ON Cloudvista 2 Introduction
The Cloudvista 2 is On’s mid-cushioned road-to-trail runner designed to be comfortable and fast for shorter efforts on variable, mild terrain. It’s one of the lightest shoes in the On trail running collection – it’s more plush than the trail-race oriented Cloudventure Peak and less technical than the Cloudsurfer Trail. With speed, responsiveness, and versatility as focuses, it makes shorter runs in the mountains a “more fun and faster ride.”
At $150 for a pair, the Cloudvista 2 is comparable in price to all-terrain competitors like the Nike Trail Pegasus Trail 5 ($150 MSRP) and Hoka Challenger ATR 7 ($145). At 8.6 oz for women’s (10.8 oz. men), the CloudVista 2 is a similar weight to the Pegasus 5 (8.6 oz. womens, 10.5 oz. mens) and heavier than the Challenger 7 (7.7 oz. womens, 8.9 oz. mens).
The Cloudvista 2 is re-engineered from its first version with a more pronounced rocker motion, additional cushioning, a higher stack height, and added rebound from new technology in the two-prong Speedboard®. The Speedboard® is designed to increase speed and energy return. For me, this was one of the most noticeable features of the Cloudvista 2.
ON Cloudvista 2 Impressions
I tested the Cloudvista 2 on everything from dry and snowy roads to steep and technical terrain to sandy beach trails. The speed and responsiveness experienced from my first run was consistent over subsequent runs on my everyday road to trail route. These flew on non-technical hard-packed dirt and grass trails and tarmac, which were their most practical use case.
Despite being a little heavier than its competitors, it felt easy to run fast in these in ideal conditions. On sandy, rocky trails these were sufficient; but in loose sand, the joy of running in them was diminished without the benefit of the midsole responsiveness. In snow and ice, they run a little cold (so wear wool socks) and performed on hard packed snow but were slick on ice.
The higher stack height and softer cushioning of the Cloudvista 2 compared to its predecessor distinguishes it as more versatile and comfortable for trail efforts. Despite additional protection from impact and underfoot hazards, it is still a shoe best suited for and more fun on shorter, less technical efforts.
On steep, slippery, or muddy terrain, traction was lacking compared to something with larger lugs; and thus, they were not optimal for a trail with a lot of climbing and technical terrain.
During short efforts of 3-7 miles, these were comfortable underfoot and in the upper. The upper and lace system facilitated secure lockdown. However, after several hours of wearing these, there were pressure spots on the top of my foot that required me to loosen the laces.
These were best for shorter training runs and speedwork on varied, non-technical terrain. I would also consider these for a short or mid-distance race (under half-marathon) if you are willing to sacrifice some weight for responsiveness.
ON Cloudvista 2 Protection
The On Cloudvista 2 provides adequate protection for the use cases it is designed for. While it does not feature a traditional toe box, the slightly higher stack height offers protection from most hazards on non-technical terrain. The upper material has a tight weave that makes it difficult for debris to penetrate and prevents it from entering the shoe. This is particularly useful when running on trails with loose dirt or small rocks.
However, the shoe does have some limitations in terms of protection. It tends to get cold in cold weather, so wearing wool socks is recommended for added warmth. Additionally, the shoe does not drain well, which can be a concern when running through puddles or wet conditions. Despite these drawbacks, the Cloudvista 2 offers sufficient protection for shorter, less technical trail runs.
ON Cloudvista 2 Durability
After over fifty miles in the Cloudvista 2, there is minimal wear anywhere on the shoe. The engineered mesh upper is resistant to abrasive damage and the MissionGrip rubber compound outsole shows minimal wear.
While these shoes are not designed for a longer distance race, durability would not be a limiting factor. Overall, the Cloudvista 2 offers a durable and reliable option for trail runners looking for a shoe that can withstand various conditions and maintain its performance over time.
Despite these being a mostly white shoe, they have generally retained a crisp and clean appearance over many miles, dirt, snow, and grass. While they did take on a red tint after a day on the rocks on Kauai, they have since gone back to their original color. If you are looking to use these for casual wear in addition to road and trail runs, they are fairly resistant to dirt.
ON Cloudvista 2 Responsiveness & speed
The On Cloudvista 2 is designed with responsiveness and speed in mind, making it a pleasure to run in on less technical terrain. Upgrades to a more pronounced rocker motion and additional cushioning contribute to a faster and more responsive ride making it feel easy to hit top speed.
The Helion™ superfoam midsole offers a firm and responsive feel underfoot, providing a noticeable energy return. This makes the shoe ideal for shorter efforts on variable, mild terrain, where speed and responsiveness are crucial and worth considering on a fast course.
When pushing off on hard packed dirt and sand or tarmac, the Missiongrip™ rubber outsole is adequate for forward propulsion. However, the shorter lugs were a liability in muddy and more slippery terrain.
ON Cloudvista 2 Comfort and fit
The Cloudvista 2 ran small for me, so I had to size up half a size. For reference, Hoka’s fit me true to size, but I size up half a size in Asics and Nike. Because the upper is thin overall, there is a lot of volume in the midfoot, but the lace system facilitated a secure lockdown for those with a lower volume or average width foot.
The heel cup has some padding on the collar and heel, which adds to the overall comfort. However, the fully-gusseted tongue is thin and flat with no cushioning, which can cause uncomfortable pressure on the top of the foot if the laces are tied too tightly. This was particularly noticeable after several hours of wear, such as during international travel. I needed to loosen the laces for relief.
In hotter, more humid temperatures, the upper was breathable to prevent overheating.
ON Cloudvista 2 Conclusions
The On Cloudvista 2 exceeded my expectations for an all-terrain running shoe. Despite not being the lightest trail running shoe compared to its competitors, it felt light and responsive on the run. Its fast and responsive ride on a range of terrain (from tarmac to hard packed trails) accessible from my house was standout for me.
Features like the increased cushioning and stack height make these more versatile on the trail and integration of the Speedboard® make it more fun and faster than its predecessor.
While there were some issues with comfort over longer efforts and performance on technical terrain, utilizing the Cloudvista 2 for its intended conditions and distance make it worth considering for those who have non-technical trails near their house that they want to run to or who run distances under 8 miles over mild, yet variable terrain.
