The On Cloudrock is a speed-hiking boot from On Running that scores plenty of style points and comfort points. It's also a popular pick for men and women who work on their feet all day. No doubt, this boot looks sick from the summit to the sidewalk. But how does it compare to the best hiking boots or best lightweight hiking boots? Will the Cloudrock really give you the feeling of "hiking on clouds"? Will its performance match its price tag? You'll find answers to these questions (and many more) in this On Cloudrock review.
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Meet the On Cloudrock
The On Cloudrock is a "speed hiking boot" or "fast packing boot" built for fast-and-light hikers and a new generation of hikers who prefer more of a sneaker-like look and feel to a more traditional hiking boot. Think of it as a hybrid that combines elements of a trail running shoe with some of the mid-cut support of a hiking boot. The Cloudrock is the original hiking boot in On's outdoor collection—and recently updated with the new On Cloudrock 2:
Like On trail running shoes, Cloudrock hiking boots are built on hollow, Cloud-Tec pods that compress for soft landings and springy energy return. That's what's supposed to give the feeling of "running ON clouds"—or, in this case, hiking ON clouds:
To be honest, I was skeptical of the On Cloudrock. I was worried that it was one of those over-priced "hiking sneakers" with little substance. But I liked the Cloudrock more than I expected. Even so, it's more of a niche hiking boot than a traditional hiking boot. My On Cloudrock review will help you decide if Cloudrocks might fit your feet and match your unique hiking style.
On Cloudrock Review
My On Cloudrock review digs into the original Cloudrock—which is similar to the new Cloudrock 2. This is an independent review (not a sponsored post) based on approximately 250 miles of hiking in the waterproof Cloudrock hiking boots. Most of my hikes were moderate day hikes that followed mountain streams or meandered up and down the smaller mountains of Pennsylvania. However, I also hiked more difficult trails to test the Cloudrock's support, comfort, traction, weather proofing, and overall quality.
Support
BETTER THAN MANY LIGHTWEIGHT HIKING BOOTS
On markets the Cloudrock as a "speed hiking" or "fast packing" boot—not a traditional hiking boot. So you shouldn't expect the support of a mid-duty hiking boot, like the Oboz Bridger, or a backpacking boot like the Lowa Renegade. Still, Cloudrocks are a step up from hiking shoes and trail running shoes in foot and ankle support with their
My test hikes included some gnarly terrain, such as the notorious rocky Mid-State Trail (pictured on the left). Still, my messed up feet and ankles have felt pretty stable—and felt fairly fresh at the end of the 11-mile Moss-Hanne hike in PA's Black Moshannon State Park and the 15-mile Ironstone Trail in Rothrock State Forest. This isn't just a sneaker. There's some support here for hikers. In particular, the ankle collars are a little taller than most of the other lightweight hiking boots I've reviewed.
Weight
BETWEEN A "LIGHTWEIGHT" & "MIDWEIGHT"
Cloudrocks are slightly lighter than the average hiking boot. For example, my Cloudrocks run 4-5 ounces less than my Oboz hiking boots. At the same time, they're also 4-5 ounces heavier than my current lightweight hiking boots, the Hoka Anacapas or Topo Trailventures. So it's not quite a "lightweight" in my book—it's more of a mix between a lightweight and midweight. If you're looking to trim a few ounces without losing all the cushioning and support of hiking boot, this is a nice weight for you.
Comfort
THE MAIN REASON TO BUY THE CLOUDROCK
The Cloudrock delivers a cushy feel on the trail. And it's comfortable enough to wear everyday. In fact, the Cloudrock's biggest fans seem to be people who wear it as a super-cushioned work boot or plush "trail to town" shoe for everyday wear.
The Cloudrock's combination of moderately cushioned midsoles and springy outsoles gives it that cloud-like feel. On's unique "Cloudtec" outsoles (pictured on the left) are hollow pods that compress and rebound for added cushion and speed. I noticed that cloud-like landing on rocky ridgelines and packed gravel forest service roads. It's not a "max cushion" boot, like the Hoka Kaha 2, but it certainly acts like shocks or struts for your hiking feet.
Overall, comfort is this boot's best selling point.
