On Running Cloudsurfer 2

The On Running Cloudsurfer 2 is the Swiss brand's daily trainer for the road, although its name might suggest otherwise. Anyone drawn in by the idea of running on clouds is in for a surprise, because the ride is a good deal firmer than the brand promises. In the road collection of On Running it sits alongside the Cloudmonster 3, with a higher stack height and designed for racking up the miles, and the Cloudrunner 3, for those after a bit more stability. The testers themselves are not sure where it fits in that collection, because it is very similar to the Cloudsurfer Next, and several recommend it as much or more for walking, long hours standing or the gym than for running. This ambiguity the brand has played with from the start means it is no "specialist", and the bet seems to be leaning more and more towards streetwear.

Compared with the original Cloudsurfer the visible changes are up top: a more breathable mesh upper, a redesigned, padded tongue (not gusseted, but a loop keeps it in place) and more conventional lacing without the earlier central band, with eye-catching stitched straps on the first and last rows that help hold the foot. The fit is true to size, with volume up front and a midfoot and heel of normal width, and the foot stays put thanks to a heavily padded collar and a stiff heel counter. The outsole is thicker and more durable, grips well even on wet tarmac and holds its own on dirt paths.

The Helion™ foam midsole keeps the CloudTec Phase™ system, with no Speedboard® plate. The first version was rubbery and sank under the foot, especially up front. That no longer happens here, in exchange for a firmer ride and little bounce, to which the outsole also contributes. With a 32 mm heel stack height and a 9 mm heel-to-toe drop (1 mm less than before), the best thing about it is the transition, smooth thanks to a pronounced forefoot rocker. That said, the combination of pronounced toe spring and a somewhat flexible forefoot can punish the toes of anyone sensitive there. There is no agreement on distance: some find it better than its predecessor for long runs and others tire of it after a few kilometres. It is hard to justify a shoe that does not stand out for anything in particular and is also quite expensive, and the brand's strategy for future models remains to be seen.