The On Cloudsurfer Max is the successor to the On Cloudeclipse, which received a mixed review from our testers. Can what is essentially the renamed Cloudeclipse do better? Let’s lace up the On Cloudsurfer Max and find out.
On Cloudsurfer Max
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Price: $180
Men’s Weight: 10.3 oz. / 292 g
Women’s Weight: 9.2 oz. / 258 g
Drop: 6 mm (37 mm heel, 31 mm forefoot)
Sizing: True-to-size
- Rundown: The On Cloudsurfer Max is a return to On’s firmer underfoot feel and delivers a max-cushion shoe without the squishy, sinky feeling.
Pros
- Perky at higher speeds
- Aesthetically awesome
- Comfortable upper
- Reliable traction
Cons
- Firm underfoot feel of the midsole
- Tough to tighten laces
- High price
What is the On Cloudsurfer Max?
According to On, the Cloudsurfer Max is “[t]he maximum cushioned shoe for long, effortless runs. Double CloudTec Phase delivers a comfortable, smooth sensation.”
If I’m reading this right, the On Cloudsurfer Max should have A+ cushion and make running feel effortless and smooth. I think one of those things is achievable. Let’s see if On managed to make it happen.
Cushion
The On Cloudsurfer Max has a 37 mm stack height in the heel and a 6 mm drop, meaning it has a 31 mm stack height in the forefoot, thus qualifying it as a high-stack or max-cushion shoe.
With the data-driven help of computers, On has positioned some of the Clouds higher than others (earning its “double layer” designation). But this double layer of CloudTec Phase used in conjunction with the Helion superfoam feels much firmer than most max-cushion shoes on the market.
It’s a return to On’s roots of producing less squishy shoes. The guitar-pick-esque openings of the CloudTec Phase still crush together nicely so that the shoe is delivering impact protection, but there’s so squish underfoot. I still got energy return from the midsole as picking up the pace was smooth—though perhaps not as effortless as On’s marketing suggested.
A lot of runners will find this shoe too firm for long runs. But those who are rebelling against the soft squish that has permeated the market will find exactly what they’re looking for in a daily trainer: a shoe that mutes ground impact and can pick up the pace when needed—without the feeling of sinking into the midsole.
Coincidentally, that setup makes the On Cloudsurfer Max a great walking shoe and a shoe that allows the wearer to be on their feet all day without the annoying (and sometimes fatiguing) side-to-side swaying that can sometimes accompany the big, puffy running shoes on the market today.
Support
Because of the firmer midsole setup and sitting down inside the midsole at the midfoot (both laterally and medially) there’s no risk of sliding off the On Cloudsurfer Max’s footbed, and I was able to corner really well. Despite the midsole looking huge, this isn’t a shoe that will have you fearing for your ankle stability.
Traction
Protecting the midsole is a similar rubber pattern to what appeared on the Cloudeclipse last year. There’s a space down the middle with some exposed foam that also creates a channel to help control the shoe’s compression as your foot hits the ground.
I found the On Cloudsurfer Max’s grip to be reliable on hard and soft surfaces, and wet-to-dry transitions weren’t a problem. I also expect durability to meet or exceed running shoe standards (~300 miles).
Upper
The On Cloudsurfer Max fits true-to-size and includes a typical, On-style engineered mesh upper. The upper is very clean and comfortable along with being stretchy and breathable. The tongue is made of soft, comfortable knit with some targeted padding and has its own pull tab up top. The heel collar looks slim but is puffier than is typical for On with internal padding around the Achilles area.
The tiny pull tab at the heel should be bigger as I found it hard to get my finger in there. [Editor’s Note: …could have phrased that better, but I’ll resist the low-hanging fruit, as it were.] The lacing loops also don’t do a good job of keeping the lacing tight. When pulling the laces tight from the top eyelet, the lower portions of the laces nearest the forefoot stay loose. There was a bit of a learning curve to getting the dialed-in level of tightness I wanted.
While aesthetically pleasing with high levels of craftsmanship (as always), this is among On’s least high-performing uppers, mainly due to the lacing issue.
Is the On Cloudsurfer Max wide foot friendly?
Yes, the On Cloudsurfer Max is wide-foot friendly with an ample toebox that allows toe splay.
Is the On Cloudsurfer Max worth $180?
The On Cloudsufer Max competes with a bunch of shoes priced at $160-ish, so it’s overpriced for a high-stack daily trainer. But the On tax is in full effect. You’re either willing to pay extra for On, or you aren’t. Where you fall on that continuum will determine whether you think the price is right.
How to use the On Cloudsurfer Max
The On Cloudsurfer Max is best used to soak up daily miles at recovery or easy paces but can handle the occasional uptempo jaunt.
On Cloudsurfer Max Summary
The On Cloudsurfer Max looks big and is big, but it doesn’t give that same big feeling underfoot. This is more consistent with On’s line as a whole, so there’s now a more cohesive underfoot experience throughout the brand’s running shoe lineup. That’s not going to be what everyone is looking for, but those firmly [Editor’s Note: I see what you did there] in the On fan club will enjoy what the Cloudsurfer Max delivers.
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.
Disclosure
While On did provide a pair of the Cloudsurfer Max 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.
