These Comfy Hiking Boots Double As Running Shoes

When I travel, I like to keep active. You see, I’m a runner: I average about 10 miles a day, six days a week (much to the dismay of my acupuncturist, who tells me I have to slow down). I also adore hiking; recently, I climbed the Breithorn, a 4,000-meter mountain in Switzerland. So, you could say I’m an expert when it comes to picking the best trail shoes.

Comfort is key for me when it comes to hiking, runs, and just trying to make the most of Mother Nature when I am on vacation — so I am constantly looking for that “perfect” boot that takes me from cities to forest trails to impromptu hikes without causing blisters or sores on my feet. One of my favorite hiking boots for the job that I’ve already put on many times this season is the On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boot. 

On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots

This comfy, sporty boot was designed to take you seamlessly from hiking to trail running, as well as stand up to the elements with its waterproof construction. Plus, it has all the ankle support and grippy traction you need to take on any trail — and comes in five colors in women’s sizes 5 to 11 to boot. So, allow me to introduce you.

ON Running is a relatively new Swiss brand that specializes in running shoes for top triathletes (even Swiss tennis ace Roger Federer has given this brand their stamp of approval), and I’ve been running in their shoes for more than 10 years. So when the Swiss-shoe brand released hiking boots a couple of years ago, I was intrigued and decided to try one of their boots (the original Cloudrock hiking boot). Since then, I have tested out their new range on all kinds of terrain: trail running in the cheese-making region of Gruyères, Switzerland in spring, climbing the hills of Zermatt during the summer and fall, as well as going on simple morning hikes through the French-speaking wine region of Lavaux on Lake Geneva. 

The On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots have all the hallmarks of a typical ON shoe. The most noticeable is the “cloud-like” pattern at the base of the shoe which the brands says makes you feel like you are walking on clouds. It’s a great motto, but I have to be honest: Hiking some of Switzerland’s hilly mountains and going from 1,000 meters to 1,600 meters is not light work no matter how you slice it. With that said, the On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots are definitely comfortable, and I was not disappointed with the lightweight material, functionality, and overall precision in design.

On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots

Though I admit the On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots definitely come with a hefty price tag when compared to other great hiking shoes by well-known brands like Merrell and Columbia, there are some stellar points that make this shoe worthy of an investment. First up, the hiking boot definitely feels like a trail running shoe and hiking boots, so if you need further convincing, rest assured you feel like you’re really getting two shoes for the price of one. 

You can go from trail to hike in your On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots and not feel like you are in the wrong pair of shoes — not many hiking boots offer that flexibility because they are rigid, heavy, and specialized only for hikes (and not runs). The only real difference between ON’s cloudrock hiking boot and a trail running shoe is that the mid-cut collars offer much better over-the-ankle protection, which is necessary for moments when you lose your footing or accidentally twist your ankle on a large rock. In those moments, the shoe stabilizes your ankle so you don’t roll it.

Other perks I love? The boot is incredibly light, which I found out after hiking more than a few miles around the Arctic on a recent trip to Lapland. Compared to my other favorite hiking boot by Merrell, the Moab 3, the ON Cloudrock 2 boot comes in at just .9 pounds, which is considerably less than other boots, which are closer to 2 pounds. For novice hikers, this is a blessing in disguise, because there is nothing worse than feeling heavy on your feet as you climb unexpected mountains or hills through slushy or unpredictable terrain in the Alps or in Northern Sweden. 

On my self-guided coastal drive around Lapland, the On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots were also perfect for mild walks around my eco-lodge, Arctic Retreat, where I explored Sweden’s deep forests at the foot of the Raven Rapid in the Rane River Valley. I even wore the shoes walking around a little known city, Skellefteå, and didn’t feel like I was “out of place.” (I have yet to try them out during a Moose Safari, but I want to!)

On Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots

Like most ON shoes, the grip is a huge benefit to people who want to wear their hiking boots during the winter. I don’t think it is particularly great for snow (as an Aussie, I slip on the tiniest little patches of ice!), but the brand’s signature “Missiongrip” rubber sole does have decent traction on wet surfaces when it rains, which is very much appreciated for someone who gets scared at a sudden change in terrain when hiking.

Another perk for me with this boot is the waterproof material. The boot definitely has breathability, and I never felt like my foot was suffocating in sweat. I have friends who have said that after clocking more than 160 miles, the waterproof protection layer does wear off a little but unless you are treating your ON Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots as a trail running shoe with ankle support, you won’t come across this as an issue. 

And what about comfort? Like all cushy shoes, the ON shoe is comfortable and I’ve found I can wear it for long hours at a time. The Swiss love their brand so much that you do see locals wear ON shoes in cities like Zurich, around villages like Saarnen and even to your favorite pub for apres-ski drinks when the season rolls around. 

Finally, it might be worth noting that the durability of the shoe goes beyond the longevity of other ON shoes, which can wear out if you are an active runner. Although I have yet to hit more than 150 miles on my current ON Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots, I am not expecting them to wear out as my other ON shoes have shown in the past because of the reinforced toe and heel.

So grab a pair of the ON Cloudrock 2 Waterproof Hiking Boots to see what all the fuss is about for yourself (and plan a trip to Switzerland while you’re at it; it’s gorgeous for hikes). You may just see me sporting another pair on my next hike.

At the time of publishing, the price started at $220. 

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