Article by Peter Stuart, Dominique Winebaum, Ben David, Courtney Kelly, and Zack Dunn
On Cloudsurfer Max ($180)
Introduction
Peter: The Cloudsurfer Max is the successor to the CloudEclipse. It’s not necessarily the Clouddclipse 2, but takes the place of the CloudEclipse in the On ecosystem. The Cloudsurfer Max is slightly heavier than the Eclipse, and keeps a 6mm drop at approximately the same stack height The other major development here is the elimination of the ‘Speedboard’ plastic plate. Essentially the Cloudsurfer Max is positioned as the new On easy, long run more max cushion shoe in the lineup. Is it? Let's find out!
Pros:
Comfortable upper fits well: Courtney/Ben/Dominique/Zack
Wide pace range: Courtney/ Jeremy/ Zack
Runs lighter than its weight might suggest.(but could be a little lighter): Courtney/Jeremy
Single density midsole seems durable and straightforward: Courtney/Jeremy/Zack
Not an overly soft, nor mushy ride as “Max” naming might point to. Still has some pop Jeremy/ Courtney,/Zack
Cons:
Firm at first with some softening, but still quite firm for a max stack shoe: Courtney/Ben/Dominique/Zack
Wish it was a little lighter on foot at the end of long runs.: Courtney/Zack
Durability of outsole: Courtney
At 37/31 not really a max stack shoe (in 2025), as advertised: Ben/Courtney
Quite voluminous upper - but laces do their job well. Jeremy/Zack
Sockliner is flimsy and low quality: Dominique/Zack
Stats
Spec Weight: men's 10.23 oz / 290g US9
Sample Weights:
men’s 11.28 oz / 320g US10.5
women’’s 9.7 oz / 275 g US9
Stack Height: 37 mm heel / 31 mm forefoot
Platform Width: 80 mm heel / 75 mm midfoot / 105 mm forefoot US W9
Most comparable shoes (with your name next to each)
On Cloud Eclipse (Ben) (Dominique) (Peter)
On Cloud Monster 1 (Ben) (Peter)
Hoka Clifton 10 (Ben)
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (Peter)
First Impressions, Fit and Upper
Ben: It seems as if On has been trying in earnest to attract the attention of committed runners of late. The last two iterations of the CloudMonster have been…fine but left many of us wanting more.
The On Cloudeclipse (RTR Review) was an absolute revelation. The On reputation for firm-riding shoes was challenged here by a shoe that was decidedly spry and fun. While the Swiss company has exploded around the world for casual wear, there seems to be something missing when it comes to running.
The On Cloud Surfer Max is meant to replace the On Cloud Eclipse. It is billed as a long run companion and durable sidekick to the On CloudSurfer 2 (and, in theory, CloudSurfer Trail). The CloudSurfer has indeed been a welcome and enjoyable daily trainer, with a relatively modest stack height and good energy return.
In comes the CloudSurfer Max which, while boasting more stack than the Surfer, does not compete at 37mm heel / 31mm forefoot with the true max-stack trainers currently out there, such as the Hoka SkywardX, the Hoka Bondi 9, the Brooks Glycerin Max, the new Nike Vomero 18 (let alone the upcoming Nike Vomero Plus), Fresh Foam More or the Puma MagMax Nitro to name a few, all of whom have a heel stack height equal to or greater than 40mm.
For me, the immediate questions are: Would this shoe build on the success of the Eclipse and could itcompete with other beloved max-stack daily trainers out there? Let’s see.
Upon step in, the shoe feels roomy and comfortable, with a very generous toe box. I sometimes find myself between sizes when it comes to On but here my size 9 worked well.
The shoe feels stable and wide, but certainly very firm immediately. This worried me. The lacing system is solid and lockdown was never a problem. On my first run I found the shoe to be certainly very firm, though it softened up somewhat as I went. I also found that it feels less firm at slightly faster paces. The upper is relatively breathable and typically well constructed, as all On shoes are.
Zack: I wouldn't say I am the biggest die hard fan of On, but I do enjoy their products when I get the chance. I had tested the CloudSurfer and while it was a pleasant ride, it only did good for me for shorter runs due to its softness, and considering my shortest is usually 6 ish miles, I didn't get much use out of so it became a good casual/gym shoe.
In terms of the upper of the Cloudsurfer Max, it is well-engineered and overall a fine part of the shoe. It offers excellent breathability and a well-padded, but not overly plush, structure that strikes a nice balance between comfort and performance.
