On Cloud 6 Waterproof review

We believe that the On Cloud 6 Waterproof can be a great option for you if:

• you love the regular On Cloud 6 and want to keep wearing it on wet days
• you prefer firmer platforms to plush max-cushioned ones
• you hate fiddling with laces and want an easier slip-on style

If you need a waterproof shoe for spending long hours on your feet, you will find much better shock absorption in the Nike Vomero 18 GTX.

And if you are planning to step out of the city streets into unpaved areas and light trails, the HOKA Transport GTX would be a slightly more rugged companion.

Measuring the On Cloud 6 Waterproof's shock absorption in the heel, we recorded a moderate 107 SA.

Falling slightly below the average, it offers decent impact protection for day-to-day use. However, it may not feel cushioned enough for spending an entire day on your feet.

With a middle-range energy return of 50.9%, the shoe's ride feels moderately responsive. A touch of rebound prevents it from feeling flat and static.

Measuring its heel stack at 30.4 mm, we found that this On shoe sits slightly lower than average, but it's not exactly low-profile.

In the forefoot, the Cloud 6 also showed a slightly below-average reading of 20.9 mm. It surely feels more grounded than most of the max-cushioned walking shoes these days.

The difference in stack heights results in a gradual heel-to-toe drop of 9.5 mm.

Common for most walking shoes and casual sneakers, it accommodates smooth heel-to-toe transitions, minimizing stress on the Achilles and calves.

The On brand uses some of the firmest foams for its midsoles, and the On Cloud 6 Waterproof confirmed that with a high durometer reading of 56.8 AC.

Yet it doesn't feel brick-like at all, thanks to the compressible CloudTec pods that collapse and restore their shape as body weight transitions from heel to toe.

A mild curve in the toe area is enough to keep transitions smooth in the Cloud 6 Waterproof. The shoe's low-to-the-ground platform doesn't really require any aggressive toe rockers or heel bevels.

It is not uncommon for waterproof shoes to have a snugger fit because the membrane takes up some of the internal space, and that also stands true for the Cloud 6 Waterproof.

Once we retrieved a solidified gel cast of the shoe's interior, we measured its broadest part at 92.8 mm. And while this is not too narrow compared to the average, it is a few millimeters narrower than the non-waterproof Cloud 6 (96.4 mm).

Even though the shoe's taper angle is not aggressive, it's just as form-fitting as the rest of the shoe. Measuring its width in the big toe area, our caliper returned a modest reading of 70.1 mm.

As for the shoe's toebox height, we found that it falls within the category average at 26.0 mm.

And given the pliable nature of its upper material, our toes never felt pressured.

A waterproof shoe is expected to deal with wet surfaces, and the Cloud 6 Waterproof passed our traction test with flying colors!

Measuring the friction its heel generates on wet concrete, we recorded an exceptionally high CoF of 0.79! Grippier than average, this On shoe won't leave you skidding on slick pavements.

The Cloud 6 Waterproof features a typical On shoe sole design made of pods and deep flex grooves in between.

However, rubber covers only the heel and forefoot pods, providing traction and durability where they matter most.

Even though its design suggests high flexibility, the Cloud 6 Waterproof showed more forefoot stiffness than its non-waterproof version. And we can only attribute that to the presence of a membrane because otherwise, the two shoes are identical.

Our lab test showed that the Cloud 6 Waterproof requires 22% more force (15.6N) to bend by 30 degrees than the regular Cloud 6 (12.8N).

But even though it is stiffer, we never felt the shoe was too rigid to compromise comfort. Paired with a stiff Speedboard shank in the midfoot, it makes toe-offs a bit snappier.

Weighing the two On Cloud 6 shoes in men's US size 9, we found that the Waterproof version weighs 1.5 oz more at 11.2 oz (318g).

And that's a little heavy considering the shoe's low-profile construction. Most other waterproof walking shoes we've tested fall below 11 oz.

The On Cloud 6 Waterproof isn't marketed as a stability shoe, but it feels inherently stable thanks to its firm, low-stack platform.

Yet its nylon Speedboard and waterproof lining add structure to the shoe's build, which reflects in its solid torsional rigidity of 17.6 Nm. This shoe won't let ankle rolls happen so easily. 

We also found the shoe's heel counter a bit stiffer, showing more resistance to bending than the regular On Cloud 6. With a middle-range stiffness score of 3 out of 5, we found it perfectly supportive for a neutral shoe but not unnecessarily rigid.

As for the shoe's midsole dimensions, we found them perfectly aligned with the category average. Our caliper measured the widest part of its forefoot at 113.0 mm.

The heel also showed a standard width of 87.8 mm. It's an adequately streamlined platform that doesn't add any visual bulk to the foot.

The textile used for the Cloud 6 Waterproof's upper proved to be significantly more durable than the mesh we saw on the Cloud 6.

Putting the material through a demanding Dremel test, we were surprised at how minor the damage was! That earned the shoe a solid toebox durability score of 4 out of 5.

Next, we tested the fabric in the shoe's collar and found it reasonably hard-wearing. On a 1-5 durability scale, we gave it a moderate score of 3.

But most importantly, the rubber layer on the shoe's pods resisted abrasion perfectly well! At 0.8 mm, it barely got a millimeter of damage, which is an impressive result for a walking shoe.

Even though the rubber doesn't cover the full length of the outsole, it is decently thick on the pods where it is present. Our caliper showed a solid 2.8 mm of thickness.

Moderately padded, the shoe's insole measured only 3.9 mm thick at the heel. There is no plush step-in feel in this On Cloud shoe.

But if you crave more comfort, you can swap the shoe's insole for a custom orthotic.

Choosing this waterproof shoe for the chilly season is reasonable, and the fact that its midsole doesn't freeze into a hard brick makes it even more suitable for this use case.

After a 20-minute session in the freezer, our durometer confirmed that the shoe's foam only firmed up by 16%.

There are several reflective elements on the Cloud 6 Waterproof, including the logos, which is a bonus for low-light walking conditions.

This On shoe's upper padding is not abundant yet sufficient for its sleek silhouette. Its tongue measured 6.6 mm in thickness, which is sufficient to keep lace pressure at bay.

With its tongue inseparable from the rest of the upper, the Cloud 6 Waterproof features a bootie-style construction that wraps around the foot firmly, leaving no gaps for the water to seep through.

A large finger loop at the back works well with the bungee laces, complementing the shoe's slip-on design.

The On Cloud 6 Waterproof is one of the most expensive waterproof walking shoes on the market, though it isn't necessarily the most comfortable or high-quality option.

Unless you are specifically into the shoe's branding and visual appeal, we recommend checking out the other waterproof shoes that performed exceptionally well in our lab tests.