The On Cloudventure was my favorite trail shoe–until it wasn’t. This stylish trail running shoe looks sick, and On’s funky outsoles really can give you the feeling of hiking “on clouds.” But the jury is still out if they can hold up to hiking or not. The Cloudventure initially made my list of the best trail runners for hiking, but it didn’t take long for small rocks to pummel my shoes’ soft soles. Learn more about this sweet trail runner and the pros and cons of its unconventional outsoles in my On Cloudventure review.
Cloudventures: On’s best trail shoes
The Cloudventure is the best trail shoe from On–a Swiss company that makes premium running shoes. The name “On” alludes to the feeling of “running ON clouds,” and the brand’s line up spans several “cloud” styles, such as the On Cloud, On Cloudrock, and On Cloudventure.
The Cloudventure is a lightweight trail runner with high-quality, ventilating mesh and plenty of backbone for a trail runner. It’s also got a sleek, sophisticated look with On’s distinctive logo–one that resembles the iconic symbol that represented “the artist formerly known as Prince.” They definitely pass the looks test. As my buddy Kelly put it, “Seriously, these shoes are just sick!”
But does it pass the performance test?
That verdict hangs on the brand’s funky outsoles. On is one of those brands that’s pushing the boundaries of running shoes. Altra is known for its Footshape toeboxes and “zero drop.” Hoka One One has its supersized midsoles. On’s unconventional outsoles are designed for a soft landing (“on clouds”) followed by a firm take off:
What’s up with those outsoles?
- Cloudtec pods. The sensation of “running on clouds” (or hiking “on clouds”) starts with hollow pods (“clouds”) that compress for a cushioned landing and rebound for some energy return on take off.
- Speedboard. The Speedboard is a thin thermoplastic plate beneath the springy Cloudtec pods that helps them convert soft landings into explosive take-offs. It also doubles as a rock plate that offers some protection against sharp rocks.
- Mission Grip. This soft rubber traction mixes flat surfaces with triangular grooves for moderately sticky grip on smooth surfaces and steep descents.
The jury’s still out if those outsoles work for hiking–or not. Here’s my On Cloudventure review, based on some easy-to-moderate hikes in Pennsylvania.
On Cloudventure Review
support
The Cloudventure has good support for a trail running shoe. Its TPU Speedboard not only makes this shoe more responsive, but also gives it some midfoot support and torsional rigidity. It’s not as stiff and sturdy as a hiking boot, hiking shoe, or Salomon trail runner. But there’s enough substance to this shoe to prevent some rolled ankles and protect your feet from over-flexing on uneven ground.
My feet and ankles have issues, for example, but they felt pretty supported in On Cloudventures.
weight
This is a lightweight trail running shoe. My pair weighs an ounce less than my Altra Lone Peaks–even though Ons have more support and cushioning than Altras. The Cloudventure’s uppers are extremely light with exceptional ventilation. The outsoles also cut weight with their hollow pods and large opening that spans the middle of the foot.
If you’re into light-and-fast hiking, this shoe competes with other popular trail runners as far as weight savings goes.
comfort
Comfort is subjective, but the Cloudventure is one of the most comfortable trail runners that I’ve worn. The shoe’s soft mesh uppers just caressed my feet and offered exceptional breathability and ventilation. I’ve got my issues with the outsoles (see below), but they really can give you the feeling of “running hiking on clouds.” Those hollow pods compress on harder surfaces, giving the shoe more “float” than “feel.” It’s not a max cushion shoe, but its midsoles and outsoles work together to provide soft landings and a cushioned feel.
My pair is now retired from hiking. But it’s a super comfortable shoe for everyday wear–and would be my work shoe if I was working on my feet all day.
fit
Ons have a standard fit with a decent amount of room in the toe box. I wear wides in most brands, for example, but my feet had enough room in the toe box and forefoot in the Cloudventure. That means it’s probably a better fit for standard to wide feet. You can probably wear your regular hiking sizes in this shoe (which may be a half-size or more bigger than your everyday shoe size).
weather resistance
Cloudventures come in non-waterproof and waterproof styles.
