925 kilometres: that was the total I ran in the On Cloudvista before retiring my pair. They became one of my most frequently chosen shoes, whether I was heading onto roads, into the forest or away on holiday with limited luggage space. Versatility was the main attraction. Durability came with a caveat: noticeable wear was already there at around 500 km.
This review covers the first-generation Cloudvista in the standard version without a waterproof membrane. It draws on more than a year of use, including runs in the Dolomites and Poland’s Bieszczady Mountains. An injury delayed the original review; I later added the final mileage update. These observations do not cover later Cloudvista generations.
On Cloudvista: roads and easier trails
The Cloudvista worked best for me on firm trails, gravel and forest paths, while also handling the road sections comfortably. I often leave home without deciding whether I will stick to the road or turn into the forest. This was exactly the kind of running where I appreciated having the choice.
My first thought was that they looked like a lighter take on the original Cloudultra, with a similar appearance and related sole technologies. That impression concerned the first Cloudultra I had used. For a separate review of a different generation, see my On Cloudultra 2 trail review; the experiences with those generations should be kept separate.
Fit, comfort and a light feel
I tested size EU 45. The shoes held my feet well and felt relatively light on the run despite the large size. I associated that feeling mainly with their springy ride. The good first impression lasted: after more than a year, I still found them comfortable, breathable and easy to reach for.
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The sole: cushioning and ground feel
The Cloudvista uses Helion foam, CloudTec cushioning elements and a Missiongrip outsole. What mattered to me was the experience underfoot: comfortable running on roads and easier paths, with a pleasantly springy feel.
The limitation became clearer on sections with more roots and protruding stones. I could feel those uneven surfaces underfoot. Gravel and less demanding trails therefore stand out as the strongest use case from my time in the shoes. Taking them into the mountains did not mean they were equally comfortable on every technical section.
Running in the rain without a membrane
My pair was the standard breathable version. Water could enter when I stepped into a puddle, but the shoes also dried quickly in my experience. The protection at the front helped shield my toes against knocks; I would not treat it as waterproofing.
I was happy with the grip on the slippery surfaces I encountered. That describes my routes and conditions, rather than promising secure traction on every wet rock. I did not test the waterproof version for this review.
Can you pick up the pace?
Yes, and I did so both on roads and in the Dolomites. I liked the springy feel and the way the shoes held my feet. They felt responsive when I accelerated. I do not have energy-return measurements or a controlled speed comparison, so this is a running impression rather than a laboratory result.
One pair for holidays and unplanned routes
For two consecutive years, I packed the Cloudvista for holidays when luggage space was tight. I used them on roads, gravel, forest paths, beaches and rocky ground. They also worked for walking around town and even for a gravel-bike ride. Those are additional uses from my own experience, rather than claims of specialist suitability for all those activities.
For another account of mixing roads and paths, read my Merrell ProMorph road-to-trail review. It is a separate test, rather than a direct head-to-head comparison with the Cloudvista.
Durability: 925 km, with wear appearing earlier
The final mileage was 925 km. That number needs context: the shoes already looked quite worn at around 500 km. They were still reasonably comfortable to run in, so I kept using them, but the condition of the materials was a clear drawback.
That total is the mileage of my particular pair, rather than a durability guarantee for every runner. I liked the shoes and was reluctant to let them go, but I would weigh their comfort against that earlier wear when considering a purchase.
Verdict: who is the On Cloudvista for?
I would most readily recommend them to someone who mixes roads with easier trails and wants one comfortable pair for varied routes. Breathability, the springy ride and freedom to change surfaces worked well for me. Maximum isolation from stones would not be my main reason to choose them.
My overall impression is positive, with a clear durability caveat. They were among the shoes I reached for most often, but they had shortcomings. Comfort and versatility impressed me more than the condition of the shoes after the first few hundred kilometres.
Explore the other models and their uses in my running shoe review directory.