Founded in 2010, On is one of the newer companies in the running shoe world. But despite being a relative newcomer, the brand has quickly become a household name. Its distinctive CloudTec pods – patented hollow channels in the midsole – can be found nearly everywhere. From the gym to casual walks around cities to race-day finish lines, it’s clear On has built a strong reputation in a short time.
But On isn’t just coasting by on what it knows works. The brand is constantly innovating, and each new update and model incorporates new, modern technology for an enhanced running experience. This continued innovation is seen in the Cloudsurfer 3, the brand’s newest update of its lightweight daily training shoe.
The Cloudsurfer 3 saw some major upgrades from the model’s first two iterations, giving it a unique feel with more cushioning and energy return than ever before. Our Marathon Sports review team is here to dive into all these changes and learn more about the key features that make – or could potentially break – the newest Cloudsurfer.
On Cloudsurfer 3: A Quick Overview
Before diving into the key features, we’ll take a quick look at the numbers, specs, and technology that make up the Cloudsurfer 3.
- Advertised as a moderate cushion daily trainer built to deliver a smooth, soft ride during everyday miles
- Stack height: 38 mm in the heel, 29.4 mm in the toe
- Drop: 8.6 mm
- Weight: 10.6 oz (M)
- Midsole made from brand-new Surreal superfoam
- Re-engineered CloudTec Phase uses a new orientation and design for a smooth ride
- Engineered warp knit upper with zonal lofting provides a balance of softness and structure around the foot
- Price: $160
Key Features and Highlights: A Closer Look
The Cloudsurfer 3 offers a vast range of new technologies, and our review team couldn’t wait to dive in and take a closer look. We’ll go through each element one by one to give you the best possible insight into what you can expect from the new Cloudsurfer.
All-New Surreal Superfoam
For years, On has relied on its proprietary Helion superfoam to deliver a responsive, performance-focused ride. But now, the brand is switching things up. The Cloudsurfer 3 debuts brand-new supercritical Surreal foam.
This upgraded PEBA-blend superfoam is designed to absorb more impact while promoting smooth, soft landings. In fact, the brand claims 12% more shock absorption with this new midsole construction than previous designs.
Not only is the foam new, but the Cloudsurfer also saw a major stack height increase in its third iteration. While the Cloudsurfer 2 had a 32/23 mm stack height, the Cloudsurfer 3 has 38/29.4 mm of the energetic new Surreal foam. So, along with the softer step-in feel, you can expect more overall cushioning and protection underfoot.
Redesigned CloudTec Phase Construction
The midsole foam isn’t the only part of the Cloudsurfer that got a makeover. The CloudTec Phase technology also saw a major overhaul, featuring a brand new look and feel underfoot.
The new pod orientation encourages a forward rolling motion, helping you transition effortlessly through each stride. Along with giving the shoe a more modern, unique look, the redesign also offers a softer, smoother ride than ever before.
Warp Knit Upper
The upper has always been a point of contention in the Cloudsurfer. Many of our review team members found that, in the past, the engineered mesh upper used in the Cloudsurfer felt a bit stiff and narrow around the feet.
Luckily, you likely won’t come across this issue in the Cloudsurfer 3. The all-new warp knit design has a bit of structure for a secure, supportive lockdown, but is overall soft, flexible, and all-around more comfortable than its predecessor. Zonal lofting keeps the upper lightweight and breathable, and the 5% elastane design adds more stretch and flexibility.
While previous versions of the shoe have fit a bit short and narrow, especially in the toe box, our review team found the newest Cloudsurfer more spacious than its predecessors. For the most part, the shoe fit our team true-to-size, with more flexibility around the upper to accommodate different foot shapes.
Of course, functionality and comfort are the most important elements of a running shoe. But it certainly doesn’t hurt that the gradient design gives the shoe a sleek, modern look that you can easily transition from workouts to day-to-day wear.
Value & Versatility
The Cloudsurfer 3 is a neutral, moderate cushion trainer, meaning it excels most during everyday wear and training miles. However, with the increased stack height, softer foam, and smooth, responsive midsole geometry, the Cloudsurfer 3 is one of the most versatile models in this daily training category.
At $160, the price is in line with comparable shoes. And with how flexible and adaptable the newest update is, we think many runners will likely find the shoe offers plenty of value for their money. It’s responsive and lightweight, so you can still pick up the pace with ease. But there’s also enough cushioning underfoot to support you through longer mileage.
The premium materials, resilient foam, and rubber outsole also aid in durability, so you can take advantage of all these features for more miles.
Surf’s Up: The Cloudsurfer 3 in Action
From the new foam to the redesigned CloudTec midsole, the Cloudsurfer 3 boasts lots of novel, unfamiliar elements. So our review team laced them up to see what all these modern features brought to the newest Cloudsurfer update.
The Cloudsurfer itself isn’t new to our review team. Several of our members had both the Cloudsurfer 1 and 2 in their rotation. And while we enjoyed the lightweight, responsive feel, the Helion foam also felt a bit too firm underfoot, and the model was often reserved for shorter, more uptempo runs.
So with the Cloudsurfer 3’s brand-new Surreal foam, we were excited to feel some immediate step-in comfort and softness.