That said, I’m not personally a fan of knit uppers with gusseted tongues, especially with a narrow foot like mine, as it tends to bunch up in the toe box and create some awkward folding. It doesn’t ruin the fit, but it’s something I noticed every time I put the shoe on.
Still, the lockdown is solid, and the upper feels really good overall, just the minor knit issue to be wary of.
Peter: On has always been on point in the style department and, in my experience, only started to make enjoyable running shoes with the Cloud Monster and then the excellent Cloud Eclipse. It took me a minute to understand that the CloudSurfer Max is indeed the next version of the Eclipse. Step in is comfortable, fit is true-to-size and the lacing and tongue help provide an excellent lockdown.
The heel collar is significantly more padded (internally with a ridge along the back of the ankle) than in the Eclipse. Strangely, even with this thick heel collar, I’m finding that I have some space between the back of my foot and the back of the shoe. The Cloud Eclipse held the back of my foot better. On my run yesterday I wound up with some (very) small pebbles that had made their way into the back of the shoe.
The shoe gains nearly a full ounce (from 10.76 oz for a M11 in the Eclipse to 11.60 oz for the Surfer Max). Initial run impression is that the shoe is a bit firm. Stable, but firm. I’m interested to see how the shoe opens up over the next few runs though, because it felt softer and more nimble with each mile on my first run. The other differences here are the absence of a speedboard and a nearly full length channel underfoot-from front to back.
Dominique: The Cloudeclipse was my favorite On of the several I have tested over the years. However, at some point the squeaking of the Cloudtec Phase pods became just too noticeable and annoying that I retired them, even for walking. Good news!
No squeaking in the Max due to its firmer foam and small ridges and texture inside the Phase Tec channels.
I was excited for the Cloudsurfer Max as the successor of the Cloudeclipse, yet I am disappointed by the firmness of the midsole – it is not the same “On Clouds” feel. The thickness of the midsole appears to be the same, however, I noticed that the sockliner is thinner in the Cloudsurfer Max while there is diverging information when it comes to the stack height between the two (as per rtr review of the Cloudeclipse).
The fit is true to size and very comfortable. The design of the shoelace system has been beefed-up in comparison to the Cloudeclipse, which is a good thing. Not the “dainty” design of the Cloudeclipse, but a sturdier construction that enhances the lockdown, which is both comfortable and secure.
Likewise, the collar has been updated with a knit top edge construction as opposed to the conventional padded collar and the heel counter is firmer. Overall, the foothold is excellent.
Courtney: The renamed Cloudsurfer Max is one of On’s recent moves to change up its game in the running world. On is gaining momentum in the running world with big athletes breaking big barriers. Helen Obiri continually breaks the tape wearing the famous Cloudboom Strike LS, and innovation seems to be at the forefront at the company. The Cloudsurfer is an intriguing shoe. I was impressed with the geometry of the shoe, but I have to admit the single foam midsole even looked stiff.
The upper is well executed and it is clear that On paid attention to the details here.The upper is made of a single layer engineered mesh which for me was similar to ASICS Nimbus and Cumulus which I found extremely comfortable. There is enough stiffness/struture to hold the foot well but enough stretch at the forefoot to allow the toes to splay.
The tongue also features two padded areas running under the laces to provide even more protection from irritation on the top of the foot and features gussets to keep it in place.
Lay flat laces with the anchors placed on the outside of the upper rather than the inside provide a very smooth feel over the top of the foot. It's a comfortable upper, no doubt about it.
Midsole & Platform
Zack: In all honesty, the midsole threw me off at first, but not in a necessarily bad way. I went in expecting the kind of soft, plush feel you’d typically associate with original Cloudsurfer, but this version surprised me with a firmer underfoot sensation.
Once I adjusted to this, I found myself really liking it. That firmness actually leads to a snappier, more responsive ride with good impact protection. It reminded me a lot of the Saucony Endorphin Shift 3, high stack, firmer, but still protective and nicely rockered. It’s not a soft cruiser, but more of a stable daily option with a bit of pop, and seems like it will last fairly long.
Ben: The shoe sits on a relatively broad and accommodating platform. This shoe will work well for larger runners and those with broader feet. As noted, the midsole is not overly cushioned, in spite of the CloudTec Phase technology. The ‘clouds’ simply do not compress as much as one would hope (or at least I hoped). Heavier runners may compress them more.
They are durable and perhaps appealing aesthetically, but do not deliver an overly smooth or cushioned ride, in my opinion. Even with theHelion "superfoam", thought to be an EVA/TPE blend and CloudTec Phase, the shoe is much more reminiscent of the Monster 1 and 2 than it is of the Eclipse.
