Reviews You Can Rely On

ON Cloudsurfer - Women's Review

This shoe combines stylish design with enhanced functionality, featuring a lightweight build, making it a comfortable choice for daily runners seeking a blend of fashion and performance
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ON Cloudsurfer - Women's Review (This is a stylish shoe to check out for mellow miles in comfort.)
This is a stylish shoe to check out for mellow miles in comfort.
Credit: Ally Arcuri
Price:  $160 List
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Manufacturer:   ON
By Ally Arcuri ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Nov 3, 2024
63
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#23 of 29
  • Landing Comfort - 30% 8.0
  • Responsiveness - 20% 6.0
  • Stability - 15% 3.5
  • Upper Comfort - 15% 6.5
  • Weight - 15% 7.1
  • Traction - 5% 2.0
Length Sizing
Runs Small
Runs Large
Width Sizing
Runs Narrow
Runs Wide

Our Verdict

ON is known for making stylish shoes, but until recently, they haven't always been super functional as actual gear. The Cloudsurfer has entered the chat and opened up a whole new world — one with function and fashion woven throughout. The updated Cloudsurfer is the most running shoe-like running shoe we've tested from ON. It weighs in at a moderate 6.46 ounces per shoe in a women's size 6.5, has an 11 mm drop, a cushy 36 mm total stack, and the potential to keep you comfortable on the daily. While not a superstar shoe when placed head-to-head with some of the best shoes on the market, runners looking for a plush, lightweight running shoe will enjoy surfing the roads in this new, improved runner.
REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable
Fashionable
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Lacks stability
Not versatile as a daily trainer

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Running Shoe for Women
Best Buy Award
Best Value for a Women's Road Running Shoe
Top Pick Award
Most Versatile Road Running Shoe
Top Pick Award
Best Stability-Focused Road Running Shoe
Price Check Price at Backcountry
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$140 List
$139.95 at Amazon
$119.95 at Amazon
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$139.95 at Backcountry
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$117.70 at Amazon
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This shoe merges a chic look with improved practicality, offering a light bouncy ride construction for everyday runsThis running shoe offers the performance technology and comfort needed to be your go-to shoe, no matter your running goalsAffordable and minimally-minded, the updated Kinvara is a great everyday shoe that is suitable for a myriad of running situationsFor epic versatility in a single shoe, we recommend this lightweight superstarThe structure and comfort of this shoe make it a highly recommended option for long distance runners who want a reliable road running steed
Rating Categories ON Cloudsurfer - Wo... Asics Novablast 4 -... Saucony Kinvara 15... Hoka Mach 6 - Women's Brooks Adrenaline G...
Landing Comfort (30%)
8.0
9.0
7.5
8.0
7.5
Responsiveness (20%)
6.0
7.5
7.5
7.0
6.0
Stability (15%)
3.5
8.0
7.0
7.0
9.0
Upper Comfort (15%)
6.5
8.0
6.5
7.5
8.0
Weight (15%)
7.1
5.4
9.1
7.5
3.8
Traction (5%)
2.0
6.0
7.0
4.0
9.0
Specs ON Cloudsurfer - Wo... Asics Novablast 4 -... Saucony Kinvara 15... Hoka Mach 6 - Women's Brooks Adrenaline G...
Measured Weight 6.46 oz 7.36 oz 5.44 oz 6.27 oz 8.21 oz
Measured Heel Stack Height 36 mm 38 mm 27 mm 33 mm 33 mm
Measured Heel-to-Toe Drop 11 mm 8 mm 3 mm 7 mm 10 mm
Plate Type None None None None None
Rocker Angle 21 deg 22.0 deg 25.0 deg 24.5 deg 26.5 deg
Rocker Apex Location 66.0% 69.5% 64.7% 65.4% 71.4%
Style Max-Cushion Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer Daily Trainer
Upper Engineered knit Engineered knit mesh Mesh Creel jaqquard Engineered air mesh
Midsole Helion FF Blast Plus Eco PWRRUN Supercritical EVA DNA Loft v2
Outsole Rubber/exposed foam AHAR outsole Rubber Rubber Rubber
Heel Tab Type None Finger loop None Extended heel pull None
Sizes Available 5 - 11 US, regular 5 - 12 US, regular 5 - 12 US,
regular
5 - 11 US, regular & wide 5 - 13 US, narrow, medium, wide & extra wide

Our Analysis and Test Results

With a noticeable heel stack, a loaded Helion undercarriage, and CloudTec cushioning, this 11 mm drop shoe is a comfortable enough choice for daily runs.

