On's Cloudsurfer 2 Does (Nearly) Everything You Could Ever Ask of It
Happy marathon training season, folks. If you live in an area that's even somewhat dense, it's unavoidable: Runners hoisting their phones in the air and wailing their miles out loud, Instagram stories touting Garmin and Strava screenshots, millennial run clubs resembling 18th-century angry mobs, and half-sucked gel packets on the side of every other trail and sidewalk.
But y'all know what Uncle Ben said to young Peter Parker, right? With great power (to tell every single human about that race you signed up for) comes great responsibility (to buy good shoes that won't cause permanent joint damage while you do it).
So here we are. During my marathon training this year (sorry, but that is unfortunately a need-to-know professional disclosure for this review), I'm testing a few pairs of running shoes for Esquire—one of which is On's Cloudsurfer 2, which has been in my rotation for about six months now. And it already might be in yours, too; On debuted the Cloudsurfer 2 in February 2025, hyping it as its soft, smooth, and springy (On's words, not mine) everyday runner.
Well, how does it stack up after a half year of wear and tear? And how does it compare to similar options from rivals HOKA and Brooks? Let's dive in.
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- A top-tier option for cross-training
- Great for runners who prefer a firm ride
- Reliable for speed workouts and short to medium-distance runs
- Colorways are simple but stylish
- Some won't find it fit for long runs and high-impact exercise
- Tongue and upper aren't the comfiest compared to similar options from competitors
- Runners who prefer extra cushioning will find the impact abrasive
In this particular reviewer's humble opinion, On is the undisputed champion of the running accessory—if you take anything from our time together, just know that they make the best running hats on the planet. But like most of their competitors, On's running shoes can feel a little difficult to navigate for the average runner. Case in point: Unless you study the finer details of running shoes for a living, you'd never know that it features On's CloudTec Phase technology—which the brand promotes as a bendy midsole that "collapses in sequence as your feet hit the ground." technology. But it omits On's Speedboard, which is a plate in the midsole designed to promote speed.
Well, how does it feel? Smooth, but pretty firm—which you may prefer, actually. If you're a fan of Hoka-esque pillows-for-soles, it'll turn you off; but if you can't stand a stilts-like feeling on your jog, you'll love it. Related: the Cloudsurfer 2 has a sizable 8 mm heel-to-toe-drop, which is actually comparable to its peers (it's the same as the Hoka Clifton 10 and the Asics Novablast 5)—but the Cloudsurfer's lack of over-the-top cushioning doesn't exactly make you feel it. Translated: If you're flat-footed like me, you'll probably want more stack height and a more pronounced rocker.
After testing the much-cushier HOKA Clifton 10 and Brooks Glycerin 22, it was a little jarring—but eventually, I found a use for the Cloudsurfer 2 that made it essential for my workouts overall, even if I wasn't exactly relying on it for marathon training.
The Cloudsurfer 2 Does It All. But What Do You Actually Want?Esquire's commerce editor, Luke Guillory, recently wrote a little bit about the Cloudsurfer 2 in an overall comparison between On and Hoka. "When you get into everyday distance running, I'd go Hoka, but the Cloudsurfer 2 is certainly a better cross-trainer that can do some running," he wrote. Now, so much of this depends on personal preference, but that's exactly how I use the Cloudsurfer 2—a cross-trainer that can do some running.
Once again, On markets the Cloudsurfer 2 much differently—as an option for "effortless-feeling everyday runs"—but depending on what your workouts look like, a cross-trainer that can handle serious miles can prove extremely practical. If you're one of those Orangetheory nuts who prefers to run, lift, and row in a single burst, then the Cloudsurfer 2 will give you stability for those squats but a smooth ride on the treadmill. Sometimes, I'll jog to a nearby boxing class as a warmup—and the Cloudsurfer 2 is the only pair I own that can handle slow-paced road-running and the agility work of boxing. (Boxing + Towering Hokas = Broken Ankle.)
As an everyday runner? It's a great option—to an extent. I prefer the Cloudsurfer 2 for low-mileage speed workouts and treadmill runs; you'll appreciate its smooth ride in both cases, even if it lacks the spring of its peers. For longer journeys, especially on tired legs? That's when I start turning to the rest of my lineup.
So, prospective buyer, it's time to be honest with yourself about your needs and desires. Does a do-it-all cross-trainer sound like the exact pair of shoes that's missing from your life right now? Or are you in the dog days of marathon season—a.k.a when merely thinking about the idea of a firm-feeling, ten-mile out-and-back makes you pull a hammy?
Final VerdictYou might feel like this is a little bit of a cop-out, but it isn't: It depends what you like. Running shoes have evolved so damn quickly over the past few years that the perfect shoe for you most likely exists right now. Not only that, but it might even exist within On's current lineup. If you want something plush that can handle every inch of your weekend long run? On dropped the Cloudboom Strike in April, which is expensive, but loaded with the Swiss company's latest tech. And if you want something Cloudsurfer-esque with a little more stack height and cushion, well, the Cloudsurfer Max is right there.
Regardless, if you're not out in the streets for hours at a time chugging gels and dodging cars, the Cloudsurfer 2 should treat you pretty well. At the very least, your purchase will grant you entry to the Zendaya extended universe.
- A top-tier option for cross-training
- Great for runners who prefer a firm ride
- Reliable for speed workouts and short to medium-distance runs
- Colorways are simple but stylish
- Some won't find it fit for long runs and high-impact exercise
- Tongue and upper aren't the comfiest compared to similar options from competitors
- Runners who prefer extra cushioning will find the impact abrasive
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