On Cloudsurfer 3

A Softer Ride Inside the Clouds

On's Cloudsurfer 3 is the first running shoe to use its new Surreal superfoam. Rather than simply swapping one midsole material for another, On has built the foam around its CloudTec Phase geometry to change how the shoe compresses and rolls forward. The result is aimed at the everyday runner who wants cushioning without a sluggish feel.

Surreal Foam Gets Its First Test

On makes the midsole by expanding a nitrogen-treated foam mold, creating the familiar cloud-shaped structure as the material grows. The company says the foam is 20 percent softer than its previous everyday running compound, Helion, while the engineered geometry allows deeper compression and reduces peak braking force. Those are company measurements, but they explain the design goal: a smoother landing and livelier transition underfoot. Above it, an engineered warp-knit mesh upper is intended to breathe while holding the foot securely.

Running Shops Get First Access

The Cloudsurfer 3 costs $160 and begins with an October 1 pre-launch through specialist running retailers. A wider launch through On's own stores and website is planned for early 2027. That first stop in running shops is fitting for a shoe whose main selling point is a new underfoot feel; it is the sort of change runners will want to try on the road, not just read about.