Eight months after a Cloudsurfer 2 that many runners judged too firm, On corrects course with the Cloudsurfer 3. New foam, new midsole geometry, 8 mm of drop instead of 9: the Swiss brand promises cushioning that finally matches its premium daily trainers. The question is whether the extra comfort is worth the 24 extra grams.
On Cloudsurfer 3 Review: More Cushioning, More Weight
7.5/10
The essentials in 3 sentences
The Cloudsurfer 3 replaces the Helion foam with a thicker, softer Surreal supercritical foam, and you feel the change from the first strides. It gains in comfort and stability what it loses in lightness and pep, with 285 grams claimed for a men's size 9. At 170 €, it is a daily trainer built for easy miles, not for chasing a time.
7.5
/ 10 · RunMorph overall score
Who is it for?Runners who want a comfortable shoe for easy runs, recovery days and easy long runs, and wide feet that lacked room in the Cloudsurfer 2.
Who should skip it?Runners looking for a light, lively shoe for speedwork, or a tight budget wanting the best value for money.
On Cloudsurfer 3: the daily trainer that bets everything on comfort
On built its reputation on a feel recognizable among a thousand: that sensation of walking on a cushion of air thanks to the CloudTec pods. With the Cloudsurfer line, the Zurich brand targeted a different crowd than its racing models, one that wants to rack up miles without thinking about it. The second generation disappointed part of that crowd, with a Helion foam judged too firm, which turned harsh by the end of a long run.
The third version changes almost everything underfoot. New Surreal foam, the brand's first supercritical foam. New CloudTec Phase geometry, without a Speedboard plate this time. A drop lowered to 8 mm versus 9 mm on the previous generation. Released October 1, 2026 at specialty stores in France, for 170 €, with online distribution announced later in the season.
RunMorph's advice: if you want a livelier On shoe to vary your paces, look instead at the Cloudmonster 3. If you already owned the Cloudsurfer 2 and the firmness bothered you, the third version fixes exactly that flaw.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
Objective technical data
| Brand | On |
|---|---|
| Model | Cloudsurfer 3 |
| Release | October 1, 2026 |
| Type | Road, neutral daily trainer, maximum cushioning |
| Drop | 8 mm |
| Stack (heel / forefoot) | 45 mm / 37 mm |
| Claimed weight | 285 g (men's, US size 9) |
| Foam | Surreal (supercritical EVA foam) |
| Plate | None (CloudTec Phase, no Speedboard) |
| Outsole | Reinforced rubber on impact zones |
| Upper | Warp Knit mesh, padded collar and tongue |
| Recommended distance | Easy runs to marathon (endurance miles) |
| Price | 170 € |
The figures published by On sometimes differ from what testers measure. A US size larger than the European 42 was weighed at a bit over 300 grams by one American tester, well above the 285 grams communicated for the European reference. The gap is mostly explained by the size tested, but it is worth knowing before you buy. This shoe is not a feather, whichever size you pick.
Who is the Cloudsurfer 3 made for?
The runner who prioritizes comfort over distance
Sunday easy runs, recovery jogs, the first miles of a marathon build: this is the natural playground for this shoe. The cushioning absorbs repeated impacts well, and several testers note that it opens up with the miles rather than packing down.
Wide feet that wanted more room
The Cloudsurfer 2 ran tight across the midfoot for some runners. The third version fixes this with a roomier upper, confirmed by two American testers who sized down half a size from their usual fit without feeling cramped.
The heavier runner looking for stability without stiffness
A wider base and a denser foam give an unusual sense of stability for a neutral shoe. One tester even admitted he would have mistaken it for a stability shoe if he hadn't known its spec sheet. He recommends it for runners over 90 kg looking for cushioning that doesn't collapse.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
The real-world test: comfort, stability and behavior
Three independent reviews tell much the same story, with nuances. A French test run ahead of the official release describes a shoe that is soft but not mushy, comfortable but not entirely passive. The foot feels guided rather than immobilized, and the heel-to-toe transition stays fluid even when picking up the pace a bit.
