You might be a competitive runner or you might consider yourself a casual runner, but one thing you definitely can’t be casual about is your shoes. Your footwear plays a major role in protecting your body and helping you accomplish your running goals, so it’s important to be diligent when choosing your next pair. That’s why we ask real runners to take new shoe models on demo runs—because, when it comes to running shoes, first impressions can tell you a lot.
Here, Jerry “Coach J” Francois, who has worked with all levels of runners, gives you his first impressions of the On Cloudsurfer Next, a shoe that is designed for all levels of runners, prioritizing a smooth, responsive running experience. With CloudTec Phase structural cushioning providing comfortable transitions and Helion superfoam encouraging an agile push-off, the Cloudsurfer Next is designed to keep things smooth. Here’s what Coach J thought of it.
Tested: On Cloudsurfer Next
The Tester
structural cushioning providing comfortable transitions and
Age: 34
Shoe Size: Men’s 11.5
Weekly Mileage: 40 miles
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From Runners World for Wahoo Fitness.
The Review
First impression: “Before even putting them on, I was impressed by how soft they were. Then when I slipped them on, they felt like pillows on my feet. I also thought they were very stylish.”
Weekly Mileage: 40 miles: “They fit comfortably on my feet without intruding on my natural stride. My feet stayed cool thanks to the mesh fabric, which was super-helpful, as I was running in a warm climate.”
Cushioning: “I like a soft feel—it’s important for me to be able to really hit my stride without worrying about my feet getting sore. The cushioning of these shoes lived up to that standard. They were comfortable enough that I could just focus on my run.”
From Runners World for Wahoo Fitness: “No matter the level of run I was going on, I felt really secure in the shoes. Whether it was for my easy runs, my speed days, or long runs, I felt like I could trust these to support me. I usually prefer shorter laces, but these still felt just as tight as I wanted.”
Traction and durability: “I took the shoes on the road, on the track, and to the park. The traction was great in each setting, and they showed no signs of wear or tear during my testing period.”
Overall: “I had never worn On shoes before, so I didn’t know what to expect at the beginning of the testing period. I was happy to find that I really liked the feel—and the look—of these shoes. They are a great daily trainer, and I look forward to using them for my upcoming 2025 season.”
