I ran 40 miles in the On Cloudsurfer 2 and it’s a smooth and stylish daily trainer

The On Cloudsurfer 7 was such a good running shoe that On decided to reset the entire line at that point, which is why its successor is called the On Cloudsurfer 2. It’s confusing, but the soft, smooth ride of the Cloudsurfer 7 (or Cloudsurfer 2023) was so different to past models it does make some sense.

On has mostly stuck to the same design with the Cloudsurfer 2, which has the same smooth midsole rocker as its predecessor, but uses a firmer foam to create a more resilient ride on long runs, and boost the shoe’s durability.

I found the Cloudsurfer 2 one of the best running shoes for cruising through easy runs, and if you’re looking for a stylish shoe you can wear casually as well as for running it would top my list. However, it lacks the versatility of my favorite daily trainers, like the Adidas Adizero Evo SL, and is more expensive than some other excellent shoes like the Asics Novablast 5.

On Cloudsurfer 2 review: price and availability

The On Cloudsurfer 2 launched in February 2025 and costs $160 in the U.S. and £150 in the U.K., which is the same price as its predecessor. It’s a little more expensive than many comparable daily trainers like the Asics Novablast 5, Hoka Clifton 10 and Nike Pegasus 41, which are $140-$150.

On Cloudsurfer 2 review: design and fit

The On Cloudsurfer 2 is available in four colors at launch including the Ivory color I tested, which looked fantastic until I actually ran in it during the UK winter and immediately got it dirty. If you can avoid puddles or opt for the black colorway, however, it’s definitely one of the best-looking running shoes I’ve tested.

On says the drop is now 9mm, whereas it’s listed as 10mm for the Cloudsurfer on the Swiss brand’s website. I found that the Cloudsurfer 2 has quite a tight fit around the toes, but was happy in my normal running shoe size. If you’re big for your size or like a roomy toebox, you could consider going half a size up.

The new shoe is heavier than its predecessor, which I’d say is mostly down to the thicker outsole rubber. The Cloudsurfer 2 weighs 9.4oz in my men’s US 9.5, whereas the Cloudsurfer 2023 weighs 8.7oz in the same size.

Upper

The Cloudsurfer 2 has a very comfortable upper, with lots of padding around the collar and tongue of the shoe. On says the material used on the Cloudsurfer 2 is more breathable than the upper on the Cloudsurfer, but I didn’t notice a big change between the two shoes.

Midsole

Like its predecessor, the On Cloudsurfer 2 uses On’s Helion foam in its midsole with the brand’s CloudTec Phase design that uses gaps in the foam shaped like dominoes to create a rockered ride that eases you from heel to toe. This rocker works well and creates a very enjoyable ride for runs at easy paces.

The Cloudsurfer 2 is still softer than most On running shoes, but the foam is firmer than on the Cloudsurfer 2023. This creates a more resilient ride for long runs, and should make the shoe more durable, but does take away some of the charm of the Cloudsurfer and makes it more like other On shoes.

Outsole

The On Cloudsurfer 2 has good rubber coverage on the forefoot and heel of the shoe, and it’s a thicker outsole than the one on the Cloudsurfer 2023 as well as having more rubber coverage. This should also help boost durability, and I didn’t find that the new shoe squeaked as much as its predecessor when running in wet conditions.

On Cloudsurfer 2 review: running performance

The Cloudsurfer 2023 was my favorite On daily trainer ever thanks to its smooth ride and the fact it was much softer than other On shoes, and the Cloudsurfer 2 is, for me, a small improvement on its predecessor because of the firmer midsole foam.

While some will miss the softness of the Cloudsurfer 2023, the Cloudsurfer 2 is still a soft shoe and I prefer the extra resilience and energy return you get from the firmer midsole, especially on long runs. I found the Cloudsurfer 2023 would start to feel a bit flat by the end of long runs, which isn’t a problem with the new shoe.

I mostly used the Cloudsurfer 2 for easy runs during my marathon training and it’s perfect for those, with the rocker helping the miles to tick by almost effortlessly. I found it has a very natural feel and while heavier than the previous model, it’s still a lighter shoe than most cushioned options.

It didn’t feel fantastic when I upped the pace, however. The rocker seemed to flatten out for me and the Helion foam in the midsole isn’t particularly bouncy or responsive. In contrast to easy paces, when it felt like the shoe was working with my stride beautifully, at faster speeds I felt I had to work harder in the Cloudsurfer 2 than in some other daily trainers with livelier midsole foams like the Asics Novablast 5 or Adidas Evo SL.

Should you buy the On Cloudsurfer 2?

I greatly enjoyed my runs in the Cloudsurfer 2 for the most part and it does have an edge on many daily trainers in terms of its stylish design, which makes it a shoe you’ll be keen to wear during and outside of your runs — just don’t get it as filthy as mine.

In this regard it’s a better running shoe than similarly street-ready shoes like the Nike Pegasus Premium and Adidas Ultraboost 5. However, I do think you can get more versatile daily trainers for less than the Cloudsurfer 2 if you’re not too fussed about aesthetics.

The Adidas Adizero Evo SL is an outstanding option in particular. It shines at faster paces and is comfortable at easy ones, though it’s not as stable as the Cloudsurfer 2. The Asics Novablast 5 is stable and highly-cushioned though, and it’s a great daily trainer with a rockered ride that will suit a wide range of runners well.

If you want a good-looking shoe for cruising through easy runs, the Cloudsurfer 2 is a smooth operator and certainly a top option, but it lacks some spark for faster runs compared to the best shoes going right now.