On Cloudvista 2 Trail Running Shoe Review
An in-depth review of the On Cloudvista 2—a minimalist trail running shoe that balances cushion and responsiveness
September 10th, 2025
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Our verdict
The On Cloudvista 2 trail running shoe is a minimalist, nimble trail shoe for runners who like the sleek, simple look of On running shoes and spend most of their trail time on non-technical, hardpacked trails. These are not suped-up, big-lugged, ultra protective trail running shoes, but narrower, moderately cushioned, and surprisingly responsive trail runners that get the job done.
We tested the men’s and women’s Cloudvista 2s–one tester with a wider foot and on with a more narrow foot. After over 50 miles of trail running and about 12 hours on our feet in these shoes outside of that—on technical and non-technical dirt trails, gravel paths, pavement, and more—we were surprised such a simple-looking shoe could feel this cushioned and agile. This is thanks to On’s proprietary midsole technology; the Helion cushioning is plush enough for moderately long runs and the Speedboard midsole increases propulsion and turnover for quicker workouts.
On Cloudvista 2
Men's
Women's
We’re also impressed with the upper, which is durable, breathable, and a little stretchy for more comfort.
While we like the comfort of the midsole and upper, the wow factors stop there for us as these aren't the most versatile trail running shoes, and they cost more than similar trail running shoes. In fact, both our men’s and women’s testers would describe these shoes as “forgettable” or “just fine.” They don’t offer enough traction for technical trails or snowy/muddy conditions, and they cost about $5–20 more than some trail runners we’d recommend over the Cloudvista 2s, like the HOKA Speedgoat 6 or the Saucony Peregrine 15. However, we appreciate On’s sustainability efforts, which included responsible manufacturing practices and reducing their environmental impact.
However, if you’re a big fan of On shoes, especially their midsoles, you may find a lot to love in the Cloudvista 2. They strike a great balance between comfort, cushion, and responsiveness, and would work well for daily training runs, runs up to about 10 miles, and workouts on most hardpacked dirt trails.
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On Cloudvista 2 Specs
Price: $160
Weight (per shoe, men's and women's): 10.7 oz (men’s), 8.6 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack height (heel/forefoot mm): 29 - 24 mm
Cushion level (Minimal/Moderate/Maximum): Plush (maximum)
Support type (Neutral/Stability/Motion Control): Neutral
Upper materials: TPU, 100% recycled polyester
Midsole foam type: Helion superfoam and two-prong Speedboard
Outsole material: Missiongrip
Rock plate (trail shoes): No
Available sizes and widths: Regular 7-14 (men’s), Regular 5-11 (women’s)
Suitable for vegans: Yes
Best for
Short-to-medium-length trail runs
Non-technical trail or mixed terrain runs
Trail runners of all experience levels (though road runners transitioning into trail running may appreciate them most because of their crossover capabilities and increased cushion)
Narrow feet
Comparison table
| TRAIL RUNNING SHOE | WEIGHT MEN'S | WEIGHT WOMEN'S | CUSHION | HEEL DROP | STACK HEIGHT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| On Cloudvista 2 Men's Women's |
10.7 oz | 8.6 oz | Plush | 6 mm | |
| HOKA Speedgoat 6 Men's Women's |
9.8 oz | 8.2 oz | Maximum | 5 mm | 35 - 40 mm |
| HOKA Challenger 7 Men's Women's |
8.9 oz | 7.3 oz | Maximum | 4 mm | 24 - 26 mm |
| Saucony Peregrine 15 Men's Women's |
9.7 oz | 8.6 oz | Moderate | 4 mm | 28 - 24 mm |
| Brooks Cascadia 19 Men's Women's |
10.7 oz | 9.8 oz | Maximum | 6 mm | 35 - 29 mm |
What we liked
Lightweight, nimble feel
Responsive midsole
Enough cushion for medium or even long runs
What could be better
Traction isn’t great on loose terrain or technical trails
Narrow fit may be uncomfortable for wide feet
More expensive than other more versatile and durable trail shoes
How we tested
Treeline Review writer Sam Schild testing the On Cloudvista 2 trail running shoes on a winter run in Colorado.
