Surf and Turf: Conquering Roads with the On Cloudsurfer 2

As owner of Run Oregon, I go through a lot of running shoes. I log plenty of miles before sharing my thoughts, but with so many options to showcase for our readers, I’m often moving on to the next pair quickly. My shed has become a museum (or maybe a graveyard) of past pairs—part of the job.

But every so often, a shoe stands out, refusing to fade into the archives, and I keep reaching for it. The On Cloudsurfer was one of those—a shoe that looked great, felt great, and became my go-to “runcation” pair, seamlessly transitioning from casual wear to solid mileage.

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That’s why I’m so excited for the On Cloudsurfer 2—because my original pair has officially been retired from sheer use (which is a good thing!).

Looks

The initial colorway we reviewed in the original Cloudsurfer was right up my alley—a creamy, tropical blue with orange highlights that make it a go-to for trips to warmer climates. Of course, looks are subjective, and it’s not like most shoes don’t have at least a handful of options available.

Is this the best On Running Shoe ever? The On Cloudsurfer Delivers!

Currently, the Cloudsurfer 2 provides four colorways, all relatively toned down. There’s nothing that screams flashy or in-your-face, and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Even the orange version has a more muted tone.  Our reviewed color (Beinge & Grey) probably dials up the ability to pair these for a runcation even easier.

The main gray colorway is only slightly accented by a couple—yes, just literally a couple—yellow bits on the outsole and near the laces; otherwise, it’s a gray, black, and white shoe. And yes, this absolutely makes it so much easier to pair.

Construction and Fit

Sliding into the Cloudsurfer 2 felt like coming home. The step-in feel literally made me smile; it just feels super welcoming to put on. I ended up just wearing it around casually for a few days before putting it to the running test because it looked and felt so nice. It’s a solid daily training option, and I feel this is going to slide in where the OG left off—something that dominates my vacation/travel and puts in the miles week after week.

It’s not the highest-stacked shoe out there, but I’ll be honest: I’m starting to find myself personally dialing back a little bit from the extremes. Don’t get me wrong; I can appreciate max cushion (if it’s not a marshmallow) and high stack, but my body is starting to react better to something more dialed back.

The lower stack height and moderate cushion (at least compared to other max-cushion stalwarts—it’s NOT a firm shoe) in the Cloudsurfer 2 felt really great. For me, that makes it actually a more frequent go-to shoe than those others.

Specs

• Weight: 9.17 oz (M9)
• Stack Height: Heel 32 mm; Toe 23 mm
• Drop: 9 mm

Upper

I don’t feel as if the upper strays too far from the original, but I do think there have been some nice updates. The upper is now made of an engineered mesh, and it feels more breathable. The design looks just slightly crisper. Basically, it’s a welcome modification and not a complete overhaul.

I do feel that the base may be a little wider than the V1. The original wasn’t a narrow shoe, but in putting these on, I mentally commented on the fact that the base felt like it could accommodate a wider foot, and there was more toe splay than I remembered. The tongue and the heel are solidly padded, providing a comfortable lock.

Midsole

The midsole is really what makes this shoe what it is. For years, On had a reputation for being a firm (and in reality, WAY too firm) shoe brand. The removal of the infamous Speedboard and replacement with CloudTec Phase was perhaps the best decision ever made.

The Cloudsurfer 2 continues on this positive trajectory with just some refinement (thanks to computer generation) to the cushion and a Helion superfoam. This makes it cushioned but also not too mushy. Also, since it’s not stacked to the max, it feels really stable.

In fact, I would probably say it runs just perhaps a tiny bit firmer than its predecessor. I would hypothesize that is by design, as one of the complaints from the original Cloudsufer was the development of a squeak (which we experienced). We think this was likely the soft midsole compression and am wondering if the slight adjustment in firmness in the Cloudsurfer is a direct result of this issue.

Outsole

The outsole was also refined thanks to computer generation. It should prove to be pretty durable. It’s got some strategic rubber on the forefoot and heel to increase coverage in spots where runners hit. It’s perhaps not going to tackle varied terrain with ease, but for road running, it will handle with ease.

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In the end, I’m just really happy to see the Cloudsurfer line keep getting better. On has made some big improvements over the years, and this version just feels right. It’s got that perfect mix of comfort, style, and performance that makes it an easy go-to for daily miles. The Cloudsurfer – and now the Cloudsurfer 2 – is one of those shoes I know I can count on—and that’s exactly why it’s become one of my favorites.