On Cloudvista WP

CATEGORY: Trail

MEN’S: 305 g (10.8 oz.) DROP: 9 mm

STACK HEIGHT: 27 mm LUG DEPTH: 2.5 mm $200

This popular road-to-trail shoe by On is reasonably light and well cushioned, and has On’s proprietary waterproof inner membrane to keep your feet warm and dry on short to moderate runs on hardpacked trails, gravel or snow. (The lugs are minimal, so best to opt for something more aggressive for technical trails.)

The protective upper has a TPU-reinforced toe and sides and reflective accents, with lots of padding around the collar, and the tongue is slightly more padded than in the regular, non-waterproof version of the shoe—and, unlike the regular version (which is white), it comes in dark grey, so you won’t mind getting it dirty on the trails. The shoe’s spongy foam sockliner gives it a very comfortable feeling on step-in, though the fit is a bit skimpy. The very thin laces are fiddly, and we’re concerned about the prominent stitching along the inside of the collar and tongue, which seem likely to cause chafing and premature wear and tear.

Like all On models, the Cloudvista’s midsole is the brand’s signature Helion foam clouds and Speedboard embedded between the midsole and upper, which provide a moderately firm but responsive ride. It has a split outsole, which helps with stability on uneven terrain.