I Finally Got a Pair! On Cloud 6 Geo Waterproof (Black) Review: A Waterproof Sneaker That Works with Office Casual

A sneaker I'd wanted for ages is finally mine: the On Cloud 6 Geo Waterproof in black.

The thing is, the black pair I had my eye on was hard to get hold of for the longest time. Open the site, check availability, quietly close the tab. I lost count of how many times I repeated that. The harder they were to find, the more a strange sense of confirmation crept in — "everyone is thinking the same thing" — which only made me want them more. A vicious cycle.

So when I finally managed to buy a pair, I was, honestly, pretty giddy about it. In this article I'll write about what I actually felt after wearing them. The focus is on the good points, but I'll also be honest about the things that bothered me and the parts I think will divide opinion.

What kind of shoe is the Cloud 6 Geo Waterproof?

Let's start with the basics.

• Brand: On (Swiss)
• Model: Cloud 6 Geo Waterproof
• Price: 26,400 yen (tax included), men's
• Colors: Black | Black, Alloy | Alloy, Chai | Chai, Black | Lima, Limelight | Safari
• Sizes (men's): 25.0-31.5cm in 0.5cm increments
• Material: Recycled polyester
• Country of origin: Vietnam

The official description calls it an "all-day waterproof shoe that works from city walks to light hiking," with a "comfortable, high-grip, outdoorsy look." In other words, it's positioned as a waterproof sneaker you can wear in town or out in nature.

The pair I chose is "Black | Black" — upper and sole unified in black.

The black colorway was better than I imagined

The first thing I thought when I held them was, "these look more grown-up than I expected."

Outdoor-leaning shoes often have accent colors or paneling that makes them stand out a bit awkwardly in the city. This all-black version keeps the interesting outdoor shape while looking calm, because the color palette is pared right back.

The shape is genuinely chunky, yet the color keeps it from shouting. I suspect that balance is exactly why black kept selling out.

They're also far easier to style. Black doesn't clash with pants of any color, and it tightens up the look at your feet so the overall outfit doesn't come across as sloppy. The time I used to spend wondering "will these go with today's outfit?" dropped to basically zero — a small thing, but one that pays off every day.

Do they really work with office casual?

This was my number one reason for hunting these down. I wanted a waterproof shoe I could also wear to work.

Having actually tried them with different outfits, my impression is that they pair with smart trousers far better than I expected. With center-creased slacks, or tapered pants in black, navy, or gray, your feet don't end up as the one sporty element sticking out. Since the part peeking out from the hem is all black, they're not as formal as leather shoes, but they don't read as "too casual" either.

Up top, shirts, knitwear, and a jacket all worked without feeling off. If you keep the whole outfit monotone or in muted colors, they settle in without drawing much attention to the fact that they're sneakers.

Of course, situations that call for leather shoes are a different matter. This is strictly within the range of "office casual at a workplace where sneakers are fine," but within that condition, they're an extremely useful pair.

The comfort lived up to expectations

Comfort is probably a big reason people choose On, and this model didn't let me down there either.

You feel the softness the moment your foot goes in. Once you start walking, there's a sense of the impact of landing being received gently, and even on hard asphalt there's little of that jarring feedback coming up through the sole. On days when I walked a fair bit, the fatigue in the soles of my feet felt milder.

The fit is good too: the heel is held securely while the toe area never feels cramped. Grip is solid, and I never felt uneasy on wet pavement.

That said, how a shoe feels depends on foot shape, body weight, and gait. Please take all of this as my personal impression.

Being waterproof is what matters most day to day

And the quietly — no, hugely — significant part is that these are waterproof.

Choosing shoes on a rainy day is genuinely depressing, isn't it? You don't want to wear your favorite sneakers, but it's not quite rain-boot weather either. Losing that whole "what do I do" moment turned out to be more pleasant than I'd imagined. Wearing them on a rainy commute, being able to walk without worrying about puddles is simply a relief. Just having dry feet completely changes your mood for the day.

Still, waterproof doesn't mean invincible. If water goes above the collar it will obviously get in, and I doubt they're the kind of thing where you'll "never get wet." I'd treat it as "reassuring in everyday rain," as a matter of personal experience.

About sizing

I went with 27.5cm, and I have no complaints about how they feel.

That said, I'm going to avoid saying anything definitive about sizing. Foot width and instep height vary from person to person, and "you should go up X cm from your usual size" isn't something I can claim based on one pair.

Sizes run from 25.0 to 31.5cm in 0.5cm increments, so there's plenty of choice. If you can, trying them on in store is the surest way to decide.

How to think about the 26,400 yen price

Honestly, it isn't cheap. Some people will hesitate at spending high-20,000s on a sneaker.

But when I framed it as "the price of a waterproof sneaker," it made sense to me. I no longer need a separate pair for rainy days, and they work as everyday shoes and with smarter outfits too. Because one pair covers so many roles, I end up wearing them often.

Conversely, if you wouldn't wear them much, they may feel expensive. The verdict here shifts depending on how many occasions you can create for them.

Things that bothered me, and who they might not suit

Since I've written mostly good things, let me be honest about the rest.

One is that the design will clearly divide opinion. The look is outdoorsy, so if you prefer slim, sharp shoes, the volume may bother you. Black keeps the impression calm, but the shape itself makes a statement.

The other is how an all-black shoe shows things. Dirt is less noticeable, which is a plus, but dust and pale marks are surprisingly visible.

And, obviously, they're no good for formal occasions. If you're hoping to wear them with a suit, this isn't the pair for you.

Who I'd recommend them to

To sum up, I think they suit people like this:

• Anyone looking for a rain-ready shoe that isn't too dressy
• Anyone at a sneaker-friendly workplace who wants a pair for office casual
• Anyone mostly walking around town who occasionally heads out for light outdoor activity
• Anyone who likes building outfits around black

On the other hand, if you love sharp, slim sneakers, or you're looking for formal shoes, another option will probably suit you better.

Wrapping up

I finally got my hands on the black pair that kept selling out. The wait had raised my expectations, but they arrived and met them — actually, exceeded them.

They look great, they blend naturally into office casual, the comfort is soft, and I can head out on rainy days without a second thought. 26,400 yen is by no means cheap, but given how often they come out of the closet, it was a purchase I'm happy with.

The design may not be for everyone. Even so, if you're curious, I think they're worth seeing in person. As for me, I'm going to be slightly looking forward to the next rainy day.