BibRave Pro Product Review: On Cloudsurfer

Disclaimer: I was recently sent a pair of On Cloudsurfers to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Run on clouds.

What the heck is On?

Until recently, I had never heard of the company On!  It’s been popping up here and there on a friend’s Instagram accounts lately and I even had to Google what it was when BibRave mentioned the product!

“On is a Swiss company that has reinvented the cushioning system for running shoes.”

Their unique CloudTec cushioning system allows you to land soft but then becomes firm to push off hard.  The “Speedboard” provides an efficient, rolling gait cycle so it feels like you are gliding along the roads.

I will admit when I first put the Cloudsurfer on my feet, I did not get that “OMG these are so comfortable” reaction like I have with other more high cushion shoes.  It wasn’t until my first run until I truly understood.  The shoe itself isn’t so high cushioned—it’s how the 13 clouds at the bottom of the shoe react and absorb the forces.

I am a natural forefoot striker so I am always looking for a shoe with more cushioning towards the toes.  One cool thing about On is that they moved the outsole away from the heel to promote more of a mid-foot strike.

The Cloudsurfer

On makes a number of different running shoes (Cloud, Cloudflyer, Cloudster, Cloudcruiser, Cloudracer, Cloudrunner) but select BibRave Pros got to try the $149.99 model, the Cloudsurfer that claims “I will unleash your speed.” 

The Cloudsurfer is a premium cushioned, neutral running shoe with a 7mm heel drop and is described as an “agile and responsive.”  It is very lightweight and the women’s version only weighs 8.5 oz.  I personally was used to the low heel drop but for others that may take some time to get used to.

The shoes fit snug but don’t squeeze by feet like some of the more narrow shoe brands I’ve tried like Mizuno and Nike.  The shoe is made of breathable mesh and don’t have any annoying seams to cause me blisters.  I mentioned in my last BibRave Pro 2XU review that I often get holes in the big toe area of socks.  Well, I’ve had this problem with running shoes too and I appreciate that the mesh on the Cloudsurfers appears durable and strong.  So far so good!

Despite the clouds, On produced a very stable shoe.  They weren’t as springy as I had expected but they do appear to propel you forward.

From the roads to the trails to the beach to the treadmill, I wore my On Cloudsurfers everywhere—speed work, semi-long run, Georgie runs, you name it!  Georgie even got to try them on! 

Other bonuses:

·      On has excellent customer service!  They are very active on social media and even went above and beyond by private messaging me my FedEx tracking numbers on Twitter when I tweeted that I was anxiously checking my mailbox all week.  On also set up a conference call with the BibRave Pros to introduce us to the company, review the technology and answer any questions.  Unfortunately it took place on Thursday night while I was teaching classes but I popped in for 5 minutes and learned a few cool things.

Cons:

·      The first time running in my On Cloudsurfers, I noticed the tongue was super stiff.  I could feel it while I was running but a half mile later I didn’t notice it at all—not until the first half mile of my second run, and third run, and forth run…  Now I don’t notice it at all.  Just be patient and break the tongue in.

·      The laces are super long and skinny.  I usually double knot my shoe laces anyways but I sometimes triple knot these so they stay secure and I don’t trip on them.

Would I recommend the On Cloudsurfer?  Sure!  They are staying in my shoe rotation as I train for the Buffalo Half Marathon and I’d love to hear what you think.

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Happy running!