On Cloudmonster Hyper Preview: On's First PEBA Daily Trainer Takes Aim at the Superblast Category

Introduction

The On Cloudmonster Hyper is shaping up to be one of the more interesting trainer launches of the season. It is a new dual foam PEBA daily trainer from On, and it arrives with a formula that should feel familiar: the bones of the Cloudmonster, minus the plastic speedboard, plus a PEBA layer in the forefoot.

On currently has PEBA in its top marathon racing shoe, but this is set to be the brand’s first training option with that foam. If you have been waiting for a softer, more cloud-like ride from On’s performance lineup, this is the shoe that could deliver it.

From Cloudmonster to Cloudmonster Hyper

The original Cloudmonster, released in mid-2022, was one of the first shoes that truly helped On break into the American performance running market. Its massive rocker sensation paired with compliant CloudTec pods made it one of the standout trainers of that year, even with the plastic-plated speedboard in the ride.

The Hyper keeps that same overall formula but swaps the full-length speedboard for PEBA. That change should make the ride noticeably softer than the standard Cloudmonster, addressing a long-running critique that On’s trainers leaned too firm. With the Cloudsurfer and now the Hyper also removing the plate, On is finally building a rotation of shoes with that more forgiving, cloudlike underfoot feel.

Midsole: Dual Foam PEBA Without the Speedboard

The biggest stack of PEBA sits in the forefoot, and it tests very soft to the push. That PEBA is wrapped in an outer shell of Helion foam CloudTec pods, a standard EVA blend, which gives the shoe a dual foam construction. That structure also explains why the Hyper is not the most flexible shoe underfoot; it bends with a bit of stiffness.

At the rear of the shoe, the midsole is a full EVA base, with CloudTec pods nearly identical to the standard Cloudmonster. That means no PEBA in the back of the foot, a common setup seen in shoes like the adidas Boston 12, where firmer standard foam sits in the heel and premium foam lives up front. The standard foam at the back provides extra stability for landings, while the EVA Helion foam should hold up well over a decent number of miles.

Fit and Upper

The Hyper is built on the same exact last as the Cloudmonster, so if the Cloudmonster fits your foot, this will fit the same way. The upper is very similar, with minor changes to the lacing and eyestay system.

On’s uppers are among the best in the game, with comfortable padding around the heel and a simple, secure lacing system. It is not a wide shoe, but the toe box is a little wider and more forgiving than narrower options like the Saucony Endorphin Speed 3 or typical Nike trainers.

Stability and the Heel Setup

While neither the Cloudmonster nor the Cloudsurfer is an overt stability shoe, On tends to build solid stability into its trainers through raised outer heels. The foam wraps around the outside of the heel and raises the sidewalls, locking the heel in place for a more planted ride.

That firm EVA base under the heel, paired with the raised sidewalls, should make the Hyper a fairly good option for runners with mild overpronation who still want a soft, cushioned daily trainer.

One of On’s other fixes here: the brand has closed up the midsole gap that let rocks and debris get stuck under the foot in previous trainers, and all of On’s new training shoes carry this update.

Outsole and Durability

The rubber outsole is one of the standout details. It is super thick, deeply lugged, and clearly designed to make this the most beefed-up training shoe possible. Everything from the outsole to the midsole has been built to handle whatever you throw at it, including light paths.

Coverage is not full, with some exposed foam on the medial side, but the forefoot gets a solid amount of rubber, and the lateral heel side, where heel strikers and midfoot strikers tend to wear shoes fastest, gets a very thick layer.

Where It Fits in the Market

The Cloudmonster Hyper positions itself against shoes like the adidas Boston 12, Saucony Endorphin Speed 3, and Puma Mach X. On has gone non-plated here deliberately, aiming for a softer, more cushioned experience that also places it in the same category as the Adidas Adizero Superblast, which has long sat in a category of one.

A price of around $200 seems likely, especially with the standard Cloudmonster at $180, which would put it right against the Superblast. Do not expect a featherweight: because of the standard EVA in the midsole, this will not come in under 8 ounces for a US men’s size 9. But that is the point of the category. These are not race shoes; they are protective, cushioned trainers you can pick up the pace in, ideal for long marathon training runs and high-mileage blocks where you want your legs to feel fresher than a standard daily trainer would leave them.

Buying Advice

If your rotation needs a non-plated, high-mileage trainer for marathon buildup, the Cloudmonster Hyper is a very welcome addition. Choose it over plated options like the Boston 12 or Endorphin Speed if you want a softer ride, and choose it over the standard Cloudmonster if you want more forefoot cushioning with less harshness underfoot. It is set to release in spring 2024.

Conclusion

The On Cloudmonster Hyper looks like exactly what On’s training lineup has been missing: a soft, cushioned, non-plated PEBA trainer built for high mileage and marathon prep. If the early impressions hold, it could be a genuine alternative in a category that has had very little competition.