The Cloudsurfer 7 is the soft and springy shoe I’ve been waiting for from On and perhaps the company’s best daily trainer I’ve tried yet.
Men’s Fitness verdict
The Cloudsurfer 7 is one of those rare beasts: a dedicated daily trainer than can handle harder, faster efforts too. It may be a bit pricier than its peers but that gets you great versatility.- Light and lively
- Great versatility
- Well-balanced cushioning
- A bit narrow across the midfoot
- Squeaks when wet
On says the new Cloudsurfer 7 is a running shoe built for “everyday training, tempo runs and races from 10km to the marathon”. That’s a pretty ambitious statement but I reckon it hits it out of the park with the latest incarnation of its original and best running shoe.
Why you can trust Men’s Fitness
We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Our team of reviewers includes experienced product testers, PTs and fitness writers – as well as the core MF team – who know exactly what sets the best products apart from the rest. The On Cloudsurfer 7 was reviewed by experienced run product tester Kieran Alger. Find out more about how we test.
This is a light, lively, comfortable, well-balanced daily trainer with enough versatility to handle everything from easy miles up to faster training efforts. It might just be one of On’s best running shoes yet.
On Cloudsurfer 7 features
That’s because there are big changes to its flagship midsole. CloudTec – those pods on the bottom of On running shoes – has been the signature tech since the brand launched its very first shoe – the original Cloudsurfer). But in recent years it’s earned On shoes a reputation for running too firm for some.
The max-stack On Cloudmonster addressed that by adding the biggest Cloud pods ever. Now the On Cloudsurfer 7 gets in on the act with a very similar big stack of pods from a softer Helion foam but with one major difference. The Cloudsurfer midsole features a brand new CloudTec Phase midsole technology.
These newly shaped Cloud elements collapse in sequence like dominos as you move through your transition, to create softer landings and springier toe-offs in a rolling motion. That’s enhanced by a pronounced rocker shape and the removal of On’s Speedboard plate that helps boost the cushioned feeling under foot.
Up top, you’ve got a soft dual-layer mesh upper that’s thick but breathable enough. It wraps the foot nicely to ensure good step-in comfort with plush but-not-overcooked padding in the heels and tongue.
One word of caution: when it comes to fit, I found this is quite a narrow shoe. It fits very snug across the top of the midfoot, around the big toe knuckle and the toe box is a little cramped. It loosens off over time but if you’ve got wide feet or like a roomier fit, you may want to consider going half a size up.
Flip them over and there’s a decent coverage of thin outsole rubber that offers reliable grip and beefs up the durability.
On Cloudsurfer 7 weight
At 8.4oz / 237g in my test UK men’s 8.5, the On Cloudsurfer 7 is comparatively light for a daily trainer. About the same as popular rival daily trainers like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 and the HOKA Mach 5. And a chunk lighter than the On Cloudmonster .
I tested the On Cloudsurfer 7 for 30-plus miles at a mixture of distances (up to 10 miles) and paces, on roads and some compacted park paths and I found this to be a well-balanced shoe with great versatility. There’s a rolling, snappy, responsive and springy ride that’s not too aggressive. They’re noticeably softer than many On shoes with good cushioning that avoids feeling flaccid. The midsole kicks in with return just at the right time for smooth transitions. Stability is good, too, with a reliable platform to run off.
On Cloudsurfer 7 verdict
The On Cloudsurfer is one of those shoes you want to go back to. It’s compact, light on the foot, agile and nimble with balanced cushioning that’s protective but peppy and a rocker that helps you roll through your stride.
At £150, it’s a touch pricier than some rivals but has the benefit of great versatility. An ideal choice for easy runs and one that’ll cope with faster efforts, too. It’s the perfect shoe for sticking in your suitcase to take care of all of your running sessions on your travels.
On Cloudsurfer 7 tech specs
| Materials | Helion™ superfoam midsole; rubber outsole |
| Weight | 238g / 8.4oz |
| Colors | White frost / black / flame white / black cobalt / white sand |
How we test the best running shoes
Our experienced run product tester Kieran Alger puts each shoe through their paces over a mixture of distances and paces to see where they excel, and clocked up significant distances in each one to examine how they wear over time. He focused on speed, stability and comfort during test runs, while also assessing the effectiveness of any high-tech features on offer. His detailed reviews are sure to help you choose the right running shoe for you.
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