The Cloudrock Waterproof is On’s first walking boot. It is a lightweight boot with the unique “Cloud” elements on its soles. I have tested the boots on a mix of terrtain.
Features include:
- Durable membrane that is wind and waterproof.
- Two types of mesh in the mid and forefoot to enhance stability and breathability.
- Padded high collar that aids movement
- Padded tongue
- Speedboard™ for propulsion and stability
- Missiongrip™ rubber soles for traction
- Lugs to bite into soft trails.
- Swiss-engineered FlexLock system means laces can be tied traditionally or with a single pull.
- 360° mudguard protection
- Terrain: Mixed and trail.
- Weight: Women’s 380g, men’s 445g
- Toe-to-heel drop: 7mm
- Neutral stability
- Moderate cushioning
- Male and female fit
- Three colours: Glacier, black and hazel.
- £180
- Buy On Cloudrock.
On test: On Cloudrock walking boots
The boots are lightweight and feel more like trainers than walking boots. They are very comfortable and offer good cushioning underfoot as well as great padding around the ankle and tongue.
They are easy to lace up – and the laces stay tied.
I am not too keen on the hazel coloured boots that I have and I would much rather have black. However, they are a good choice for muddy Scotland. The glacier (white/cream ) boots will be easily dirtied so I can’t see them being a popular choice in the UK.
The fit feels medium to wide. I have a narrow foot and they are roomy at the forefoot but this wasn’t a problem when I was walking. My heels stayed nicely in place in the boots and I did not suffer any rubs.
The boots are very comfortable for walking in. I hiked on tarmac, trails and muddy paths. They coped with all of these terrains although they were slippery on wet rock. This level of traction means they are suited to trails and tracks but not rocky hill paths, unless the rocks are dry.
I walked for hours in the rain and through lots of puddles and my feet stayed nicely dry. The rain droplets roll off the fabric of the boots, which means they probably have a DWR (Durable Water repellent) treatment, as well as the waterproof membrane.
Although I have found that most On soles pick up stones as I walk, surprisingly these boots did not. Well, not so far! The channels between the “clouds” look narrower and more steeply angled so hopefully this is a new design concept to stop the soles picking up stones.
I found the boots easy to walk in and although the hazel colour is not to my taste, I can see the boots becoming a favourite for summer strolls.