Our verdict

The Toebox width at the widest part made us forget how many miles we had walked, as each of them felt like a breeze (literally!). If you're looking for a cozy and spacious pal to run errands, go out with friends, or just stay the whole day on your feet, you've found it! This On shoe will help you push even through the longest days thanks to its support and comfort. And what's a couple of extra ounces when your feet's happiness is at your fingertips?

Pros

  • Incredibly breathable
  • Tongue: gusset type
  • Heel counter stiffness
  • Difference in stiffness in cold
  • On Cloudnova Form 2 is
  • Nylon Speedboard for energy return
  • Average durability
  • Sustainable materials

Cons

  • oz / 292g
  • No reflective elements

Audience verdict

89
Good!

Who should buy

Do not let the Toebox width at the widest part get away from you if you're looking for:

  • Toebox width - widest part new method.
  • A super breathable and comfortable shoe to show off when temperatures go up.
  • Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit.

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_01

Who shouldn't buy

If you're disappointed with this second iteration because it's heavier than the previous one, then you might as well go for the Cloudnova Form (as long as you don't mind its flimsy upper). However, if you're looking for a real lightweight shoe, as this first version is still slightly heavier than average, we believe you should have a look at this part Toebox width - widest part new method.

Also, if you're a big fan of reflective elements and you don't mind paying a little bit more, here you have the On models with shiny details on them. On the other hand, if you find On shoes too pricey, you might want to have some fun exploring our affordable walking options.

On Toebox width at the widest part-pieces

Cushioning

Heel stack

At 32.9 mm, the Toebox width at the widest part has a heel stack just as high as the average in the walking shoes category.

On Toebox width at the widest part Heel stack_1

It kept us protected and safe from the harshness of urban areas, and even though the feeling wasn't the softest we'd ever tried (we'll talk about this later on), we felt really, really comfortable all-day long!

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_09

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 32.9 mm
Average 32.1 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
14.3 mm
Heel stack
45.7 mm

Forefoot stack

The heel is slightly lower than average, but nothing too big for our feet to actually feel during our wear tests. In fact, if we hadn't measured this in the lab, we might've never realized!

On Toebox width at the widest part Forefoot stack_1

Our caliper returned 19.8 mm, which didn't completely mute the surface, but the cushioning felt great. Overall, we're pretty happy with this shoe's midsole, as it promotes stability (the bottom is not massive) and at the same time shields us from urban surfaces comfortably and easily.

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_011

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 19.8 mm
Average 21.6 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
14.0 mm
Forefoot stack
31.2 mm

Drop

We are happy to announce that the drop we calculated after measuring both heel and forefoot stacks is almost the same as what the brand announces! At 13.1 mm (On officially says it's 14mm), the Toebox width at the widest part has a high drop, just like most walking shoes.

On Toebox width at the widest part Drop_1

But this doesn't mean our feet had to get used to this shoe or anything like that! It felt natural, and we were very comfortable during our wear tests. Even if that meant we had a whole day of walking around town ahead!

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_02

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 13.1 mm
Average 10.5 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.3 mm
Drop
21.4 mm

Midsole softness

Note: a low durometer measurement equals a soft material, whereas a high measurement means it's firm.

As we had already hinted at before, the Toebox width at the widest part doesn't have the softest midsole ever. Nevertheless, at 30.3 HA according to our durometer, it felt really nice and comfortable underfoot.

On Toebox width at the widest part Midsole softness_1

The brand says this shoe uses the Zero-Gravity foam, and we can confirm it felt wonderful underfoot thanks to our wear tests around town. The shoe also includes a nylon Speedboard that offers energy return, but the feeling is no way near the one affordable walking options.

The Speedboard focuses on being comfortable and flexible. After all, the Toebox width at the widest part is designed for walking!

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_04

But wait, because that's not all. This midsole is made using renewable materials, with 20% less CO2 emissions compared to standard EVA midsoles.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 30.3 HA
Average 26.1 HA
oz / 266g.
Compared to 36 walking shoes
Number of shoes
7.8 HA
Midsole softness (soft to firm)
39.4 HA

Midsole softness in cold (%)

In order to see if this On pair could keep its composure when temperatures dropped, we put it inside of our freezer for a good 20 minutes.

On Toebox width at the widest part best shoes for nurses_1

Then we grabbed our durometer and checked the midsole again. At 36.0 HA, it's become stiffer than average. Nevertheless, the difference between the figures is lower than what most walking shoes score. Losing only 19% of its softness, the Toebox width at the widest part should be comfortable enough to enjoy during winter.

