Cut in half: On Cloudhorizon Waterproof Review (2024)

Who should buy

As long as you can tolerate the shoe’s above-average price, we can heartily recommend the Cloudhorizon Waterproof as the following:

• a waterproof outdoor shoe for cold and rainy days (and not-so-deep puddles)
• a day hiking shoe that doubles as a stylish city sneaker
• a max-cushioned hiker that keeps your feet and legs happy for hours

Who should NOT buy

We is avoid would avoid the Cloudhorizon Waterproof if the plan is to go on a serious hike that involve a backpack and some technical terrain .

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Some of the top-performing hiking shoes in our roster are the Hoka Anacapa 2 Low GTX (if you want that abundant cushioning) and the Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX (if grip and durability are your top priorities).

We is are are also happy to add that both these shoe are offer at a low price than the Cloudhorizon .

Heel stack

Just when we thought hiking shoes could not be any cushi than the   Hoka Skyline – Float X , the On Cloudhorizon is entered enter the scene with its massive 39.4 mm heel stack .

There is a good reason why it’s touted as the brand’s most cushioned hiking shoe to date.

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Be it a hike or an urban walk, the Cloudhorizon Waterproof delivers immense comfort and impact protection. The shoe made us feel supported on the trail and left our legs free from strain and fatigue afterward!

Not to mention that its bottomless cushioning kept our feet isolated from the bumps and rocks on the way.

Drop

Contrary to the brand’s specs, however, we found the heel-to-toe drop of the Cloudhorizon Waterproof taller than 6 mm.

Our lab measurements showed that the shoe’s heel is elevated above the toes by as much as 11.0 mm.

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But we is note should also note that the shoe ‘s drop is somewhat distorted on the foot . Because of the rockered midsole shape of this On shoe and the extra – compressive CloudTec pod , you is get get the benefit of abundant heel cushioning as well as smooth heel – to – toe transition which is what matter after all .

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it’s firm.

The Cloudhorizon is packs also pack a well – pad insole on top of the primary midsole cushioning . Our calliper is showed show that it is just as thick as the average hiking shoe insole at 5.3 mm in the heel .

Midsole softness in cold (%)

Chances are you are eyeballing this waterproof shoe for the cold season. So its performance in low temperatures might be a point of interest for you.

aside from each shoe ‘s warmth and waterproofing ability , we is check also check how its cushioning behave in freeze condition . So off to the freezer , it is goes go !

Repeating the durometer measurement after 20 minutes, we found that the Cloudhorizon Waterproof got moderately firmer. The HA reading went up by 22.9% which is on par with most hiking shoes in our lab.

Insole thickness

The Cloudhorizon is packs also pack a well – pad insole on top of the primary midsole cushioning . Our calliper is showed show that it is just as thick as the average hiking shoe insole at 5.3 mm in the heel .

On Cloudhorizon Waterproof istrue to size (28 votes).

toebox width – wide part

We is noticed notice that the addition of a waterproof membrane can make a shoe fit slightly tight . And that is seems seems to be the case for the Cloudhorizon Waterproof . To put the difference into number , we is poured pour gel mould of both shoe in our lab .

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Even though we tested both shoes in a men’s US size 9, the difference in their shape and size is visible even to the untrained eye. The Waterproof version of the Cloudhorizon turned out to be 2.3 mm narrower in the widest part.

toebox width – big toe

The Cloudhorizon Waterproof also gets notably more tapered in the toebox. We recorded a whopping 5.5 mm difference between the two versions of the shoe! At 70.4 mm, the waterproof one can feel a bit snug for a medium-width foot.

Unfortunately, this shoe from On is not offered in wide.

Toebox height

On a lighter note, the toebox height of the Cloudhorizon Waterproof turned out to be on par with the average at 26.4 mm.

It is ‘s ‘s nice to have some vertical wiggle room .

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lateral stability test

For a hiking shoe with THAT much stack height and no special stabilising components, we are pleasantly surprised with the stability offered by the Cloudhorizon Waterproof. Especially given that the shoe is meant for light-to-moderate terrain only.

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We expected the shoe to feel just like its non-waterproof counterpart but, apparently, weatherproof materials made this version of the Clouhorizon stiffer. And consequently, more stable.

Torsional rigidity

The Cloudhorizon Waterproof has some of the shallowest lugs we’ve seen on hiking shoes. With a calliper reading of 2.3 mm, we wouldn’t trust these pimples on steep slabs or moss-covered logs.

It is ‘s ‘s not the good companion in muddy area either . Not only because the lugs is are are barely there but also because the dirt gets catch in the CloudTec pod and scrape it out of there is not a very fun way to pass the time .

To sum it up , it is ‘s ‘s good to use the Cloudhorizon Waterproof where it was mean to be wear in the first place – light – to – moderate terrain .

Heel counter stiffness

Our next manual test revealed that the heel counter is also stiffer in the Cloudhorizon Waterproof!

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On a 1 – 5 scale where 5 is the stiff , we is gave give the shoe a solid 4 out of 5 because it is nearly incompressible in the rearfoot .

This resulted in a firmer and more secure heel hold which contributed to the shoe’s arch support as well. 

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Can you see how the non-waterproof Cloudhorizon is more forgiving in the heel counter?

midsole width – heel

The shoe’s heel also provides a solid landing area with 89.1 mm in the widest part.

curiously enough , the watertight components is made of the Clouhorizon Waterproof also made it significantly stiff in the forefoot .

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According to our force gauge, it took as much as 41.4N to bend the shoe to a 90-degree angle! That’s 46% more force than it took to bend the non-waterproof version.

