On Cloud 6 - Women's Review

On “wowed” me us once again with the On Cloud 6. These shoes deviate from the trendy super-cushioned midsole and offer a stiffer, more supportive build. They are sleek, stylish, and don't require much break-in. This thoughtful design is more than capable of long walks, sport walking, or just strolling around town.

Comfort

The first day I had the On Cloud 6, I took them on a mile-long walk and was pleased with their comfort. Initially, I noticed the elastic laces put some pressure on the top of my foot, but they broke in within the first walk. I was skeptical at first since the pressure was so obvious, but they quickly took shape and became the perfect fit for my foot. From that walk onward, I have been very happy with how comfortable these shoes are. I've taken them on walks around my neighborhood to long outings and my feet were happy and supported the entire time.

The On Cloud 6 is slightly wider at 4.1 inches (forefoot) than the former version, which was 3.9 inches. I appreciated this slight widening of the toe box and felt that my toes weren't getting squished. Likewise, the fabric along the toe box is soft, and my feet never felt forced in one position. Underfoot, the midsole and outsole aren't extremely plush like other options. This kept me steady on my feet, but if you're hunting for pillow-like cushion, you might want to turn to a Hoka version instead.

Shoe Exterior Shoe Interior

At the heel, these have 29 millimeters underfoot. This transitions into a nine millimeter heel-to-toe drop, which was measured in our lab by cutting the shoe in half. This heel-to-toe drop is fairly standard for shoes, so a transition to this shouldn't be necessary. My stride in these shoes felt natural and because they aren't bulky, I didn't need to adjust my gait to accommodate them.

Support

If there is one word I could use to describe the On Cloud 6, it is “supportive.” The firm midsole provides great support, especially on long walks. I have moderate-to-high arches and I felt supported with the standard arch support, though the insoles can always be switched out if you need more. The shoe bends quite a bit at the toe but remains sturdy throughout. I never felt like I would roll an ankle, and the lower-to-the-ground stack height (29 mm) aids in this feeling.

What truly sets this shoe apart is the two lacing options. The shoe comes equipped with elastic laces. After being broken in, these are comfortable to use. However, for a much more secure experience, we chose to switch out the elastic for the traditional laces, which On proves in the box. The elastic laces are fed through the top eight eyelets, but an additional four eyelets below are available for the traditional laces. If you find the elastic laces a little too tight or lacking security, swapping to the traditional laces is where you should start.

Slipping into the On Cloud 6 is pretty easy, especially when the elastic laces are in. With enough wiggles back and forth, I am even able to slip them on without my hands. Once on, my foot is gently hugged by the heel cup. The elastic laces allow for some extra movement as I move my foot around, which I really liked as I didn't feel overly cinched into place. However, I never felt like I was going to slip out of these shoes. The shoe has just enough bend in the toe, but still offers a secure sole. I ended up walking many miles in these shoes and was pleased with their very supportive build.

Traction

During our traction tests, we took each pair of shoes on three main types of terrain: tile, gravel, and concrete. Naturally, these ended up on many more surfaces as we wore them day in and day out, but these three surfaces were the most important during our testing.

The Cloud 6 impressed me the most on tile and concrete. The rubber outsole is grippy on slick tile, even when slightly wet, and we had absolutely no trouble on concrete. Gravel paths were somewhat of a love-hate relationship. While the On Cloud 5 had trouble with small pebbles getting stuck in the pod-like design, I now struggle with larger rocks getting lodged right in the middle of the shoe. Small pebbles aren't as much of an issue as the new design has slightly smaller pods, but I was fairly annoyed with needing to dig out large rocks.

Weight

The On Cloud 6 is among the lighter shoes we have tested, at 7.59 ounces per shoe (US 6.5), yet it doesn't sacrifice stability and comfort in doing so. The upper is constructed from a lightweight 100% recycled polyester. This material feels light and allows for plenty of airflow - a feature I loved during warmer days.

Adding to the lightweight feel is the CloudTech and Zero Gravity Foam midsole. Though it isn't a minimalist shoe, it feels less bulky than most other walking shoes. Much of this is due to the midsole being stiffer and less plush. Some shoes in the lineup have nearly 40 millimeters underfoot, while the Cloud 6 have 29 millimeters under the heel. That said, they are less noticeable than other options I have tested, yet they do their job in keeping my feet supported.

Durability

Right out of the box, I noticed the high-quality materials of the On Cloud 6. With reports of premature wear at the flex points, I was sure to keep a close eye on this during testing. I am happy to report I had no trouble with these shoes during my extensive walks. There are no signs of the shoe breaking down. However, the upper material is lighter than other shoes in the lineup, and compared to these, we could imagine them wearing down quicker. Additionally, the elastic laces loosened up during my first walk to fit my foot height. While they didn't stretch out any more than this during my tests, I am concerned the elastic will continue to stretch and lose its security. In any case, should this happen, you can always replace the elastic laces with the traditional laces.

I took the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning the On Cloud 6. This includes hand cleaning, dry-rubbing, and separately washing elements of the shoe - like the laces or insole. Keeping your walking shoes clean is an effective way to keep your shoes lasting longer and maintaining a fresh look. I had no trouble with cleaning these shoes up after a walk on dirt paths, but small pebbles can be an annoyance to dislodge.

Should You Buy the On Cloud 6?

The On Cloud 6 is one of our favorite walking shoes, and we recommend them if you are after a supportive fit. We tested the On Cloud 5 and loved them, and we think the On Cloud 6 is just as great. If anything, they might be even better if you have wider feet as this new iteration is slightly wider. All in all, we think these shoes are a great investment and will keep your feet happy regardless of the walks you venture out on.

What Other Walking Shoes Should You Consider?

The On Cloud 6 isn't the most plush option out there. If you are searching for this, one of the Hoka options will be a better fit. The Hoka Clifton 10 is one of the most cushiony shoes we have ever slipped on. They take some getting used to, but they are great for those upright on their feet all day, or for anyone who wants to feel like they are walking on pillows. The Hoka Transport is another option with great support, but a little more cushion underfoot. These are stiffer than other Hoka's and are capable of plenty of walking surfaces. Plus, they don't get rocks and pebbles stuck in the outsole.