ON CLOUDSURFER

£150 Is this On’s most comfortable run shoe yet?

Head to any tri hotspot and you’ll see On’s trademark ‘clouds’ on the bottom of multiple feet. Take a look at the brand’s newest version of the Cloudsurfer, however, and those pods are here no more. Well, that’s not technically true. On says there are still clouds present, but they’re now built directly into the Helion foam used in the one-piece CloudTec Phase midsole. What we’re left with are gaps in the foam. The idea is that these collapse like dominos when your foot strikes the ground, delivering improved cushioning and a softer ride.

Comparing this seventh iteration to its predecessor, it’s definitely noticeable. In our review of the Cloudsurfer 6, we noted that the ride was on the firm side, but it’s all change here. From the moment you slip these shoes on and sink into the footbed the comfort is apparent, as it when you head out on a run. Landings feel soft and plush, with a hint of a bounce imploring you to push on.

Comfort is boosted further by the generous padding around the ankle and on the tongue. The latter helps ensure zero discomfort from the laces, which itself allows you to achieve a great fit. Speaking of which, as with the last version, we decided to go up by half a size for extra length, but it’s worth noting that these shoes allow for a lot of toe splay and aren’t particularly narrow, either.

Despite the extra cushioning, the new shoe actually knocks roughly 100g off of the last iteration (280g per shoe, UK 11). That’ll have something to do with the fact that On has ditched the Speedboard plate. The weight loss is noticeable and the Cloudsurfer feels light on the feet, but the lack of Speedboard means you lose a little bit of the rebound and energy return that you’d otherwise get.

Ultimately, though, the CloudTec Phase softens that blow. As we mentioned earlier, there’s a hint of a bounce when running and the shoes roll smoothly from foot strike to toe off. And when you pick up the pace? Well, that hint of a bounce grows, so much so that we regularly found ourselves having to resist the urge to push harder or longer. Grip is solid, too, both on dry and damp ground.

Besides comfort and performance, On also continues to focus on sustainability. In total, the shoe’s made up of roughly 30% recycled materials, with 85% of the polyester itself being recycled. The brand also says that the dope dyeing process it uses to colour the shoes reduces water usage by 90% compared to normal.

After a two-month test period, it’s fair to say we’re fans of the revamped midsole. On says this is a training shoe (it has a 10mm drop and a neutral ride) and we’d agree that it’s an efficient daily trainer for short to mid-distances, but if you’re not looking for top-end speed, it’s cushioned embrace would also be welcome come the exit of T2.

“When you pick up the pace that hint of a bounce grows and we regularly had to resist the urge to push harder or go longer”