Performance Comparison


on cloudsurfer for women - the cloudsurfer is not a standout shoe overall, but it does a great...
The Cloudsurfer is not a standout shoe overall, but it does a great job combining function and fashion, making it a worthwhile shoe to consider.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Landing Comfort


The CloudTec midsole of the ON Cloudsurfer is soft and cushy, creating a perfect landing pad for runners seeking a maximal-adjacent running shoe. With a 36 mm heel stack and dramatic-feeling 11 mm differential, the Helion foam keeps you up, up, and away from the pavement. The cushioning rebounds nicely, allowing you to comfortably roll through your strides. It is worth noting that our last pair of ON running shoes packed out incredibly quickly and were swiftly relegated to “wear around town” shoes. Even after 50-ish miles in the Cloudsurfer, they are as comfortable and soft underfoot as they were in the beginning. Heel strikers will love how stacked the rearfoot is, as it is comprised largely of shock-absorbing foam.

on cloudsurfer for women - the thick slab of exposed foam combines with the midsole to provide...
The thick slab of exposed foam combines with the midsole to provide a comfortable crashpad.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Responsiveness


As is often the case with soft, plush running shoes, the Cloudsurfer is nothing to write home about when it comes to responsiveness. You can easily execute your standard tempo runs in this shoe, but its energy return is not very profound. The steep differential provides a forward rolling sensation, which propels you forward, but in a way that is dissimilar to a truly responsive shoe. If you are seeking a moderately responsive shoe that places comfort and underfoot cushion at its core, you'll love the Cloudsurfer. If you want to hear the iconic pop pop pop of a racing shoe that forces you forward, this is not going to be a match for you.

on cloudsurfer for women - the cloudsurfer's rocker shape seems speed-friendly, but the...
The Cloudsurfer's rocker shape seems speed-friendly, but the softness of its foam steals some of its energy return.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Stability


While not unsafe by any means, the Cloudsurfer falls a bit short in terms of stability. Its ultra-high stack holds your body away from the ground, and the heel lift is significant. The shoe's lateral architecture is extremely soft, which impedes its ability to hold you steady as you maneuver around turns and uneven roads. Its exposed foam and rubber outsole perform poorly on wet and gravelly roads, which is disappointing since this is a feature the manufacturer claims to have upgraded. When looking for a new daily trainer, we often consider stability as a crucial factor since many people will wear their running shoes to their HIIT workouts. While the Cloudsurfer is a decent enough daily trainer, it is not one we recommend for workout use because of its high stack and heel lift and the instability of this combo.

on cloudsurfer for women - the thick stack of underfoot cushioning takes away from stability...
The thick stack of underfoot cushioning takes away from stability, but creates a very comfortable ride.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Upper Comfort


We'll start with the negative here since the positive attributes outweigh them. The toe box of the Cloudsurfer is a bit short, both vertically and horizontally. This isn't a dealbreaker on this otherwise very comfortable shoe, but it is something to be aware of. Aside from the slightly snug toe box space, the engineered mesh is comfortable and breathable. The chunky heel collar stays snug and comfortable while the thickly padded tongue gently cradles your upper foot. We struggled to get the lace system as locked down as we like it for speedier efforts, but this shoe has it all when viewed solely through the lens of comfort.

on cloudsurfer for women - the stark downslope at the forefoot feels a bit short. otherwise...
The stark downslope at the forefoot feels a bit short. Otherwise, the Cloudsurfer is an incredibly comfortable shoe.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

Weight


For a plush running shoe, the Cloudsurfer is impeccably lightweight. Weighing 6.46 ounces, it feels incredibly lightweight when worn. It's not the lightest shoe in our lineup, but it boasts one of the best comfort-to-weight ratios. The choice to leave the outsole foam exposed feels like a risk by ON, but this small attribute helps keep the weight low and proved to be surprisingly durably throughout our testing.

on cloudsurfer for women - for a comfortable shoe, the cloudsurfer is notably lightweight...
For a comfortable shoe, the Cloudsurfer is notably lightweight, making it a nice option for chill runs on mellow training days.
Credit: Ally Arcuri

Traction


The Cloudsurfer is simply not it when it comes to traction. Its rubber and exposed foam outsole doesn't do the bare minimum when it comes to traction, in our opinion. This is one of the last shoes we'd recommend for runners who know they will be running in early morning dew, light rain, or any type of variable terrain.

on cloudsurfer for women - you can see how the forefoot portion of the outsole doesn't have...
You can see how the forefoot portion of the outsole doesn't have lugs, just holes. This part of the shoe is where traction matters most, and the Cloudsurfer just doesn't have it.
Credit: Ally Arcuri


Should You Buy the ON Cloudsurfer?


We often have a quick yes-or-no answer here, but it is not so simple when it comes to the Cloudsurfer. It is not a versatile daily trainer, in that we do not recommend it for gym use or agility training. We have other shoes in our lineup that hold up to those types of demands with ease. However, the Cloudsurfer is plenty comfortable with its foam-loaded features, making it a good choice for slower daily runs. Ultimately, you'll likely be satisfied on the basis of comfort alone if you choose to buy the Cloudsurfer, but there are more versatile shoes that we would recommend above this one.

on cloudsurfer for women - we picked apart every bit of this shoe and still come away saying...
We picked apart every bit of this shoe and still come away saying that it's comfortable but doesn't have as much running technology as we have grown to expect.
Credit: Natalie Kafader

What Other Road Running Shoes Should You Consider?


For comfortable underfoot cushion in a more technical-feeling package, we joyfully recommend the Asics Novablast 4. The Novablast is silky, comfortable, and ready for action, making it an all-around better choice for your versatile running needs. The Hoka Clifton 9 is less cushy but equally protective. The Clifton offers significantly more stability, and since it is slightly firmer, it feels a bit more capable. Lastly, the Asics Gel Kayano 31 has a truly loaded underfoot stack and scored better in every metric except weight.

Ally Arcuri