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Our featured picks
On Women’s Cloudrunner 3 Running Shoes
On Women’s Cloud 6 Running Shoes
On Men’s Cloudmonster 3 Running Shoes
If you’re looking for comfortable shoes, chances are you’ve come across the brand On. While eye-catching, the shoes’ futuristic aesthetic and funky punched-out midsoles aren’t just for show. In fact, podiatrists say the brand’s responsive and supportive designs are a great option for people with joint pain. That’s why I wanted to find the best On walking shoes to help people hit their daily 10,000 steps with ease.
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The benefits of walking make adding it to your exercise routine a no-brainer, but while it’s a low-impact form of cardio, it can still take a toll on your body. That’s why I asked podiatrists for their On walking shoes recommendations, making sure every pair on this list is as comfortable and supportive as can be.
Best On walking shoes
On Cloudrunner 3
On Women’s Cloudrunner 3 Running Shoes
“The Cloudrunner 3 is my pick for walkers who need more support and stability,” board-certified podiatrist Dr. Brandon Maijala said. He notes that the shoes now have a wider base than their previous iteration and calls out the supportive heel cups and higher sidewalls for boosting stability. He said that those features, as well as the cushioned heels and tongues, benefit walkers since they help improve balance and comfort.
On Men’s Cloudrunner 3 Running Shoes
These moderately cushioned running shoes have rubber outsoles that provide traction and durability, making them a solid option for walking. Rainy days, lots of miles and rough trails have nothing on these sturdy treads. What’s more, the everyday trainers have a streamlined design that won’t feel clunky while you’re walking. The shoes are available in 12 different colors so you can find one that fits your style.
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On Cloud 6
On Women’s Cloud 6 Running Shoes
Board-certified podiatric surgeon Dr. Mikel Daniels recommends the Cloud 6 sneakers for those who spend a lot of time on their feet. “The CloudTec midsole is lightweight and flexible, so you get cushioning without the bulk,” he said. “This makes a difference when you’re on the move from morning to evening.” A benefit for people with dexterity issues, the shoes’ slip-on design allows you to put them on hands-free, without sacrificing a secure, dialed-in fit.
On Men’s Cloud 6 Running Shoes
These are the kind of shoes you could wear on a miles-long walk or to and from the office. In fact, nurses have recommended this pair for providing all-day comfort. This could be due to the balanced cushioning and built-in rockers, which Daniels said help support a natural gait over longer distances. “Add in a breathable upper and a clean, low‑profile design, and you have a walking shoe that is comfortable enough for errands and airports, but still looks polished enough for clinic days, commuting, or a casual office environment,” he said.
On Cloudmonster 3
On Women’s Cloudmonster 3 Running Shoes
On’s Cloudmonster line is Maijala’s pick for walkers who prefer more cushioning and additional shock absorption to prevent joint pain. “For those people who are heavier walkers or older, the benefit of this shoe is the high-cushion platform with a moderate heel-to-toe drop,” he said, adding that the modest 6-millimeter drop can help reduce stress from repetitive impact throughout long-distance walks. It’s worth noting that anyone who has balance issues might want to go with a different pair, like the Cloud 6 Versa, which has less-plush padding, which can allow for for more ground feel and boost stability.
On Men’s Cloudmonster 3 Running Shoes
Maijala appreciates these shoes’ wide toe boxes because they allow toes to splay properly, helping you efficiently move your feet while you’re walking or running. I tested the previous model of these sneakers (which has the same toe drop and a similar construction) during my marathon training last year. I still slip them on for days running errands or during particularly hot weather since the uppers are so breathable.
On Cloud 6 Versa
On Women’s Cloud 6 Versa Running Shoes
Dr. Elizabeth Bass Daughtry, a podiatrist and board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, recommends these walking shoes for people who need form-correcting features, like wider bases. “The platform is stable for walking and daily movement and the shoe is more structured to give more control than many soft casual sneakers,” she said.
On Men’s Cloud 6 Versa Running Shoes
While the cushioning isn’t as soft as other models from On, the Cloud 6 Versa still boasts the brand’s proprietary CloudTec padding, which runs from the heels to the toes, protecting feet from the impact of the ground. This doesn’t weigh down your stride, though. On’s Speedboard plates sit inside the shoes’ midsoles and add a responsive pop to each step. For these reasons, Daughtry said this model excels particularly in offering balanced cushioning and security.
