On Cloudsurfer 2 Review: Just the Essentials

All shoes are reviewed by the Fleet Feet tester team, which represents a wide variety of goals, foot shapes, running locations and terrains. Reviewers pound the pavement, climb the hills, tackle the trails, then come together to compare notes. Debates ensue over the feel of the cushioning, the purpose of the shoe, and how it compares to last year’s model. While each reviewer has their own individual preferences, we hope that capturing our debates will help you make an informed decision.

There are two types of customers at the ice cream shop. The first customer is always searching for the newest, most exciting toppings. They pile their waffle cone with pretzel bits, cookie crumbs, and maybe even a few chili pepper flakes. There’s no topping too wild or wacky for this customer, it’s all part of the ice cream parlor experience.

The second customer knows what they like and sticks to it—one scoop of chocolate ice cream, please. Just a yummy, high quality scoop of ice cream without any extras to get in the way of the flavor they love. If you’re the second customer, the On Cloudsurfer 2 may be the shoe for you.

On’s CloudTec Phase cushioning creates a balanced ride that feels so smooth and natural underfoot, some of our reviewers forgot they were supposed to be shoe testing and instead got blissfully lost in the simple joy of running. But what did our wacky topping enthusiasts think about the Cloudsurfer 2? Read on to find out.

It’s a rare occurrence when all of our reviewers agree on something, but in this case we were sure that the Cloudsurfer 2 felt firmer than the previous model. What we couldn’t agree on was whether or not that was a good or bad thing.

“I went for a couple of three-to-four-mile runs in the Cloudsurfer 2,” says Mandy. “They felt a little firmer than the previous version and not as soft, squishy and fun.”

I enjoy soft, squishy shoes, so I was a bit disappointed when I stepped into my pair and immediately noticed the difference. I wore them for a 6-mile easy run and the word that came to my mind was “fine.” They felt fine. They’ve got a decent amount of cushioning, but it doesn’t really have any bounce or softness to it. I say this with a negative tone because of my own preferences but some runners don’t want to deal with a ton of bouncy foam and just want a simple ride with no extra frills, like Kate.

“When I first tried on the Cloudsurfer 2, I was surprised by how firm they felt. I remembered the Cloudsurfer as a very soft shoe,” Kate says. “Once I started moving in them, they felt perfect—just soft enough, with a little bit of give, but not overly squishy. They have a subtle rocker shape that helps me glide along with each stride. As a person with flexible arches and flat feet, I like my shoes to be fairly firm, and these feel just right for me.”

Despite the firmer feel, the shoe still uses the same CloudTec Phase cushioning as the previous model. The oblong-shaped pods embedded in the midsole act as dominos–when one collapses, it falls into the next, creating that subtle rocker sensation Kate mentioned.

“My first run in the Cloudsurfer was a 6-mile recovery day, and they were really fun to run in,” she says. “To me, this is one of those shoes that feels like it becomes a part of your body—running in them feels really natural. In a world where shoes keep getting more maximalist and super squishy, the Cloudsurfer is a breath of fresh air!”

While Kate is team chocolate ice cream, Mandy and I are on the wacky topping team all the way.

On also updated the Cloudsurfer 2 with a more durable outsole, and reviewers noticed the difference.

“One of my few complaints about the first version of the Cloudsurfer was that it felt slippery when it was wet out,” Mandy says. “Thankfully, I didn’t have any problems with that in the Cloudsurfer 2.”

Even if we couldn’t agree on the comfortability of the midsole, all three of us agreed that the upper of the Cloudsurfer 2–made with 88% recycled polyester–was positively cozy.

“The fit of the Cloudsurfer 2 feels really streamlined,” Kate says. “I have just enough space in the toebox, without too much extra room. The midfoot and heel fit securely. The heel collar has a nicely padded feel that adds to the overall comfort of a fairly minimal shoe.”

I found the Cloudsurfer 2 to fit perfectly on my low-volume feet (feet that don’t take up a lot of space within the shoe). The width was perfect and I experienced no uncomfortable rubbing or hot spots. The tongue and heel are thick and padded, just as I’d expect from this type of daily trainer. It’s not designed for weight savings, it’s meant to be as comfortable as possible. If you aren’t sure about the volume, width or size of your feet, your best bet will be to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.

The On Cloudsurfer 2 feels a little firmer than the previous version, and it’s also a little bit heavier.

“When I got the newest version of the Cloudsurfer, it was a little like me after the holidays–it had put on a little weight,” says Mandy. “It just felt a little chonkier than the previous version of the Cloudsurfer.”

The Cloudsurfer 2 has one millimeter of additional foam under the forefoot, bringing the heel-to-toe drop (the difference in height between your heel and forefoot) down to nine millimeters. The upper also feels a little bit more padded, which could be responsible for the additional weight.

While the Cloudsurfer 2 is slightly heavier, it’s still relatively lightweight for a daily trainer. The additional weight won’t slow you down on easy runs at a slow to moderate pace, which is what I’d recommend using these shoes for.

We took a look at some similar models to see how the Cloudsurfer 2 stacks up. Here’s what we found.

The On Cloudsurfer 2, Saucony Ride 18 and GEL-Cumulus 27 are all their respective brands’ versions of a moderately cushioned daily trainer. While they have enough cushioning underfoot to support your feet and absorb impact, they don’t feel super soft, squishy or bouncy like some maximally cushioned shoes do.

The Cloudsurfer 2 feels decidedly more firm with less stack height than the Ride or Cumulus, making it a good choice for runners who like a bit more ground feedback.

Thanks to firm CloudTec Phase cushioning and a moderate stack height, the Cloudsurfer 2 is best for runners seeking a simple, dependable ride.

“Super squishy, high-stack shoes just don’t feel good for my stride, and the Cloudsurfer 2 feels comfortable and smooth,” Kate says. “The On Cloudsurfer 2 has just enough cushion to feel comfortable and protective, but not so much that I’m sinking in and losing my momentum.”

The Cloudsurfer 2 fit true to size for all of our reviewers, so if you enjoy the underfoot feel you’ll likely be able to find your perfect fit. However, it’s only available in standard widths (B for women, D for men), something to keep in mind for wide-footed runners.