After hammering my feet across 200 miles of mountain trails, I needed a shoe that felt like a cloud but handled like a light trail shoe. The On Cloudsoma Moc delivered on all fronts.
I take recovery seriously, and while recovery slides are fine for lounging around the house, they don’t do much when I’d like to get out on the trails for some active recovery, and the last thing I want to do is squeeze my tender feet back into a lace-up shoe.
Enter the On Cloudsoma Moc.
At $140, it’s a futuristic, laceless slip-on that bridges the gap between a cozy post-race house shoe and a light, functional hiking shoe.
I slipped these on after finishing the Bigfoot 200, and they became my go-to for post-race recovery walks and light hikes.
Where my standard open-toe recovery slides left my beat-up toes exposed, the Cloudsoma Moc gave me full, protective coverage without squeezing my swollen feet.
Who Is It Good For?
- Wide Feet: No wide option; consider sizing up if you need more room.
- Technical Trails: Nope, it’s not built for steep mountain scrambling.
- Long Runs: Post-long run, not for the long run.
- Front of the Pack: From front of the pack to back, everyone can use recovery shoes!
This shoe is great for runners looking for a cushioned, easy-on recovery shoe for walks and light hikes. Let’s dive into it:
On Cloudsoma Moc Overview
The On Cloudsoma Moc takes On’s signature Swiss engineering and strips away rigid plates and heavy overlays in favor of a soft, flexible, laceless design.
Visually, it has a sleek, space-age aesthetic with its vibrant Acacia yellow tone, low-profile silhouette, and clean sock-like upper.
If bright yellow isn’t your thing, On also makes a stealthy Black/Black version that delivers all the same performance without making you look like a walking traffic cone.
Underfoot, On ditched the open pod holes for their CloudTec Connect structural cushioning paired with Helion foam.
This gives it a smooth, low-to-the-ground feel that absorbs shock while encouraging your foot’s natural movement.
For traction, On wrapped the bottom with a flexible Missiongrip rubber outsole. This gave me legit grip on loose gravel and dirt paths during my post-race hikes (something no foam slide could ever manage).
The upper is made from a lightweight, recycled polyester fabric with a soft lining designed to reduce pressure points around the top of the foot.
Plus, the collapsible heel lets you wear it as a traditional shoe or stomp the back down for an effortless slide-style entry when you’re hanging out at camp or the hotel.
On Cloudsoma Moc Specifications
Testing these in Acacia yellow felt like wearing a pair of high-visibility neon signposts on my feet, a bit much for my personal taste. Thankfully, they do come in black for those who want a more subtle look.
Quick Take
Pros
- Pull tabs on heel and upper for easy step-in
- Great traction
-
Closed-toe keeps rocks and debris away from your feet
Cons
- Snug fit – consider sizing up
- Not suitable for technical trails or steep mountain terrain
On Cloudsoma Moc Fit
Length: True to size
Width: Slightly narrow
Toe Box: Standard
Arch: Supportive
Volume: Standard
Fit is crucial with this shoe, especially since it’s a laceless bootie construction with zero adjustment capabilities. I recommend (so does the On website) sizing up at least 1 full size and maybe more if your feet swell after an ultra or if you plan to wear thick hiking socks.
Because it relies on a stretchy, sock-like upper rather than traditional laces, the out-of-the-box fit is quite snug through the midfoot and toe box.
I found that going up a size gave my beat-up toes the exact room they needed to splay without feeling constricted or rubbing against the front rand.
The laceless upper eliminates lace bite entirely, which was a huge relief for the top of my swollen feet after 200 miles of lace pressure.
The pull tabs on the tongue and heel make stepping in easy, and the collapsible heel transforms the fit into a slip-on when I just don’t have the energy to pull on a shoe- it happens!
Cloud Cloudsoma Feel
On the trail and around camp, the Cloudsoma Moc delivers a soft, flexible, and grounded ride.
The CloudTec Connect midsole feels plush, providing gentle shock absorption that cushioned my sore heels on hard-packed dirt and pavement.
The Missiongrip outsole was a game-changer for recovery walks. Instead of slipping around on pine needles or tipping over on loose rocks as I would in open-toed recovery sandals, I had actual traction.
It protected my toes from kicking rocks, kept dirt from coating my feet, and gave me enough structure to log 2- to 3-mile recovery strolls comfortably.
While it isn’t built for technical trail hiking, it is great as a protective and comfortable post-race recovery shoe option.
What other shoes are similar to the On Cloudsoma Moc? We’ve tested a few that feel similar, but different based on the brand fit: I thought it easily outperformed standard slides, allowing me to step off the patio and onto the trail. The On Cloudsoma Moc is a great recovery shoe for runners who want more protection and traction than open-toed slides. The cushioning and ability to handle light hikes are also big pluses. However, the snug fit means you should size up, and it’s technical-trail-ready, but it’s a great post-race recovery option. If you are looking for a quick slip-on hiking shoe for mellow trails, this is pretty ideal. The post On Cloudsoma Moc Review | The Post-Race Recovery Slip-On appeared first on RunToTheFinish.
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