Fit
STANDARD (SIZE UP 1/2 SIZE)
At the time of this review, Cloudrocks had a standard fit with a little more room in the toe box than many brands. My feet run a little wide, and they fit comfortably in the Cloudrock in my typical hiking size (sized up 1/2 size). That's a potential plus because many lightweight hiking boots run narrow—especially in the toe box. However, On may have adjusted their fit down a bit in the past two years (based on my customers' comments and returns). To the best of my knowledge, they now run true to size (with a less roomy fit than the one I enjoyed). Most hikers will want to size up a half-size.
Weather Protection
GOOD . . . THEN NOT GOOD
In the beginning, On's DWR impressed, and the waterproof membrane worked well. I sloshed down several soggy singletracks and stream-side trails with relatively dry feet. However, the performance slowly but steadily degraded as the miles piled up.
My Cloudrock's waterproof membrane seemingly wore out around 150 trail miles. My boots started taking on water pretty easily in puddles and mud—and then dried slowly. It was difficult to clean the synthetic uppers, and reapplying a durable water repellent did not change their water repellency. The problem seemed to be the waterproof membrane. Breathability-wise, the Cloudrock also wore warmer than my other hiking boots.
Overall, this was one of the weaker categories in my On Cloudrock review.
Traction
GOOD ENOUGH FOR THE AVERAGE HIKER
In my experience, the Cloudrocks' traction is fine for easy to moderate hikes. They're made for fast hikes on well-maintained trails—not hardcore hiking and backpacking on technical terrain.
With their squared edges, those Cloudtec pods have some bite on soft and shifting surfaces. Their Mission Grip rubber is also soft, which means it provides some grip on rocks, too. For example, mine have made out okay on some scree and talus slopes at Rothrock State Forest. However, like most treads, they're not great on wet rock. However, there's enough traction here for the average hiker.
Importantly, the new Cloudrock 2 has closed the outsoles, solving a long-standing problem of rocks wrecking the exposed foam between the Cloudtec pods. That's an improvement on earlier Ons.
Durability and Value
EXPENSIVE
An honest review of the On Cloudrock needs to acknowledge durability concerns. My Coudrocks held up well over the first 100 miles. But they were pretty beat up by 200 miles— and retired around 300 miles. That makes them more like a trail runner than a hiking boot in durability. As noted above, my boots' waterproofing did not hold up (which is why I quit wearing them). On's lightweight shoelaces also snapped on steeper terrain, and the Mission Grip rubber wore off the outsoles, thanks to Pennsylvania's rocky terrain. That's disappointing, considering the steep price. However, some of the 2023 updates in the new On Cloudrock 2 may have improved durability, especially in the outsole.
The On Cloudrock 2 retails for $220—down from its original MSRP of $230. Compared to similar hiking sneakers, that's lower than the Lowa Innox Pro GTX ($245) and adidas TERREX Free Hiker 2 ($230) but higher than most of my picks for the best lightweight hiking boots and overall best hiking boots.
Here are current prices. You can click on these links to check available sizes and colors:
Overall Review: On Cloudrock
The On Cloudrock is more of a niche hiking boot— not a classic, midweight hiking boot. Here's a quick summary of the pros and cons from this On Cloudrock review:
Overall Recommendation:
Overall, the On Cloudrock is a lightweight hiking boot with a fresh look. The Cloudrock rocks the comfort factor. But its mixed performance may not match its high price tag, especially if you hike harder trails. Traditional hikers probably want to pass on the On Cloudrock. However, its looks and comfort make the Cloudrock popular with urban hikers and casual hikers. It may also be comfortable splurge for people who work outside or work on their feet.
Best Fit
standard fit
Best Match
casual hikers, urban hikers, work/casual/outdoor lifestyle
Are you ready to rock the On Cloudrock?
Hiking the Tussey Mountain (PA) ridgeline in On Cloudrock hiking boots
My On Cloudrock review should help you figure out if On's flagship fast-packing boot is a good fit for your feet and a good match for your hikes. It's not the best match for my hiking style. However, I can see why many other hikers get stoked about On's sick looks and cloud-like cushioning. I liked the On Cloudrock more than I expected.
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