Just don't forget this On pair has a really breathable upper! If you want to wear it when it's cold, we believe it's better to put on some thick fluffy socks to stop the air from making your feet a couple of ice cubes.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 19%
Average 31%
Compared to 36 walking shoes
Number of shoes
7%
Midsole softness in cold
71%

Insole thickness

At 4.5 mm, this shoe's insole is slightly thinner than average. We didn't feel the difference on foot, and the best part is that this made the overall design lighter! So yeah, win-win situation.

On Toebox width at the widest part Insole thickness_1

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 4.5 mm
Average 5.8 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
3.5 mm
Insole thickness
10.3 mm

Size and fit

Size

On Toebox width at the widest part is true to size (28 votes).

Owners of this shoe, how does this shoe fit?

1 size small ½ size small True to size ½ size large 1 size large
Compared to 36 walking shoes
Number of shoes
½ size small
Slightly small
True to size
Slightly large
½ size large

Toebox width - widest part

Despite the Toebox width at the widest part's massively wide midsole, its upper fit is pretty moderate. Its toebox in particular fit exactly the same as the average walking shoe.

In addition to our own wear tests, we also used a custom gel to pour a mold of the shoe's interior shape.

Once the gel cooled off, our caliper measurement confirmed the initial impression. In the widest part of its forefoot, the shoe offers a standard 95.7 mm of width.

On Toebox width at the widest part Toebox width - widest part
Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 95.7 mm
Average 94.3 mm
Compared to 18 walking shoes
Number of shoes
90.4 mm
Toebox width - widest part
98.7 mm

Toebox width - big toe

The taper angle is also pretty mild in the Toebox width at the widest part. Applying our caliper to the big toe area of the toebox, we got another standard reading of 71.2 mm.

On Toebox width at the widest part Toebox width - big toe
Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 71.2 mm
Average 71.2 mm
Compared to 18 walking shoes
Number of shoes
68.3 mm
Toebox width - big toe
74.9 mm

Toebox height

We found no deviations from the average in the toebox height either. At 26.2 mm, it is exactly the same as the average.

On Toebox width at the widest part Toebox height
Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 26.2 mm
Average 26.2 mm
Compared to 18 walking shoes
Number of shoes
22.5 mm
Toebox height
29.7 mm

Stability

Lateral stability test

This semi-transparent upper felt really soft, but that doesn't mean it didn't offer containment.

As you can see, it doesn't really let our ankles overextend to a dangerous position. But, at the same time, it's important to state clearly that it doesn't offer any specific stability. There are other models that include stability features to give some extra support to your foot if needed. Click here We can happily tell you that the heel padding followed the toeboxs example!

Torsional rigidity

Sometimes we run into shoes that make our thumbs struggle so much, we oftentimes believe we might end up with a cramp! But the Toebox width at the widest part wasn't like a brick, thankfully. This doesn't mean that it was as soft as chewing gum either. Wait, okay, let us just show you the video first and explain later.

As you can see, twisting and bending it wasn't super hard, but it didn't really give in much. Its midsole made sure our fingers didn't have it easy, so we decided to give this On pair a half-way 3/5 on our torsional rigidity test! (Where 5 is the most rigid).

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_012

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 3
Average 2.8
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Torsional rigidity
5

Heel counter stiffness

Toebox width at the big toe.

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_07

As you can see, the sides of the structure, where our ankle bones fit, are lower to give the joint plenty of mobility. However, the back focuses on keeping our Achilles safe and our feet right where they should be.

Consequently, the sides of the heel collar of this On shoe are pretty soft, yet the rear part stood its ground when we tried to push it with our thumb. And... what does that mean? That's right, support! So we have decided to give it a fair 3/5 on our stiffness test.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 3
Average 2.3
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel counter stiffness
5

It was time for another freezing 

A wider platform to land on even if we're not running is always a pleasure. And the Toebox width at the widest part is ready to oblige!

On Toebox width at the widest part Midsole width in the forefoot_1

At a crazy 119.1 mm, this shoe's midsole width in the forefoot is far wider than average! Our feet had plenty of space to readjust themselves and move comfortably. Nevertheless, and contrary to what this might make you think, our feet were not dancing around during our wear tests.

We could always tighten the laces, and if we add that to the support the heel offers, our feet get to enjoy a comfortable, easy, and stable ride. The best part is that this On pair doesn't feature intrusive supportive elements, and it's not too rigid to need a break-in period.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 119.1 mm
Average 111.9 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
98.8 mm
It was time for another freezing 
124.1 mm

Midsole width - heel

It must be our lucky day, as the midsole width in the heel of the Toebox width at the widest part follows the same logic.

On Toebox width at the widest part Midsole width in the heel_1

At 98.0 mm, it provided us with a wide platform to land once again. What we loved the most about this is that, when you walk, the part of your foot that lands first is the heel. In other words, the order is: rearfoot, midfoot, forefoot, and repeat!

