Trail-Running Shoes Buying Guide

Chase your new PR without sacrificing comfort. The men's On Cloudsurfer Trail trail-running shoes give you next-level cushion and a smooth heel-to-toe stride from concrete to trail.
Imported.
View the On Cloudsurfer Product LineView all On Men's Trail-Running ShoesBest Use | Trail Running |
---|---|
Trail-Running Shoe Type | Light-Trail |
Running Shoe Cushioning | Moderate Cushion |
Heel-to-Toe Drop (mm) | 7 |
Footwear Height | Ankle |
Footwear Closure | Lace-up |
Upper | Recycled polyester/TPU |
Midsole | EVA/Helion superfoam |
Outsole | Missiongrip rubber |
Rock Plate | No |
Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 3.4 oz. |
Gender | Men's |
Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
U.S. Men's | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13 | 14 |
UK | 6.5 | 7 | 7.5 | 8 | 8.5 | 9 | 9.5 | 10 | 10.5 | 11 | 11.5 | 12 | 12.5 | 13.5 |
EU | 40 | 40.5 | 41 | 42 | 42.5 | 43 | 44 | 44.5 | 45 | 46 | 47 | 47.5 | 48 | 49 |
Adding a review will require a valid email for verification
Shoes compared to: KEEN Temp Flex Mid hikers, ASICS Gel-Kayano 30 runners. Out of the box, these look sharp just like most On shoes do- my spouse vastly prefers them to my ASICS. Fit-wise they were exactly on size, although I found the footbed felt very slippery insider the shoe under my socks, and that coupled with the angle of the sole left me feeling like I was sliding forward and outward inside the shoes. That feeling passed as I got used to the angle and the footbed broke in slightly to be less slippery. The construction seems outstanding- good stitching, relatively clear glue lines, and well-reenforced lace holes. I’ve now tested these well over 50 miles, everywhere from kicking around town with jeans, running on city streets, to hiking trails at Yosemite. Final impression is that they are jacks of all trades- good at everything, great at nothing. As casual shoes the looks are solid but there are better-looking shoes out there (especially other On models). As trail shoes they are capable on dirt trails but the soft soles and minimal tread leave you wanting as things get more technical (the open structure of the soles seems problematic in terms of mud as well- I did not encounter any, but I can’t imagine them self-clearing if you did). As runners, I’m sure they would be fine for a lighter, neutral runner but I generally need a high-padding stability shoe. As the miles wore on with these I noticed my knees acting up they same way they do when a pair more suited to me is nearing the end of its life. These have raised my opinion of the On brand, this particular model just missed the mark. Overall I am very thankful to have gotten to test these and will happily keep them in my rotation, but would not go out and buy another pair with the other choices out there.
This shoe has a good and comfortable fit. It is very stable feeling for the urban or suburban gravel trails and easy,level ground nature trails that do not have much rocky terrain. My arches felt supported and after several days of wearing them,my feel felt good. There is not much break in time for these shoes, you just wear and go. Overall I think that these light trail runners are perfect for beginners looking to switch from running on concrete to more natural surfaces, and due to the extra support in the soles this show seems to be good for individuals that may be a bit bigger in size( as I am).
I am used to running and walking with “barefoot” type shoes. I wanted to try the On Cloudsurfer for my long walks and runs because my knees and ankles were hurting with other shoes. I have only done about 15 miles so far, mostly walks and a couple of short runs. Likes: I’m used to flat soles, but the shoes weren’t as big as I thought. I liked the look of them for the most part. Concerns: my toes on my left foot keep falling asleep which tells me my feet aren’t receiving the blood flow necessary right? I’m no foot doctor but that’s what I’ve heard. Also the look of the sole is just kind of ugly to me still to be honest.
