On Cloudmonster Hyper vs Cloudmonster 2: Which Big-Cushion Daily Trainer Makes Sense?

Introduction

On now has two big-cushion daily trainers sitting at the top of its road lineup: the Cloudmonster Hyper, the brand’s entry into the super trainer space, and the Cloudmonster 2, a more traditional max-cushion option. The Hyper is lighter, packs a bigger stack, and uses a new midsole setup aimed at boosting comfort and energy, but it also carries a hefty price tag. The Cloudmonster 2 costs meaningfully less and leans on a softer, more conventional foam recipe.

After covering serious mileage in both, the short version is this: the Hyper is the better shoe, but the Cloudmonster 2 is the better value for most easy-mile running. Here’s the full comparison.

Quick Specs: Stack, Weight, and Price

The Cloudmonster Hyper measures 37mm in the heel and 31.5mm in the forefoot, while the Cloudmonster 2 packs 2.5mm less stack across the shoe at 35mm heel and 29mm forefoot. Both use a 6mm drop.

On the scales, the Hyper weighs 9.1 oz (258g) in a UK men’s 8.5, noticeably lighter than the Cloudmonster 2 at 10.5 oz (297g). Pricing is where things get interesting: the Hyper carries a super-shoe-level price of $220 (£210 in the UK), while the Cloudmonster 2 comes in at just shy of $180 (£170).

Construction: Two Different Midsole Philosophies

The Hyper joins the growing ranks of max-cushion super trainers and is now the biggest-stack shoe in On’s lineup. It combines a wedge of high-energy PEBA foam with an EVA-based Helion CloudTec foam cradle. Surprisingly, there’s no plate here, neither carbon nor nylon.

The Cloudmonster 2 takes a more traditional route with Helion foam and CloudTec elements in a dual-density setup, featuring the biggest CloudTec pods seen in an On running shoe. It also keeps a reshaped nylon-blend Speedboard plate in the midsole for greater efficiency from touchdown to toe-off.

Up top, the Hyper has an excellent engineered woven upper with plenty of flex, while the Cloudmonster 2 uses a relatively stretchy and breathable upper with more perforations. Both have medium-to-plush padded heel collars, with the Cloudmonster 2 offering a shade more padding, and both use flat wrapping tongues that create a comfortable, disappearing feel on the foot. The Hyper’s tongue has a touch more structure for protection against lace pinch, and its rubberized laces stay locked nicely.

Flip both shoes over and they share a similar outsole rubber design with pads on all the key impact areas. The Hyper’s grip pattern is slightly thicker in places, but durability, grip, and protection are about the same for both.

Midsole and Ride Feel

This is where the two shoes diverge most. The Cloudmonster 2 is tuned noticeably softer than the original Cloudmonster, responding to runners who found the first version too firm and too rocked for a max-stack shoe. The result is more cushioning, but also a more relaxed, less energetic ride. It’s fine if all you want is easy-day protection, but it can feel somewhat dead throughout.

The Hyper tries to balance that cushioned feel with more punch thanks to its PEBA wedge, and it largely succeeds. The cushioning doesn’t collapse as much and responds much quicker, particularly when landing midfoot to forefoot where the PEBA wedge engages most. There’s still softness in the heel for rearfoot strikers, so you don’t lose overall comfort. That said, the Hyper is a happy cruising shoe with a little more energy, perhaps not the level you’d expect from a so-called super trainer, and the CloudTec pods remain the dominant part of the feel for heel strikers.

Fit and Sizing

Both shoes fit true to size and run fairly consistent across On’s range, with roomy toe boxes, good hold around the heel and midfoot, and no Achilles irritation.

The Cloudmonster 2 has a very voluminous, roomy toe box with plenty of clearance and flex, but the lace lockdown is a bit looser and less secure. The Hyper’s toe area is a touch more snug toward the rear, giving a slightly tighter, more secure fit, and its lacing structure holds noticeably better. Heel hold is similar in both. Whether you choose either shoe, true to size is the safe call.

Durability and Testing Notes

In testing, the Hyper covered close to 100 miles and the Cloudmonster 2 around 60 miles, across easy paces, faster interval sessions, 90-minute efforts with marathon pace work, and a 55-mile ultra in the Hyper. Grip, durability, and protection proved about equal, and both shoes offer good step-in comfort with plenty of long-mile cruising potential for marathon training blocks.

Overall Buying Advice

If pure performance is the deciding factor, the choice comes down to feel. Want a bit more softness? The Cloudmonster 2 is probably your shoe. Want a bit more punch? The Hyper is a small step up thanks to the PEBA insert, and it also handles faster paces better while still offering enough cushioning for easy efforts.

But price matters here. The Hyper carries a super-trainer price tag without fully delivering super-trainer performance, so if you’re on a budget the Cloudmonster 2 is much better value. If money is no object, the Hyper is the better shoe. It’s also worth noting that comparable or cheaper alternatives exist from other brands if you want a more versatile super trainer or a cushioned shoe that costs a lot less.

Conclusion

Both the Cloudmonster Hyper and Cloudmonster 2 are big-stack, highly cushioned daily trainers with roomy fits that happily reduce road impact and make for good long-mile cruising. The Hyper edges ahead on ride quality and pace versatility, while the Cloudmonster 2 wins clearly on value. Choose the Hyper if budget isn’t a concern and you want the livelier ride; choose the Cloudmonster 2 if you want easy-day comfort without the premium. And if you want something snappier but firmer, the original Cloudmonster remains worth a look for a slightly different ride.