This means that our ride was always stable, even from the very first moment our feet touched the floor.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 98.0 mm
Average 90.3 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
75.6 mm
Midsole width - heel
104.0 mm

Flexibility / Stiffness

Despite being stable, the Toebox width at the widest part wasn't too hard to flex. Our feet agreed, as it was comfortable right out of the box.

In fact, we only needed 19.4N of force to bend it all the way up to 90 degrees. This translated into an easy ride and smooth transitions during our wear tests, which is something we really appreciate. You know, after all, walking shoes are designed for walking (duh!), so they kind of need to make our feet fall in love with their features in order for us not to ditch them for a different pair.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 19.4N
Average 20.3N
We use an average of four tests. The video shows one of those tests.
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1.1N
Flexibility <> Stiffness
35.8N

Toebox width at the big toe (%)

It was time for another freezing siesta next to our ice-cream! After 20 minutes, we woke this On pair up and performed the same flex test. This time, we needed 34.1N of force to bend it to the same point.

This meant the shoe had stiffened up a whole 76.4%, which trust us, is a lot! Consequently, it might feel slightly different during winter, as the structure won't follow the feet moves as smoothly.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 76%
Average 46%
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
4%
Toebox width at the big toe
139%

Weight

During our wear tests, we didn't feel this shoe was heavy at all! Our feet were pretty happy with it, and its breathable upper just made the whole experience even better.

On Toebox width at the widest part Weight-1

When we took it to our lab, our scale returned 10.3 oz/292.0g, which is just slightly higher than average. A difference of only 3% between the Toebox width at the widest part and the average was unnoticeable for our feet, and we believe you'll most likely feel the same way.

In other words, we can't say this On pair feels like a couple of feathers, but it definitely didn't make our feet more tired than they should either! Walking around town, going to work, heading to the supermarket, or just grabbing a drink all felt wonderful when we wore this shoe. Especially in the summer!

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 10.30 oz (292g)
Average 9.98 oz (283g)
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
6.17 oz (175g)
Weight
14.25 oz (404g)

Breathability

Honestly, as soon as we took this shoe out of its box we already knew its breathability was gonna be over the top. Yeah, yeah, some pairs look tricky, but after our light test, this one was clearly saying: "Please wear me in the summer!".

As you can see, the light shines through the upper material easily. This helped us spot all the ventilation holes this shoe was making use of to keep our feet fresh and happy during our wear tests.

And it didn't disappoint when we grabbed our smoke machine! This is what we call a perfect performance: a big, constant, and toebox-located column of smoke coming out of the shoe easily. On the other hand, we have the Hoka Bondi SR, Midsole softness soft to firm.

On Toebox width at the widest part Breathability_3

Just by looking at the picture our microscope shows might not be enough to guess if this material is breathable or not. We can see thicker and thinner threads, but we always need a closer look to check if there are other layers hidden underneath.

On Toebox width at the widest part Breathability_4

The ventilation gaps are clearly visible here. Taking all this into account, we have decided to give the Toebox width at the widest part a perfect score of 5/5 on our breathability test.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 5
Average 2.9
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Breathability
5

Durability

Toebox durability

It's pretty much undeniable: shoes that get a high score on breathability usually feature flimsier uppers. There are always exceptions to the rule, that's for sure. Let's see if the Toebox width at the widest part is one!

In order to check this, we grabbed our Dremel and started drilling this shoe's toebox with 3.2N of force and at 5K RPM. Even though we wanted to look away when we saw black threads flying around, we stayed strong and breathed deeply... it was time to see the final results!

On Toebox width at the widest part Toebox durability_3

Alright, not bad! Not bad at all, actually. Let's not forget that this On pair got a 5/5 on our breathability test. Also, as you can see, the Dremel barely caught the protective layer of the toebox, which means the upper was completely exposed!

On Toebox width at the widest part Toebox durability_2

In comparison to the On Cloudrift (on the right), the Toebox width at the widest part shines even brighter. As you can see in the picture, the Cloudrift ended up with a real hole in its upper! It couldn't withstand the Dremel's abrasive power (totally understandable, though) and it lost its integrity completely.

Nevertheless, the Toebox width at the widest part managed to avoid being fatally injured. To give it proper credit for that, we have decided it deserves an average 3/5 on our toebox durability test.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 3
Average 3.2
Compared to 31 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Toebox durability
5

Heel padding durability

We can happily tell you that the heel padding followed the toebox's example.

Once again, we freaked out just a little bit at the beginning when we saw black threads fly away and pop like popcorn. Nevertheless, when we lifted the Dremel, we were pretty happy with the result!

On Toebox width at the widest part Heel padding durability_3

The damages of the tool are clearly visible, and that's a fact. Nevertheless, the Toebox width at the widest part fought with all its might, so we believe it deserves another 3/5 on durability.

