On Cloudultra Pro all-mountain trail running shoes review
Finally, a real all-mountain trail racer from On. It's lightweight, stable, and made for ultra-distance.
KEEN’s never been a brand I’ve associated with running but with the new Seek, they’ve stepped confidently into the road-to-trail scene. And to be honest, they’ve nailed their debut.
The Seek blends KEEN’s reputation for tough hiking shoes with the ride, fit, and breathability of a comfortable daily trainer. It’s not a race-day shoe—but it’s easily one of the most enjoyable hybrid trainers I’ve tested this year.
After racking up plenty of miles on pavement, gravel, and dirt trails, it’s clear: KEEN didn’t just dip a toe into the trail running category—they committed.
Key specs
- Price: $185 at keenfootwear.com | women’s version here
- Weight: 10.9oz / 308g (Men’s US 9 – tested)
- Drop: 6mm (39mm heel height)
- Upper: Abrasion-resistant textile knit with sock-like wrap
- Midsole: QuantumFoamX (high-energy “funnest” foam)
- Outsole: KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN rubber with 4mm multi-directional lugs
- Extras: Gaiter-ready, lace garage, reflective hits, Eco Anti-Odor treatment
- Durability rating: 925-mile outsole lifespan (independently tested by Heeluxe)
Fit & comfort
KEEN’s “Original Fit” holds true here. The Seek fits true to size (in US sizing) with a medium-wide profile and a spacious toe box that lets your foot splay naturally. Perfect for long miles and swelling feet.
The sock-like upper hugs your foot with a soft, secure hold, and the padded collar does a great job of locking the heel down without lace cranking.
The overall comfort is really the most striking feature for me; you’ll notice it from the first step-in.
Ride quality
Despite its 10.9oz weight, the Seek feels a lot lighter than expected on the move.
That’s thanks to the flexible upper and KEEN’s QuantumFoamX midsole which is soft without being mushy, and delivers just enough pop to keep things feeling lively.
Another surprise for me was how stable the ride feels.
The platform is wide, the heel is structured, and the ride feels well planted, especially on gravel and mixed surfaces.
On pavement, the transition from heel to toe, rolls smoothly and never feels wobbly, which is where some cushioned hybrid trail shoes struggle – this one strike the perfect balance of cushioning and response.
It’s not built for racing, but it absolutely excels at daily miles, long runs, and exploratory adventure routes both on and off the trail.
I have also been wearing these in my day-to-day, as a lifestyle shoe (I love how they look) and also as a hiking shoe on our family hiking adventures.
Upper breathability & construction
This upper has been built for comfort and heat management.
The engineered knit breathes well, even on warm days, and it will dry fast if conditions change. For fall and winter dry runs, it will hold up well too.
KEEN’s durability DNA shows up in the TPU overlayed toe bumpers, abrasion-resistant mesh, and a rugged outsole rubber that feels like it’s ready for serious mileage.
That 925-mile durability rating that KEEN promises? I believe it.
Traction & terrain
The 4mm multi-directional lugs on the KEEN.ALL-TERRAIN outsole bite nicely into dirt, packed trail, gravel, and even wet patches without fuss.
What makes this shoe so effective is how seamlessly it transitions between different terrain, and even onto harder road surfaces.
It grips where you need it, but doesn’t feel overbuilt or clunky on the road. It’s that balance that defines great road-to-trail shoes, and the Seek absolutely nails it.
Final thoughts
The KEEN Seek is one of the most underrated hybrid trail shoes out there right now.
Yes, it’s $185, which is on the higher end for this category but the build quality, comfort, and long-distance durability make it more than worth it; this is one of those rare shoes that you can use for everything.
KEEN’s first trail runner has definitely earned its spot in my rotation.
It’s now one of my top 3 road-to-trail shoes, and the one I grab when I’m heading out for a relaxed trail run, family hike, and even as my lifestyle shoe because I love how they look in the everyday.
If you’ve ever wanted a rugged running shoe that feels like it was built to go the distance, this is the one.
