On Cloudsurfer Next Z5 vs On Cloudsurfer 3:
Which to Choose

On paper these two look nearly identical — both neutral, both plateless, both rated the same for pace, responsiveness, and stability, and both happiest at a conversational 5:00–6:00 min/km — but the ride character genuinely diverges. The Cloudsurfer 3 runs on On's EVA-based "Surreal" supercritical foam in a tall platform measuring roughly 45 mm at the heel and 37 mm at the forefoot for an 8 mm drop, earning its maximum-cushioning billing: it's plush, soft, and forgiving, built for deep protection over long time on feet. The Cloudsurfer Next Z5 uses On's Helion superfoam over a lower platform (about 37 mm heel / 31 mm forefoot) with a 6 mm drop, delivering moderate-plus cushioning that feels lively and controlled rather than plush — a firmer, more ground-connected roll with a gentle spring. That lower, denser setup also makes the Next Z5 the quicker-feeling shoe: at around 290 g it's a touch lighter than the roughly 300 g Cloudsurfer 3, and its transition stays crisp down into the 4:30–5:00 min/km range, whereas the Cloudsurfer 3's soft, taller stack starts to feel vague past about 5:00 min/km. The trade-off is comfort versus snap: the Cloudsurfer 3 gives you more foam to sink into on easy and long days, while the Next Z5 gives up some cushioning depth for a more responsive, honest ride.