On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Review: A Great Cruiser Priced Like a Super Trainer

Introduction

The original Cloudmonster Hyper divided runners: some found it too firm and snappy, others loved its cruising character. The new Cloudmonster 3 Hyper takes a clear direction with that feedback. On has reworked the midsole with a full-length stretch of Helion HF super foam across the bottom of the shoe, a bigger overall stack, and a handful of other refinements. After roughly 60km of test miles, the result is a softer, more protective ride that is genuinely enjoyable for easy running, even if it falls short of the super trainer promise its price implies.

Who the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Is For

This is a shoe for runners who want comfort and consistency on easy days. If you tick over miles, like a stable high-stack platform, and prefer something that does not compress aggressively underfoot, it is an easy shoe to live with. It also has genuine crossover appeal: it looks good, wears comfortably around town, and would happily sit in a suitcase for daily runs on holiday.

One tester used it as a main daily trainer in the weeks after a marathon, mostly for easy and easy-to-steady running, and came away impressed with that use case specifically. Runners who found the previous version too firm may find this one rings the bell instead.

Design and Specs

The headline change is the midsole. Instead of Helion HF foam sitting only in the forefoot like the first-generation Hyper, you now get a full-length wedge of Pebax-based Helion HF foam on top of a row of CloudTec elements made from the same foam as the standard Cloudmonster 3. The lower layer is there to add stability, the upper layer to add energy.

The numbers: 39mm in the heel, 33.5mm in the forefoot, a 6mm drop, and 9.1 oz (257g) in a UK 8.5 / US 9. The shoe is plateless and has a fairly pronounced rocker with a steep curve into the heel. On the upper, you get a thick engineered mesh with structured toe box overlays, generously padded heel collars that have been updated for more comfort, a flat gusseted tongue, and a familiar On outsole with thick rubber covering pod elements across the shoe.

Fit and Comfort

Fit runs true to size in On’s usual sizing. Testers reported ample toe box clearance, good volume across the toe knuckles, and uppers that stay off the top of the toes thanks to the structured forefoot. The midfoot lockdown is particularly strong, holding securely with enough width for slightly wide, high insteps.

The padded heel collar does an excellent job of cushioning and holding the heel, with no slipping reported. The tongue takes a little adjusting on first wear because it wants to sit forward over the toes, but once in place it feels secure with no loose points. Breathability is good and there were no fit concerns across testing, though the upper is a touch denser and less airy than before, so the shoe somehow feels like slightly more shoe on the foot than the previous generation despite a similar weight.

On the Run

The new midsole delivers a softer, more cushioned ride with a little more spring than the first generation, and forefoot impact protection has clearly improved. That said, this is still notably firmer than many Pebax-based super trainers on the market right now. The trade is a bit of immediacy and ground feel for more protection, cushion, and bounce, and the firmer landing brings a welcome consistency and control through foot strike.

As a cruiser, it works well. The layer of bouncy foam on top feels pleasant, the CloudTec base keeps the high stack from feeling wobbly, and you can tick along comfortably for long stretches with a nice bounce back through the roll of the rocker. The shoe also broke in and softened up after a few runs. Where it stumbles is pace: at tempo or interval efforts it simply feels big and bulky, without the energy return of stronger all-round trainers.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The core issue is the price-to-performance ratio. At £210 / $220, this sits in super trainer territory alongside the ASICS Superblast 3 and Megablast, yet it performs like a really good daily trainer, the kind of shoe you can find for around £130 to $140.

Compared directly, the Megablast is more versatile with far more bounce and handles both fast and slow running better. The Superblast 3 is lighter, comfier, and has more range. The Adidas Hyperboost Edge costs less, offers more energy return, and is more impressive at speed even if its fussy upper makes it less fun on easy days. The Kiprun KS Tempo is dramatically cheaper while still handling easy and faster sessions well. Even On’s own Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LightSpray version, with its sprayed-on upper, delivers a more energetic, lighter, more versatile ride that qualifies as a true super trainer, albeit at an even higher price.

Buying Advice

Buy the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper if your priority is a comfortable, stable, good-looking shoe for easy and easy-to-steady running, and you are happy paying a premium for it. It is an accomplished cruiser, pleasant on long stretches, and a genuine improvement over the first-generation Hyper in cushioning and forefoot protection.

Skip it if you want a do-everything super trainer, real pace versatility, or the best value. For big bounce, look at the Megablast. For lighter comfort and range, the Superblast 3 is the stronger pick. And if you can live with the LightSpray upper, On’s own LS version is the more energetic shoe, though it costs considerably more.

Conclusion

The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is an enjoyable, comfortable daily trainer that does exactly what a good cruiser should: consistent landings, pleasant cushioning, and easy miles. The full-length Helion HF midsole genuinely changes the character of the shoe for the better. But with rivals delivering more versatility and energy at the same or lower prices, it remains a solid daily trainer wearing a super trainer price tag. If easy cruising is all you need and the price does not bother you, it is easy to recommend. For everyone else, look at the alternatives first.