On Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof review

The Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof is not a cheap buy, but it can be worth it if:

• you are a fan of On's refined aesthetics and standout CloudTec midsole design
• you need a versatile sneaker that feels at home on both city streets and moderate trails
• you value cushioning and impact protection above anything else

If you're planning day hikes on less predictable trails that call for highly stable, durable, and adaptable shoes, the Cloudrock Low Waterproof is not your best bet.

For the same price or lower, you can get a more technical Cloudrock Low Waterproof from On, as well as the highly regarded adidas Terrex Free Hiker 2.0 Low GTX and the Salomon X Ultra 5 GTX.

Its abundant cushioning remains the main highlight of the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof. Even though we observed a small 8% decrease in its shock absorption compared to the first iteration, the shoe still falls in the upper range at 116 SA. For reference, the massive HOKA Kaha 3 Low GTX scored the same in our lab!

The shoe relies on the brand's proprietary CloudTec Phase midsole with compressible pods that take on the impact, preventing it from shooting up the feet and legs and maintaining comfort on longer hikes.

With a moderate energy return of 49.8%, the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof doesn't feel completely dull, but it's not a springy ride either. It feels decently responsive for maintaining a steady pace, especially on hard-packed terrain and urban surfaces.

Just like its predecessor, this On shoe towers above most other hiking shoes with a tall heel stack of 39.9 mm. This is one of the features that makes it less than ideal for any technical routes where precise foot placement and ground feel are essential.

And with a whopping forefoot stack of 29.9 mm, the shoe also keeps the ball of the foot and the toes quite isolated from the trail.

The difference in the shoe's stack heights results in a heel-to-toe drop of 10.0 mm. It is a smidge taller than the stated 8 mm but feels nearly identical on foot.

As one of the most common offsets for both hiking shoes and casual trainers, it should feel familiar to most folks. Neither too flat nor too elevated, it caters to a regular heel-striking walking pattern.

Featuring the same Helion foam as most other On shoes, the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof showed a pretty high durometer reading of 49.7 AC.

This means that the foam itself is quite firm (firmer than average!), but the hollow CloudTec pods make it feel softer thanks to that compression.

So, in the end we get a moderately firm yet forgiving, balanced ride in the Cloudhorizon, the same as in its predecessor.

Available in medium width only, the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof offered ample space for our medium-width feet.

But aside from our subjective experience, the shoe's one-to-one gel cast also confirmed this observation. Our calliper measured the widest part of the cast at 95.5 mm, putting it squarely into the medium range.

Although the shoe's toebox shows minor tapering towards the front, it doesn't become so narrow as to cause a tight fit. At 70.5 mm in the big toe area, it still falls within the medium-width range.

There were no surprises with the shoe's vertical space either.

Our calliper showed that its toebox height of 27.3 mm is right on par with the category average.

With an impressive CoF of 0.85, the shoe's Missiongrip outsole performs wonders on smooth, slippery surfaces such as rock and wood. It is one of the tackiest compounds we've tested in the hiking category.

Another bonus point for the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof's grip is its increased lug depth! Going from 2.3 mm to 3.4 mm, the new treads expand this On shoe's natural habitat from groomed trails only to slightly more mixed surfaces.

Sure thing, it's still not ready for any rocky or technical terrain, but it offers a stronger bite on dirt, grass, roots, and hilly areas.

Not only did its lugs get deeper, but they also received a more aggressive chevron shape, taking a step towards more serious hiking shoes.

Its max-cushioned platform doesn't allow the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof to bend so easily in the forefoot, resulting in a high stiffness reading of 26.2N. This means that the shoe requires 30% more force to bend than the average.

However, the brand's proprietary Phase design ensures smooth transitions by making the CloudTec pods compress in sequence, leading the foot gently from heel to toes.

This limits manoeuvrability and a sense of connectedness to the trail but increases comfort for long-distance hikes on more predictable terrain.

