On Cloudmonster 3 Family vs ASICS Superblast 3: Four Max-Cushion Trainers Compared

Introduction

Max-cushion daily trainers keep getting taller, lighter and stranger, and this generation of the On Cloudmonster line is a perfect example. Alongside the standard Cloudmonster 3, On now offers a Hyper version with a super foam midsole and a laceless Lightspray edition, while ASICS continues to lean on the hugely popular Superblast as its own super trainer. All four shoes chase the same basic goal: a tall, comfortable, rockered platform for easy miles, but they get there in very different ways. Here is how they compare on specs, ride feel and the type of runner each one suits.

On Cloudmonster 3: The Do-Everything Crossover

The Cloudmonster 3 sticks to the formula that made the line popular: a structured, cushioned, rockered experience for daily miles. It comes in at 35 mm of heel stack and 29 mm in the forefoot for a 6 mm drop platform, built on a triple layer of CloudTec. In a men’s 9.5 it weighs 11 oz (311 g), so it is a little heavier than most of its peers, and everything about it feels structured, balanced, cushioned and rockered.

The CloudTec underfoot is quite firm, but it still cushions well; the ride is best described as structured, firm cushioning. There is a little spring in the foam if you push, but the weight holds it back, so this is a shoe for easy days at smooth, shuffling paces. The rocker is noticeable and the shoe is essentially a stiff rocker with ever-so-slight flexibility.

The upper is where this version improves most. Compared to the Cloudmonster 2, there is a much more voluminous forefoot, a more padded tongue, softer laces and a less aggressive lacing system, so it hugs the foot in a nicer, more plush way. A wide version will be available. It retails at $190, which is a little steep if you judge it purely as a CloudTec running shoe, but if you plan to walk, stand around and run in it, the lifestyle-to-running crossover value starts to make sense.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper: The Pure Running Pick

The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper raises the stack considerably: 45 mm in the heel, 39 mm in the forefoot, still a 6 mm drop, but the weight comes down to 9.6 oz (273 g) in a men’s 9.5. The key change is Helion HF, On’s super foam, which adds responsiveness and compliance while keeping the signature firm CloudTec feel. It feels slightly firmer than versions seen elsewhere in the brand’s super foam shoes, but it makes the shoe lighter and more balanced at the forefoot.

Structurally, the Helion HF sits embedded inside the outer CloudTec layer, which cradles it from below like a chassis and gives the shoe guidance and support. The ride stays structured, and it held up fine off-road on brittle, softer footing. Traction is quite good, with noticeably more and thicker rubber than previous versions; after several runs, the outsole shows no visible wear.

Interestingly, even with the super foam on top, this shoe still likes slower paces and falls into rhythm rather than demanding speed. The upper is more streamlined and breathable, using a synthetic mesh instead of the traditional softer mesh of the standard model, and the forefoot gained more space over the previous Cloudmonster Hyper. Both Hyper models sit in the stable-neutral part of the stability spectrum, with the standard Cloudmonster 3 being the more stable of the two, though neither feels unstable. Retail pricing was not confirmed at the time of testing, but expectations sit in the low to mid $200s. If you want a pure running experience rather than a crossover, this is the better pick in the family.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Lightspray: The Lightweight Wildcard

The Lightspray edition shares the exact platform of the Hyper: 45 mm heel, 39 mm forefoot, 6 mm drop. The difference is the upper, which is sprayed onto a last by an assisted robotic process and dries in place, leaving part of the stack hidden on the inside. The result is a startling weight drop of about 2 oz, down to 7.6 oz and roughly 211 to 216 g in a men’s 9.5.

It has no laces, yet lockdown is not actually bad. You step into it through the heel, slide your foot in, then pull the heel collar back over. Initial skepticism about heel slip did not materialize: running off-road, on cambered roads and through the midfoot produced no irritation or hot spots, and the forefoot hold did its job well. Walking did leave a tiny bit of space, and sizing labeling is somewhat confusing, with the box marked 9.5 while smaller print suggested a unisex men’s 10 equivalent, so it is worth confirming fit before buying.

Because of the 2 oz weight saving, this shoe can turn over far better than the standard Hyper while keeping its structured support. It is still a trainer, but at 7.6 oz and 45 mm of stack it could plausibly serve as a race-day option for recreational runners who want a light trainer with support, or even a long-run shoe. It retails at $280 and is expected to be a limited release, so it is genuinely a case of asking whether the price matches what you want out of it. For most people, the regular Hyper remains the sensible choice, but the Lightspray is an interesting take on uppers that held up better than expected.

ASICS Superblast 3: The Softer, Plusher Alternative

The ASICS Superblast 3 is also a light super trainer: 8.4 oz (236 g) in a men’s 9.5, with 46.5 mm of heel stack, 38.5 mm in the forefoot and an 8 mm drop. It uses FF Leap foam from the Metaspeed racing family as a very soft, compliant top layer, sitting on a firmer roughly 10 mm Blast Plus base with a medial arch, which acts like a chassis to stabilize the softer foam above.

The ride is much softer, plusher and more compliant than any of the Cloudmonsters, with a slightly structured rocker. It is meant for easy shuffling paces, and while you can pick the pace up, it feels best at easier efforts. The upper materials are also a touch softer than On’s.

Compared directly with the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, the Helion HF has more resilience and holds its structure better, giving On the firmer, more stable ride with a bit less upside at the faster end, partly because the CloudTec midsole and heavier outsole coverage add weight. The Superblast 3 counters with a softer step-in feel and a little less weight. If you want plush, pick the Superblast 3; if you prefer a firmer, more structured ride, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is your shoe. And if you want the firmest experience of the whole group, the standard Cloudmonster 3 with its pure triple-layer CloudTec tops the list, still well cushioned and long-run capable, just firmer and heavier.

Buying Advice: Which One Fits Your Week

Breaking it down by intended use: the Cloudmonster 3 works best as a lifestyle crossover you can also run in, decent-looking enough to wear anywhere, which is where its $190 price makes sense. The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper leans more toward true running, still fine for standing and walking, but with a structured rocker that clearly wants to run. The Lightspray is the odd one of the bunch: light, lively, versatile enough to be a trainer, long-run shoe or even a recreational race shoe, provided the price and sizing questions do not bother you. The Superblast 3 lines up against the Hyper with a softer top layer, a slightly lighter build and the same stable base, making it the plush option of the group.

Conclusion

All four shoes deliver tall, rockered, comfortable platforms, but they split cleanly by feel. The On Cloudmonster 3 is the structured, firm, do-everything crossover; the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper adds super foam lightness for a more running-focused experience; the Lightspray Hyper trades laces and weight for standout versatility at a premium price; and the ASICS Superblast 3 offers the softest, most compliant ride of the group. Matching the ride character to how you actually run is the fastest way to pick the right one.