Asics Dynablast 5 vs On Cloudsurfer 2:
Which to Choose

October 5, 2026

Verdict

It comes down to ride feel and pace range, not price. Both are excellent, closely matched neutral trainers, so go with the Dynablast 5 if you want more forefoot cushioning, a smooth conventional bounce and the flexibility to race a 5K, and the Cloudsurfer 2 if you want something a touch lighter and lower that's built around 10K-to-half daily miles with On's signature springy roll. If you can, run in both — the deciding factor is whether you prefer the Asics' planted, familiar feel or the On's distinctive collapsing-cloud rebound.

Asics Dynablast 5

82.00 USD

On Cloudsurfer 2

110.00 USD

Pace

4 of 6

Cushioning

4 of 6

Responsiveness

4 of 6

Stability

3 of 6

Drop

8 mm

Support

Neutral

Plate

None

Distances

5K10KHalf

Pace

4 of 6

Cushioning

4 of 6

Responsiveness

4 of 6

Stability

3 of 6

Drop

7 mm

Support

Neutral

Plate

None

Distances

10KHalf

At a Glance

Asics Dynablast 5On Cloudsurfer 2

Who Should Choose Each Shoe

Choose

Asics Dynablast 5

Pick the Dynablast 5 if your week leans toward uptempo days, progression runs and shorter races, and you want a smooth, predictable bounce that scales from 5K speed up to half-marathon tempo. The extra forefoot stack and conventional, planted platform make it the safer choice if you want the midsole to feel consistent across paces rather than having a signature geometry to adapt to. It's the better fit for runners who prize a familiar, roll-and-pop ride and occasionally want to drop down to a fast 5K.

Choose

On Cloudsurfer 2

Choose the Cloudsurfer 2 if you want one slightly lighter, lower-to-the-ground shoe centered on 10K-to-half daily training that can still pick up the pace, and you like — or are curious about — On's springy, roll-through CloudTec ride. It suits neutral runners who keep a steady rhythm and don't need maximum forefoot plush, and who are happy to trade a conventional feel for On's distinctive foam-driven rebound. If you're coming from an older Cloudsurfer or want a versatile tempo-capable daily trainer, this is the natural pick.

Head-to-Head

These two are closely matched: both are neutral shoes with no plate, moderate "cushioned-but-not-plush" stacks, and a lively character that rewards runners who keep some rhythm rather than plodding. The clearest spec gap is weight and forefoot cushioning. The Dynablast 5 comes in around 264g with a stack of roughly 39mm heel and 32mm forefoot; the Cloudsurfer 2 is a touch lighter at about 254g and carries a similar heel height but noticeably less forefoot foam (around 27mm), so the Asics feels a little more protective under the ball of the foot on longer efforts while the On feels marginally quicker and lower up front. Drop is close enough to be a wash — 8mm versus 7mm — so neither forces a meaningful calf-loading change. Where they diverge most is ride character: the Dynablast's FF Blast+ is a classic smooth, bouncy EVA-blend that transitions quickly and feels most at home at tempo and fast 10K pace, going a bit flat only when you crawl. The Cloudsurfer's Helion foam shaped into On's CloudTec Phase "collapsing cloud" geometry gives a distinctive springy roll-through that some runners love and others find slightly less planted at slow, casual paces. Use case is the other differentiator: the Dynablast is comfortable from 5K through half and is the more willing short-and-fast option, while the Cloudsurfer skews toward 10K-to-half daily-trainer duty and is less of a 5K sharpener. Both start to feel like "enough rather than plenty" beyond the half.