We tested the On Cloudvista 2 in both men’s and women’s. They only come in regular sizing, but our men’s tester has wide feet and our women’s tester has narrow feet. Neither tester experienced discomfort in these shoes, though they are more narrow than other brands, like HOKA or Altra.
After over 50 miles of running and a dozen hours on our feet, we compared the On Cloudvista 2s to the other trail running shoes we’ve been testing, assessing things like comfort, durability, fit, and wear.
We wore these shoes for runs up to 10-miles in length, and during a 6-hour shift at a brewery. The runs were mostly at a moderate or easy pace, but both testers picked up the pace on some runs to test turnover and responsiveness. (The brewery test was done for more “time on feet” in these shoes.) Our runs were primarily done on hardpacked dirt, gravel, and even some crossover to roads—runs on more technical and loose terrain showed these shoes were not ideal for such conditions.
Both our testers are pretty much constantly testing a wide variety of trail running shoes, so we also tested the On Cloudvista 2 alongside most shoes you’ll find in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes and Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guides (along with other trail shoes that will soon be added to those guides as updates). This gives us a better idea of how these shoes compare to other popular models, and under what conditions and circumstances one might prefer these over others.
Performance in the Field
Fit and feel
The On Cloudvista 2 shoes fit true to size. They are on the more narrow side of trail running shoes, but not so narrow that our wide-footed tester felt discomfort on runs up to 10 miles (though he did state runs much longer than 10 miles would start to feel uncomfortable for him in these shoes). If you’re looking for a wide toe box, we recommend considering brands like Altra or Topo. The Altra Lone Peak 9+ may be a great option for you, as long as you’re fine with a zero-drop shoe.
The upper material is breathable and neither of our testers experienced hot spots or discomfort while running in these shoes. They were comfortable right out of the box with no break-in time needed.
Ride and responsiveness
The midsole is constructed with On’s proprietary Helion superfoam for cushion and Speedboard for responsiveness. These are elements of On we love in road running shoes—like the On Cloudmonster, On Cloudeclipse, and On Cloudsurfer 2—and that tech carries these trail running shoes as well. So while they look pretty minimalist, the midsole tech pulls its weight and creates a smooth, comfortable, responsive ride.
This trail shoe is suitable for any pace—cushioned enough for long, slow runs, and responsive enough for quick turnover and faster paces.
Midsole and Cushioning
As stated above, the Helion superfoam cushion provides enough cushion for longer runs. We maxed out at 10 miles in these shoes, but one tester wore them for a 6-hour brewery shift and felt no discomfort.
The stack height is 29-24 mm (heel to toe), which is around the same as most Altra trail shoes and lower than HOKA trail shoes. There’s some groundfeel, but that probably depends on who you ask—our women’s tester has hip arthritis and prefers maximum cushioned shoes, and has thus become more sensitive to low stack and groundfeel than our other testers.
One area of concern is in the durability of the midsole, since so much of it is exposed. This is common with road running shoes, and not something we like to see on trail runners since they’re more likely to experience rough surfaces. Although we didn't notice any durability issues, the midsole of the On Cloudvista 2 will likely wear down faster than most other trail running shoes, unless you’re sticking to easy, flat, non-technical paths.
Traction and grip (especially for trail)
On uses their proprietary Missiongrip outsole, which we found sticky enough for hardpacked dirt, gravel paths, and non-technical trails. However, we would not recommend this shoe if many of your runs will be on loose terrain, snowy, muddy, or more technical trails.
The lugs are about 2.5 mm, whereas most trail shoes we’ve tested have 3-4mm lugs. The tread looks more like that of a road shoe than a trail shoe, so we think they’re best for runs that involve gravel, hardpacked dirt, and even some pavement.
Breathability and upper
The upper is 100% thermoplastic polyurethane and the lining is 100% recycled polyester. We found the upper to be breathable, even on hot summer runs.