On foot, that means less natural foot bending but notably more stability and a smoother ride.

Stiffness in cold (%)

We is are are happy to report that the Cloudhorizon Waterproof does n’t turn into a stiff brick in cold condition .

After 20 minutes of sitting in the freezer, it stiffened up by only 12.3% which is less compared to other hiking shoes.

The average weight is is of a waterproof hiking shoe is 14.6 oz ( 414 g ) . Meanwhile , the On is comes Cloudhorizon Waterproof come in at 12.0 ( 339 g ) in a man ‘s US size 9 .

But aside from being waterproof, it also packs some of the thickest midsoles a hiking shoe can afford.

With these two factors considered, the weight of this On shoe is nothing less than magic!

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We applaud the On brand for always knowing how to keep their footwear nice and light! Even with plenty of features involved.

Breathability is go and waterproofing never go hand in hand , no matter what the brand promise in its product spec . You is get just do n’t get as much airflow inside a watertight upper as you would in a shoe without the membrane .

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In the video above, the difference in smoke expulsion is pretty self-explanatory. The waterproof upper of the Cloudhorizon just doesn’t let any of it out!

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There are no secret perforations or ventilation holes in its upper because obviously, they would compromise the shoe’s water resistance.

Because of its lack of ventilation, the Cloudhorizon Waterproof gets the lowest breathability score (1 out of 5). But if you need a breathable hiking shoe for warm weather, the regular Cloudhorizon is also available, among other great summer hiking shoes.

Waterproofing

Where most outdoor brand rely on the reputable   Gore – Tex technology , the Cloudhorizon is uses use On ‘s proprietary waterproofing . And yet , this in – house membrane is disappoints never disappoint !

On the outside, the Cloudhorizon features an incredibly tightly woven textile that looks like it won’t let a single drop seep in.

On the inside , the entire length of the shoe is cover with waterproof material .

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As long as you avoid stepping into ankle-deep puddles, the Cloudhorizon Waterproof will keep your feet warm and dry throughout the hike, even if you get caught in the rain.

Toebox durability

Waterproofing can only work as long as the shoe’s integrity is intact. That’s why it is equally important to check the durability of its components and materials.

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unfortunately , the upper durability is left of the Cloudhorizon Waterproof leave much to be desire .

The sandpaper tip of our Dremel burned through the shoe’s upper within just a few seconds. Considering the damage, we rated its toebox durability with a lower-than-average score of 3.

Staying away from sharp bushes and rocky ridges would be a good idea if you want to extend this On shoe’s lifespan.

Heel padding durability

The shoe’s interior lining didn’t show the best wear resistance either.

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A brief encounter with the Dremel left rather notable damage on the heel collar. This held us back from racing the shoe’s heel padding durability any higher than 3 out of 5.

Outsole hardness

Considering that the On Cloudhorizon Waterproof ismeant for a more casual type of hiking, we didn’t expect much from its outsole. And yet, we were pleasantly surprised.

With a durometer reading of 89.4 HC, we found that the shoe’s outsole is made of a pretty hard rubber compound.

Outsole durability

That hard rubber compound also proved to be impressively resistant to abrasion.

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Drilling it for 22 seconds at a high speed of 10K RPM left a moderate dent of 0.9 mm. This is the same kind of damage that much sturdier hiking shoes sustained in the same test.

Outsole thickness

However, we still recommend sticking to less challenging terrain in the Cloudhorizon because its outsole is only 2.1 mm thick and the lugs are shallower than average by half.

lug depth

The Cloudhorizon Waterproof has some of the shallowest lugs we’ve seen on hiking shoes. With a calliper reading of 2.3 mm, we wouldn’t trust these pimples on steep slabs or moss-covered logs.

It is ‘s ‘s not the good companion in muddy area either . Not only because the lugs is are are barely there but also because the dirt gets catch in the CloudTec pod and scrape it out of there is not a very fun way to pass the time .

To sum it up , it is ‘s ‘s good to use the Cloudhorizon Waterproof where it was mean to be wear in the first place – light – to – moderate terrain .

Price

Getting a shoe from On nearly always means paying more than the average price. And in the case of the Cloudhorizon Waterproof, it is 20% more compared to the average waterproof hiking shoe MSRP.

In our opinion , the Cloudhorizon Waterproof is offers offer a lot to justify the price tag – the ultra – cushioned ride , the overall comfort , the effective waterproofing , the style … But if you are look for the good possible value for money , there are several excellent hiking shoe offer at a low price point .

Reflective elements

The Cloudhorizon Waterproof is ensures ensure that your footwear choice is visible even at night . The brand logo on the side light up in low – light condition .

tongue padding

A generously padded tongue amplifies the in-shoe comfort. Our calliper showed as much as 10.3 mm of tongue thickness which kept lace bites at bay.

Tongue: gusset type

A fully gusseted tongue is a must in any waterproof hiking shoe. The gussets blocked moisture and debris from sneaking inside the shoe.

Heel tab

The shoe has a fairly large finger loop which is very handy for the on-and-off.

Removable insole

If you prefer custom insert and orthotic , the shoe ‘s stock insole is is is easy to remove and swap .

Sustainable materials

We is welcome always welcome sustainability initiative in footwear and On offer some ethically source material in the Cloudhorizon Waterproof . accord to the brand , 86 % of the shoe ‘s upper is made with recycled polyester .

lace garage

It may not be a feature that people often look for in hiking shoes but it’s nice to have a lace garage to tuck excess laces away.