Can We Please Share the Road Until Springtime?
For a brief time every winter, we runners are forced onto the roads with the rest of the world. Can't we all just get along and share the road?
On’s new Cloudsurfer Max is bound to draw a lot of interest among casual runners and advanced runners alike, if for no other reason than it’s one of the most comfortable, cushioned, and sophisticated shoes yet from what is arguably the world’s most trending running shoe brand.
When On first burst on the scene a little more than 10 years ago, most of its shoes were lower to the ground with a modest amount of its first-gen “CloudTec” cushioning. While those early models had good runability, the brand quickly took off mostly because of its clean aesthetics and Swiss engineering it promoted. While the brand’s shoes are probably the most ubiquitous models you’ll see in casual settings, On continues to excel when it comes to developing shoes for running performance, especially as it has incorporated more advanced midsole configurations.
The recently launched Cloudsurfer Max ($180) is On’s second foray into the max-cushioned training shoe realm, following the release of the Cloudeclipse two years ago. That shoe had a TPU Speedboard plate embedded near the bottom of the midsole that added structure and some degree of propulsion, but it also detracted from the shoe’s flexibility and smoothness. The Cloudsurfer Max, which is the follow-up shoe to the now-defunct Cloudeclipse, has more cushion, much more flexibility and smoothness, and also a slightly firmer and more stable sensation.
I’ve run in it almost everyday for the past two weeks and found it to be a smooth, comfortable training shoe that I’ve enjoyed for long runs and recovery runs. Here’s the breakdown based on my initial running in it.
What’s New: The Cloudsurfer Max is a brand new high-stack training shoe that takes some cues from On’s Cloudeclipse and Cloudsurfer 2 training shoes. It’s the most maximally cushioned shoe On has ever made with a thick, single-density layer of soft Helion foam and CloudTec Phase midsole technology that uses computer-optimized angular “cloud” holes that softly collapse sequentially from heel to toe, mimicking a natural rolling motion and providing a smooth transition and reduced impact. It also has a recycled polyester engineered flat knit upper secured by flat laces, and four segments of rubber on the outsole for traction.
Fit/Feel/Ride: The Cloudsurfer Max fits true to size with a medium interior volume and a moderately wide toe box with plenty of wiggle room. (It only comes in regular width, and there is room to insert an after-market footbed if that’s your preference.) The step-in feel is soft, plush, and cozy, thanks to a stretchy, gusseted, and padded tongue that is smoothly integrated into the upper and the padded and reinforced heel cup for a really secure fit.
On the run, the ride is very soft, shock-absorbing, and smooth with a good amount of flexibility (there is no plate or Speedboard in this shoe) that can match the natural movement patterns of your feet. It doesn’t offer much responsiveness compared to many other contemporary training shoes on the market, but it is very comfortable and inherently stable.
Price: $180
Approximate Weights: 9.2 oz. (women’s size 8), 10.3 oz. (men’s size 9)
Heel-Toe Offset: 6mm; 37mm (heel), 31mm (forefoot)
Why It’s Great: It’s great because it’s soft, comfortable, and very reliable. I really enjoyed this shoe for long runs and recovery runs because of its cozy, congenial fit, and long-haul comfort. Especially on long runs in hot weather, I really appreciated how two long columns of padding in the tongue helped provide a cinched-down fit and breathability without any added pressure or lace bite.
Why You’ll Love It: The best aspects of this shoe are its soft cushioning and stable chassis. The wide forefoot (especially under the medial side) provides plenty of room for natural pronation prior to the toe-off phase of a stride. While it’s not a shoe that will offer much energetic pop, it offers reliable consistency.
Why You Might Not Like It: It’s not versatile enough to be a do-everything everyday trainer because it’s a tad too heavy and not responsive enough for running at faster paces. It’s fine for running at tempo pace for short distances and for post-run strides, but not a shoe I’d choose for my speed day workouts or even race-pace training efforts. That said, it could be a race-day shoe for a first-time half marathoner or marathoner who doesn’t need a carbon-fiber plate for propulsion, but it’s probably not going to be fast enough for someone chasing a fast-for-them personal best.
Pro: On’s clean aesthetics and sleek design elements are striking as usual. Looks don’t count toward performance, unless you believe the notion that if you look good, you’ll feel good, but these are pretty eye-catching in each of the colorways.
Con: While it’s not an overly heavy shoe, it tips the scale on the higher end of the scale for a training shoe. It weighs about an ounce more than I’d prefer, but the weight is only a deal breaker if you’re looking for a more versatile everyday training shoe with more pop.
Want more: Here’s what Kofuzi said about the Cloudsurfer Max.
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Senior editor Brian Metzler has wear-tested more than 2,500 running shoes and is the author of “Kicksology: The Hype, Science, Culture and Cool of Running Shoes” (2019) and “Trail Running Illustrated” (2019). He has raced just about every distance from 100 meters to 100 miles, but he’s most eager to share stories about his experiences pack burro racing in Colorado.