We also noticed some stretch to the upper that made it more comfortable over longer runs. Our wide-footed tester felt comfortable in these shoes up to about 10 miles in part because the toe box felt stretchier than other more narrow-fitting shoes. The thin tongue also helps keep the fit a little roomier than cushioned tongues do.
We didn’t have any durability concerns with the upper materials or construction. This model was updated to include a reinforced toe cap, for even more protection and durability.
Stability and support
As far as stability and support go, this shoe is average. We wouldn’t say anything about the On Cloudvista 2 shouts “stability!” or “support!” but we didn’t have any issues, either. Since it’s a neutral shoe, you can easily add custom orthotics or inserts if needed, though we have not tested this.
Weight and efficiency
The On Cloudvista 2 is a lightweight shoe at 10.7 oz per men’s shoe and 8.6 oz per women’s shoe, which is around average or on the lighter end of average compared to most trail running shoes we’ve tested. This lightweight feel contributes to quick turnover and feeling nimble and agile on runs.
Durability and longevity
In general, we didn’t experience any major cause for concern when it comes to durability, other than the exposed midsole that might wear faster than other trail running shoes. Otherwise, you could probably expect to get around 300 miles or so in these shoes. The shoes cost $160, so this isn’t the best deal (for reference, the HOKA Speedgoat 6s cost $155 and the Saucony Peregrine 15s cost $145), but if you really like the fit and ride of these shoes they’re an okay value.
Updates from previous model
Updates to the On Cloudvista 2 include a softer Helion superfoam cushion in the midsole, a re-engineered Speedboard plate in the midsole for more responsiveness, a little higher stack height, changes to the outsole for improved grip on mixed terrain, and adjustments to the general fit.
Features
Drop measurement and impact
The On Cloudvista 2 has 5mm drop and is a mid-drop shoe, similar to the HOKA Speedgoat 6. We find mid-drop shoes to be ideal for most runners and the easiest to break in.
Stack height philosophy
The stack height of this shoe is 29 mm (heel) and 24 mm (toe). This is on the lower-to-average end of trail running shoes stack height. We found this strikes a comfortable balance between cushion and groundfeel that will please most trail runners.
Lacing system
The On Cloudvista 2 utilizes a standard lacing system with flat laces. We had no issues with these laces coming untied.
Heel tab design
The heel is cushioned for comfort and blister prevention. There is no pull tab.
Reflective elements
While there is a reflective logo on the side of this shoe, this is not enough for nighttime visibility. If nighttime visibility is a priority for you, we recommend checking out our Best Reflective Gear for Running in the Dark guide.
Colorway options
Both men’s and women’s On Cloudvista 2 shoes come in six different color options, which we would describe as mostly neutral and certainly not flashy.
Similar trail running shoes to consider
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Price: $155
Weight (per shoe, men's and women's): 9.8 oz (men’s), 8.2 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 5 mm
Stack height (heel/forefoot mm): 38-33 mm
The HOKA Speedgoat 6 is a neutral, mid-drop, maximum cushion trail running shoe we’ve dubbed Best Overall in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide for its wide appeal. It also won Best Cushioned in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes guide for its comfort over long miles. The On Cloudvista 2 compares to the HOKA Speedgoat 6 in that they’re both neutral, mid-drop shoes with enough cushion to keep you comfortable over most distances.
However, while the Cloudvista 2 is a nimble, responsive shoe great for quicker runs over non-technical terrain, the Speedgoat 6 has a Vibram outsole and provides a little better traction and protection on rougher trails (though, incidentally, “not the best on rough terrain” is one of our drawbacks of the Speedgoats–if traction is your biggest priority, we recommend checking out the Salomon Speedcross 6). We also recommend checking out the HOKA Speedgoat 6 if you want a shoe that comes in wide sizes.
Learn more in our in-depth review of the HOKA Speedgoat 6 trail running shoes.