On Cloudnova Form 2
On Women’s Cloudnova Form 2 Running Shoes
Another favorite of Daughtry’s, the Cloudnova Form 2 is an excellent pair of walking shoes for those needing a comfortable, stable and stylish everyday pair. “This particular shoe excels in cushioning, breathability and ability to wear all day,” she said, adding that the lightweight midsoles and secure fit are stand-out features.
On Men’s Cloudnova Form 2 Running Shoes
However, Daughtry notes that these shoes run slim, so she recommends them only for folks with narrow feet. While they come with On’s classic lacing system, the shoes are also designed to be slip-ons, so you can step into them without needing to bend down. This is especially beneficial for people with dexterity issues or for anyone in a rush to get out the door.
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How to choose the best On walking shoes
Finding the best On walking shoes depends on what your needs are. It’s always best to check with a doctor or podiatrist for their recommendations, especially if you have any foot deformities or pain points. The experts I spoke with recommend considering flexibility, cushioning, stability and width before buying a new pair of shoes.
Check for rigidity and flexibility
Daniels said walking shoes should have flexibility through the forefoot and enough cushioning to absorb lower-level impact. However, too much flexibility means you won’t get proper stability.
Board-certified podiatrist Dr. Alvin Cowans has a trick for checking the support of your walking shoes at home: “When buying a pair of walking shoes, you should not be able to bend the shoe in half or twist the shoe like a towel,” he said. “Very flexible shoes promote excessive pronation that can predispose the patient to heel pain and achilles tendinitis.”
If the shoes don’t twist easily, chances are that they have enough support and structure to promote proper feet alignment and comfort. “A nonflexible shoe provides increased support to the feet with long periods of ambulation,” Cowans said.
Cushioning and stability
In my experience, the cushioning of On’s shoes is stiffer than in shoes I’ve worn from New Balance or Hoka. That’s not a negative; it’s simply tied to the brand’s CloudTec design. The technology is comprised of a responsive foam that collapses horizontally as it works to absorb impact without adding bulkiness or an overly plush feeling underfoot. Maijala said this less-plush cushioning could benefit people with balance issues because overly padded shoes can negatively impact stability.
When analyzing a pair of shoes’ cushioning, Maijala advises against models that make your feet feel wobbly — an effect that max-cushioned shoes tend to have, especially for people with balance issues. The American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine (AAPSM) website also states that while you should find a pair of shoes with cushioning that lets you walk smoothly, many specialty walking shoes have slightly less padding than running shoes to prevent bulkiness.
In general, the kind of cushioning you choose should be based on what feels the best for your body.
Wide toe boxes
Wide toe boxes allow your toes to splay properly within your shoes, which promotes proper foot alignment, Cowans said. A spacious platform helps prevent excessive pronation while promoting a heel-to-toe walking pattern.
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FAQs
If they’re the proper pair for your foot shape and unique needs, your On walking shoes should feel comfortable immediately upon trying them on, Daniels said. He recommends ensuring that the toe boxes have enough space for your toes to splay at the end of the day, when your feet tend to swell, in order to ensure all-day comfort.
Finding the right shoes for your feet is a personal venture, so there’s no way to definitively claim On walking shoes are better than Hoka sneakers. It depends on what you’re looking for and which brand offers the proper support for what your body needs. The better pair of shoes is the one that helps you feel stable and comfortable during your walks.
Of all of the shoes in On’s lineup, experts recommended the Cloudmonster 3, Cloud 6 and Cloudrunner 3 most often. Generally, podiatrists recommend looking for shoes from On with wide toe boxes, supportive cushioning and an average heel drop for easy, comfortable movement.
Meet our experts
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights:
- Dr. Alvin Cowans, board-certified podiatrist and foot and ankle surgeon
- Dr. Mikel Daniels, board-certified podiatric surgeon and chief medical officer at WeTreatFeet Podiatry
- Dr. Elizabeth Bass Daughtry, podiatrist, board-certified foot and ankle surgeon, and Fellow in the American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons
- Dr. Brandon Maijala, board-certified podiatric surgeon and founder of Care Podiatry
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CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.
For this article, CNN Underscored updates writer Ellen McAlpine tapped experts to see which On shoes they recommend for walking and what they recommend looking for in comfortable walking shoes.
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Ellen McAlpine is a writer for CNN Underscored, contributing to updates across the site’s many verticals — from lifestyle to tech — as well as writing the occasional original piece. In her free time you’ll find her cheering on the Yankees, testing new recipes and trying the latest fitness classes.
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