On the American side, opinions diverge slightly on one point: energy return. One tester found it bouncier than expected, with a striking comparison to the first-generation Brooks Glycerin Max. Another tester, however, found it firmer than expected for a supercritical foam, stable to the point of doubting its neutral category. This divergence probably comes down to body weight and stride. The heavier the footstrike, the more the foam compresses, and the more energy it returns.
A third review, more analytical, puts a number on the progress: the new foam compresses 15.5% more than the previous generation, in an internal brand test. Braking force at ground contact drops by 9.9%. This same review held paces under 6 minutes per mile without losing the thread, which rules out the idea of a shoe strictly reserved for slow runs.
On grip, the finding is clearer: an improvement over the previous generation, with a rubber compound that bites properly into wet asphalt. One tester verified this by comparing both pairs side by side on a wet sidewalk, and gives a clear edge to the new outsole.
Pros
- Deep cushioning that doesn't pack down over distance
- Surprising stability for a neutral shoe
- Roomier upper, good midfoot hold
- Reliable grip on wet surfaces
- Finish and materials that suggest good durability
Cons
- Noticeable weight gain over the previous generation
- Not very exciting at faster paces
- Upper volume sometimes judged excessive on a narrow foot
- Value for money judged average by a French test
- Fatigue felt sooner on already-tired legs, according to one tester
On Cloudsurfer 3 vs Hoka Clifton Pro vs Saucony Triumph 24: the comparison
Three premium daily trainers, three different philosophies. The Hoka Clifton Pro stays lighter and livelier, built for runners who want versatility from easy runs to threshold work. The Saucony Triumph 24 bets on generous cushioning while keeping a bouncier feel than the Cloudsurfer 3. Against them, the On clearly positions itself on the pure-comfort side, even at the cost of some pep.
| On Cloudsurfer 3 | Hoka Clifton Pro | Saucony Triumph 24 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (men's) | 285 g | lighter | comparable |
| Drop | 8 mm | 5 mm | 8 mm |
| Character | Maximum comfort, stable | Versatile, lively | Bouncy cushioning |
| Price | 170 € | variable | variable |
For a livelier riding style on everyday runs, the Asics Novablast 6 remains a lighter, more playful alternative at faster paces. For a lighter daily trainer that can still handle an occasional speed session, the Puma Deviate Pure Nitro is worth a look.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
How to fit the Cloudsurfer 3 into your RunMorph training plan
This shoe finds its place during the high-volume weeks of a RunMorph marathon training plan. Base runs, recovery jogs and the first long runs are exactly the terrain where its cushioning makes the difference. Keep a lighter pair, though, for quality sessions, speedwork and race-pace efforts. The Cloudsurfer 3 isn't built for that, and none of the three reviews read for this test recommend it for that use.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
RunMorph Coach's verdict
The Cloudsurfer 3 does what it promises: more comfort, more stability, an upper that breathes better. The three reviews read for this test agree on one point. It progresses clearly compared with a second generation that had left a bittersweet taste. But that progress comes at a cost, literal as well as figurative: 24 extra grams on the scale. Value for money, meanwhile, is still rated fair by several testers, without making it a standalone selling point. 7.5/10, for a solid shoe rather than an exceptional one.
What to remember for your training
- Cushioning and stability up: the Surreal foam fixes the Cloudsurfer 2's main flaw, its excessive firmness late in a run.
- 285 grams claimed: a weight to keep in mind if you usually run with a lighter daily trainer, the difference is felt from the first miles.
- Save it for easy runs: easy runs, recovery and long runs, not for speedwork or race paces.
- Good news for wide feet: the Warp Knit upper leaves more room than before at the midfoot.
- 170 €: a classic premium daily trainer budget, to compare with the Clifton Pro or the Triumph 24 depending on your priorities.