprightly at faster paces. Within the On range, the Cloudsurfer 2 offers a lighter and cheaper option as a rockered daily trainer, but doesn't have as much cushioning as the Cloudsurfer Max. Finally, if you do actually want a very soft and cushioned shoe, then I'd look at the Nike Vomero 18 and Saucony Hurricane 25, which aren't great for faster runs, but are highly comfortable and supportive.
Tom's Guide
17-07-2025
- Tom's Guide
The new Cloudsurfer Max is On's most cushioned running shoe — I ran 5 miles in it to see how it feels
Knowing when to go hard and when to go soft is the secret to running, at least according to the new Soft Wins campaign video from Swiss brand On, made with elite athlete Hellen Obiri. Go hard on race day and in your fast training sessions, but make sure to go soft and take it easy when you need to, and as it happens On has a new shoe to help you do just that in the Cloudsurfer Max. This is the most cushioned shoe in On's line-up, replacing the Cloudeclipse and sitting above the On Cloudsurfer 2, which is a lighter daily trainer that uses the same rockered midsole design. The On Cloudsurfer Max is available now and costs $180 in the U.S. and £170 in the U.K., with four colors on sale at launch. It's a highly-cushioned running shoe built to help soak up the impact of long runs, with a comfortable, rockered design. I'll be racking up the runs in the shoe over the next few weeks for a full review, but I took it out for a five-mile run on launch day, here are my key takeaways from that. On's marketing around the Cloudsurfer Max suggests you'll be stepping into a very soft shoe, but that's not what I felt in my first run in the shoe. The ride is firmer than most cushioned shoes — the Helion foam in the midsole is still comfortable, and does a good job of reducing the impact of running, but it's not as pillowy as a shoe like the Saucony Hurricane 25. This has its advantages though — the firmer base helps you to roll onto your toes and will maybe make the Cloudsurfer Max a bit more versatile and better for faster runs than many max-cushioned shoes. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. I've been a fan of the CloudTecPhase rocker on past On shoes like the Cloudsurfer 2 and Cloudeclipse, and it works well on the Cloudsurfer Max as well. The midsole has a series of cutouts in it that collapse into one another like dominoes to help roll you forward with each step, creating a naturally smooth ride that helps the miles tick by more easily. This means that despite the fact the Cloudsurfer Max is not a particularly light shoe at 10.8oz in my US men's size 9.5, it feels lighter than that on the run. The Max in the shoe's name suggests it will compete with the likes of the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 and Brooks Glycerin Max as a highly-cushioned shoe, but that's not really what the Cloudsurfer Max is. For one, the stack height is not as high as on those shoes at 36mm at the heel and 30mm at the forefoot — most max-cushioned shoes have stacks over 40mm. It's also not as soft as those shoes, or as wide as most highly-cushioned shoes, and the narrower base on the Cloudsurfer Max does give it a nimbler feel, though might reduce its stability. On's running shoes almost always have aesthetically-pleasing designs, and that's certainly the case with the Cloudsurfer Max. It's a shoe you could happily wear for casual use, giving it a bit more versatility than most running shoes. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Tom's Guide
14-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I ran 40 miles with the Cloudsurfer 2 vs. On Cloudmonster 2 — which shoe should you buy?
