Best New Running Shoes: On Cloudmonster 3 Family, Altra Via Olympus 2, Saucony Omni 23 and Ride 19

Introduction

If your rotation needs a refresh, this batch of trainers covers an unusually wide slice of the market: a refined max-cushion daily trainer, two faster premium takes on the same platform, a soft zero-drop cruiser, a stability shoe with surprising bounce, and a plush neutral flagship. Here is what stands out about each one, along with the trade-offs to weigh before buying.

On Cloudmonster 3

The Cloudmonster 3 keeps the formula that made earlier versions popular: a firm, structured cushioning experience built on a triple-layer Cloudtec platform, with a 35mm heel stack and a chunky, substantial ride. Weight comes in around 11 ounces depending on size, so it is not light, but On clearly leans into it being a genuine daily trainer rather than a specialty piece.

The big fix this time is the upper. The previous version had a thin tongue and an elastic lacing system that caused lace bite across the top of the foot, and version three addresses that with a more spacious, more comfortable fit. It also works extremely well as a walking and all-day shoe, which makes it a strong option for people who spend long hours on their feet at work as well as runners.

The main caveat is price. At $190, it costs well above what its on-foot performance suggests, so value is the weakest part of the package. If you liked previous Cloudmonsters, though, this is a safe and comfortable evolution.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper

The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is the standout of the family. It swaps in On’s Helion HF super foam, gains roughly 10mm of stack over the standard version with a 45mm heel and 39mm forefoot, and drops to around 9.6 ounces in a men’s 9.5, which is genuinely competitive for that much shoe. The heel is more beveled than before, the rocker profile is pronounced, and the upper is generous and comfortable, with only a slightly thin tongue to nitpick.

On the run, it is a firmer, stable neutral ride that transitions smoothly, shuffles happily at easy paces, and can respond at slight uptempo efforts. The Cloudtec acts almost like a chassis around the super foam, and the sidewall geometry gives noticeable guidance, especially on downhills when you land harder. It recalls a stable neutral firmer trainer of the Super Blast variety rather than a bouncy racer. Compared with the original Hyper, it is a night-and-day improvement: the foam actually breaks in, the upper is fixed, and it can even handle a workout, though it is never going to feel like a dedicated fast shoe.

Pricing was not confirmed at review time, but expect it in the $220 to $230 range based on the previous version. It is expensive, but for runners who want one shoe for daily miles, long runs and occasional faster work, it may earn its place.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LightSpray

The LightSpray version takes the same platform and replaces the traditional upper with a sprayed, almost 3D-printed mesh that is applied by robot and dries in place. The result is dramatic: around 7.6 ounces in a men’s 10, a weight saving of roughly 50 grams, and a completely different on-foot sensation. It feels light like a non-plated racer, it wants to move, and yet the stable neutral character of the platform is still there. Hold on cambered and uneven surfaces was surprisingly solid, and it handles easy paces fine while being ready to turn over at a moment’s notice, making it a versatile training companion and long run shoe.

Two things to know before buying. First, the price is $280, which is very steep, and the honest assessment is that this is the most premium option in a family that already sits at the expensive end. Second, there are practical unknowns: the sprayed upper is unproven for long-term durability, sizing appears inconsistent with rounding discrepancies between box labels and interior markings, and the sock liner is not removable, which changes the step-in feel compared with the standard Hyper. It is a brilliant concept shoe, but it is best suited to runners who value the light weight enough to pay for it and accept the durability question mark.

Altra Via Olympus 2

The Via Olympus 2 is Altra’s higher-stack, max-cushion option in a 4mm-drop-friendly zero-drop line, built on a P35 foam that is noticeably softer than the firmer foams the brand is usually known for. That softness makes it a genuinely comfortable cruiser, and it is arguably the most versatile shoe in this group for mixed use: it was the pick for a full day on your feet at a conference plus easy runs, topping the list for walking, work and running combined.

The fit has finally opened up in the forefoot after several Altra iterations that bit down across the laces, so the upper is comfortable again. There is some forefoot flex after break-in, and it runs with less rocker than expected, so it is an easy running shoe through and through. It will not pick up paces or efforts, and because it is so soft it effectively runs like a lower-drop shoe, so be ready for that. For recovery days, easy miles and all-day wear, it is an easy recommendation.

Saucony Omni 23

The Omni 23 flew under the radar, and it should not have. Saucony gave it a major update with a full-length Power Run PB midsole, the same premium foam family found in faster shoes, while keeping a substantial medial post that even extends with a small lateral post as well. In a stability category that has often trended clunky and heavy, this is a rare thing: a stability shoe that feels nice, bouncy and a little quicker riding.

The post is significant enough that it borders on a motion-control shoe, so runners who need only mild guidance may find it more shoe than necessary. It is clearly not a racing shoe either. But as a comfortable, energetic daily stability trainer, it is one of the more appealing options in the category right now and deserves more attention than it has received.

Saucony Ride 19

The Ride 19 is the newest arrival of the group, so long-term testing was still underway, but early impressions are positive. It is a neutral flagship with a solid, plush feel: the upper looks more padded all around than the previous version, the base appears wider, and it continues with Saucony’s Power Plus foam. Visually it has started to overlap with the brand’s Triumph line, which says a lot about how plush the Ride has become.

If you liked the Ride 18, this looks like a comfortable, slightly more plush continuation of that formula, and it is worth watching for a full verdict once more miles are in.

Buying Advice

A quick way to choose between these: if you want a comfortable daily trainer and all-day walking shoe and accept the premium price, the Cloudmonster 3 is the safe pick. If you want the best all-around trainer of the family with super foam and more stack, the Hyper is the strongest performer. If weight matters and budget is not a concern, the LightSpray is the most exciting but the least proven. Soft, easy miles and mixed walking use point to the Altra Via Olympus 2, while runners needing genuine support should look hard at the surprisingly bouncy Omni 23. The Ride 19 suits neutral runners who want plush daily mileage.

Conclusion

This is a strong crop of trainers, led by the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper as the best overall performer and the Omni 23 as the value surprise in stability. Match the shoe to the miles you actually run most, and any of these can earn a spot in a rotation.