Intended for mellower hikes and city-to-trail use, the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof isn't burdened by the rugged components of more serious hiking shoes. And that's what helps it stay lighter than average at 12.5 oz (354g) in a men's US size 9.

As a waterproof version of the Cloudhorizon 2, this On shoe offers limited breathability, especially for warm weather. So we weren't surprised by its low result of only 45 BR.

You don't want to wear this kick on a sweaty hike, as its materials are very slow at absorbing moisture from the skin. That in turn increases the risk of damp socks and nasty blisters.

It is equally important to mention that this shoe doesn't dry quickly once it gets wet, whether from sweat or external moisture.

After simulating a sweating foot in a climate-controlled chamber for 3 hours, we measured that the shoe's materials had evaporated only 36% of the moisture that got inside. In other words, don't expect it to dry on the go.

Waterproof membranes tend to make shoes warmer, but they don't automatically make them winter-ready. In our insulation test, we check how effective the entire shoe is at keeping warmth in.

Measuring the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof's insulation at 0.255 m² K/W confirmed that it is indeed slower at losing heat, but not enough to recommend it for the chilly season.

The tall platform of this On shoe can make it feel tippy for some hikers, but we found it perfectly balanced by its raised midsole sidewalls, high torsional rigidity, secure lockdown, and wide base.

It's not as easy to roll your ankle in the Cloudhorizon 2 Wateroroof as it might seem. The shoe proved to be mighty resistant to twisting, with an above-average torsional rigidity of 24.1 Nm.

This means it takes a solid 30% more torque to twist the shoe in either direction than the average hiking shoe!

We also found our heels and ankles sitting firmly inside the shoe's structured and well-padded heel counter. In our manual stiffness assessment, we readily gave it a maximum of 5 out of 5.

In addition to being tall, this On shoe's platform also takes up a lot of horizontal space to provide a stable footing.

Measuring the widest part of its midsole in the forefoot, our calliper recorded an above-average reading of 116.7 mm! That puts it alongside the chunkiest boys in our hiking shoe catalogue.

The shoe also relies on a broader heel with an above-average width of 93.8 mm.

Even though it features a new upper textile, we didn't record any notable durability improvements in the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof.

Applying our Dremel to the top of the shoe's toebox, we still saw enough damage to keep the durability score moderate at 3 out of 5.

The mesh lining inside the shoe's collar didn't show any standout results either. Its moderate wear and tear lowered our heel padding durability score to 3 out of 5.

The shoe's rubber outsole also sustained moderate wear with a 0.9 mm dent, which is on par with the category average.

Although it's not the thickest outsole at 1.8 mm, we found this thickness sufficient for hikes on light-to-moderate terrain.

The On Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof packs an adequately padded insole, measuring 5.1 mm thick in the heel.

The insole is removable and can easily be replaced with a custom orthotic.

But please note that it has perforations to help with air circulation. Using a different insert can alter the shoe's breathability and sweat management.

Because the shoe's Helion foam is already firm at room temperature, it barely gets any harder in cold conditions.

After keeping the shoe in the freezer for 20 minutes and repeating our durometer measurement, we found that the foam firmed up by a very moderate 19%.

Like most other On shoes, the Cloudhorizon 2 features a reflective brand logo on the sides.

With 8.0 mm of foam, the shoe's tongue is thick enough to buffer lace bites.

A fully gusseted upper complements the shoe's waterproof design in keeping moisture at bay. It also stops sand, dirt, pebbles, and other debris from getting inside.

A finger loop helps slide into the shoe faster.

On shoes in general are priced well above average, which narrows their target audience quite a bit. And in the case of the Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof, a higher price doesn't mean better performance, as the shoe is only capable of handling mellower trails. Sure, its visual appeal and cushioned comfort are undeniable, but if you need a real outdoor performer for serious hikes, there are plenty of options with a much more budget-friendly price.

A pair of webbed eyelets at the very top of the shoe helps cinch down the laces extra tight for lockdown and stability.