On’s Cloudsurfer 3 is an engineering marvel, but is it a good running shoe?

Introduction to the On Cloudsurfer 3

MEAGHAN: When I visited On’s HQ in Zurich this summer, the main event was the Cloudboom Strike 2 and Lightspray technology, but we got a bonus lesson in foam. For the first time, On has produced a supercritical foam within the Cloudtec Phase midsole geometry, and they were happy to show us the process (without really explaining how they pulled it off). The highlight was a tiny “puck” of raw midsole material that goes into the oven and comes out as a full-size shoe, Cloudtech geometry intact. Cool stuff.

Which brings us to the Cloudsurfer 3. The headline is Surreal, a new supercritical EVA-based foam housed inside On’s signature Cloudtec Phase structure. Stack height stays familiar: 45mm in the heel, 37mm in the forefoot, 8mm drop, but the upper is a genuine upgrade: a warped knit construction with plush padding through the collar and tongue, flat stretchy laces, and solid rubber coverage underfoot.

The Cloudsurfer 2 didn’t exactly win us over, so there’s a lot riding on these changes. Here’s how it held up on the roads.

THOMAS: Every brand eventually finds the idea that defines it, then discovers it’s also painting itself into a corner. For On, that idea is Cloudtec. Those open pods turned a standard EVA midsole into something that looked alive, and runners loved it. But Cloudtec came with strings attached. Early versions needed a rigid Speedboard just to hold the pods to the shoe. Even after On ditched the Speedboard, the pods were still built from compressed EVA, a compound that supercritical foaming and the new wave of foam chemistry were leaving in the dust.

Meg walked you through the “baby puck” becoming a full midsole above, and that’s not a party trick. Getting Cloudtec to expand into a full-size midsole and actually hold its shape is a real engineering feat. On says every factory it talked to called it impossible. On built it anyway, and the Cloudsurfer 3 is the result, packing the brand’s first supercritical midsole.

That’s a big deal, maybe the biggest On has pulled off since Cloudtec itself. Pair it with Lightspray and On has a real case for being the most innovative running brand in 2026. On is calling the new foam Surreal. The real question is whether it’s enough to push the Cloudsurfer 3 to new heights.

I think it’s a clear step up from past versions, but it still doesn’t check every box. Let’s get into it.

What we like about the On Cloudsurfer 3

MEAGHAN: On knows how to make good-looking shoes, and the Cloudsurfer 3 fits that mold, but it’s the step-in feel that really stands out. The warp knit upper is plush and comfortable, with a heavily padded collar and tongue that give it an almost luxurious feel. I found it fits true to size with a notably accommodating build through the midfoot and toebox, making it a solid option for wider feet. Narrower feet shouldn’t worry either; the lacing system does a good job of dialing things in.

The midsole is the main event, though. Surreal foam paired with the Cloudtec Phase geometry delivers a ride that’s stable, smooth, and bouncier than you might expect. It’s a full 180 from the overly-firm Cloudsurfer 2. Still, this isn’t a marshmallow underfoot; it’s firmer and more energetic than that. I noticed the shoe seemed to open up a bit over time, and the more miles I put on it, the more I liked it. The sensation actually reminded me of the original Glycerin Max; it’s not ultra-plush, but a satisfying, smooth ride.

THOMAS: I’m with Meg on this one. The Cloudsurfer 3 looks great, and it’s going to fly off the shelves at your local running shop. But this review is going to zig where most will zag. The things that make this shoe a crowd-pleaser don’t necessarily work for me. Here’s why.

If you have wide feet, rejoice. I dropped from a 10.5 down to a US M10, and I still had room to spare. Even with the laces cinched down tight, the toe box stayed roomy all the way back to the heel counter. Meg called it plush, and that’s the word. This shoe wants to hug your foot, not lock it down.

The Surreal midsole surprised me. It’s stable enough that I’d have guessed this was a stability shoe if you hadn’t told me otherwise. For a EVA-based supercritical foam, it runs firmer than expected, and that firmness is doing real work; it keeps the ride from going dead through the stride. Despite the extra weight, the Cloudsurfer 3 can still turn over at uptempo paces.

Between the generous outsole rubber and the sturdy upper, expect these to rack up serious mileage. And even with all that extra volume up top, I never dealt with rubbing or hot spots.

What we don’t like about the On Cloudsurfer 3

MEAGHAN: Given that On makes some of the lightest uppers in the game (hi, Lightspray), it’s a little surprising that the Cloudsurfer 3 tips the scales heavier than most max-cushioned shoes on the market. My W7.5 came in just under 9 oz, nearly 2 oz more than comparable daily trainers. A heavier shoe isn’t a dealbreaker for easy miles, but it feels like an odd trade-off for a brand that’s been so vocal about innovation.

And that’s kind of my bigger gripe: the Cloudsurfer 3 is good, but it stops just short of exciting. The improvement over version 2 is real and meaningful, and I fully appreciate how technically difficult it is to pair a supercritical foam with Cloudtec Phase geometry. But after all that, I wanted to feel a little more of the wow factor underfoot. A touch more bounce, a little more pop, something to match the engineering story behind it.

THOMAS: We can’t fight the science. Lighter shoes mean better efficiency, full stop. On the days my legs weren’t fresh, the Cloudsurfer 3’s hefty 11.4 oz (324g) started to feel like I was carrying a passenger.

And for my low-volume foot, that generous upper stopped being a selling point. It just meant extra material I didn’t need.

Final thoughts on the On Cloudsurfer 3

MEAGHAN: The Cloudsurfer 3 is a significant step up from version 2. It has a bouncier foam, a genuinely comfortable upper, and a plush ride that holds up well for daily miles. The weight is hefty but not a dealbreaker. At $170, it’s one of the more reasonable asks from On, and the build quality suggests this one’s going to last. I think this one’s a solid trainer that earns its place in the rotation.

THOMAS: I wanted to love this shoe. The way On solved the supercritical puzzle genuinely blew my mind. This just isn’t my cup of tea, and that’s fine; the Cloudsurfer 3 will find its consumer. It’s a solid shoe.

If you typically vibe with the shoes I like, you might want to sit this one out. But if you’re a runner over 200 lbs, someone who craves a little stability in your life, or someone chasing all-day comfort with On’s signature look, the Cloudsurfer 3 is calling your name.

You can pick up the On Cloudsurfer 3 for $170 from Running Warehouse (featuring free shipping and 90-day returns) by using the buttons below.