On Cloudsurfer 3 brings softer miles with Surreal foam and redesigned CloudTec Phase

On has unveiled a new version of its flagship daily trainer, the Cloudsurfer 3. Three years after laying the foundations of its CloudTec Phase technology, those distinctive clouds underfoot, the Swiss brand is back with a new model and a thoroughly reworked platform. Softness and comfort take centre stage. The goal is clear: to recapture and even surpass the smooth cushioning that made the 2023 model a favourite among runners. The major update is a brand-new proprietary superfoam, Surreal™, paired with a completely redesigned CloudTec Phase system. Impressive lab results confirm that this is the softest cushioning On has ever created. Here is a closer look at the Swiss brand’s latest technology package, built for everyday running.

Cloudsurfer: On’s cloud DNA since 2010

On is a distinctive presence in the running world. Born in the Swiss Alps in 2010, it shook up an overly uniform market and won over millions of runners in just sixteen years. With authenticity and creativity, the brand built its range around a simple promise: comfort and performance, with the feeling of running on a cloud. The Cloudsurfer sits at the heart of that story. It was On’s founding model and the first shoe the brand brought to market.

After several iterations, the franchise took a strategic turn in 2023, starting from scratch with a completely reworked, softer structure that was more faithful than ever to the cloud DNA at the heart of the brand. The result lived up to expectations: a shoe appreciated by runners and recognised as one of the most comfortable On had ever made, with soft, plush cushioning and the long-awaited sensation of running on clouds.

Surreal™, On’s new superfoam developed in Zurich

For this new model, On is introducing a completely new foam developed in its Zurich testing labs: Surreal™. As the name suggests, it promises an almost unreal level of softness and comfort, marking a significant shift in the brand’s approach to cushioning. The aim is to make every stride smoother, so runners can go further with less effort.

On says the new foam delivers both softness and protection without compromising a fluid ride or the foot’s natural movement. That is exactly what runners expect from a daily trainer today: comfort, protection and enough freedom to let the body move naturally. With runners demanding more from their shoes, a daily trainer has to handle a broad range of paces. On believes the Cloudsurfer 3 strikes the ideal balance between underfoot comfort and everyday versatility.

+15.5% compression

According to internal FEA (Finite Element Analysis) simulations conducted by On, the Surreal foam, combined with the CloudTec Phase structure, absorbs 15.5% more impact than a conventional foam used on its own.

-9.9% braking force

-9.9% peak braking force: the same simulations show that the orientation of the CloudTec Phase clouds works with the Surreal foam to reduce braking on every landing, promoting a smoother stride than a conventional superfoam would provide.

Technical specifications — On Cloudsurfer 3

Category : Comfort daily trainer
Use: Easy runs, recovery and relaxed long runs
Foam: Surreal™ Superfoam, On’s new proprietary foam
Technology: Redesigned CloudTec Phase®
Upper: Warp Knit, breathable technical mesh, secure lockdown
Surface: Road
Level: All levels
Weight: 285 g
Drop: 8 mm
Price: €170
Availability : 1 October 2026 through specialist retailers, global distribution from early 2027

An upgraded CloudTec Phase system that adapts to the runner

CloudTec Phase refers to the distinctive clouds in the midsole that make On shoes instantly recognisable. And while the brand built its reputation on this unusual design, it is about more than aesthetics. According to Scott Maguire, On’s President and COO, the structure helps unlock greater performance from the foam itself. On the Cloudsurfer 3, the clouds have been reoriented to compress in sequence as the foot rolls through, like a domino effect from heel to forefoot, creating a smoother stride. This was very much a real-world development process: the technology was tested with numerous runners and refined through computer simulations to create an angular shape that encourages fluid movement. The key advance in this third iteration is not the new foam alone, but the way it incorporates the CloudTec Phase system. The combination of the two technologies is what gives the shoe its character, balancing softness and responsiveness.