HOKA Speedgoat 6
Men's
Women's
HOKA Challenger 7
Price: $145
Weight (per shoe, men's and women's): 8.9 oz (men’s), 7.3 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 4 mm
Stack height (heel/forefoot mm): 24 - 26 mm
The HOKA Challenger 7 is the winner of Best Crossover (for road to trail) in our Best Men’s Trail Running Shoes guide for their light weight, cushion, and their comfort and stability on both roads and trails. The Challenger 7 and On Cloudvista 2 are both neutral, mid-drop shoes that transition from road to trail well, without feeling clunky or too sticky on the roads. Neither shoe would be our top choice for the most technical trails, but they get the job done for most conditions.
The main difference between these shoes is in the fit–HOKA trail shoes tend to accommodate wider feet, and the Challengers come in wide sizes. The Challengers are a more cushioned shoe. Learn more in our in-depth review of the HOKA Challenger 7 trail running shoes.
HOKA Challenger 7
Men's
Women's
Saucony Peregrine 15
Price: $145
Weight (per shoe, men's and women's): 9.7 oz (men’s), 8.6 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 4 mm
Stack height (heel/forefoot mm): 28 - 24 mm
The Saucony Peregrine 15s are moderately cushioned, mid-drop trail running shoes that fit similarly to the On Cloudvista 2. While we’re currently updating our guides, the Peregrine 14s were named Best Affordable in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide, and we’ve liked the 15s even more. The price of the 15s has gone up, but for $145 we still think this is a better value compared to the On Cloudvista 2’s $160 price.
Saucony Peregrine 15
Men's
Women's
Brooks Cascadia 19
Price: $150
Weight (per shoe, men's and women's): 10.7 oz (men’s), 9.8 oz (women’s)
Heel-to-toe drop (mm): 6 mm
Stack height (heel/forefoot mm): 35 - 29 mm
The Brooks Cascadia 19 has a higher stack and higher drop (8 mm) than the On Cloudvisita 2s, which help them perform well as a road-to-trail crossover shoe. In fact, the Cascadia 18s have been our pick for Best Crossover in our Best Women’s Trail Running Shoes guide. We found these shoes offer better traction on the trails than most other crossover shoes, and they cost $10 less than the On Cloudvista 2s.
Brooks Cascadia 19
Men's
Women's
Who should buy this
Buy if you’re looking for a minimalist trail running (and occasional crossover) shoe that balances cushion and responsiveness.
Skip if you want a trail shoe with better traction for technical trails or a wider fit.
Where to buy
The On Cloudvista 2 trail running shoes are popular footwear, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Zappos
Pros: 365-day free shipping on returns, fast delivery with free VIP program
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Advice on where to buy
In general for shoes, we recommend purchasing from a place with easy or free returns like REI or Zappos. Trying on shoes is an important way to get the sizing right. With both those retailers, if your funds allow, you can buy two sizes and easily return one. Additionally, check reviews to see whether other users recommend sizing up or down.
Why you should trust us / About the Author
Becca Downs ran D1 cross country and track for Indiana University—Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI) and continued racing everything from elite miles to an ultramarathon in her post-collegiate years. She earned a USATF Level 1 certification and coached boys and girls high school cross country and track in Indianapolis for four years. Becca then joined the IUPUI women’s distance coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach in 2020-2021.
She geeks out on trail running, track and field, and cries every time she watches a marathon (they’re just so beautiful!). After notching a few small FKTs under her belt in 2020, she was diagnosed with hip arthritis and now channels her passion for running into coaching, writing, creating training plans for her friends, hiking, and running when her hip allows it.
You can read more of Becca's work at her website or on her author page.
Sam Schild is a thru-hiker, cyclist, and mountain athlete based in Colorado. He has thru-hiked the PCT, CDT, Grand Enchantment Trail, and the Colorado Trail twice.
He has biked and bikepacked over 50,000 miles in the last decade, completing the Colorado Trail by bike, the Kokopelli Trail twice, a 7,000-mile cross-country bike tour, tons of other bikepacking in the American Southwest, and bike commuting everywhere he can.
He has an MFA in Creative Writing from Temple University, and before becoming a freelance outdoor writer was an academic, teacher of writing, high school teacher, and a bike mechanic. When he’s not thru-hiking or bikepacking, you might find him running long distances on trails closer to home.
Instagram: @sia_lizard
Blog: samschild.com
