HOKA Transport Hike GTX waterproof hiking shoes review
A lightweight waterproof hiker that brings HOKA’s soft ride and Vibram traction to your daily adventures.
The Cloudultra Pro marks a turning point for On’s trail running line. Where earlier non-pro models felt more like adventure shoes, this one arrives with more purpose.
It’s lighter, faster, and finally engineered with all-mountain race-day mileage in mind.
After logging long runs across fire roads, rocky climbs, and loose descents, I can confidently say this is On’s first true ultra-distance shoe for competitive trail runners, or those who need an all-mountain trail shoe for everyday trail running.
Key specs
- Price: $260 at on.com (women’s here) / £250 at sportsshoes.com (For UK readers)
- Weight: 9.5oz / 269g (Men’s US 9)
- Drop / Stack: 6mm drop (38mm heel / 32mm forefoot)
- Upper: Zoned Leno weave mesh (TPEE/TPU) with gusseted tongue and TPU overlays
- Midsole: Dual-density Helion™ HF foam + 15% glass fiber-reinforced nylon Speedboard®
- Outsole: Missiongrip™ rubber with redesigned 3.5mm chevron lugs
- Extras: Rocker geometry tuned via FEA, lace garage, fast-draining and breathable upper
Fit & upper
The fit is true to size, with a moderate width that should suit most runners, and the toe box is nice and airy.
The upper starts off feeling a little over structured, but quickly adapts to your foot after a couple of runs.
Heel lockdown is secure and the collar has just the right amount of padding for long days without hot spots.
That said, I did experience some rubbing on my small toe where the TPU overlay meets the mesh, something to flag if you’ve got wider feet or sensitive pinky toes.
I only noticed it on one toe, and it’s certainly not a dealbreaker, but it’s there.
The gusseted tongue and secure lacing design help keep debris out, and On’s Leno weave mesh breathes well and dries fast, making it a solid choice for hot summer efforts or stream crossings.
Ride & efficiency
This is where the Cloudultra Pro separates itself from previous On models.
At 9.5oz, it’s fairly lightweight for a high-stack, protective trail shoe, and it feels it on the run.
The ride is smooth, snappy, and very efficient.
The Helion HF midsole hits a sweet spot between softness and control, giving enough cushion for 50K+ efforts without feeling sloppy.
There’s energy here but not from bounce, It’s more that everything (foam, Nylon plate, rocker) is working in sync to keep you moving forward with less effort.
The Speedboard adds structure, and unlike older On plates, it doesn’t feel too stiff.
It delivers just enough torsional control and stability, especially on uneven terrain.
Outsole traction
The new Missiongrip outsole uses redesigned chevron lugs that work well across dry dirt, hardpack, loose rock, and light mud.
It’s still not ideal for slick, wet rock or super muddy descents (the lugs aren’t deep enough for that) but it holds its own on most surfaces and handles long days without wearing down fast.
It’s a big improvement over earlier On trail shoes, and the lug pattern doesn’t pick up debris, which helps keep transitions smooth and predictable.
Stability & control
For a shoe with 38mm of heel stack, the Cloudultra Pro feels surprisingly stable.
That’s thanks to the firmer midsole and the way the rocker and Speedboard geometry work together to stabilize transitions.
When I’m grinding uphill or picking my line on a long descent, the shoe feels well planted with the sort of ground feel required to navigate technical terrain.
The midfoot has a secure feel under load, and the forefoot has just enough give to adapt to changing terrain without getting sloppy.
Final thoughts
The Cloudultra Pro is the ultra-distance, all-mountain trail racing shoe I’ve been waiting for from On.
It’s lighter, snappier, and more stable than the Cloudultra 3, with a much stronger performance focus.
At $260, it’s priced on the high end for this category, but if the fit works for you, this is one of the most capable all-mountain trail shoes you can buy right now.
If you’re more on a budget, check these alternatives out, some of which are better, and a lot less expensive.
If you’re comparing this to the Cloudultra 3, stay tuned, my head-to-head breakdown is coming soon, and it’ll help you decide which ones of these On trail shoes fits your style best.