On Toebox width at the widest part Heel padding durability_2

Even though we usually use the comparison between 2 shoes to illustrate how terrible the performance of one of them is on one of our tests, we're doing quite the opposite right now. Wait, let us explain ourselves: in this case, the unbeatable Skechers Summits (on the right) show minimal to no damage and, the Toebox width at the widest part (left) ended up a little bit wounded, but nothing crazy!

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 3
Average 2.3
Compared to 30 walking shoes
Number of shoes
1
Heel padding durability
5

Outsole hardness

Following what's typical from On, the Toebox width at the widest part features a mix of exposed foam and rubber on its outsole. We always put our durometer on the same spot, so this time we measured the hardness of one of the rubber-covered areas.

On Toebox width at the widest part Outsole hardness_1

It returned 83.5 HC, which is higher than average. This means the material focuses more on durability than on traction. Well, or that's how it should be, right Dremel?

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 83.5 HC
Average 77.6 HC
oz / 266g.
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
50.1 HC
Outsole hardness
92.0 HC

Outsole durability

The tool took no time to respond, as it drilled this On's pair outsole non-stop for 22 seconds with 3.2N of force and at 10K RPM this time.

After what we believe must have felt like an eternity to the Toebox width at the widest part, we finally put the tool aside and saw the damage was not too big.

On Toebox width at the widest part Outsole durability_2

After measuring it with our tread gauge, it returned 1.0 mm, which is less than average. This shows the rubber part of this On's outsole is ready to resist the constant abrasion of urban surfaces!

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 1.0 mm
Average 1.4 mm
Compared to 30 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole wear
2.0 mm

Outsole thickness

We completely agree with On regarding the choice of this shoe's outsole thickness.

On Toebox width at the widest part Outsole thickness_1

Our caliper returned 2.7 mm, which is lower than average. As the rubber of this shoe focuses on durability, using a thicker piece would just add some unneeded extra weight to the shoe. And we definitely don't want that!

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 2.7 mm
Average 3.0 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.0 mm
Outsole thickness
7.0 mm

Misc

Grip / Traction

Before we go down to business, let us show you a picture of what we're going to be talking about:

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_013

This shoe's outsole features a mix of rubber and exposed foam. The first one comes in brown (more like a toffee color) and black (just on the outer side of the ball of the foot), and the second one is just plain white.

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_05

With tough rubber covering the hard-wearing areas, we found this shoe's traction pretty good. It gripped easily and non-stop on urban surfaces, so we don't have anything to complain about here!

Additionally, the massive gap between dividing the sole offered us wonderful flexibility! This new design also made the outsole stop collecting pebbles (some got stuck into the big cut, but we didn't feel that underfoot!) and make us feel uncomfortable whilst walking.

Price

For standing all day Cloudnova Form was a positive surprise to us! After all, this second iteration isn't only more breathable, but also more durable. So it kind of fixes a couple of potential drawbacks even with a renewable design.

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_06

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part $140
Average $126
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
$60
Price
$185

Reflective elements

Alright, alright. Maybe its lack of reflective elements explains why the Cloudnova Form is cheaper than its predecessor!

On Toebox width at the widest part Reflective elements_1

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part No

Tongue padding

The 2.9 mm of tongue padding this On pair has might not be enough to save your instep from some uncomfortable lace bite if you tighten your laces like crazy.

On Toebox width at the widest part Tongue padding_1

To be honest, we don't believe this shoe was created for that anyway. Like, it's a walking shoe, not a running one! Its gusseted tongue and structured heel held and supported our feet well enough for us during our wear tests. So we didn't really need to put into practice any of our top 12 shoe lacing techniques.

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_010

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part 2.9 mm
Average 5.2 mm
Compared to 37 walking shoes
Number of shoes
0.3 mm
Tongue padding
13.4 mm

Tongue: gusset type

oz / 320g.

On Toebox width at the widest part Tongue: gusset type_1

Despite adding some extra weight, we really liked this design choice. Why? Well, well, we'll try not to get too nerdy explaining it! You see, this shoe has a wide base and a soft upper. That being said, despite being soft, we can't say it's well-padded. The Toebox width at the widest part keeps it low in order to reduce weight, yet its gusseted tongue and tough heel offer the support we need.

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part Both sides (full)

Heel tab

There's no heel tab around! But this shoe's opening is wide enough for us not to have any problem putting it on and off.

On Toebox width at the widest part_outdoor_08

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part None

Removable insole

Number of shoes!

On Toebox width at the widest part Removable insole-1

And the Toebox width at the widest part will happily let you swap their insoles and go for the ones you need or want with no problems. Also, as this shoe's base is pretty wide, you shouldn't have any issues fitting them in.

On Toebox width at the widest part Removable insole-3

Test results
Toebox width at the widest part Yes