Our review: Nippy, responsive and look great, but not one for properly challenging trails
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On’s running shoes have become more and more popular over the years, with fans loving the comfort and propulsion of the CloudTec outsole that’s widely used across the range.
On test here is the brand’s Cloudvista trail running shoe, which is also available in a waterproof version for an extra £10.
First impressions
One of the first things you notice about the Cloudvista is just how thin and light that mesh upper is.
That makes for very good breathability, but it does mean there’s minimal cushioning on offer. That extends to the tongue, as well, which is rather thin, as are the laces.
Aside from that, this shoe strikes me as a stylish one, with nine colours available for men and 10 colours for women.
Will they fit me?
Now that depends. I often have to go up half a size in On’s running shoes and that’s what I’ve done here. As it happens, that’s what the brand recommends doing, too.
Admittedly, while they fit better having done so, they still feel a little cramped. This is down to the narrow fit, and there’s not a huge amount of space for toe splay.
As always, try before you buy, but if you have wide or high-volume feet, you may want to consider another shoe.
What’s the grip like?
The traction on offer here surprised me a little, as the tread on the outsole isn’t that aggressive and appears to be quite shallow, with our measurements suggesting between 2-3mm.
Despite that, it didn’t do a terrible job on my particularly muddy local trail. It isn’t quite up there with the best trail running shoes, but I didn’t end up on my backside.
That being said, if you’re likely to spend most of your time on soft, muddy ground, something with more bite might be worth a look.
On hard-packed ground, well-maintained trails or grass, the Cloudvista is more than up to the task, though.
How’s the ride?
Despite having a drop of 9mm, these shoes felt more like a minimalist shoe to me while on the move, seemingly encouraging a flat-footed or forefoot landing.
On says that the level of cushioning is plush, but I’m not sure I’d agree with that. In fact, I found the ride to be quite harsh and there was minimal sponginess on show.
There’s an element of firmness to the shoe, too, which helps protect you from sharp rocks underfoot and offers a little bit of rebound when picking up the pace.
Given the above, I’d suggest the Cloudvista is best suited to short or medium-distance runs.
I’d also note that the fairly limited support from the upper and the narrow shape doesn’t really lend itself to technical terrain where stability is needed in substantial doses.
Despite all that, they do feel quite lightweight when in use, despite the scales not putting them among the lightest shoes in the market, and that makes for a nippy ride.
Best for…
Due to the lack of cushioning and support, I’d say these are more suitable for people who are experienced trail runners with muscles well accustomed to the rigours of off-road terrain. Either that or people hoping to run on soft tracks.
That being said, they do feel lightweight, nippy and nimble.
Facts at a glance: On Cloudvista
RRP: £140
Uppers: Mesh
Outsole: Missiongrip rubber outsole
Lug depth: 2-3mm
Midsole: Helion superfoam with CloudTec
Drop: 9mm
Weight: 357g (UK11.5)
Ready to buy?
Head to our full roundup of the best trail running shoes for more design options and expert reviews.
