KEEN Leiki Waterproof Hiking Shoes - Women's vs On Cloudhorizon 2 Waterproof Hiking Shoes - Women's

Comfort is essential for long hikes, as it directly impacts your endurance and overall enjoyment on the trail. Shoes with better comfort reduce foot fatigue and provide a more pleasant hiking experience. The On Cloudhorizon 2 excels in comfort with highly cushioned landings and a soft rolling feel, making them ideal for all-day wear. The KEEN Leiki also offers a plush and supportive underfoot experience with ample cushioning and good toe room, but some may find them less cushioned in the midsole compared to other brands. The Cloudhorizon 2's exceptional comfort, with aspects like cushioning, heel cushioning, and a medium firm feel, makes it the winner in this category.

A good fit ensures that your shoes are secure and comfortable, reducing the risk of blisters and other foot issues. The KEEN Leiki provides a true-to-size, snug, and comfortable fit with ample space in the toe box, making them suitable for both standard and wide feet. The easy-to-adjust lacing system ensures a secure and tailored fit. On the other hand, the On Cloudhorizon 2 offers a comfortable fit with a medium-wide footbox and strategic padding, but some users may need to adjust the laces to prevent them from coming undone. The KEEN Leiki's superior fit aspects, such as true to size, snug fit, and ample toe room, make it the winner in this category.

Traction is crucial for maintaining stability and preventing slips and falls on various terrains. The KEEN Leiki delivers excellent grip and reliable traction on both wet and dry surfaces, including technical terrain, thanks to its high-traction rubber sole and four-millimeter multi-directional lugs. The On Cloudhorizon 2 also provides confident grip on varied terrain with its Missiongrip™ technology. However, the KEEN Leiki's superior traction aspects, such as exceptional grip, deep lugs, and Vibram outsoles, make it the winner in this category.

Stability is important for navigating uneven and technical terrain, reducing the risk of ankle injuries. The KEEN Leiki offers extra stability and secure support on uneven terrain with its lightweight internal shank and injected TPU heel cup, reducing foot fatigue. The On Cloudhorizon 2 provides a stable base and guides the foot smoothly but may not offer as much ankle support on technical terrain. The KEEN Leiki's superior stability aspects, such as extra stability, contoured footbeds, and excellent arch support, make it the winner in this category.

Durability ensures that your hiking shoes can withstand the rigors of the trail and last for many adventures. The KEEN Leiki is constructed with resilient materials like nubuck leather and mesh upper, making them built to last, though the softer outsole materials may wear faster on rugged surfaces. The On Cloudhorizon 2 is built with quality materials and stands up to regular outdoor use, but the rubber may wear out first after several months of use. The KEEN Leiki's superior durability aspects, such as resilient materials, mud shield, and Vibram outsoles, make it the winner in this category.

Protection is vital for keeping your feet safe and dry on rocky and wet trails. The KEEN Leiki provides great protection with a rubber toe rand and superior waterproofing, ensuring your feet stay safe and dry. The On Cloudhorizon 2 features a waterproof membrane and reinforced toe box, effectively shielding your feet from water and debris. The KEEN Leiki's superior protection aspects, such as rubber toe rand, patented toe protection, and superior waterproofing, make it the winner in this category.