When is the best time for a runner to test walking shoes? Honestly, all the time, I never stop walking. But when injured there’s extra time, so I needed to find out if the On Cloudtilt hype was really worth it.
Having spent a lot of miles running and walking in SO MANY On shoes that I may be a harsher judge.
That being said, I spent 4 whole days with a group of kids on spring break showing them all over Denver and standing through a Nuggets game…so I can definitely say these are comfortable and feel more stylish than many of my sneakers.
Who Is It Good For?
Who is the On Cloudtilt a good fit for? Let’s break it down with some common categories:
- Walking Workouts: Probably not one I’d pound the pavement in for long miles.
- Wide Feet: Roomier fit than many shoes, but not available in wide.
- Standing All Day: Could definitely hang around in these.
- Daily Wear: Designed with casual wear in mind.
The On Cloudtilt is a great casual travel, walking, hang around shoe. As you’ll see, we might be leaning more towards the On Cloudsurfer 2 depending on your needs.
On Cloudtilt Overview
Anyone else never untie their shoes? My first step in was fabulous because there was nothing to consider tying! Instead, we’ve got a nice knotted bungee lace which allows for a roomy fit and easy step in.
Some of On’s casual shoes are really firm, so it was pleasant to find this is a moderately cushioned shoe. This is why I’d say it wouldn’t be my On Cloud walking shoe for standing all day, but I’ve certainly worn it all day to run errands as a comfortable casual shoe.
Interestingly we heard another reviewer say they don’t mind standing all day at work in them, but wouldn’t take them out for a long walk. And that actually makes a lot of sense to us. They are really comfy, but if I’m hoofing it, I want some more cushion.
It’s lightweight and generally available in really classic colors, so you can match it to anything.
Having just spent a lot of time testing the new On Cloudsurfer 2, I feel really biased. If I had to pick between the two, I’d hands down always chose the Cloudsurfer 2 for long days on my feet. It’s $10 cheaper and yet more focused on all day comfort.
I think the Cloudtilt was a go to walking shoe, until they released this even better Cloudsurfer 2. Now the Cloudtilt is absolutely lighter and probably goes even farther in to the casual look, so it’s going to depend on what you need from a shoe!
In terms of bang for buck, I also think the Cloudsurfer is going to be more durable. They’re thinking about runners and long mileage with that shoe.
On the flip side, we’ve also tested out the Cloudflyer 5 and it’s going to be firmer than both of these shoes. It’s going to provide more support and be a better option for some of our heavier walkers who need durability and some foot guidance.
We admit to wondering if the hype around this shoe mostly came from a celebrity face? We love On Running shoes, but feel like they’ve made better options for less.
On Cloudtilt Specs
Let’s look at some of the details:
- Weight: 10.6 oz Men’s, 8 oz Women’s
- Heel drop: 7 mm
- Available in 7 colors (and some limited edition options)
- Not available in wide
- Available from On.com for $160
The outsole doesn’t have much grip, so just consider that if you’re wearing them when it’s rainy or on any slicker surfaces. It’s probably also not the shoe we’d recommend for our heavier walkers. It just needs a little bit more support.
On Cloudtilt Fit
Similar size to what I’d wear in running shoes. If you’ve never purchased running shoes, but are looking for something to wear all day long then I recommend going up 1/2 size from your casual shoes.
I swear you’ll be surprised how much more comfortable your sneakers are after 5 or 6 hours when you size up.
The rest of the fit is a little roomier, but not loose. Just know that again my feet can breathe as the will swell the longer and longer you are standing. While it’s not a wide toe box shoe, it didn’t feel narrow or constricting.
Similar Walking Shoes to On Cloudtilt
Not sure if this is the walking shoe for you, we get it. Here are some others we recommend:
- Kuru Atom 2 – Great for those with Plantar Fasciitis
- Hoka Bondi 9 – A lot more cushion, but a lot less fashionable
- New Balance 860 – Providing a little more stability, similar cushion
And of course, we already mentioned the On Cloudsurfer 2, but we hope you’ll check it out because we think it’s a great option for so many.Turns out walking shoes are just as much fun to review as running shoes, so maybe I’ll be amping up those miles as well! Perfect excuse to enjoy more of the great weather.
Hopefully this On Cloudtilt review gave you some good insights, but always happy to answer any other questions!
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