True to the name, these shoes are incredibly light. And yet, they provide ample cushioning and support. I've taken these on a few short trail runs (~10 miles) and a day hike on the PCT (16 miles). I've been very impressed by the spring and grip these provide for such a lightweight shoe. The toe box isn't as roomy as Altras, but still felt wide enough that my feet never felt cramped and no blisters or hot spots. I also really like how well the mesh breathes with these--compared to Altras my feet definitely felt cooler after a workout. I think the holes in the sole of these helps to keep the feet cooler even when ground temps are high; however, these holes raise my only concern with these shoes, as I wonder how long the cushioning will hold up over time. Overall, great lightweight trail runners that also look cool.
High quality, well made shoes! I find these shoes very comfortable for walking and running on trails. The tread is very grippy in wet conditions, too! I felt stable and in control of my feet when running on un-even trails. Small rocks and roots are not even noticeable. The holes in soul are eye catching! Several people have asked what kind of shoes I'm wearing and I always reply telling them it feels like I'm walking on clouds! The stitching and materials of the shoe are well made and high quality. Excellent product!
Very comfortable right out of the box. True to size with no pressure points. I wore them around the house, walking on the sidewalk, and running on a rocky trail. I literally forgot I had them on. They have good grip. My only critique is that the cushion is almost too spongy. This is not an issue at all when on a flat surface, but when running over rocks, I think a slightly stiffer cushion would have made the impact of the rocks a little less noticable. However, they are still great shoes.
Super lightweight, outstanding grip, and most importantly extremely comfortable! These shoes look like most others with the exception of an enhanced base, but they seriously outperform all others when it comes to comfort. The name is quite adept, as your feet feel very light and cushion(y) when running or walking on the trail. The heel strike can be noticeable due to the larger sole, but the cushioning makes a huge difference on the various types of terrain.
Cloud running - What appears to be the new tactic for running and hiking trail shoes is creating as big of a sole as you can in a shoe. The Cloudsurfer is no different. It takes time to get used to, especially if most of the week your feet are confined to dress or office footwear. The heel strike is notable and is a bit unusual but once you get accustomed, these shoes might become your favorite. These have become my most comfortable pair of shoes I own period. The sole makes such a difference on terrain and on your posture/back. There are some notable components of the shoe that make it different and effective. 1. The sole - the cloudsurfer tech. These soles are huge but you'll wonder how you ever got along without them. They make the gait so much more comfortable and natural feeling. 2. The bottom tread is like an all-terrain tire. If you know off road tires, these are akin to an E rated all terrain tire. They grab and grab well - so much so that you might get a little nervous climbing stairs - the tread sticks sometimes to metal surfaces as it grabs. It's just doing its job. 3. Good support - The rest of the shoe is constructed well and despite the outward appearance, it's not built like a tank. It actually feels very light, hence the cloudsurfer name I supposed. The shoe's appearance belies the weight on your feet. It's a very delicate, light experience but one that has good support. I would feel comfortable with these bouldering and hiking on most trails.
These trail running shoes seemed average for what they are advertised for. I would put them more in the category of road running or very well constructed trails. Most trails I go on are more rugged than what it seems these shoes can handle. Pros: - Lightweight - Upper mesh sufficient to repel most debris, plants, etc - Thick foam soles seem like they should provide shock absorption Cons: - Shoes seem a bit flimsy and unstable to handle most rugged trails (trails with rocks, roots, uneven surfaces, etc). - Tread depth and pattern is minimal and seems like it will not last as long as other designs/construction Overall, I would say these are fine for road running, paved trails, dirt roads, etc but not for most rugged trails. Even on the road, they may not last as long as others due to what appears to be poorly constructed tread depth and pattern, but I cannot personally confirm this as I have been only able to use them for a few weeks.
The most comfortable and cushy trail shoe I’ve ever worn. They are great for walking, jogging, trail use, and casual wear. I highly recommend. The shoe was slightly longer than the same size I have in the On Cloud Flyer but not enough to make me size down. It’s also a little more snug with less give in the toe box, probably because of the stiffer material used for trail use. I’m hoping it stretches out a little. Overall, I’m very happy with the purchase.