On Cloudsurfer 2 vs Cloudsurfer Max

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

On Cloudsurfer 2
On Cloudsurfer Max

Tested using Methodology v0.8.2

Updated Dec 16, 2025 04:50 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Jan 12, 2026 07:50 PM

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Our Verdict

On Cloudsurfer 2

On Cloudsurfer Max

The On Cloudsurfer 2 and the On Cloudsurfer Max share the same family name, but they have a few differences. The Cloudsurfer 2 is a lower-stacked, lighter daily trainer that emphasizes smooth transitions and a controlled ride rather than cushioning or energy return. Its Helion foam and CloudTec Phase geometry deliver a firm, stable, and predictable feel that works best for easy to moderate daily mileage, especially if you value guidance and a clean rocker over bounce. The Cloudsurfer Max takes that same concept and stretches it by adding significantly more stack (and weight in the process). While it's marketed as a maximalist shoe, it doesn't deliver an ultra-plush ride either, prioritizing smooth roll-through and stability over softness or rebound.

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Variants

  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Black/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Glacier/Ivory - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Glacier/Limelight - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Ivory/Ivory - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Ivory/Ivory - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Pearl/Orchid - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Tangerine/Ivory - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (Tangerine/Ivory - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer 2 (White/Mineral - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (Black/Eclipse - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (Black/Eclipse - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (Ivory/Honeydew - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (Ivory/Salmon - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (Ivory/Salmon - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (Mineral/Honeydew - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (White/White - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudsurfer Max (White/White - (Women - US 7))
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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

4.8
5.1

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

27.2 mm
31.2 mm

Weight  

6.3
4.6

Heel Stack Height 
 

35.8 mm
37.6 mm

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

1.6
0.8

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

6.3
4.6

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer Max Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer Max Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

252.9 g (8.92 oz)
295.1 g (10.41 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer 2 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer Max Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

35.8 mm
37.6 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

27.2 mm
31.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

8.6 mm
6.4 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

9.0 mm
N/A
Show Text 

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
On Cloudsurfer 2 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
On Cloudsurfer Max 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

88 mm (3.5")
93 mm (3.7")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

65 mm (2.6")
75 mm (3.0")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

112 mm (4.4")
113 mm (4.5")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.46
2.47

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

4.12
3.62

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
On Cloudsurfer 2 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
On Cloudsurfer Max 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

276 mm (10.9")
278 mm (10.9")

Internal Heel Width 
 

67 mm (2.7")
67 mm (2.6")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
93 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
Yes

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer 2 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer Max Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Non-gusseted
Semi-gusseted

Plate 
 

None
None
Show Text 
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

0.9
0.6

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer 2 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer Max Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

64.3%
60.7%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

1.6
0.8

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer 2 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer Max Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

67.0%
63.2%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

6.8
6.9

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer 2 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer Max Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer 2 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer Max Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.34 J
3.15 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

8.20 J
8.43 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

13.91 J
14.79 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.4
7.1

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
On Cloudsurfer Max Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer 2 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer Max Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

3.87 J
4.40 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

6.82 J
7.50 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

10.40 J
11.08 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

6.4
6.0

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer 2 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer Max Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

59.9 N/mm
59.2 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

137.1 N/mm
121.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

253.8 N/mm
226.8 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.4
8.2

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer 2 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer Max Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

130.7 N/mm
119.3 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

236.6 N/mm
234.6 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

419.7 N/mm
397.5 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudsurfer Max Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.64 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.45 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.34 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.27 J
Show Text 

On Cloudsurfer 2

On Cloudsurfer Max

Comments

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On Cloudsurfer 2 vs On Cloudsurfer Max: Main Discussion

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