REASONS TO BUY
Stellar cushioning
Comfortable strider
Stylish design
Great traction
REASONS TO AVOID
Mediocre lacing system
Sole bit wide for technical terrain
On Cloudrock Mid Waterproof Review
A stellar flat-land, hard-ground cruiser that lets you eat miles with happy feet, from pavement to the trail and back
Credit: Chris Maxcer
By Chris Maxcer ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ October 21, 2025
RELATED: The Best Hiking Boots for Men
Our Verdict
The On Cloudrock Mid Waterproof is our top pick for day hikes. The recycled polyester upper is scuff-resistant and very lightweight, but the surprising cushion is the key to this boot's success. The sole is quite flexible, and the Helion midsole is very cushy, letting us tromp over hard-packed dirt trails for miles in comfort. Rocky knobs and exposed roots seem to disappear under each step, smoothing our on-trail experience. Off-trail performance falters due to the flexible sole's height, and the lacing system could use a bit more coverage for better lockdown on steep slopes. Still, this boot is quite handsome in person, waterproof, and has an accommodating fit that should work with many foot types.
Our Analysis and Test Results
The On Cloudrock Mid has an undeniably attractive, urban sort of mountain-town style going on. It's somewhat understated compared to many new modern, techie-looking hiking boot alternatives, but this boot is more than just good looks: The innovative sole competes with the comfort of running shoes while the toe rand and full perimeter TPU mudguard protects the upper from sticks and sharp rocks. If you want a waterproof boot for everyday wear that you can take off the pavement, the Cloudrock might be it.
For casual hikes, we happily turn to the Cloudrock for its stellar cushioning sole and lightweight build.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Comfort
When we first looked at the On Cloudrock Mid, they seemed a bit clunky, but once on our feet, we marveled at the cushion. The flexible synthetic upper also conforms and bends easily, making each step a pleasant experience. They're that comfortable.
The fit is sort of vague, which means it fits slightly large all around. A side effect of fitting most everyone's feet is that it results in a boot that's harder to lace snugly. A looser ride is harder to control over rugged, technical terrain on steep slopes. So, the only criticism we have revolves around this boot's mediocre lacing system that doesn't offer adequate lockdown for gnarly terrain. However, we can't argue with the mile-eating, on-trail comfort this boot delivers with each and every step!
A thick midsole layer of Helion superfoam works with On's unique pass-through sole to absorb shock, making each step on packed dirt or rock feel like you're walking on soft duff under a forest of evergreen trees.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Support
Support is decent but far from stellar. On flat ground, the wide footbed feels very stable. The flexible upper provides some ankle support and is better than many lightweight hiking boots, but compared to more robust boots for off-trail travel, it could use a bit more lacing to make it easier to tighten around the ankle.
The only real issue with the support in these boots shows up on very rugged terrain. It's hard to get these boots laced up snug enough to handle a ton of off-camber and vertical on the descents.
While our tester could navigate loose scree and boulders easily enough, he didn't like how his foot too easily shifted inside the boot on steep terrain.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
The wide soles are also a bit clunky on rocky routes and grabby in brushy off-trail situations, making them less agile when you're trying to lift your foot over branched-up deadfalls.
The relatively thick cushy midsole design sucks up sharp bumps, but it results in a less predictable step in more technical situations than we experience with stiffer soles.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Traction
The Cloudrock Mid Waterproof delivers excellent traction in all but the most rugged terrain. Again, the extra-wide heel and sole come into play here, grabbing most surfaces well. On a footstep forward swing, I occasionally scuffed the side of the sole on a rock or stick I wasn't expecting, ricocheting my intended footfall, making the traction seem slightly less secure.
On most surfaces, the extra-wide sole grabbed well, but occasionally on looser material, it tended to skid or float rather than bite. Still, better than average traction overall. One note: The pass-through holes were occasionally filled with mud, and we had to poke them clear with a stick.
The lugs aren't particularly deep, but the extra width of the sole provides additional surface area for extra traction.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Water Resistance
We experienced zero leaks during testing and no leaks during usage on wet hikes or stream crossings. The flood height was only 4.87 inches, which is a bit lower than expected due to the low point in the gusset near the tongue.
The synthetic polyester upper takes a long time to get saturated, and even when it does, it dries out much faster than leather. If you hike or backpack in rainy environments, these boots will dry out faster than leather-based competitors.
On uses its own waterproof/breathable membrane instead of Gore-Tex, which worked well during our tests.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Weight
Weighing in at just 2.44 pounds in a size 14, these boots are quite lightweight for the coverage they provide. Pretty impressive, really.
What does the weight mean to a hiker? For short hikes, heavy boots aren't much of a problem, but after a full day of hiking, lifting heavy boots can take a toll, increasing fatigue. The Cloudrock Mid is light enough to let us cruise for miles without getting tired.
The On Cloudrock Mid WP are lightweight yet provide great foot and ankle coverage and cushion.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Durability
Overall, the On Cloudrock Mid seems to use strong materials with a competitive build quality. The synthetic upper shrugs off sharp sticks, and the toe guard helps protect toes from accidentally kicked rocks on tough uphill climbs. We're really pleased to see the 360-degree TPU mud guard, too, which is also reinforced in position with a line of stitching.
The biggest potential durability drawback is the relatively small and friction-inducing corded eyelets. They haven't broken or frayed yet, but it seems like only a matter of time. The cords are also stitched along the perimeter of the upper, which makes us wonder how long they can hold if you're ratcheting these down for rugged technical terrain — which will also place a lot more stress on the eyelets.
We haven't experienced a failure from the Cloudrock's fabric and cord-based eyelets, but we don't trust them to last long under difficult loads far from the trailhead. Those looking for extreme durability might want to error toward metal eyelets.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
If we had more confidence in the eyelets, this is one of the few boots that had a real chance to displace our current Editor's Choice award — they're that good.
Should You Buy the On Cloudrock Mid Waterproof?
As long as you're not using this boot on very rugged ground, you'll likely appreciate its smooth and stable ride. The cushion is truly outstanding. In fact, this is such a comfortable boot, our tester likes to wear it around town when he's running errands on rainy days.
What Other Hiking Boots Should You Consider?
The most similar boot is the slightly heavier Hoka Kaha 3 GTX. It has a leather upper, so it's a bit heavier but the lacing system provides better lockdown for off-trail travel. The Danner Mountain 600 Leaf GTX is also a lightweight leather boot to consider. It has a classic style but uses metal eyelets for increased long-term durability. If you're not worried about durability, check out the ultralight Merrell Moab Speed 2 Mid GTX, which delivers decent cushion in a narrower profile.
No matter how hard the surface, the On Cloudrock Mid WP boots felt incredibly comfortable.
Credit: Chris Maxcer
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare On Cloudrock Mid Waterproof versus top competing products:
—Chris Maxcer
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