The On Cloudsurfer Max is billed as the softest shoe to date from the Swiss brand, and aims to compete with the best cushioned running shoes thanks to the extra stack height and plusher midsole setup it has compared with other On shoes.
However, we didn’t actually find it that soft underfoot on the run, and although it’s comfortable and a decent daily trainer with a smooth rocker, the Cloudsurfer Max isn’t a shoe we’d recommend either as a great value option, or one that offers a max-cushioned ride.
Design & Key Stats
- Price: £170/$180
- Weight: 306g/10.8oz (men’s UK 9 / US 9.5)
- Drop: 6mm
- Stack: 37mm heel, 33mm forefoot
- Upper: Engineered mesh
- Midsole: Double layer of CloudTecPhase with Helion foam
- Outsole: Extensive rubber outsole
On Cloudsurfer Max review
How’s The Fit
Nick and Kieran tested the On Cloudsurfer Max for our review and both were fine in their normal running shoe size, though Kieran did find the fit a little close and would consider going half a size up to get more room if using the shoe for extra-long runs.
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The Run Test: Likes
We have enjoyed the CloudTecPhase rocker on other shoes like the On Cloudsurfer 2 and it continues to deliver a smooth ride with the Cloudsurfer Max, with the holes in the midsole collapsing into each other like dominoes to gently roll you through your footstrike.
That smooth ride is the star feature of the shoe, and while we have a lot of reservations about the whole package you’re getting with the Cloudsurfer Max, it was undoubtedly enjoyable to run in during our testing thanks to this rocker.
Despite the fact it’s not a light shoe, the Cloudsurfer Max also performed pretty well at a range of paces in our testing, partly because of the firmer foam in its midsole. It’s a little more versatile than many cushioned running shoes, even if not one we’d rate as a great speed shoe or all-rounder.
The Run Test: Dislikes
For all the talk of this being On’s softest running shoe, the ride of the Cloudsurfer Max is certainly firmer than other cushioned shoes, like the Asics Gel-Nimbus 27 or Brooks Glycerin Max. This isn’t necessarily a major negative if you prefer firmer shoes, but if you come to the Cloudsurfer Max hoping for a very soft ride you’ll be disappointed.
It’s also a pretty heavy shoe, especially considering it doesn’t have as high a stack height as many cushioned shoes. The Asics Novablast 5, for example, exceeds 40mm of foam at the heel and weighs 30g less. This reduces the appeal of the Cloudsurfer Max as a versatile cushioned shoe.
Finally, the high price of the Cloudsurfer Max is also off-putting, especially given that it doesn’t back up that price with a particularly special level of performance. You’re going to be able to find better value options pretty easily that also offer either a softer, more cushioned ride, or more versatility.
Verdict And Alternatives
While we enjoyed running in the On Cloudsurfer Max, it doesn’t offer the performance or value you can get from the best running shoes, and unless you’re especially taken with its design for wearing outside of runs as well as during them, it’s not one we’d recommend picking up.
Our favourite cushioned shoes at the moment include the Brooks Glycerin Max and Nike Vomero 18, which are both softer and more comfortable, while other highly cushioned options like the Asics Novablast 5, Hoka Clifton 10 and Puma Magnify Nitro 3 are cheaper, lighter, more cushioned and more versatile.