Dominique: Although there is some confusion about the stack height, specifically in comparison to the Eclipse with On’s spec listing 37mm heel / 31mm forefoot for both, the midsole is plenty “max” for me. However, I find it too firm.
The sockliner is spongy and “ortholite” like, and somewhat thinner than the Cloudeclipse’s EVA type sockliner. This may be impacting the overall stack height spec, and the feel of the midsole. The included sockliner is a poor choice for a high-end running shoe that is already quite firm.
The midsole is in the “mini” maximal range with its 37mm / 31mm stack height, though others in this review seem to differ if it is a “max” shoe, and this mostly in comparison to other brands whose shoes measure beyond 40mm at the heel.
My issue is with the stiffness of the midsole and the lack of a plush feel in comparison to the Eclipse. I run at slower paces (11:00- 12:00 min miles) while this shoe may be better suited to running at faster pace as the others do. As noted by Ben, this shoe reminds more of the Cloudmonster than the Cloudeclipse while I find the overall feel of the shoe too stiff as I also found the Cloudmonster 2 .
Courtney: Although On removed their signature Speedboard for a softer more cushioned ride, I’m not sure I would judge this as soft. The Helion EVA foam is not quite up to par with competitor’s foams in today’s market.
That being said, I truly enjoyed my shorter duration runs in the Cloudsurfer Max. The CloudTec Phase encourages the roll forward and the compression of each sequential pod in the midsole. Those runs felt peppy and the firmness helped with an easy to moderate pace (7:20min/mile-8:30min/mile).
The geometry helped me roll off the toe quickly, but there is a firmness especially at the forefoot that only broke in slightly. The forefoot rocker and toe spring are sharp making them better suited for faster, shorter distances. You feel compression at the heel with some rebound, but it's not particularly plush or bouncy.
After taking the Surfer out for a 14 miler at an easy effort (7:50-8:10 min/mile), I was a little surprised to find my body really began to hurt in those final 6 miles. I remembered doing my long run in the Nike Vomero Plus just a week earlier and noting how effortless it felt in comparison. The relatively low stack height in comparison to other max stack trainers out there might feel more stable, but along with the firmer foam the Surfer sacrifices cushion and protection underfoot.
Peter: The Helion foam feels firmer than the foam in the Cloud Eclipse. I would have thought that removing the Speedboard would lead to a softer ride, but it doesn’t. The foam is not overly firm, it’s just not soft. As others have pointed out, this creates a bit of a trade off–the Cloudsurfer Max is a little more efficient and snappy than the Eclipse but it loses some of its smooth, soft cushion. As the shoe is relatively heavy I think I’d prefer it to stay softer.
Outsole
Ben - The outsole of the Surfer Max is made of a robust layer of rubber to provide ample grip on the roads. A long canal is cut through the bottom of the shoe, in theory to reduce weight. Gone too is the plastic Speedboard underfoot of the Eclipse, which added propulsion and pep in other On models. In theory the shoe is more flexible and easygoing now, though I’m not sure I found it to be so.
Dominique: Gone is the Speedboard (as we all noted), which I thought was a plus in the Cloudeclipse, as it added some spring to the shoe.
Cloudeclipse and its low mounted Speedboard
I am not yet concerned about the durability of the rubber as noted by Courtney below, although mileage will tell.
Courtney: Ben describes the outsole well. I found the rubber to be stable and with solid traction over sandy roads which can be slippery. The segmented pads of the outsole provide side to side flex, but the limited flex grooves give an all around stiff feeling under foot with the flex point hitting just at the beginning of the big toe.
After around 25 miles I noticed some wear and tear on the black rubber outsole both on the heel and forefoot.
This is my medial heel and lateral toe, and this makes sense as we see the bevel bias into the medial side. Naturally those landings will fall on that area first. With the sole flare quite pronounced at the ball of the forefoot the shoe then encourages the lateral toe to push off and I could feel this as my little toes were sensitive after my run. My concern is that perhaps my big toe (definitely one of my strongest parts of my foot) is not being utilized as much as it could. I also worry about tearing through the not durable rubber On has used here.
Zack: There’s nothing flashy about the outsole, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s relatively minimal, with a simple design that grips well on roads and light paths. The built-in groove through the middle of the sole helps smooth out transitions, which I appreciated.
One thing to watch out for (which happened during one of my 18 mile long runs): small rocks can get caught in the groove if you’re running on gravel or other non-smooth terrain. It’s not a major flaw, but something to be aware of if your routes include those surfaces.
