Women's Health August 18, 2026 0 Comments

Why the On Cloud X4 Might Just Be the Most Game-Changing Sneaker for Your Daily Grind—Here’s What You Need to Know!

Ever find yourself drowning in a sea of sneakers yet still stuck wondering, “Which ones am I actually gonna wear today?” I swear, my house looks like a tiny sneaker museum—if only picking a pair was half as fun as collecting ’em! Lately, though, there’s been one game-changer making my shoe dilemma way simpler: the On Cloud X4. After clocking some serious miles and multitasking through workouts and errands alike, this sneaker snagged a permanent spot in my rotation. Lightweight yet stable, cushioned but not “walking-on-a-mattress” mushy, it’s basically the Swiss Army knife of shoes for anyone who’s as busy and picky as me. Curious how it fares tackling everything from 10,000 steps a day to physical therapy without melting your feet? Stick with me—I’ve got the lowdown on why this might just be the only sneaker you reach for when your day’s throwing everything but the kitchen sink your way. LEARN MORE

4 min read

At any given moment, I have a sort of comical number of sneakers lying around my house—or, it would be comical if I could actually decide which ones I want to wear. One pair that’s made that decision quite a bit easier lately? The On Cloud X4. After testing the sneaker for a few weeks, it landed a spot in my guide to the best On shoes for walking as a great cross-training pick. Months later, it’s still a frequent flier in my weekly rotation because of its sporty-sleek design and ability to handle whatever activity I have planned. Basically, it’s the pair I reach for when I know my day (or my workout) will involve a little bit of everything.

I have a pretty specific idea of what I want from a sneaker, and unfortunately, it can be weirdly hard to find: I want cushioning, but I don’t want to feel like I’m standing on a mattress. I want something lightweight enough that I can move quickly in it, but stable enough that I don’t feel like my feet are wobbling around. The On Cloud X4 is comfortable for walking 10,000+ steps per day and ticks my boxes for breathability and flexibility while keeping my feet feeling totally locked in no matter what I’m doing.

SHOP THE ON CLOUD X4

The shoe features On’s signature CloudTec cushioning—a walking-focused cushioning system designed so each “cloud” compresses in sequence. This system, along with the midsole’s Helion superfoam (a lightweight, flexible thermoplastic polyurethane) delivers a comfortable, impact-absorbing ride without feeling overly squishy. Another plus is the middle-of-the-road heel-to-toe drop, which sits at 7 mm and is generally good for most walkers and runners. While some prefer a shoe that’s a bit more flat for strength training, shoes like this one in the 5-10 mm range tend to work in most scenarios.

A pair of white athletic shoes with black accents held against a gray background.

Shannen Zitz

It’s also just a great walking shoe, and one that WH executive health and fitness director Jacqueline Andriakos swears by. She logs a high daily step count, and says it’s become one of her favorite shoes for long walks because the cushioning feels nice and plush while maintaining a grounded feel. “The mesh upper is super breathable, so my feet don’t feel overheated and sweaty after long walks, and small design details (like the cool X lace pattern from above!) make it feel really polished,” she says.

The lighter weight is probably my favorite thing about it: it clocks in at under 8 ounces and honestly feels even lighter. There are plenty of cushioned sneakers that feel great for the first 30 minutes and then start to feel like you’re hauling around two tiny mattresses on your feet. But once this pair is on, I barely notice it, which is exactly what I want when I’m commuting back and forth from Long Island to NYC or doing a workout that has me moving all over the place. The mesh upper helps with that, too; my feet stay pretty comfortable even when I’m halfway into a sweaty class.

A pair of white athletic shoes with black laces, worn with black shorts on a concrete surface.

Shannen Zitz

I’ve also ended up wearing the Cloud X4 for physical therapy, which has become one of my favorite tests for a sneaker. I’m usually on my feet for about an hour, moving between exercises, walking around, and doing various strength and mobility work, so I want something that makes me feel grounded without being bulky or getting in the way. This gives me enough support and cushioning to stay comfortable while still feeling stable. It’s also comfortable enough that I’ll keep them on afterward for a walk with my dog without immediately wanting to change shoes.

And then there’s my plantar fasciitis, which has made me surprisingly picky about cushioning. You’d think a super-cushioned sneaker would automatically be a good thing, but that hasn’t always been my experience. Some of my squishier shoes actually leave my heels feeling like they’re on fire after I’ve been wearing them for a while. The Cloud X4 doesn’t aggravate my feet in the same way, which is a huge win for me. I can wear them for a workout or an hour of PT without that pesky heel irritation creeping in.

SHOP THE ON CLOUD X4

I wouldn’t choose this for a serious lifting day, though, especially if I knew I was going to spend most of the workout under a barbell. And Andriakos agrees: “I’ve worn it to HIIT classes, and it feels super supportive, though I’d still opt for a flatter, more structured shoe for traditional lifting.” The 7 mm drop and CloudTec cushioning are better suited to mixed workouts than traditional strength training. But for the days when I’m bouncing between cardio, strength work, workout classes, daily commutes, and the occasional walk, the Cloud X4 is the shoe I want waiting by the door.

Shop More of Our Favorite Sneakers From On

Shop More of Our Favorite Sneakers

Shannen Zitz is the Associate Style & Reviews Editor at Women’s Health, where she covers all-things sneakers and activewear. Previously, she was an assistant editor at Prevention. Shannen graduated from the State University of New York at Cortland with a bachelor’s degree in English. If she’s not reading or writing, you can probably find her frequenting the skincare and makeup forums on Reddit or hogging the squat rack at the gym.

Christian is the Style and Reviews Director at Men’s Health and Women’s Health, where he oversees shopping and style content for both brands. He started his magazine career as an accessories assistant at Vogue, and has since held editorial roles at Tatler Asia and The Manual. When he’s not online shopping, you can find him on long walks with his two corgis.