Super Trainers Compared: On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Lightspeed, Superblast 3, and More

Introduction

The super trainer category keeps getting more interesting. On’s latest Cloudmonster 3 Hyper arrives in two flavors: a conventional version at $220 and a new Lightspeed version at $280, the first time On has brought its sprayed Lightspeed upper technology to a shoe other than its flagship Cloudboom Strike racer. Alongside the On pair, two rivals round out this comparison: the ASICS Superblast 3 and the Adidas Hyperboost Edge, both in the same do-it-all high-cushion space.

After roughly 40 miles in the standard Hyper and test runs in the Lightspeed version, the picture is clear: the Lightspeed model is the one that justifies the category’s excitement, even at its steep price.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper: The Conventional Version

The standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper keeps a traditional build: an engineered mesh upper, padded heel collar, and gusseted tongue. The midsole uses a rim-and-core construction with a PEBAX foam core wrapped by a CloudTec EVA outer, and On claims 77% more PEBAX foam than the original Hyper. Stack sits at 45 mm in the heel, 39 mm in the forefoot, with a 6 mm drop.

It weighs 10.2 oz (290 g) in a US men’s 10.5, reasonable for the stack. Fit runs a touch long for some testers, who went down a half size, though heel lockdown held up fine with only a small cosmetic gap at the heel.

As a long run cruiser it works well: settle into a pace, lock it in, and roll through 10-plus miles with legs feeling comfortable afterward. At $220 against rivals like the Superblast 3 and Hyperboost Edge, though, it falls a little short. It is heavier and lacks the fun, energetic feel of those competitors, even though the ride is smooth.

On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Lightspeed: The Standout

The Lightspeed version shares the midsole DNA but transforms the experience. The sprayed TPU upper replaces the traditional build entirely, and because the upper is sprayed directly onto the midsole, there is no insole and no strobe board. That freed On to add 3.9 mm of extra stack, so the foot sits down into a cup of foam with a snug, planted feel.

The weight drop is dramatic: 7.65 oz in a US men’s 10.5, roughly a 2.6 oz saving over the standard version. You feel it immediately. The ride is peppy and smooth, easy to lock into a pace, and quick enough for strides and tempo work.

Fit and Feel of the Lightspeed Upper

Sizing is the tricky part. One tester went down a half size to a 10 and found it perfect; another tried the 10 and found the toe box too shallow, sticking with a regular 10.5. This is genuinely a try-before-you-buy situation. The TPU thread upper has a little stretch, wraps the foot tightly, and breathes surprisingly well despite its plastic-like nature, with air moving through the toe box even in cool, wet weather.

Getting the shoe on used to be a struggle with the Cloudboom Strike, but On has fixed it here: step into the heel, slide the foot in, and pull it back up. Lockdown once in is excellent.

Performance: A Shoe That Does It All

The Lightspeed Hyper earned an A for performance, and it is easy to see why. Easy miles, strides, tempo runs, and even racing are all on the table. It is not a plated carbon racer, but for runners who want one shoe without a plate that can still handle race day, it fits the bill. Traction in wet weather proved confident across surfaces, with rubber coverage extending over the toe on the lateral edge.

One caveat: the Achilles collar. The rear edge has no structure and can dig into some runners’ Achilles. On includes a pair of custom padded socks in the box to mitigate it, but a small redesign with a slight tail off the back of the last would fix it outright.

How It Compares: Superblast 3 and Hyperboost Edge

Against its rivals, the midsole character splits cleanly. The ASICS Superblast 3 is the squishiest of the group, with a soft FF Blast foam feel. The Adidas Hyperboost Edge is the bounciest, with the most energetic ride. The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Lightspeed is the most stable of the three, which matters on long runs when form starts to break down, while the toe keeps its energy return and bounce.

The deciding factor is price. The Superblast 3 is a strong shoe, but at its price point it looks less special next to the Hyperboost Edge. The Lightspeed Hyper costs more than both, and reviewers rated it a strong A overall, calling it a contender if the Achilles issue were resolved. The standard Hyper received a more measured B overall: a pleasant surprise for On fans, but outclassed by the Lightspeed.

Buying Advice

If you want the best of this group and the price is acceptable, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Lightspeed is the pick: lighter, more cushioned, more fun, and versatile enough to be your only shoe. If $280 is too steep, the Superblast 3 and Hyperboost Edge offer strong alternatives with softer and bouncier rides respectively. The standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper only makes sense if you find it discounted or prefer a traditional upper.

Conclusion

On’s Lightspeed technology has graduated from its race day flagship to a super trainer, and the result is the most exciting shoe in this comparison by a wide margin. The standard Hyper is solid but overshadowed, while the Superblast 3 and Hyperboost Edge remain worthy competitors at friendlier prices.