On Cloudsurfer 2 Performance Review

Last year’s On Cloudsurfer was a complete revamp of On’s product philosophy, removing the Speedboard and introducing CloudTec Phase. It was a huge change. This year, however, the On Cloudsurfer 2 made a bunch of smaller changes to improve the performance of that mold-breaking shoe.

The previous Cloudsurfer was solid but had a disjointed feel from forefoot to heel. That said, it was still a very popular shoe. On is right to try and tweak the formula to create something with even broader appeal.

Let’s see if the On Cloudsurfer 2 delivers a great daily running shoe experience.

What is the On Cloudsurfer 2?

According to On, “we’re taking it to the next level. Introducing the Cloudsurfer 2: a new era of cushion, performance, and style. We’ve amplified everything runners love about the OG Cloudsurfer, so whether you’re hitting the pavement for vibes, eying that next race, or simply seeking all-day comfort, this is the upgrade everyday runners have been waiting for.”

That’s some good marketing speak…and I love that the messaging is about amplifying what the Cloudsurfer already did well. That’s what fans of a shoe usually want. But how did things play out on the roads?

Cushion

Drew: Last year, the heel and the forefoot felt like different shoes. A gooey, soft heel and a firmer forefoot worked for some; but for me, the experience felt uneven and prevented me from getting into a rhythm with the shoe.

This year, the On Cloudsurfer 2’s cushion is consistent but is closer to the firmer forefoot feel than it is the soft heel. On running shoes do tend to be firmer than most of what’s on the market, but I didn’t love this level of durometer. As a daily trainer meant for soaking up miles on tired legs, the midsole needs to be slightly softer.

Many runners will still enjoy it, and it does break in slightly over time. But I’m not sure it reflects the feel of what the market wants.

That said, the rocker, though not aggressive, provides a smooth ride. If the firmness agrees with you, this is a shoe that makes easy days feel easy.

And what’s interesting, and I think possible because of the firmness, is that the On Cloudsurfer 2 can pick up speed effortlessly. Strides at the end of an easy run? No problem. Some pace work embedded within a short-to-medium-mileage day? Also no problem. To me, this makes the Cloudsurfer 2 more versatile than many of its competitors.

Annie: I never ran in the original Cloudsurfer, but having tried it on a few times and also having seen in the wild how gloriously the CloudTec Phase midsole appeared to compress and decompress, I was anticipating a much squishier experience.

Like Drew said, the foam here in the On Cloudsurfer 2 was relatively firm compared to what most daily trainers feel like these days. That’s not to say it was unpleasant; I just didn’t feel as much give in the midsole as I expected. The little Clouds just didn’t collapse and spring back quite like I hoped.

That firmness worked very well with the rocker, however, and I found it pretty easy to get into rhythm with the Cloudsurfer 2. The drop played a notch lower than the listed 9mm to my stride, and the turnover was smooth and reliable overall.

The midsole setup also allowed some faster paces to come more naturally than in daily trainers that put squishy softness at the forefront. Though the flip side of that is that I wanted to be babied a tad more than the Cloudsurfer 2 could accommodate on those days I was feeling a little heavy on my feet. It was most noticeable when combined with truly frigid weather as the foam compound seemed to be temperature-sensitive, firming up even a touch more in the bitter cold. So, even though the midsole performed well, all my testing miles took place in the dead of midwestern winter, leaving me longing for something a smidge more forgiving underfoot.

Support

Drew: The support on the On Cloudsurfer 2 is pretty basic. Internal heel counter, a base that widens nicely, and a well-fitting upper. It delivers all the support you’d expect from a daily running shoe.

Annie: I have to agree. There are no striking support features in the Cloudsurfer 2. It’s just a neutral shoe that fits great.

And despite the midfoot and heel having a kind of narrow base, I didn’t feel the risk of medial collapse was any higher here than in other neutral daily trainers. That may be in part thanks to the relative firmness of the midsole along with the well-executed upper holding the foot so securely in place. And since that combo is plenty effective for my needs, I’m doubly grateful that there’s still no Speedboard to detract from the shoe’s ability to flex more comfortably.

Traction

Drew: The On Cloudsurfer 2’s outsole has a large patch of forefoot rubber (broken up with flex grooves) and similar pieces of rubber on the lateral and medial heel. The pattern is diamond-shaped (both the perforations and the underlying striations). Like last year, it doesn’t look like much. But the grip is solid, and the traction didn’t show any signs of wear during my testing. This durable outsole will last the life of the shoe, and you’ll be happy with the grip on multiple surfaces and in various conditions.

Annie: The rubber on my pair still looks brand new, and even the foam portions at the midfoot are in great shape.

I likewise had solid footing in the On Cloudsurfer 2 in both wet and dry conditions, including relaxed paces over fresh or packed-down snow. I ran into problems when ice was involved, but that’s to be expected with just about any road shoe.

