On Cloudmonster Review: The On Running Shoe That Finally Feels Fun

Introduction

We have had a complicated history with On running shoes. For years, the brand talked up a cloud-cushion comfort feel, but the reality was that their shoes were among the firmest we had tested. The culprit was the speedboard placement close to the foot, and while the included cushy insole felt nice at first, it compressed within a couple of miles.

The Cloudmonster changes that. This is the first On shoe where the promised bouncy, springy ride actually shows up, and it earned a full enthusiastic green light from our testing. If you have been curious about On but put off by firm rides, this is the shoe to start with.

The Upper: Simplified, Clean, With Some Quirks

On uppers have traditionally been a strong point, and the Cloudmonster takes a more simplified approach than past models. It is built from recycled polyester with welded seams for structure and a clean, straightforward look. The gusseted tongue wraps nicely into the saddle of the shoe, and the offset lacing is designed to take pressure off the top of the foot.

There are trade-offs, though. The toe box runs shallow, so even with a low-volume foot there can be some rubbing, and runners with wider or higher-volume feet should pay attention here. Lockdown is also not as finely tuned as older On shoes. The lacing is simple and traditional, there is no lock-over-the-saddle system, and a little movement in the fit showed up on longer runs. Sizing also feels slightly generous compared to past On models.

The Midsole: Where the Magic Finally Happens

The midsole is made from On’s Helion super foam with a polypropylene speedboard holding the structure together. Previous On shoes felt mostly dead underfoot, but this foam is noticeably softer and bouncier, and you can almost feel the individual cloud pods under your feet, like the independent coils of a good mattress. Energy return is strong, comfort is high, and running in it is genuinely fun.

The outsole got our attention too. The grip feels tackier than past On models, in a good way, and there is more rubber in the heel than the forefoot, which should help durability.

How It Rides

The Cloudmonster felt different from every other On shoe we have run in. It is comfortable with nice energy return, and it is easy to settle into a faster pace without noticing. On one easy group run, the pace ended up 30 to 40 seconds quicker than usual without feeling forced.

That comfort led one tester to take it on a 14-mile run with half marathon pace pickups, and that is where the shoe’s limits showed. It is not a speed shoe. In the later miles it started to feel heavier, and a hot spot appeared under the big toe. The lesson: this is a max cushion shoe meant for easy, comfortable runs, not tempo or race-day work.

The Ride Details: Weight, Drop and Feel

The stack height is deceptive. Your foot sits down inside the shoe, and the side walls around the cloud pods are more structural and cosmetic than functional, so you are not riding on top of the whole stack. The drop is 6 millimeters, and the shoe weighs 10.3 ounces or 290 grams in a men’s size 10.

Despite the size of the midsole, the shoe never feels clunky or heavy on the foot. That is one of its best qualities, because many comfort-focused On shoes in the past have felt sluggish. This one feels soft, bouncy, and responsive.

Buying Advice

At $170, the Cloudmonster sits in the range where premium running shoes now live, and On currently carries enough hype that wearing them gets noticed. For people who already like On, this feels like the next level, and for newcomers to the brand, it is the one shoe we would point them to first. It also looks good enough to wear casually with everyday clothing.

If your running is mostly easy miles and comfortable daily training, this shoe delivers on the promise On has been making for years. If you want a shoe for fast tempo work or racing, look elsewhere.

Conclusion

The Cloudmonster is a genuine turning point for On. The bouncy Helion midsole, strong energy return, and comfortable ride make it the most fun shoe the brand has produced, and it is the first On we can recommend without hesitation. Just respect its purpose as an easy-run max cushion trainer, mind the shallow toe box and relaxed fit, and you are in for a very enjoyable ride.