i had a brief ride on a 17m cloud coming off my 15m edge. I ride at a gusty inland lake where 5-20 is a frequent wind range. this is a good kite for our conditions because it is light and easy to keep in the air when the wind backs off.
as far as the way it feels, i remember being intrigued by it but i prefer my edge, though maybe that is because i am used to it. the cloud felt somehow soft in its feel, almost spongy. good for cruising and went upwind really well. was able to handle a gust to about 20 maybe more fairly easily though lots of flapping. this is where i like the edge better, you sheet out and go WAY upwind if you are overpowered. with the cloud kite it is kind of on/off. when it is off it is flapping alot.
i think there is plenty of performance in this kite in terms of board speed, upwind and jumping for most riders. for us the larger size makes sense as it will be the last kite to fall out of the sky, but the low end felt similar to me compared to my 15m edge so nothing hugely groundbreaking there.
but it was a good kite and definitely has a unique place in the sport