Why Runners Love the On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 for Roads and Groomed Trails

On is giving us the newest Trail version of their popular shoe – the On Cloudsurfer Trail 2. This is a great option if you’re looking for a comfortable and versatile shoe to take you from road to non-technical trails – let’s get into our review.

We reviewed the Cloudsurfer 2 earlier this year as a comfortable, energetic, and easy to wear road option for easy miles. This new iteration of the Cloudsurfer Trail is a similarly comfortable and stylish option but made to take you out on mixed surface and light trails with tractioned outsoles and a durable construction built for different terrain.

If you’re looking for a lighter, cushioned, and comfortable trainer for your days out on the trails and gravel, this shoe is worth checking out.

In the few weeks I’ve had this shoe, I’ve reached for them for a lot of different workouts and have been really impressed with how they hold up for different purposes.

On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Overview

The last few years, we’ve been really impressed with the change of cushion in On running shoes. They’re suddenly softer and just feel more enjoyable for longer miles. In fact, Coach Amanda was a big fan of the original On Cloudsurfer trail, so I was excited to see if the changes kept it in our winner category.

I tried these shoes for a few long runs on a gravel trail, some easy 3-5 milers on light trails, long walks on the road and mixed surfaces, a few rainy day runs, and I even wore them while coaching toddler soccer on wet grass!

The Cloudsurfer Trail 2 is a light-trail/mixed terrain shoe, built to bring you a combo of comfort and cushion with some added grip to make time on the trails feel like a smooth ride.

The shoe blends trail-friendly traction with On’s latest cushion technology, which makes it a great choice for anyone who is sticking to well-groomed trails, gravel, road to trail, or mixed surfaces but who isn’t out there on hardcore mountain trails.

It has very small lugs and not a grippy Vibram style rubbber, which is what allows you to take it on roads and trails comfortably, but not so much way off groomed trails. The new version has slightly larger lugs, so they have stepped it up, but still no issues on the roads.

Like its predecessor, the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 is a solid entry-level option for runners who are trying out the trails or gravel surfaces for the first time, or who aren’t seeking out truly technical terrain. The shoe is a great merging of cushioned comfort and grounding traction, and the shoes make great streetwear like many other On’s right now.

The woven mesh upper of the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 feels durable and rugged while also staying breathable and flexible enough for daily wear. I found that the midfoot was secure and comfortable, and the shoe felt breathable enough for 80 degree runs and cold, rainy days alike.

The Cloudsurfer Trail 2 also features On’s signature Helion™ superfoam and CloudTec Phase® midsole design, which give the shoe some great bounce and a smooth heel to toe transition. I found this shoe to be slightly firm on foot than the Cloudsurfer 2 in a way that made it feel more substantial for the trail than its road sister. 

I really loved the foam midsole on the road shoe, but I was worried this would feel too soft on the trail when I need more support. When I actually got out running in these, I found these to feel like just the right middle ground between firm support and cushioned comfort that kept the shoes energetic and fun while also supportive enough on some rough terrain.

For me, what really stood out on the Cloudsurfer Trail 2 was the Missiongrip™ rubber outsole with its solid lugs to hold you firmly to the ground.

The outsole really delivers a significant amount of grip and traction, and while it’s not enough to ground you for a highly technical mountainside run, it certainly does the job on neatly kept trails and gravel roads

. I wore these out in the rain for a couple of afternoon runs and found myself firmly transitioning through my stride without any slipping and sliding. The shoes held up on wet grass, sludgy gravel trails, and the road all with the same awesome traction.

While I thought this shoe would feel much heavier than its road counterpart based on looks alone, On did a great job of keeping this shoe pretty lightweight given the substantive rubber outsole and the durable mesh upper it also boasts.

Where the Cloudsurfer 2 weighs in at 7.9oz for a women’s shoe, the trail version only weighs slightly more at 8.1oz. This is a huge advantage to keep the shoe turning over quickly and energetically on the trail. That being said, it also means this shoe isn’t substantial enough to take you through a truly rocky, steep, or rugged terrain.

I don’t think I’d reach for these shoes for a high intensity speed workout or a race, I did find them to be a great all-around option that functioned well in a few different settings. I loved that they are cushioned and comfortable enough to justify a pick for a long walk or easy run, but they also serve well for road to trail runs, light hikes, and a lot of workouts in between.

On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 Fit

The On Cloudsurfer Trail 2 fit true to size for me, fitting very similarly to its road counterpart. The shoe’s midfoot felt really secure throughout the shoe without feeling too tight or restricting even in the heat. 

One feature that got updated in this version of the shoe is the lacing system compared to earlier versions. This shoe’s lacing structure seems wider, with rows of laces spaced out and more forgiving for wider or thicker feet. 

I really liked the banded “lockdown lacing” to help keep your feet firmly placed in the shoe without too much slippage as your feet turnover. I could definitely feel this as compared to the Cloudsurfer 2 as soon as my first run in these.

My only complaint is that this lockdown is strong, so if you lace the shoes too tight, you’ll start feeling some discomfort after a long wear and need to loosen the lacing a bit.

To add additional comfort and security, the heel collar is nicely cushioned and the tongue is padded just enough to keep the laces in place across the top of your foot without adding pressure or hot spots.

As with the Cloudsurfer 2, I was really surprised by how often I find myself reaching for these shoes for runs and walks. I love that they feel cushioned and comfy while also holding up well for the varied workouts and adventures I find myself on these days. I love that I can wear them all day and they look as good and stylish as they feel!

Go check this one out!

What to read next?

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