11 Finest On Cloud Footwear, Based on Podiatrists | 2025 Picks

There’s a motive why everybody out of your dentist to your private coach is sporting the perfect On Cloud footwear—and it’s not simply because these holey soles look so snazzy. “They cushion each step that you simply take,” New York podiatrist Brad Schaeffer, DPM, tells SELF. That’s due to the Swiss model’s signature CloudTec cushioning (a.ok.a. these gaps underfoot), which presents consolation and stability. These kicks are so good, in truth, that Dr. Schaeffer not solely recommends them to sufferers—he additionally owns a number of pairs himself.

However what’s the distinction between the model’s prime fashions? To search out out, we requested podiatrists which On sneakers have been made for strolling, working, and extra, and examined a few of them ourselves. Whether or not you’re a runner, a walker, or you’ve gotten a job that retains you in your toes all day, these are our favourite On pairs to buy now.

Our prime picks

1. Finest Total: Cloudswift 4, $160
2. Finest for Strolling: Cloud 6, $150
3. Finest for Working: Cloudflow 4, $172 $160
4. Finest for Standing All Day: Cloudmonster 2, $180
5. Finest for the Treadmill: Cloudsurfer 2, $160
6. Finest for Fitness center Exercises: Cloud X 4, $150
7. Finest for Power Coaching: Cloudpulse, $150
8. Finest for Lengthy Distances: Cloudstratus 3, $125 $105
9. Finest for Flat Toes: Cloudflyer 5, $170
10. Finest for Plantar Fasciitis: Cloudrunner 2, $165
11. Finest for Vast Toes: Cloudgo Vast, $85

Store the perfect On Cloud footwear

Finest Total: Cloudswift 4

For a stable on a regular basis shoe, it’s arduous to beat the Cloudswift, Texas-based podiatrist Anne Sharkey, DPM, tells SELF. “It has just a little bit extra amped-up help than a daily informal shoe,” she says. “[For] a university pupil or somebody who’s in an city space they usually’re going to run to catch the prepare, I like the Cloudswift.”

Designed for working on arduous concrete, this sneaker has simply sufficient cushion to melt your landings with out feeling wobbly underfoot. In the meantime, the sock-like knit higher comfortably suits totally different foot shapes and strikes with you to forestall blisters, whereas additional padding within the heel creates a safe match. However you don’t should be a runner to understand the plush “superfoam” within the sole—it really works simply as effectively for day-to-day metropolis residing too.

Finest for Strolling: Cloud 6

Certain, you may go for a stroll in a Converse-style sneaker that’s utterly flat—however your joints would possibly begin to complain after some time. As an alternative, Dr. Sharkey recommends making an attempt the Cloud 6, which presents comfy cushioning in a 7.6-ounce design that received’t weigh you down when you stroll.

Bonus: The elastic laces aid you slip these sneaks on rapidly with out having to fiddle with knots. (The most recent model makes this even simpler, with an extra-wide opening.) However the footwear additionally include a pair of conventional laces for higher ankle help for those who want it, Houston-based podiatrist Hira Mirza, DPM, tells SELF.

Finest for Working: Cloudflow 4

Weighing simply over seven ounces, the Cloudflow 4 is certainly one of On’s lightest footwear, making it “a very nice coaching shoe [for] pace work,” Dr. Sharkey says. It doesn’t have all of the cushion you’d need for working longer distances, like a marathon (for that, take a look at the Cloudstratus 3 beneath). However once you’ve acquired intervals or tempo periods on the schedule, this shoe’s spoon-shaped “speedboard” gives you a lift. Even higher, the breathable higher will maintain your toes from overheating.

Finest for Standing All Day: Cloudmonster 2

Airports, lengthy strains, and busy days at work are not any match for the Cloudmonster 2. “It’s within the working shoe class, nevertheless it’s only a actually delicate, cushioned shoe for shock absorption, which is nice when you have plenty of strolling combined with stationary standing,” Dr. Sharkey says. For folks like nurses or retail staff who’re caught on arduous surfaces (like tile or concrete) all day, that additional plushness will assist maintain your toes pleased. Dr. Schaeffer provides that it might offload some stress for these scuffling with ache within the balls of their toes too.

Additionally key: how sturdy these are. I’ve had my pair for over a 12 months, and I lace them up frequently for lengthy walks, runs of all distances, and sightseeing days. So long as I’ve acquired these on, I do know I received’t find yourself with achy toes.

Finest for the Treadmill: Cloudsurfer 2

For essentially the most half, any stable each day coach could make for an excellent treadmill shoe—so long as it is agency, just like the Cloudsurfer 2. “What’s good about treadmills is that they’re not as arduous as working on a road, so you may get away with [wearing a shoe that has] rather less cushion,” Dr. Schaeffer says.

The Cloudsurfer 2 has a delicate rocker backside with a nine-millimeter heel drop (which means it’s acquired that rather more foam beneath the heel than the toe). These design options offer you a pleasant, clean stride, even once you’re working to nowhere on that tread belt. However I’d counsel saving this one for shorter runs—when the mileage actually begins so as to add up, I’ve discovered that this shoe begins feeling clunkier and heavier.

Finest for Fitness center Exercises: Cloud X 4

The Cloud X 4 can simply transition from bootcamp class to Zumba or the burden room. This shoe options ethereal mesh over your toes, however has a stiffer cage across the midfoot for some additional stability. Plus, the heel is comfortable and inflexible, to maintain your foot proper the place you need it (whether or not you’re doing lunges or facet steps)—though there’s nonetheless loads of padding to maintain you cozy.

Finest for Power Coaching: Cloudpulse

For power coaching, you need a agency, sturdy shoe that helps you’re feeling grounded, just like the SELF editor-approved Cloudpulse. Right here, On’s Cloudtec pods are much more low-key, with simply 4 small, slim holes that offer you a little bit of bounce however principally maintain you steady on the ground.

The shoe is thicker within the midfoot than the forefoot, with a large platform and a clip close to the arch that provides lateral help for step exercises and plyometrics. So if you wish to do some burpees, you’re good to go. However I’ve discovered that these are greatest for giving me nice grip on the bottom once I’m lifting heavy throughout squats or deadlifts. Additionally appreciated: The enjoyable model levels-up my gymnasium ‘match.

Finest for Lengthy Distances: Cloudstratus 3

Feeling the street an excessive amount of when your mileage creeps into the double digits? Take a look at the ultra-cushioned Cloudstratus 3. “[On] takes their CloudTec and places it in two layers versus one, amping up the shock absorption,” Dr. Sharkey says. “That’s going to provide you consolation over the lengthy haul.”

In the meantime, the nylon speedboard and rocker backside maximize your ahead momentum, so even when your leg muscular tissues begin to get drained, you’ll nonetheless really feel such as you’re on a roll.

Finest for Flat Toes: Cloudflyer 5

You probably have flat toes (which means your arches are nearly or completely flush with the ground once you arise, as SELF has beforehand reported), this stability shoe must be your go-to, based on the podiatrists we spoke with. “Consider the shoe as offering the steadiness that your personal foot will not be,” Dr. Sharkey says. That’s as a result of the Cloudflyer 5 has nice arch help and doesn’t bend within the center, which implies it should maintain your toes steady, Dr. Mirza explains. “And the heel cup of the shoe is sturdier,” she provides.