One of my runs was a progressive run in a downpour of rain, and even then I never doubted or felt unsure about the traction. So the outsole is a positive for me.
Peter: Robust rubber outsole that is segmented enough to keep it from feeling too stiff and has enough coverage that I don’t think there will be any durability issues. Grip has been excellent.
Ride, Conclusions and Recommendations
Ben: The OnCloud Surfer Max replaces the Eclipse and builds off of the success of the Surfer. While it offers more stack than many shoes in the On lineup, the Surfer Max is hardly a max-cushioned shoe by today’s standards, when brands are routinely offering 40 mm or more of stack at the heel. It is also not truly a cushioned shoe as it runs rather firm.
Will this shoe still appeal to On loyalists? Probably. It runs - and fits - not totally unlike the Eclipse or either iteration of the Monster. It has a really nice upper and good lockdown and will likely work for those who prefer a firmer ride. While I would have suggested the Eclipse as a really nice entry-level On option, now I think I would suggest the Monster or Monster 2 for those just getting into the brand. If looking for a bit less stack and a softer ride, the Surfer 2 also will work well for most runners. I was excited about the OnCloud Surfer Max but was left wanting more.
Ben’s Score: 8.5/10
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Dominique: I agree with Ben that the Cloudsurfer Max does not feel like “a truly cushioned” shoe. That said, I personally don’t gravitate toward super maximalist shoes. A higher grade sockliner might help with the feel of the midsole, something I am going to try down the road.
I bought the Cloudeclipse for my mother when she turned 94 and for my cousin, Béatrice, who both live in Geneva and do a great deal of walking and getting around on foot daily. They were extremely pleased with their Cloudeclipse, however, I will be skipping this edition as a gift option for a future pair.
I never completely retire my On testers as there are always plenty of reasons to wear them, especially walking. They hold well, upper and outsole, and are always in style.
Dominique’s Score: 8.5/10
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Courtney:I would recommend The Cloudsurfer as a middle distance, uptempo shoe to easy run shoe and even an attractive shoe to wear around town. I was wrong to think it would be a good easy long run option as it simply lacks the protection other brands have easily nailed down.
The upper of the Cloudsurfer is well executed, and the shoe has excellent fit and appearance. I encountered zero hot spots throughout my testing.
I think the Cloudsurfer could benefit from softer, more energetic foam underfoot. I found the hollowed out pods helped me roll forward, but the Surfer failed to generate enough propulsion over longer efforts as I was not able to compress the foam and pods enough to get the rebound back. This may be due to my size as a smaller framed runner. It may also make sense to include a top layer with On’s more advanced PEBA based Helion HF foam as Nike does successfully with Zoom X in the Vomero 18, at $155. I think this version is a good start for the Cloudsurfer Max and I look forward to seeing On continue to make headway with its running shoes.
Overall Score: 8.08 / 10
Ride (50%): 7.5, not max stack, not protective or responsive enough
Fit (30%): 9 Good upper
Value (15%): 7.5 a touch expensive for what it can do
Style (5%): 10 they’re attractive and the geometry is innovative
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Zack: The ride is smooth and consistent, making the Cloudsurfer Max a solid choice for daily runs or long runs. It’s built like a standard daily trainer, nothing wild, just reliable and well-balanced. I used it for many of my daily runs and a 18 miles progressive long run, which it surprisingly felt perfect for. While the shoe has enough firmness to feel somewhat responsive at uptempo paces, the weight holds it back from really excelling at anything faster than that. I’d stick to easy/moderate efforts, where the shoe feels best. If you’re looking for a comfortable, responsive, and well-crafted daily trainer that leans a bit firmer than expected, this one’s worth a look.
Score: 9/10
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Peter: The Cloudsurfer Max is a solid offering from On. It’s not as versatile or, frankly, fun as the Cloud Eclipse (which it replaces). It’s a little firm for a max cushion easy day shoe and a little heavy for faster paces. This leaves it stranded in no-man’s-land. It’s decently fun to run in and looks terrific. That said, there are other shoes I’d pull out first depending on what sort of day I’m looking to have. If you like your shoes a little firmer you may love the Cloudsurfer Max.
Peter’s Score: 8.5/10
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4 Comparisons
On Cloud Eclipse (RTR Review)
Ben: As noted above, the Eclipse offers more stack and more cushion. Additionally, it can now be found on sale in many places as it’s being discontinued. I really enjoyed the Eclipse; it’s likely my favorite On shoe ever. The CloudSurfer Max is a modified, tamer version, less fun, less responsive and less versatile.
