When you think of trail shoes the first images that come to mind are bulky high riders with thick treads on the bottom. Wearing them feels like weight training for your legs as much as the added traction. They are a distant cousin to the super light and fast racing flats, where there seem to be more differences than similarities.
Enter On’s new foray into the trail market, the On Cloudventure. Billed as a lightweight trail shoe with full cushioning protection, it challenges the barriers of combining the different genres of road running and trail running, and succeeds with ease.
At only 295-grams, the Cloudventure comes in as a mid-range weight when compared to other major brands, but what it gains over others is form and function. The current theme of space-age looking trail shoes goes out the window with the Cloudventure, as they look very much like the well-credentialed Cloudsurfer.
The underlayer and grip is the most prominent feature of trail shoes, and once again the Cloudventure doesn’t disappoint. The micro-engineered Grip-rubber profile adds comfort while providing superior grip. When running and climbing on a steep cliff section, the added traction was without fault. My four-legged friend struggled to get any grip, while I excelled further. When the elevation was flipped, I found myself moving more powerfully as the base layer was able to grip and rip through the ground, giving me a stronger launch.
As for comfort on the sole, the patented CloudTec performs second-to-none and cares for the foot as if you’re in the hands of a masseuse. The soft cushioning dampens the explosive down force, while still acting firm enough to give the springy rebound that’s come to be expected from On’s lineup of shoes.
Even though the Cloudventure has a lower profile than some of the other brands, the support on offer is still suitable. By lowering the ankle height, the shoes are able to cross-over into the road market and still be worn on the harder surfaces.
With a 6mm heel-to-toe offset, it is a lot lower than the standard drop of 10mm. This enables the foot to follow a neutral plane of motion and creates a natural feel when running. By also having the lower offset, it allows an even distribution of pressure across the CloudTec Clouds on the sole of the shoe, which is music to your feet’s ears.
Overall, the Cloudventure is a brilliant addition to the burgeoning On lineup. Priced at AUD$239, it is well positioned in the market and rivals many others out there. But for form, function and comfort, you won’t find a better option available.
By Liam Bromilow.
