On Introduces a New Era Of Cushioning With SURREAL and CloudTec

The Cloudsurfer 3 Becomes the First to Debut On’s Most Advanced Midsole System Yet

On is once again reimagining what the future of running can feel like. This time, the Swiss performance brand is fusing two of its most important technologies, the all-new SURREAL superfoam and its iconic CloudTec cushioning platform, into a single midsole system engineered for a radically softer, smoother, and more responsive ride. With this move, On enters a new chapter in its cushioning innovation story, one that blends advanced materials science with structural precision.

A Structural Breakthrough Years in the Making

To understand why this moment is significant, it helps to look at how On approaches innovation. The brand’s Zurich-based engineering team spent years developing SURREAL, a next-generation superfoam built to deliver exceptional softness and rebound. At the same time, they refined CloudTec, the hollow “cloud” geometry that has defined On footwear since 2010.

Now, for the first time, the two technologies have been unified, and importantly, they don’t just coexist. They work together.

Extensive materials R&D, biomechanical analysis, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations helped On determine how SURREAL interacts with CloudTec structures under realistic running forces. The research revealed something surprising: the combined system produces greater impact absorption and responsiveness than SURREAL foam on its own.

This means that for runners, every step can feel softer on landing, more controlled during transition, and more energetic during toe-off.

“A Fundamental Enhancement to Our Core Technology”

According to On’s Chief Innovation Officer Scott Maguire, this fusion represents a major shift in how the brand designs performance footwear:

“Innovation at On is about obsessively making the best possible products that push the limits of sensation and performance. The fusion of SURREAL foam and CloudTec cushioning is our superpower. This is a fundamental enhancement to our core technology that we believe will elevate the experience for runners of all kinds.”

His words highlight a key truth: the new midsole isn’t simply an upgrade, it’s a re-engineering of the entire ride experience.

Swiss Engineering Behind the Fusion

Reaching this milestone required a perfect balance of chemistry, geometry, and structural design. Over multiple development cycles, On’s innovation team refined the density and composition of SURREAL foam, ensuring it could compress, rebound, and stabilize in harmony with CloudTec elements.

Using advanced computational tools, engineers fine-tuned the shape and spacing of the CloudTec pods so the foam and hollow structures deform in sequence, rather than independently. This creates an integrated cushioning system where:

• The superfoam compresses deeply to soften impact

• The CloudTec elements collapse in controlled stages to guide motion

• The entire midsole rebounds together for fluid momentum

Co-Founder Caspar Coppetti describes it as a return to the brand’s roots:

“From the first prototype in the Swiss Alps to the global stage, On was built on the belief that performance can be redefined when form and function come together in new ways. The fusion of SURREAL foam and CloudTec cushioning will revolutionize the running sensation for years to come.”

Cloudsurfer 3: First to Feature the Breakthrough

The newly launched Cloudsurfer 3 is the first model to debut this hybrid midsole system. Unveiled at The Running Event in San Antonio, Texas, the shoe represents the next evolution of On’s premium performance trainer line.

The Cloudsurfer 3 introduces:

• CloudTec Phase cushioning that compresses in a sequential, wave-like motion, creating an exceptionally smooth heel-to-toe transition

• SURREAL superfoam for plush shock absorption and energetic rebound

• A rocker-like flow that feels natural, fluid, and fast

Together, these elements provide a ride that adapts to the runner’s stride in real time, delivering a sensation that’s soft, stable, and highly responsive. Whether used for daily mileage, tempo days, or long weekend runs, the Cloudsurfer 3 aims to offer a unique combination of protection and speed.

A New Direction for On’s Performance Line

The introduction of SURREAL marks the beginning of a broader evolution within On’s cushioning portfolio. The brand will now offer three levels of premium foam:

• Helion – balanced daily performance

• Helion HF – propulsive racing-driven foam

• SURREAL – the highest tier, built for plushness and rebound

Looking ahead, On plans to integrate the SURREAL + CloudTec system across upcoming models in multiple categories. Some shoes will prioritize softness for comfort-focused runners, while others may emphasize responsiveness for speedwork or racing.

This modular approach allows On to fine-tune cushioning profiles in ways that weren’t previously possible.

What This Means for Runners

For everyday runners, this breakthrough signals a shift toward system-based cushioning, where performance depends on the interaction between materials and geometry, not just foam type.For On as a brand, it marks a bold move into the future of Swiss-engineered performance, bridging more than a decade of innovation with the next generation of superfoam-powered designs.The Cloudsurfer 3 is only the beginning. As more models adopt the SURREAL + CloudTec fusion, On aims to transform running not just through feel, but through engineering intelligence, one stride at a time.