I was generally impressed with the outsole from both a performance and durability standpoint. Though I do wonder if its sturdiness could have potentially magnified the firm-ish quality of the midsole.

Upper

Drew: On’s engineered mesh upper looks and feels premium, and the craftsmanship is top-notch. It’s typical of On and one of the Cloudsurfer 2’s key features. It’s what allows On running shoes to have such broad casual appeal. On is even using 88% recycled polyester, and the upper still looks as crisp as any other On shoe.

But the upper does differ from a typical On shoe in the amount of padding here. On is usually quite reserved about the use of padding, finding a sweet spot between comfort and bulk. This time, the heel collar and tongue padding made me think I was wearing a Brooks shoe. It’s very un-On-like.

The upper is super comfortable, but it doesn’t feel like an On shoe around the top and back of the foot. That may be a dealbreaker for some, but I think a lot of people won’t really notice.

Annie: The heel and tongue padding notwithstanding (‘cause they are a bit much), everything else about the Cloudsurfer 2’s upper reads as very intentional, and it felt that way on-foot. The greatest compliment I can give it is that I honestly never thought about it while running.

Lockdown was wholly uncomplicated to achieve. I didn’t need to carefully cinch anywhere, and a runner’s knot never even crossed my mind. So I suppose I can’t complain too much about the thickness of some of the padding when the upper secured the foot so well. And it’s nicely constructed to boot.

Is the On Cloudsurfer 2 wide foot friendly?

Drew: The On Cloudsurfer 2 is pretty wide-foot friendly. The last is on the wider side which will satisfy many people. Most wide-footers won’t need to size up as the forefoot has plenty of room. The majority of runners should be happy with a true-to-size pair.

Annie: The fit is sort of deceptively accommodating. And while the shoe’s base tapers through the midfoot and heel, I didn’t find the fit from within the upper followed suit quite so dramatically. Most people with slightly wide feet will be perfectly fine. But true wide-footers might still do best to try on the Cloudsurfer 2 to ensure they’re getting the most comfortable fit, especially since the Cloudsurfer 2 isn’t available in wide sizing.

Is the On Cloudsurfer 2 worth $160?

Drew: $160 is now the price point for a high-cushioned daily trainer. On Cloudsurfer 2’s stack and cushioning don’t quite measure up to the competition at $160, and it lacks some of the squish most shoes have at that price point. There are better neutral, cushioned running shoes for the same price; yet, I can’t really say the On Cloudsurfer 2 is overpriced (it somehow avoided the typical On tax).

Annie: From a craftsmanship, fit, and (expected) durability point of view, the Cloudsurfer 2 could justify $160, so long as its firmer ride really speaks to one’s daily trainer preferences.

But while the moderate-effort capability is nice, I think many runners might expect more foam and a touch softer bounce underfoot for the money, in which case I’d love to see the Cloudsurfer 2 priced just $10-$15 cheaper.

How to use the On Cloudsurfer 2

The On Cloudsurfer 2 is built to be a daily running shoe used mostly for easy and recovery miles. It can pick up the pace for quick, speedier sections but isn’t built for workouts.

On Cloudsurfer 2 Summary

Drew: The On Cloudsurfer 2 is pretty much an all-around upgrade to last year’s Cloudsurfer. It feels more even, is slightly more comfortable and flexible, and still brings high-end craftsmanship and durability. The super puffy tongue and heel collar are odd for an On, and it’s a bit on the firm side; but it’s a quality running shoe that should keep Cloudsurfer fans happy.

Annie: The On Cloudsurfer 2 is a thoughtfully constructed shoe that has a smooth, neutral ride for everyday miles. There’s a little more firmness and a little less bounce underfoot than some may prefer in their daily trainers. But its comfortable and well-fitting upper, its durability, and its lifestyle-friendly aesthetics will keep the Cloudsurfer 2 on the feet of runners and non-runners alike.

How does the Author Run?

Drew Whitcomb (age 43, 6’6″ 200lbs): Runs daily with a once a week rest day. Runs a lot of miles due to testing needs and a growing affinity for long-distance races. Regularly competes in marathons, half-marathons, 10k, and 5k races.

Annie Keris (age 39, 5’0” 117lbs): Typically follows a “two days on, one day off” running routine. “On” days include daily miles, speed work, and long runs. An “off” day usually involves yoga and mobility/recovery work. Enjoys occasional racing but perhaps enjoys the training process even more. Gravitates most toward the half marathon distance, but ventures into the 10k and 5k as well. The marathon is thus far uncharted territory…

Disclosure

While On did provide a pair of the Cloudsurfer 2 to facilitate this review, the company had no involvement in this review, didn’t receive an advance look at it, and has not attempted to influence it.