For years, runners held one thing against On: its cloud-like midsoles looked superb and ran firm. With the original Cloudsurfer, the Swiss brand finally delivered a soft, almost plush road daily trainer. The Cloudsurfer 2 arrives with a surprising promise on paper, the smoothest ride in On's entire road lineup, and a more nuanced reality on the road: it is actually firmer, more stable and smoother-rolling than version 1. Here is why that shift is not a flaw but a deliberate choice.
The On Cloudsurfer 2 is the Swiss brand's versatile road daily trainer, built around a CloudTec Phase geometry with no Speedboard for a smooth heel-to-toe transition. It targets light to mid-weight runners who log 3 to 4 runs a week between 10 and 25 km, for endurance work and easy runs. Take the marketing promise of ultra-plush comfort with a grain of salt: version 2 firms up the cushioning to gain stability and support, which makes it more composed than the V1 but less cottony.
At RunMorph, we have seen one constant for years: On divides opinion. The Swiss brand built its identity on its famous CloudTec clouds, visually striking but often judged too firm by runners used to plush supercritical foams. The first Cloudsurfer changed the game in 2023 by dropping the rigid Speedboard for a CloudTec Phase geometry designed to roll while finally delivering a soft landing. The Cloudsurfer 2 does not turn its back on that legacy, but it corrects course where the V1 fell short: stability late in a run.
On's official line talks about the smoothest ride in its road lineup. Out on the road, the picture is more subtle. The Cloudsurfer 2 is definitely firmer than the first version: the enveloping plushness has given way to a more supported, more controlled feel that puts hold and foot feedback ahead of pure softness. For runners who found the V1 unstable or too floaty underfoot, that is excellent news. For those who picked the Cloudsurfer 1 precisely for its cottony feel, disappointment is possible. So the smart move is to understand what this pair is really built for before you buy it.
| Brand | On |
|---|---|
| Model | Cloudsurfer 2 |
| Official release | February 13, 2025 (SS25 season) |
| Type | Road, versatile daily trainer |
| Drop | 9 mm |
| Forefoot / heel stack | 23 mm / 32 mm |
| Weight (men's EU 42) | 260 g (230 g in women's 38.5) |
| Foam | Helion (supercritical EVA), CloudTec Phase geometry |
| Plate | No (no Speedboard) |
| Outsole | Rubber, computer-optimized pattern for durability |
| Recommended distance | 10 km up to long runs, easy runs and endurance work |
| Official price | €170 |
The drop goes from 10 to 9 mm compared with the first version, a marginal change most runners will not notice. The real evolution is elsewhere: in the Helion foam, which now feels more supportive, in the redesigned technical mesh upper, and in an outsole with a computer-generated pattern that places rubber only where wear concentrates.
The heart of the Cloudsurfer is its CloudTec Phase geometry. In practice, the hollow cells (the clouds) collapse in sequence, from back to front, as your foot loads them. This progressive collapse creates a rocking effect that guides the foot from heel to toe without a rigid plate. Where most brands add a Speedboard or a carbon plate to liven up the transition, On bets on midsole architecture alone. The result is a smooth, rolling stride that takes little effort at moderate pace.
Helion foam, a supercritical EVA, provides the bounce and the protection. On version 2 it feels firmer: you feel the ground more, which improves terrain feedback and lateral stability, two weak points of the V1. The trade-off is that the deep-cushion sensation fades. At RunMorph, our takeaway is a shoe that favors control and consistency over the showy comfort of the first few meters.
Tested across a pace range from slow easy running (around 6:15 per kilometer) to moderate tempo (around 4:45), the Cloudsurfer 2 is most at home in its natural comfort zone: base endurance and long runs at a controlled pace. At those speeds, the CloudTec Phase transition shines, the foot rolls through without jolts and the hold stays solid, even after 20 km. Stability, the real weak spot of the first Cloudsurfer, is clearly fixed here: the platform feels wider, landings feel more secure, and runners who pronate slightly will find reassuring guidance.
As soon as you push toward threshold and fast intervals, the Cloudsurfer 2 shows its limits. Helion foam, firmer but not very explosive, does not return energy the way a PEBA racing foam does. No surprise there: that is not what this pair is for. It is a daily training shoe, not a racing shoe. For step-in comfort, the mesh upper breathes well and the fit is snug, better suited to narrow to normal feet. If you have wide feet, try it on before you buy.
RunMorph's advice: if you are coming from the Cloudsurfer 1 and loved its plushness, take the time to run in the 2 before you decide. On the other hand, if a lack of stability kept you away from On, this version finally removes that obstacle. To compare the feel with other versatile daily trainers, check out our reviews of the Nike Pegasus 42 and the Saucony Ride 19.
Against the benchmarks of the neutral daily trainer segment, the Cloudsurfer 2 stands out mainly for its rolling geometry and its style. Here is how it stacks up on the criteria that matter to an undecided buyer.
| Model | Drop | Stack | Weight (size 42) | Foam | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Cloudsurfer 2 | 9 mm | 32/23 mm | 260 g | Helion (CloudTec Phase) | €170 |
| Nike Pegasus 42 | 10 mm | 37/27 mm | 280 g | ReactX | €140 |
| Brooks Ghost 18 | 10 mm | 36/26 mm | 278 g | Nitrogen-infused DNA Loft v3 | €150 |
| Saucony Ride 19 | 8 mm | 38/30 mm | 255 g | PWRRUN+ | €160 |
The Pegasus 42 remains more versatile and handles a bit more speed, at a lower price. The Ghost 18 relies on softer nitrogen-infused cushioning and a roomier fit. The Ride 19 has the most generous stack and a soft PWRRUN+ foam. The Cloudsurfer 2, for its part, plays the card of a smooth plateless ride and an instantly recognizable design, with extra stability that makes it reassuring. At 170 euros, though, it ranks among the most expensive shoes in the category.
If you run 3 to 4 times a week, mostly at endurance pace, and want a pair that holds you well from the first kilometer to the last, the Cloudsurfer 2 is a smart choice. Its reassuring guidance particularly suits light to mid-weight runners, up to about 80 kg, and runners who pronate slightly.
On's CloudTec signature feels like nothing else. If you like a smooth rocking effect and a design that turns heads, you will be happy. It is a fun daily trainer for piling up kilometers without thinking about it.
If you want deep, max-cushion softness, look instead at an Asics Gel-Nimbus 28 or a Hoka Clifton 11. And if your goal is fast intervals or racing, the Cloudsurfer 2 is not cut out for it.
A daily trainer like the Cloudsurfer 2 makes the most sense as part of a structured plan. To turn your easy runs into real progress, whether you are preparing a first 10K, a half marathon or long runs on the way to a marathon, lean on a plan built for your level and your schedule.
Explore the RunMorph training plans and fit the Cloudsurfer 2 into your build-up →
The On Cloudsurfer 2 is a successful road daily trainer that owns a clear choice: trading some of the V1's plushness for more stability and consistency. It is an honest pair, pleasant at moderate pace, durable and instantly recognizable. It does not try to be the fastest or the most cushioned shoe on the market, but the most reliable day to day for runners who like On's signature feel. Its only real drawback is the price, at the top end of the segment's range. Final score: 8/10, a safe bet for training, as long as you know you are buying a firm, stable daily trainer, not a cloud.