The On Cloudmonster 2 is a cushioned daily trainer that's a little firmer than most running shoes these days, including the Cloudsurfer 2. It's a good option for long runs, and despite being heavier than the Cloudsurfer 2, it's more responsive and similarly versatile. The On Cloudsurfer 2 is a comfortable daily trainer with a smooth, rockered ride. It's softer than the Cloudmonster 2, as well as being lighter and cheaper, but it's not the most durable shoe and also feels a bit flat on longer runs or when running at faster paces. The On Cloudsurfer 2 and On Cloudmonster 2 are both comfortable running shoes that are great for daily training, but they have different feels on the run that may make them suitable for different kinds of runners. I've done around 40 miles of running in each shoe, and below you'll find my direct comparison of their relative strengths and weaknesses. Check out our On Cloudmonster 2 review and On Cloudsurfer 2 review for a more detailed take on each shoe. The On Cloudmonster 2 is the more expensive of the two shoes, costing $180 / £170 compared to $160 / £150 for the On Cloudsurfer 2. However, the Cloudmonster 2 is also the older of the two shoes, so it's a little more likely to feature in sales — it's currently in the On last season sale for $140, so it's worth checking when comparing the two shoes. The On Cloudmonster 2 is currently available in 11 colors, while the Cloudsurfer 2 is currently available in five colors. At 10.7oz for a US men's size 9.5, the Cloudmonster 2 is the heavier shoe, with the Cloudsurfer 2 tipping the scales at 9.7oz in the same size. Part of that weight difference is down to the fact that the Cloudmonster 2 has a higher stack of foam in its midsole and a lower drop with a 6mm heel-to-toe offset — the Cloudsurfer 2 has a 9mm drop. I found that both shoes fit me well enough in my normal running shoe size, but as someone with a narrow foot, the Cloudmonster 2 did feel very wide and roomy in the toe-box — I preferred the snugger fit of the Cloudsurfer 2. The Cloudsurfer 2's upper is thicker and more padded around the tongue and collar, with the Cloudmonster 2 using a more breathable material and a thinner tongue. Both uppers flex well and support the foot securely around the midfoot and heel, but the Cloudmonster 2's upper might feel less oppressive if you're always running in hot conditions. By far the biggest difference in the design of the two shoes is how their midsoles are set up. The Cloudsurfer 2 uses On's soft Helion foam with a series of holes designed to collapse like dominoes and create a rockered feel to the ride. This CloudTecPhase design makes the ride smoother than that of the Cloudmonster 2, which has three layers of foam in its midsole. The Cloudmonster 2 uses Helion foam for its top layer, and then the bottom is On's distinctive CloudTec pods, which are made from a firmer and heavier material than Helion. There is also a nylon-blended plate, "Speedboard," in the midsole of the Cloudmonster 2, which helps stabilize the high stack of foam and speed up the transition from heel to toe. Both shoes have pods on the outsole of the shoe, with rubber covering the forefoot and heel, leaving some exposed foam in the midsole. I didn't notice a difference in the grip of the two shoes, which have both delivered reliable traction in the wet, and neither outsole is showing any undue signs of wear and tear after around 40 miles of running. I used both the On Cloudsurfer 2 and On Cloudmonster 2 for a variety of training runs, mostly at an easy pace, with some faster intervals thrown in. In my testing, I found that both shoes excelled in similar runs and had the same weaknesses — both are good for easy runs and neither feels that responsive at pace, but they have quite different ride feels. The On Cloudsurfer 2 is a lot softer than the Cloudmonster 2, and the rocker is very noticeable on the run. It has a smooth feel that feels great for ticking over at a relaxed pace. At faster paces, I found that the soft foam flattened out and the shoe didn't give a lot back in terms of energy return. It's quite a light shoe and you can run quickly in it, but it doesn't feel as good as it does for easy runs. In contrast, the Cloudmonster 2 has a firmer ride and doesn't roll through as smoothly, but the midsole setup is a bit more responsive and bouncy. I found the Cloudmonster 2 better for long runs than the Cloudsurfer 2, and although it's heavier, it was as good for faster runs as the Cloudsurfer 2 because the midsole foam provides more energy return. Overall, neither are shoes I'd describe as exceptionally versatile, but both are good daily trainers that work well for easy runs and can handle speedwork reasonably well. I'd pair either with a lighter shoe for fast runs myself, but if you want one shoe for everything, both can do the job. My preferences skew towards lighter and rockered running shoes, so I'd reach for the On Cloudsurfer 2 myself. I found it more fun to run in, and it was easy to get into a good rhythm on easy runs thanks to the rockered midsole. It's also cheaper and lighter, and the fit is a little better for me because I have a narrow foot. I love the look of the Cloudsurfer 2 as a casual shoe, too. The On Cloudmonster 2 has its strengths, though. I think it will be more durable thanks to its firmer midsole foam, and it holds up better on long runs when the Cloudsurfer 2 can start to feel a little flat. It also feels more natural when walking than the softer Cloudsurfer 2.
