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The ON Cloudsurfer Max

ON Cloudsurfer Max – 104 km Review

Quick Overview

  • Distance Tested: 104 km
  • Terrain: Road & Gravel Path
  • Shoe Type: Neutral / Max Cushioned
  • Weight (Men’s): 292g Weight (Women’s): 262g
  • Heel-to-Toe Drop: 6 mm
  • RRP: £170

First Impressions & Fit

Straight out of the box — as always with ON — the Cloudsurfer Max looks fantastic. Aesthetically, it’s clean and modern, and that design appeal hasn’t been lost here.

The fit feels nice overall and would likely be even better for slightly wider feet than mine. I have fairly narrow feet, but still found the shoe secure around the ankle, with a knitted tongue adding extra comfort.

Sizing is consistent with most running brands — I’m a UK 9 in nearly everything, and these fit true to size.

Cushioning & Ride Feel

As the name suggests, this is very much a max-cushioned shoe. The double-layer CloudTec Phase™ midsole delivers a smooth, rolling ride, keeping you in that effortless forward-moving rhythm.

Paired with Helion™ superfoam, the cushioning feels plush yet stable — the perfect partnership for reducing impact. These became my go-to shoes during a 31-day consecutive running challenge, and the cushioning was a real blessing. On the days when my ankles and joints were feeling sore, the Cloudsurfer Max made those runs feel noticeably easier and smoother.

Performance & Grip

Most of my testing was on the road, with a regular stretch of gravel path thrown in. On the flat or downhill, the ride is smooth, cushioned, and genuinely enjoyable.

On the uphills — and there are plenty around here — I did notice that the generous cushioning absorbs a bit of the energy return, so you lose a touch of that springy push-off. That’s expected with a max-cushioned model, though.

ON has also continued refining the outsole design, gradually closing up the underfoot gap that used to collect stones or debris. (In older models, I once got a Sharpie pen stuck in there at work — it fit perfectly, followed by a click-clack as I walked around!)

While this version is much improved, I still managed to pick up the odd stone or acorn during gravel runs. It’s not a big issue, but worth noting. On the bright side, the fact that you can feel when something’s caught really highlights how smooth and connected the ride feels.

Grip-wise, the Cloudsurfer Max performs brilliantly. I ran through several wet days with roads covered in leaves, and traction remained excellent — even on gravel.

Pros

  • Double-layer CloudTec Phase™ midsole creates an ultra-smooth, rolling ride.
  • Helion™ superfoam provides exceptional impact protection — ideal for long or consecutive runs.
  • Knitted tongue and secure ankle hold deliver a comfortable, locked-in feel.

Cons

  • Small debris can still occasionally get caught in the outsole gap.
  • Loses a little energy return on steep uphills due to the plush cushioning.
  • The new lacing system takes a bit of work to tighten fully — possibly more noticeable for narrow-footed runners.

Value for Money

At £170, the Cloudsurfer Max sits at the premium end of the market. It offers plenty of benefits, but it’s worth considering what you’re looking for.

If you’re training for your first half or full marathon, this shoe is a fantastic option — it’ll handle both training miles and race day comfortably.

If you’re shopping on a tighter budget, there are other solid cushioned shoes available for less, but few that combine comfort, design, and ride feel quite like this.

Final Thoughts

Overall, I’ve found the ON Cloudsurfer Max to be a lovely running shoe — suitable for all levels, from first-time half-marathoners to experienced runners looking for a max-cushioned recovery shoe.

It’s ideal for reducing impact on longer or back-to-back runs while offering a smooth, rolling ride and stylish look. For me, it’s been a dependable daily trainer for my 31 day challenge and we will test this soon with some longer distance runs.

Fun Fact

The Cloudsurfer Max is the first ON running shoe to feature a coloured logo, moving away from the brand’s traditional reflective silver emblem. Two of the colourways have unique logo colours — a subtle but distinctive change within the ON lineup.

I hope you enjoyed reading this review — I’ll post an update once I hit 200 km in the Cloudsurfer Max.