When you’re heading out on technical mountain trails, having a shoe that can handle tough terrain while keeping you comfortable is crucial, and it seems as though the On Cloudvista 2, a trail running shoe designed for all-mountain adventures is on the mark.
With a more secure fit and solid improvements over its predecessor (which I wasn’t the biggest fan of), this shoe offers a firm, responsive ride, especially for those shorter, faster trail sessions. But is it worth the $150 price tag? Stick around and find out.
Key Specifications
- Price: $150 at on.com
- Fit: True to size, medium width
- Upper: Engineered mesh with improved midfoot support
- Midsole: Helion™ superfoam, firm and responsive, not plush
- Outsole: MissionGrip rubber compound for great traction
- Weight: 10.2oz / 289g (US (M) 9)
- Drop: 6mm
- Support: Neutral
How they fit and feel
The On Cloudvista 2 fits true to size with a medium-width profile. The engineered mesh upper feels soft and comfortable around the collar and heel, providing a good fit.
There’s a bit of extra volume in the upper, which can accommodate runners with more voluminous feet, and plenty of lace to adjust for a snug fit (and incase you need to use the Racer’s Loop Heel lock method).
They also have a full gusseted tongue which adds to comfort on the inside but the tongue itself is oddly stiff, like cardboard almost – anyway, that softens up over time and doesn’t feel uncomfortable on the run. Overall, they offer a firm, supportive feel underfoot, idea for good control on technical terrain.
What’s good
My biggest gripe with the previous version of the Cloudvista was the lack of midfoot support (or lock-in), which left my toes slamming into the front of the shoe on steep descents.
Thankfully, that issue is now fixed. The added midfoot support system means no more bruised toes, and the MissionGrip outsole delivers excellent traction, making technical descents feel more fun, controllable, confidence building, and less worrisome.
Responsive ride
These aren’t the plushest of shoes, far from it – despite On’s marketing telling you otherwise. The Helion™ superfoam is firm, offering a more responsive feel underfoot. This firmness is most noticeable under the forefoot, and it’s softer under the heel due to the Cloudtec pods doing their thang – see my photo below.
Combined with the two-prong Speedboard, this makes the Cloudvista 2 snappy and fast on both trails and sections of road (for those of you like me who have to run to their trailheads. It’s a great choice if you’re tackling mixed terrain, with just enough cushioning for short distances up to half-marathons on more rugged ground.
Good for climbing
With its roomy toe box, the Cloudvista 2 lets your toes spread naturally on climbs, improving power and stability. The shoe’s breathability helps keep things comfortable on hot, uphill efforts, though I’d recommend using a racer’s loop heel-lock lacing method to improve the fit around the heel, especially when you’re tackling longer climbs – you’ll be climbing with much better efficiency that way.
What’s not so good
While the responsive feel is great for speed, the firmness underfoot might be a downside if you run on your forefoot and you prefer a softer, cushioned ride.
Heel lock could be better
Despite improvements, the heel fit isn’t perfect. There’s a bit of movement on steep climbs, which can be fixed with a racer’s loop heel-lock lacing technique, but it’s something to be aware of if you often find yourself needing extra lockdown around the heel.
The verdict
The On Cloudvista 2 is a strong contender for anyone looking for a responsive, firm all mountain trail shoe that excels on technical descents and mixed terrain. While it’s not the cushiest option out there, its upgrades in midfoot support and traction make it a reliable choice for shorter, faster runs. For distances up to a half marathon, or even longer on softer trails; it delivers. At $150 from on.com, it’s finally worth the investment, especially compared to its predecessor. They also make for great hiking sneakers, if you need a versatile shoe for trail runs and walks.
Learn More at On.com
What do you think? Have you tried these? Share your thoughts, or check out my best trail running shoes roundup to see how they stack up against the ‘all-mountain’ trail shoes competition right now!
And hey, if you’re into honest reviews like this one, don’t forget to subscribe to my Newsletter and check out my YouTube channel for more in-depth running gear breakdowns!
