REASONS TO BUY
Good rocker
Versatile performance
Comfortable upper
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre cushioning
Sharp outsole edges
Awkward on uneven surfaces
On Cloudsurfer Next Review
A versatile daily trainer, offering decent all-around comfort and performance, but the cushioning is lacking
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
By Nathaniel Bailey ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 10, 2025
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Our Verdict
The On Cloudsurfer Next sets out to fill the niche of a versatile daily trainer, and it does a decent job. The forefoot is excellent, using a rocker geometry to help you push off, which gives it the ability to hit faster paces without forcing you to run fast when you don't want to. While there is plenty of midsole foam, it doesn't feel particularly energetic and errs on the side of firm. The rolling motion as you land is incredibly smooth thanks to the CloudTec Phase midsole, but the lack of energy and firm ride place this shoe below the best versatile daily trainers in our lineup.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The Cloudsurfer Next is a good shoe that most runners will like. On's Helion foam is good, but on the firm side. It offers plenty of cushioning, but it lags behind the leaders. It is a solid shoe that suffers more from the extremely high quality of its competitors than from any fault of its own.
The Cloudsurfer Next is a solid shoe for easy miles, tempos, and longer efforts.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Cushioning
The Cloudsurfer Next's cushioning feels decent, but it is not a standout. Plenty of foam protects the legs, with 34 mm at the heel and a 6 mm drop to the toe. The midsole is On's Helion superfoam, which doesn't feel like a superfoam, as it doesn't give the energy return most competing superfoams offer. However, the CloudTec Phase technology provides a forward roll, giving one of the smoothest heel-to-toe transitions we've experienced.
Transitions from heel-to-toe or midfoot-to-toe are extremely smooth in this shoe.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Overall, the cushioning performance is mediocre. While suitable for longer runs, we wish it were more forgiving during a 90-minute effort. Our legs felt a little more tired than they did running in competitors. Alternatively, thanks in part to the rocker, easy runs with pace changes were smooth and easy.
We love the breathable upper. It's light and comfortable, even on hot days.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Upper Comfort
The Cloudsurfer Next has a lightweight and breathable engineered woven upper, with an intuitive and comfortable lacing system allowing for an easily adjustable fit.
The Cloudsurfer feels a little out of place on uneven terrain, causing awkward landings on the outside of the foot.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Stability
The Cloudsurfer Next feels planted, but when the terrain becomes uneven, the sharp edges of the outsole become noticeable. While the foam is malleable enough to conform to ledges and ruts, this shoe didn't inspire confidence on dirt roads or grass. We'd recommend sticking to hard and smooth surfaces, where we had no issues in this shoe.
The Cloudsurfer Next actually feels lighter than it is.
Credit: Nathaniel Bailey
Weight
The Cloudsurfer Next weighed 9.86 ounces. While we would love to see it shed an additional ounce, it's an acceptable weight for a daily trainer. Although less weight is always appreciated, it didn't feel like it held us back on faster runs, and the well-balanced feel was great for longer runs.
The Cloudsurfer grip is solid.
Credit: Natalie Kafader
Traction
We had no issues with traction throughout our testing, and appreciated the ample rubber coverage on the forefoot.
Should You Buy the On Cloudsurfer Next?
The Cloudsurfer Next isn't a bad shoe. We think it's significantly better than the On Cloudsurfer 2, but some drawbacks exist. The cushioning is mediocre, lacking the energy return shared by key competitors. While the geometry is solid and the upper is comfortable, other shoes offer similar or better performance.
What Other Running Shoes Should You Consider?
We think the Adidas Adizero Evo SL is a similar shoe to the Cloudsurfer Next, but it is better in nearly every performance measure. In particular, the midsole is more forgiving and energetic, making it better for a range of paces. The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v5 also stands out for lightweight cushioning and responsiveness.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare On Cloudsurfer Next versus top competing products:
—Nathaniel Bailey
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