On shoes in general tend to feel a bit stiffer underfoot than comparable training shoes. So the plusher – yet still responsive – midsole in the Cloudsurfer 3 took us by surprise, but we definitely weren’t complaining. On daily miles and longer runs, this foam provided a comfortable, well-balanced ride that kept legs and feet feeling fresher for longer.
The redesigned CloudTec Phase in the midsole was another standout. Every transition felt smooth and effortless, as if the new pod orientation and rocker design were rolling us forward with every stride. There’s 8 mm more cushioning in the heel than the forefoot, so you can expect soft, protected landings in the heel with efficient transitions to the forefoot throughout each gait cycle.
We even put the Cloudsurfer 2 on one foot and the Cloudsurfer 3 on the other for a side-by-side comparison, and the differences were apparent. There was much more cushioning in the Cloudsurfer 3 than in its predecessor, and it was easy to feel how much softness and padding the brand added in the newest Cloudsurfer.
Even the upper felt more luxurious. It was lightweight and breathable, with a touch of extra padding and structure to keep everything locked in place.
We also really appreciated the Cloudsurfer 3’s versatility and adaptability. It easily covered a wider range of runs in the rotation than some other shoes with similar cushion levels. The increased stack height made it fantastic for cruising through daily miles or long run days. But the midsole geometry is also springy and propulsive enough to help keep you pushing through faster paced runs.
Runners who enjoy softer shoes will likely find the Cloudsurfer 3 is a top-of-the-line choice from On’s lineup. However, long-term fans of the brand who are more accustomed to stable, grounded landings may want to look elsewhere.
The Cloudsurfer 3’s platform is much higher than both previous versions and other On daily trainers, and leans into the plush, higher-stack trend of modern running shoes.
Ultimately, we enjoyed that the newest Cloudsurfer offered softer, luxurious landings while remaining responsive and well-balanced. You don’t sink into the higher platform when picking up the pace, so you can tackle nearly any type of run or effort in the Cloudsurfer 3.
If you want a reliable training shoe for all your runs – without the hefty price tag that comes with high-performance super trainers – the Cloudsurfer offers a versatile alternative that nearly any runner can appreciate.
Cloudsurfer 3 Pros and Cons
The third iteration of the Cloudsurfer saw a complete overhaul in terms of cushioning, midsole design, and more. And while some of these features were major standouts, other aspects of the shoe weren’t quite as popular among our reviewers.
Here are some of the top pros and cons to consider before purchasing the Cloudsurfer 3.
Pros
- New Surreal foam is a major upgrade, blending softness and responsiveness for maximum shock absorption and comfort
- Redesigned CloudTec Phase pods offer a smoother ride than ever before, with a new orientation designed to roll you forward
- Engineered warp knit upper is soft and flexible around the foot, with zonal lofting for strategic breathability and structure
- High stack of springy, dynamic foam boosts versatility, allowing you to tackle long runs, uptempo workouts, and everything in between in these shoes
Cons
- While many athletes might enjoy the extra underfoot cushioning, you lose the stable, grounded feel found in previous Cloudsurfer iterations
- More premium foam and padding result in a higher weight than previous Cloudsurfer versions
The Cloudsurfer 3 vs the Competition: Which Model is Right for You?
As evidenced by the Cloudsurfer 3’s hit-or-miss features, running shoe preferences tend to be pretty personal based on the individual walker or runner. No running shoe is perfect for everyone, so even if the Cloudsurfer 3 sounds like a great choice for you, we always suggest trying a few different options.
Those looking for a shoe that fits in the same versatile daily trainer category should also check out the Asics Novablast 6. At $155, it’s the slightly more budget-friendly option between the two. Like the Cloudsurfer 3, it’s bouncy and versatile for easy transitions between workout efforts, although the springy trampoline pod does make it a bit more geared towards uptempo runs, while the Cloudsurfer 3 shines most during everyday training runs.
The Cloudsurfer 3 is technically a moderate cushion shoe, but with an upgraded 38/29.4 mm stack height, it’s starting to dip into high cushion running shoe territory. If this increased stack height appeals to you, you should compare the Cloudsurfer 3 to the New Balance 1080 v15.
The 1080 has a higher stack height than the Cloudsurfer, with 40 mm of foam in the heel and 34 mm in the forefoot. Both New Balance’s Infinion foam and On’s Surreal foam are centered around softness and responsiveness, so no matter which shoe you go with, you’ll feel like you’re walking on clouds. However, the 1080 is the softer option between the two, so you do lose some of the versatility for uptempo runs that you can expect in the Cloudsurfer.
The Finish Line: Try the Cloudsurfer 3 at Marathon Sports Today
On’s one-of-a-kind CloudTec pods are one of the most iconic and recognizable running shoe features around today. Whether you’re lifting at the gym, pushing yourself through a road race, or just walking around a city, these stylish and functional shoes are hard to miss.
And with the Cloudsurfer’s third iteration, On takes comfort and cushioning to the next level. The shoe maintains the sleek, lightweight aesthetic of previous versions, all while incorporating a brand-new foam and more cushioning than ever for a modern feel that can carry you through all your training runs.
The Cloudsurfer 3 – along with other top running shoe brands and models – is available to try now at your nearest Marathon Sports. Stop in today and use our free, signature Right Fit process to find your perfect running shoe. Through this personalized fitting, our dedicated team will get to know you and your feet to ensure you end up with the best shoe for you, no matter where or how far your running journey takes you.