Peter: The Cloudsurfer Max replaces the Cloud Eclipse in the On lineup. So it’s essentially the Cloud Eclipse 2–except that it isn’t! It’s a bit heavier, loses the speedboard, changes out the foam and changes the heel collar. Ultimately it winds up being a little firmer and a little less fun. Overall I prefer the Eclipse.
On Cloudmonster (RTR Review)
Ben: The Cloudmonster has a similar stack height and while still not overly soft, runs softer than the CloudSurfer Max.
Peter: The Cloudmonster 1 was more fun than the Cloudmonster 2 (which got a bit firmer). The CloudSurfer Max is still a bit more firm. I prefer the OG Cloudmonster to the Cloudsurfer Max, but since you probably can’t find one, you may as well try the Cloudsurfer Max.
Brooks Hyperion Max 3 (RTR Review)
Peter: Weighing in just slightly lighter at 11.34 oz (vs 11.65) in a men’s US 11, the Hyperion Max is the sleeper max hit of the season for me. While it is pretty stiff and has a plate, the rocker helps keep it moving. I find it to be a much more fluid and enjoyable ride. It lands slightly softer than the Cloudsufer Max and then rolls much more smoothly through the gait cycle. Easy call for me on this one.
Nike Vomero Plus (RTR Review)
Courtney:The Vomero is a lighter shoe at 8.85 oz compared to the Cloudsurfer’s 9.59 oz weight. Surprisingly, the Vomero is 7mm higher in stack despite its lighter weight, due to its lighter ZoomX supercritical foam which makes up its entire midsole. The Plus has a plush and responsive ride, while the Cloudsurfer has a firmer ride with more road feel. Although you would think the Vomero would be unstable, its super wide platform gives you plenty of coverage on landings. The outsole durability is also better on the Vomero with very little wear even after similar testing mileage as the Surfer.
Tester Profiles
Peter lives in California and has been a sub 3 hour marathoner as well as a 1:21 half marathoner in recent years.
Dominique has run for over 45 years, consistently about 25 miles per week at paces between 11 and 12 minute miles and once a week down in the mid 9 minute miles. She races rarely, but always surprises more hard core runners in her age group when she does. She has a 1985 marathon PR of 3:16 in her second marathon which at the time put her on the top 10 Swiss women’s lists. An avid hiker and trekker, she has been around Mont Blanc 3 times, hiked Chamonix to Zermatt, and completed the 48 New Hampshire 4000 footers. She is the mother of two grown children, both runners post college, and also enjoys nordic and alpine skiing, tennis, and gardening.
Ben is the Senior Rabbi of Reform Congregation Keneseth Israel of Elkins Park, PA. A cancer survivor, he has run 23 marathons. He holds PRs of 3:15 for the marathon and 1:30 for the half. At 46, he still enjoys pushing himself and combining his running with supporting a variety of causes. Follow him on Instagram: @RabbiBPD or Twitter: @BDinPA
Zack Dunn: is a college runner at Lewis University. He has been running for 9 years, and focused solely on running after deciding to move on from years of playing baseball and wrestling. He races distances between 1500 meters and 10K whether it be on the track, the roads, or on cross country courses. He does most of his training on the roads, some training on the track, and occasionally run trails logging anywhere from 70-90 miles a week. His typical training consists of easy days, long days, workouts (fartleks, tempos, interval training, etc.). His typical training paces range from 7’30 a mile on easy days to sub-5 minutes a mile on fast interval days, and with many paces in between. His personal bests are 4:18 for 1600m, 8:30 for 3000m, 14:30 for 5K, 24:45 for 8k, and 30:40 for 10k.
Courtney Kelly, age 37 is a college lacrosse player turned avid runner. She lives in Manchester, MA with her husband and two daughters ages 4 and 8. Courtney signed up for her first 1/2 marathon the morning of the race in 2022, winning second place in a time of 1:26. She decided to take running a bit more seriously, joining Wicked Running Club and trying some training plans. She ran her first marathon this fall in 3:04:27. In addition, she holds a half marathon PR of 1:25, a 5 mile PR 30:17, and a 5k PR of 18:20. She looks forward to getting some more strength and speed under her belt this next season, before taking a crack at the marathon again. She is 5’4”, 110 lbs.Off the roads, Courtney is a painter and loving mother to her girls.
Samples were provided at no charge for review purposes. No compensation was provided by brands for writing this article. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and may earn commission on products purchased via shopping links in this article. These partnerships do not influence our editorial content. The opinions herein are entirely the authors'.
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