On Cloudsurfer Next review

On returns with a new edition of its popular road running shoes with the Cloudsurfer Next promising a fast and comfortable ride. But does it deliver? Our expert tester Rob Slade finds out.

The last iteration of the On Cloudsurfer has been a regular in my shoe rotation since I first tested it in 2023. Back then, I scored it 89% and praised it for the plush cushioning, which was a pleasure to wear on easy runs. Check out our round-up of the best On running shoes to buy in 2024.

First impressions of the On Cloudsurfer Next

That’s still the case now, so I was intrigued to see what the Cloudsurfer Next had to offer. The latter looks a little more like a dedicated run shoe, largely thanks to the lightweight engineered woven upper and the lack of oversized ‘Cloudsurfer’ tab on the tongue. Other differences include a 6mm drop, as opposed to 10mm on the Cloudsurfer. 

I’ve gone up half a size with these shoes, as I often need to do with On, and the fit is pretty much spot on for me. The lacing locks down the foot well and there’s plenty of space for toe splaying in the toe box. However, if you do have particularly wide feet, there is a wide-fit option available, too.

A quick note on weight, too. The last Cloudsurfer came in at 281g (size UK11.5) on the scales and there’s a 27g increase for the Cloudsurfer Next. That’s minor, and while the shoes of course feel heavier than race-day run shoes, they do feel light when in motion.

Comfort and fit

The comfort isn’t quite as impressive as I experienced with the standard Cloudsurfer. The brand itself describes the cushioning as ‘mid’ rather than ‘plush’.

This means easier miles aren’t quite as soft underfoot, though I wouldn’t go as far to describe this as a firm ride. There’s no carbon plate or rockplate, but the ride just felt a little flat and uninspiring at slower paces. That’s fine if there’s plush cushioning underfoot, but that’s not the case here.

When picking up to tempo pace things get a bit more lively and the Helion superfoam midsole starts to become noticeable. If you’re a heel striker, you’ll really start to appreciate the transition at this pace, too, right the way through from landing to toe off. It rolls nicely, which is helped by the forefoot rocker, and you can start to feel some propulsion, which you don’t get so much of in the older Cloudsurfer.

Ride and performance

Underfoot, the outsole has proved grippy in a range of conditions, including wet pavement and paths covered in wet leaves. It’s always hard to comment on durability until you’ve done a few hundred kilometres, but after regular use over a test period of six weeks, there’s no noticeable signs of wear yet.

While On says these shoes are neutral, I found them reassuringly stable and supportive. Every foot placement felt secure and, although it feels like there’s slightly less cushioning around the tongue and ankle, it holds the ankle well. Meanwhile, I was also pleased to see that the graphics along the side of the shoes are reflective, which aids visibility while running at night.

Final thoughts – is the Cloudsurfer Next worth buying?

It’s hard to see how the Cloudsurfer Next would fit into my shoe rotation. There’s better, more comfortable options for easy miles and more propulsive shoes for faster paces. Though, admittedly, the latter often come in at a higher price point, especially if they utilise a carbon plate. Ultimately, these are good shoes, but they’d just be best for runners that do their easy miles at a decent pace, or those who do a lot of tempo running.

On Cloudsurfer Next spec

Price:	$150/£140
Sizes:	3-9 (women’s, UK), 6.5-13.5 (men’s, UK)
Drop:	6mm
Midsole:	Helion superfoam midsole
Weight:	308g, 11.5 men’s UK