Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →On’s Cloudsurfer 3 pairs its new Surreal superfoam with redesigned CloudTec Phase geometry to deliver a softer, smoother everyday-running ride. Surreal was developed in-house at On Labs Zurich, but the headline performance figures come from On’s computer simulations—not independent shoe testing.
What is Surreal foam, and where was it developed?
Surreal is a new superfoam that On says it developed at its in-house Foam Competency Center at On Labs Zurich, drawing on material science and biomechanical research. On describes it as lighter, softer and more responsive than Helion, its previous foam for everyday running shoes. Those comparisons are On’s product claims, rather than results from an independently reported head-to-head test.
The Cloudsurfer 3 is the first product On announced with Surreal. The company’s stated goal is to combine a plush feel with enough responsiveness for a daily trainer. As On Product Manager Zoé Gerdil put it in the company’s announcement, “Our ambition with the Cloudsurfer 3 was to rethink what softness should feel like in a daily running shoe.”
How do Surreal and CloudTec Phase work together?
The shoe’s central design idea is the combination of Surreal foam and re-engineered CloudTec Phase geometry. On says the Cloud elements compress in sequence as the foot moves, helping create a smoother roll from landing through take-off. The foam supplies the cushioning material; the shaped cavities and geometry are intended to influence how that material compresses.
#1 Best Overall
- Control the pace
- Runs become play
- Runs become play
In a T3 interview, On Product Manager Zoé Gerdil described engineering cavities into the foam so that they work with the geometry in a heel-to-forefoot sequence. T3 also reported changes to the heel counter, a heavily padded tongue, simplified lacing and a more stretchy upper. On describes the updated Warp Knit upper as breathable, secure and adaptive. These design details explain the intended construction, but do not by themselves establish how every runner will experience the fit or ride.
What do On’s performance figures actually show?
On reports two figures from internal Advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA), a predictive computer-modeling technique conducted at On Labs Zurich. The comparison is the integrated CloudTec Phase geometry and Surreal system against the superfoam compound on its own—not a published independent test of runners wearing the shoes.
Rank #2
- The design for the engineered woven upper is inspired by our pinnacle race shoe, the Cloudboom Echo 3. Light and breathable, it provides a comfortable, seamless fit.
- The CloudTec Phase midsole structure creates a seamless heel-to-toe transition. Made with a refined Helion superfoam compound, it's also bouncier and more responsive.
- Lighter and more cushioned, the Cloudsurfer Next propels you forward for a faster and more responsive ride. At the forefoot, the new, agile rocker helps you push off with power.
- Recycled content polyester: 77%, Recycled content polyurethane: 22%, Recycled content thermoplastic polyurethane: 21%, Recycled content EVA: 3%.
- More agile. More dynamic. More get-up-and-go.
| On-reported result | What it compares | How to interpret it |
|---|---|---|
| 15.5% more compression | The CloudTec Phase geometry integrated with Surreal versus the superfoam compound alone | An internal FEA simulation result reported by On, not an independently measured on-foot outcome. |
| 9.9% lower peak braking force | On’s computer-optimized CloudTec Phase orientation versus un-engineered superfoam | On defines peak braking force as the maximum resistance to forward horizontal motion. This is also an internal FEA result, not a measurement from an independent running study. |
On President and COO Scott Maguire summarized the design approach this way: “The breakthrough was not simply that we created a new superfoam – it is that we can engineer structure into it to unlock even more from the material.” The figures support On’s explanation of how it designed the foam-and-geometry system; they should not be read as proof that a runner will feel a particular percentage improvement.
What is the Cloudsurfer 3 designed for?
On positions the Cloudsurfer 3 as an everyday trainer for casual and recovery runs through longer training sessions. T3’s interview describes the Cloudsurfer family as a neutral-cushioning option within On’s range and reports that Gerdil sees it as suitable for a broad group, from new or returning runners to athletes on recovery days. That is an account of the brand’s intended audience, not a guarantee of fit or support for every runner.
Rank #3
- The design for the engineered woven upper is inspired by our pinnacle race shoe, the Cloudboom Echo 3. Light and breathable, it provides a comfortable, seamless fit.
- The CloudTec Phase midsole structure creates a seamless heel-to-toe transition. Made with a refined Helion superfoam compound, it's also bouncier and more responsive.
- Lighter and more cushioned, the Cloudsurfer Next propels you forward for a faster and more responsive ride. At the forefoot, the new, agile rocker helps you push off with power.
- Recycled content polyester: 77%, Recycled content polyurethane: 22%, Recycled content thermoplastic polyurethane: 21%, Recycled content EVA: 3%.
- More agile. More dynamic. More get-up-and-go.
Tom’s Guide reviewer Nick Harris-Fry says he ran in the shoe on a couple of outings and found it soft and smooth, with good transitions at easy-to-steady paces and more spring from the toes. He did not consider it his choice for speed sessions. In a brief one-foot comparison with the Cloudsurfer 2, he also found the new outsole gripped a little better on damp sidewalks. These are one reviewer’s impressions, not controlled or universal findings.
Cloudsurfer 3 specifications and announced prices
| Specification | Published detail |
|---|---|
| Listed weight | 285 g for a men’s US 8.5, according to On |
| Drop | 8 mm, according to On |
| Size range | 36–49, according to On |
| Announced prices | $160, €170, £150 and CHF 210, according to On’s September 15, 2026 announcement; check local listings for current price and availability. |
Tom’s Guide separately reports measuring a men’s US 9.5 at 10.8 oz, compared with 9.4 oz for the Cloudsurfer 2 in the same size. That reviewer-specific measurement is a different size and source from On’s 285 g specification, so the figures should not be treated as a direct contradiction.
Rank #4
- Supports every stride
- Optimized clouds
- Feel-good runs
When and where is it available?
On announced a specialist-running-retailer pre-launch beginning October 1, 2026, followed by a planned full global rollout through channels including On.com and On retail stores in early 2027. Those dates describe the company’s announced plans; they do not confirm stock at a particular shop or in a particular market. Check local retailer listings for current availability.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Midsole / outsole Using FEA technology, we simulated and analyzed different outsole designs in order to find the optimal geometry for improved durability.
- Speedboard For the softest and smoothest running sensation, we engineered the Cloudsurfer 2 without a Speedboard – instead, relying on our structural cushioning system: CloudTec Phase.
- Upper Breathable mesh upper made from 88% recycled polyester. Embroidered overlays – also made with recycled yarn – provide support and structure around the foot.
Sources
- On Press: Cloudsurfer 3 announcement and specifications, September 15, 2026
- T3: Interview with On Product Manager Zoé Gerdil, September 16, 2026
- Tom’s Guide: Nick Harris-Fry’s hands-on review, September 15, 2026
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
