Running on Cloud Nine thanks to the On Cloudrunner 2

We tried the initial Cloudrunner and, while it was appreciated, a common theme emerged: the midsole was just too firm. I love wearing it out and about, but it is no longer a daily running option. Much like my beloved Cloudsurfer, this version of the Cloudrunner 2 comes without a speedboard, instead featuring a new Helion superfoam midsole. Read more below.

Looks:

No joke, this is one of the best-looking running shoes I have ever seen. Yes, it’s a white shoe in the Pacific Northwest (which means they will soon be an off-whte/brown color before long), but dang, it’s such a pretty shoe. The creamy green and gold combination, alongside the white, is super fresh.

It actually took me about four days of wearing them around my house before I reluctantly agreed to take them outdoors. I just want the visualization to last forever! So much so, that I have a shoe cleaner kit currently sitting in my Amazon cart, just waiting to go.

Honestly, if you didn’t know these were made for running, you’d think they were designed for casual wear. They’d be a fantastic addition to anyone’s closet. I absolutely love them. Top-notch here.

Construction:

Upper:

The upper is made from 100% recycled Swiss-engineered mesh (whatever that means – we just know its nice), which performs as well as it looks. The tongue and collar are well-cushioned, providing a comfortable fit. Although it can feel a bit roomy, it holds and hugs the foot nicely.

Midsole:

The midsole truly stands out in this version, which isn’t always the case with On shoes. Instead of a speedboard, this model features Helion superfoam, offering a balanced level of cushioning. It’s not too firm—a common issue with On shoes—nor is it overly soft. This straightforward middle-ground ride feel is likely to appeal to many.

The platform is also quite wide, contributing to a supportive ride.

Outsole:

The upgraded outsole is designed to prevent stones from getting trapped while running—a challenge On is seemingly actively acknowledging for the first time. Although I didn’t experience this issue often, it’s a known problem. The absence of cutouts, thanks to the removal of the speedboard, helps resolve this. With the midsole now filled in, the outsole has a more mainstream design, effectively preventing stone trapping.

The grip itself on the outsole does a nice job as well.

Fit:

Positives

These shoes are super easy to slide into, and the cushioning on the tongue, collar, and midsole makes them one of the more welcoming fits among On running shoes. Additionally, they feature an added 1mm of drop compared to the previous version, and the men’s version has shed a significant amount of weight—almost an ounce.

For Consideration:

I recommend sizing down by a half size if you prefer a more standard fit. My size 12 felt slightly large, and I suspect an 11.5 might have been perfect. While it’s not a deal breaker and hasn’t caused any significant issues during runs, I did notice some slight sliding. The fit is accommodating, so if you have a larger foot, this shoe should work well for you.

Overall:

At $150, this shoe feels like an absolute bargain. It is comfortable enough for training miles, can pair with just about any casual wear option, and maybe (as could be the case for me), end up a travel shoe in the future.