On/Canva

On Cloudsurfer 3 | £150 | Tester: Laura Fountain

A comfortable, plush daily trainer that can pick up the pace when needed.

The On Cloudsurfer 3 is a cushioned everyday running shoe designed to make easy miles feel comfortable. I’ve used it for the past month on runs ranging from parkrun up to 10K, and it’s a shoe that feels immediately easy to get on with. It’s plush and comfortable, but without the overly soft or squishy feeling you get from some highly cushioned shoes. It’s not the liveliest shoe, but there’s enough there to pick up the pace when you want to.

On Cloudsurfer 3 technical details

Price: £150
Weight: 253g
Stack: 45mm heel / 37mm forefoot
Drop: 8mm
Foam: CloudTec Phase

Image: On

On Cloudsurfer 3 pros and cons

Pros

• Comfortable and plush without being too soft
• Stable and roomy
• Feels durable

Cons

• Not particularly lively
• Not my first choice for faster sessions or racing

Who and what is the On Cloudsurfer 3 for?

The Cloudsurfer 3 is an everyday running shoe that I think makes most sense for easy runs and longer, steady miles. There’s plenty of cushioning underfoot, but it doesn’t feel excessively soft, and the stable ride makes it a shoe I can see working well as the miles add up.

That doesn’t mean you can’t run faster in it. I’ve used it for a decent parkrun effort and it coped perfectly well when I picked up the pace. If I was lining up specifically for a PB attempt, though, it wouldn’t be the shoe I’d choose.

How does it fit?

The Cloudsurfer 3 has quite a roomy fit, particularly through the forefoot. I had to pull the laces in quite a bit to get the fit I wanted, but once I’d done that I was able to get a good, secure hold. That extra room could make it a particularly good option if you like more space around your toes, although runners with narrower feet may find they need to tighten the laces more than usual.

Is the On Cloudsurfer 3 comfortable?

Comfort is one of the Cloudsurfer 3’s strengths. It feels plush underfoot without being overly squishy, which gives you plenty of cushioning while still feeling fairly stable. That balance should work particularly well as the distance increases. I’ve only taken it up to 10K so far, but based on those first few runs I can see it being a good option for long runs and easy runs.

Image: Laura Fountain

I’ve done six runs in the Cloudsurfer 3 so far, ranging from parkrun distance up to 10K. Across all the runs, it’s been a comfortable and straightforward shoe to run in. There’s plenty of cushioning underneath your foot, but you don’t sink too far into it. It also feels stable, which I appreciate in a more cushioned everyday shoe.

What you don’t get is a particularly lively ride. There are daily trainers that give you more bounce and energy return, but that doesn’t mean the Cloudsurfer 3 feels sluggish. I was able to put in a decent effort at parkrun without feeling as though the shoe was holding me back. It just wouldn’t be the pair I’d reach for if I was going there specifically to chase a PB.

For the majority of my running in this shoe, though, speed isn’t really the point. It feels happiest ticking along at an easy or steady pace, and I think it will make a particularly good long-run shoe. It also feels pretty durable so far. Six runs isn’t enough to make any conclusions about how many miles I’ll ultimately get from it, but the construction feels substantial and I haven’t noticed any early signs of wear.

Where can I buy it?

The On Cloudsurfer 3 will be available from On and other retailers from early 2027.