The On Cloudsurfer 3 arrives with significant updates to its cushioning system and a clearly defined proposition: delivering a softer, smoother stride during daily training. The Swiss company has developed a new foam, named Surreal, which works in tandem with a refreshed version of its CloudTec Phase™ technology—two elements that take a central role in this third generation.
I had the opportunity to test them during my runs through the Casa de Campo in Madrid, one of my usual training grounds, ideal for getting to know how a pair of shoes designed to rack up kilometers behaves, especially when we aim to maintain comfortable paces and enjoy the workout without excessive demands.
And if there’s one thing I would highlight after running in them, it’s their exceptionally plush cushioning—a sensation you feel from the first strides and which, in my case, has been the most striking feature of this test.
Surreal and CloudTec Phase: the keys to its cushioning
As anticipated, one of the main novelties of the Cloudsurfer 3 is the inclusion of the superfoam Surreal, developed by the Swiss company itself with the aim of improving cushioning without sacrificing a good level of responsiveness. According to data obtained through simulations conducted at On’s Zurich laboratory, this new foam is ~15% lighter, ~15.5% softer, and ~23.3% more responsive than Helion, the compound used in other models from the brand.
They are figures that reflect the evolution On has pursued in this new generation, though it’s worth remembering that these results come from the laboratory and may not translate directly to the same percentages you perceive when you head out for a run.
The foam works in tandem with CloudTec Phase, a technology that uses the unique geometry of the Cloud elements in the midsole to encourage progressive compression as the foot makes contact with the ground. Its computer-optimized design aims to follow the natural movement of the foot and achieve a smoother transition between landing and take-off.
According to On, this new setup allows for 15.5% deeper compression and a 9.9% smoother rolling. Beyond the numbers, what’s interesting to understand is that both technologies are designed to work together: the foam provides cushioning and the shape of the midsole determines how it compresses with each stride.
My impressions: runs along the Casa de Campo wall
The return to the Casa de Campo’s wall is one of those routes we know well for those who train regularly in Madrid. Its roughly 16 kilometers allow you to accumulate a good distance and enjoy an especially pleasant environment for running, in addition to offering an opportunity to check how the shoes respond during a prolonged run.
In this scenario my clearest impression has been the sensation of cushioning underfoot. The cushioning is very soft and pleasant, especially when we maintain a relaxed pace and let the kilometers pass by without worrying too much about the stopwatch.
It is a feature that aligns with the aim of this model, developed for daily training and, especially, for days when we seek to run comfortably. On also presents the Cloudsurfer 3 as an option for recovery runs and long outings, though in the latter case the choice will depend on each runner’s preferences and the type of cushioning they feel most at ease with.
The brand emphasizes that the combination of Surreal and CloudTec Phase helps reduce muscular fatigue during the run. It is one of the advantages pursued by its design, but what I can confirm from my runs is, above all, that sense of generous cushioning and softness underfoot that has marked my experience with them.
A renewed upper to improve the fit
The updates of this shoe are not limited to the midsole. On has also redesigned the upper, incorporating a technical warp-knit fabric that aims to improve adaptation to the foot and offer a balanced combination of breathability, comfort, and support.
This type of construction allows the fabric to adapt to the shape of the foot, while its structure is designed to keep it secured during the run. It is an important aspect in shoes intended for daily training, where comfort does not depend solely on cushioning, but also on how the whole unit behaves over the kilometers.
Who are the On Cloudsurfer 3 designed for?
By its characteristics, the Cloudsurfer 3 are aimed mainly at runners seeking daily training shoes with abundant cushioning and a particularly soft ride. A good companion for easy runs, recovery sessions, and workouts where the main goal is to accumulate kilometers without training at high intensities.
They can also be interesting for those preparing for a race and needing a comfortable model for much of their weekly training, reserving other shoes with a more dynamic character for speed sessions or workouts at demanding paces.
In any case, the sensation of cushioning is a very personal matter. There are runners who prefer firmer ground contact and others who particularly enjoy a cushioned stride. The Cloudsurfer 3 clearly sit in the second group, at least based on the sensations I experienced during the test.
Dylan Holloway
I’ve always been fascinated by the stories hidden behind a stopwatch, a finish line or a record-breaking performance. At Athletics News, I cover athletes, competitions and the moments shaping track and field, with a particular interest in the people and journeys behind the results.
