Quick verdict
The On Cloudrock Low Waterproof is a cushioned town-to-trail crossover built on On's proprietary waterproof membrane, a 100% recycled polyester upper and the upgraded Missiongrip outsole with short square lugs for wet rock and boardwalk. It runs an 8mm heel-to-toe drop over Helion Superfoam for all-day comfort, sits in the heavier hiking-shoe weight class near 430g per shoe, and suits everyday wear, travel and easy-to-moderate day hikes rather than steep technical fells. At £170 it is a premium pick for hikers who want plush cushioning and dry feet in a shoe that looks at home off the hill.
On Cloudrock Low Waterproof: 4.6/5
A cushioned waterproof crossover on the Missiongrip outsole and Helion Superfoam, with an 8mm drop and a fully waterproof recycled upper. Best for everyday wear, travel and easy day hikes.
The full review is below.
The On Cloudrock Low Waterproof is the shoe you reach for when the day is going to be half pavement and half path. It is a cushioned, waterproof crossover that carries On's road-running DNA onto the trail: a plush Helion Superfoam midsole, an 8mm drop and On's proprietary waterproof membrane wrapped in a fully recycled polyester upper. The upgraded Missiongrip outsole is what turns it from a smart-looking trainer into something you can trust on wet chalk and mossy boardwalk.
It is not a fell shoe, and it does not pretend to be one. What it is is the best kind of everyday-and-travel option: dry feet on a drizzly commute, enough grip for a coast-path day, and a look that does not shout "hiking boot" when you walk into a cafe afterwards. At £170 it sits at the premium end, so the question is whether the cushioning and the crossover versatility earn the price. For the right buyer they do.
Who the Cloudrock Low is for
This is a shoe for the hiker who spends as much time in town as on the trail. If your typical week is a wet school run, a train to the city and a Sunday walk on the South Downs or the Jurassic Coast, the Cloudrock Low covers all three without a change of footwear. The cushioning is generous enough for long days on hard surfaces, which is exactly where a lot of trail-first shoes feel harsh.
It also suits travellers. It packs and wears as a single do-everything shoe: waterproof enough for a rainy city, comfortable enough for airport marathons, and capable enough for a day hike if the trip includes one. That crossover flexibility is the whole point.
Who should look elsewhere? If you want a lightweight, low-drop shoe for fast technical ground, or a dedicated wet-fell shoe for steep, boggy Brecon Beacons days, this is heavier and plusher than you need. For those buyers I would point at the more aggressive options in our best waterproof trainers roundup.
Waterproofing
The Cloudrock Low uses On's own proprietary waterproof membrane rather than GORE-TEX, bonded to a 100% recycled polyester upper. In practice it does the job you buy a waterproof shoe for: it keeps rain, puddle splash and shallow stream crossings out, and it holds up on rain-soaked boardwalk and wet grass where a mesh trainer would wet through in minutes.
The honest limit is the one every low-cut waterproof shoe shares: the protection stops at the ankle collar. Step into a bog deeper than the cuff, or take a wave over the top on a tidal coast-path section, and water comes in from above where no membrane can help. On genuine British wet-season fells and deep peat, a mid boot is the right tool. For everyday wet, downland chalk after rain and the sort of day hiking most people actually do, the low cut is dry and far more breathable than a boot.
Because the membrane also slows drying, treat these as a keep-water-out shoe rather than a wade-and-drain one. That fits the everyday-and-travel brief perfectly.
Grip and outsole
The upgraded Missiongrip outsole is the standout. On reworked both the tread pattern and the rubber compound, and it shows on the surfaces that matter in the UK. The short, square lugs give stable, confident ground contact on wet rock and mossy boulders, and they hold on rain-slicked boardwalk where a lot of cushioned crossovers skate.
On firm trail, gravel and hardpack it is planted and predictable. Where it asks for care is deep, soft mud and greasy clay: the lug depth is moderate, tuned for mixed use rather than for clearing thick British bog, so on a churned-up winter path you will feel it start to load up. That is the trade-off for an outsole that also behaves itself on pavement and does not wear quickly on hard surfaces.
For a town-to-trail shoe, the grip is well judged. It reaches further onto technical ground than the styling suggests.
Cushioning and fit
Cushioning is where the Cloudrock Low justifies itself. The Helion Superfoam midsole is plush and springy, with a rockered profile and an 8mm heel-to-toe drop that rolls you through the stride. On long days on hard ground, that cushioning is the difference between fresh feet and sore ones, and it is a big part of why this works so well for travel and everyday wear.
The fit is secure through the midfoot with a comfortable, not overly roomy, toe box. It runs true to size for most feet; if you are between sizes or have a wider foot, size up half a size to leave room for a thicker sock. Lock the lacing down and the heel holds well on descents.
It is worth being clear about weight. This is a heavier shoe than the running-shoe-style trainers it competes with, sitting near 430g per shoe. You feel that on the foot compared to something like the Salomon XT-6 GORE-TEX, but the pay-off is the cushioning and the substantial, protective ride. If you prioritise all-day comfort over a light, nimble feel, that is a trade worth making.
Colours
Buy the On Cloudrock Low Waterproof (Black) at Tiso
The all-Black colourway is the most versatile of the range and the easiest to wear off the trail. It hides trail dirt well and reads as a smart everyday trainer, which is exactly the point of a crossover like this.
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Membrane | On proprietary waterproof membrane |
| Upper | 100% recycled polyester |
| Outsole | Missiongrip (upgraded tread and compound) |
| Midsole | Helion Superfoam |
| Drop | 8mm heel-to-toe |
| Weight | Heavier hiking-shoe class, approx 430g per shoe |
| Price | £170.00 |
| Best for | Everyday, travel and easy-to-moderate day hikes |
Pros and cons
- Plush, springy Helion Superfoam cushioning that stays comfortable on long, hard-surface days
- Upgraded Missiongrip outsole grips wet rock and boardwalk with confidence
- Fully waterproof recycled upper keeps rain and puddle splash out
- Smart, low-key looks that work in town as well as on the trail
- Secure midfoot fit that runs true to size for most feet
- Heavy for its category at around 430g per shoe
- Low cut lets water in over the collar in deep bog or coastal wash
- Moderate lug depth loads up in thick British mud
- £170 is a premium price
- Waterproof membrane means slower drying once wet inside
Verdict
The On Cloudrock Low Waterproof earns 4.6 out of 5. It is one of the best everyday-and-travel crossovers you can buy, with cushioning that carries you through long days on hard ground, a genuinely capable Missiongrip outsole and a waterproof upper that keeps British drizzle where it belongs. It is heavier and pricier than a lot of rivals, and the moderate lugs and low cut mean it is not the shoe for deep bog or steep technical fells. But for the buyer who wants one dry, comfortable, good-looking shoe for town, travel and the coast path, it is an easy recommendation.
If that is you, buy with confidence. For alternatives across the category, our waterproof trainers hub is the place to compare.
Buy the On Cloudrock Low Waterproof at Tiso