Most hikers choose non-waterproof trail runners because they’re not as warm on the feet and offer better ventilation, breathability, and drying times than waterproof shoes. If that’s your approach, the ventilation and breathability of these shoes is exceptional. They’ll let moisture in easily, but their uppers will dry out quickly.
I have not hiked in the waterproof Cloudventure; however, I have hiked in On’s waterproof Cloudrock speed hiking boots, which probably use the same DWR and waterproof-breathable membrane as the Cloudventure.
My Cloudrock’s water resistance was a mixed bag. Whatever Durable Water Repellant On used on the exterior was exceptional at shedding water and mud–until it wore off. (All DWR treatments need to be refreshed every season or two.) At the same time, my feet felt warmer than normal in On’s waterproof-breathable membrane. And that membrane was no longer waterproof after 150 miles or so. That falls well short of my experience with other brands’ waterproof-breathable membranes.
traction
I wasn’t sure how much traction On’s outsoles would offer me on the different surfaces I hiked. For the most part, though, the shoe’s open outsoles with square-shaped pods provided pretty good traction on loose surfaces and flat rocks.
The squared edges of the Cloudventure Cloudtec pods were capable of digging into dirt and scree for secure traction on steep uphills and downhills. My pair passed its tests on Spruce Gap–a steep and slippery trail–and on Pennsylvania’s Mid State Trail–a notoriously rocky trail. The shoe’s soft Missiongrip rubber also stuck pretty well on some rock scrambling at Shingletown Gap. That’s a local trail where several hiking shoes struggle to find grip on lichen-covered rocks.
Overall, the Cloudventure’s traction was more than capable on multiple surfaces–better than I expected.
durability
So, this where things start to fall apart. Literally.
It was love at first hike. But On’s unusual outsoles did not hold up long. The main problem was the hollow channel that runs from the heel to the midfoot:
The hollow channel and wide gaps between the Cloud-tec pod are the perfect size to pick up small rocks and trail debris. It’s annoying to get rocks stuck on the bottom of the shoes. More than annoying, actually. Those small rocks quickly took their toll on my soles, pulverizing the soft rubber after just a few hikes.
My soles started separating from the shoe at just 50 miles. And they quickly disintegrated between 60-75 miles of easy to moderate trail miles.
And then On rejected my warranty claim.
It’s possible that Cloudventure’s outsoles might hold up okay on dirt, grass, and pine needles. But I do not recommend them if you hike where there’s gravel and small rocks. Too bad. I loved their feel before they broke down.
Thanks to Shoe Goo, I’ve reattached my outsoles and wear the On Cloudventure as a comfortable shoe for everyday performance. But I’m done hiking in them.
pricing
Another downside is price. On Cloudventures cost more than the average trail running shoe: $149.99 (non-waterproof) to $169.99 (waterproof). That’s steep, especially considering their potential durability issues. (Again, they may or may not be fine if you stay off gravel and technical trails with small rocks…) If you’ve got the coin, though, these shoes look badass, have exceptional breathability and ventilation, and have a luxurious feel that really can feel like “running on clouds” (or hiking on them.)
Here are current prices (updated automatically) at leading outdoor specialty retailers:
men’s Cloudventure
women’s Cloudventure
Cloudventure Review: On track or off track?
For fifty miles, I was a big fan of the On Cloudventure. But a hiking shoe should last longer–even for a heavy hiker (like me) who likes harder trails. My gut tells me than On needs to make some big improvements to its unconventional outsoles to make them more durable for hiking. But it’s possible that these will hold up better for you if your body is easier on shoes than mine and if you prefer easier terrain than me. It’s also a stellar everyday shoe with premium performance for those of you who work on your feet. I love mine as everyday shoes…
If you’re not willing to pay a premium for the Cloudventure, I don’t blame you. You might try my recommendations for the best hiking shoes, best trail runners for hikers, or best women’s hiking shoes. But this shoe is exceptionally light, breathable, and comfortable. It’d definitely make many hikers happy, especially if they’re not too hard on their shoes.
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Happy hiking!
