I'm surprised that chose to name this shoe: . In my eyes (or on my feet), it's a distinctly different shoe than it was before. On could have easily named the shoe something else. It should probably have had a completely new name, as it's a significant departure from their earlier models.
On has, for once, used some different technologies than before. Previously, On's shoes almost without exception were built with a Speedboard, Helion foam in the midsole, and CloudTec underfoot.
Gone is the Speedboard, and CloudTec is partly gone too. Now has introduced CloudTec-Phase and omitted the Speedboard. CloudTec-Phase is a system where On's Clouds collapse differently than before. On has used a significant amount of computer technology to calculate how to achieve the best cushioning and energy return.
And it actually works, as the shoe has a really good roll combined with a feeling of being pushed forward. At the same time, the shoe is really light and airy in the upper. So it actually feels like having clouds on your feet.
A stroke of genius
aspires to be the most exciting shoe I've tried this year. There have already been a lot of exciting news, but Cloudsurfer does many things right for me. If you've read or seen any of my other reviews, you'll know that I get very excited if a shoe feels effortless to run in - and that's exactly what Cloudsurfer does.
That's precisely what makes Cloudsurfer a stroke of genius. The combination of low weight and the right amount of comfort makes it just a joy to run in On Cloudsurfer.
Even among clouds in the sky, there are irritations
However, there are some small things that still annoy me a tiny bit. For instance, it doesn't take much for small stones to get stuck in the shoe's sole. On Cloudsurfer is a distinctly city shoe for running on paved roads, but it can be nice to run onto a forest or gravel path, and then you just get tired of removing small stones.
The very low weight also has another challenge. I've taken On Cloudsurfer on a few long runs over 23 km. And I have an idea that it might face challenges if you run a marathon. For it gets a bit "tired" in the midsole. For most, this won't be a problem at all. You just need to be aware that it won't stay as lively when you've run over 30 kilometers.
Make no mistake. On Cloudsurfer is a fantastic running shoe. It's the best On has made to date, and I find myself continuing to use it on many of my runs.
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