On Cloudmonster vs Cloudsurfer 7 vs Cloud Eclipse: Which Daily Trainer Should You Buy?

Introduction

On has quietly built one of the strongest daily trainer line-ups in running right now. The Cloudmonster, the Cloudsurfer 7 and the newer Cloud Eclipse all sit in the cushioned daily trainer category, all have been run in for serious mileage, and all three are genuinely good shoes. The catch: they feel noticeably different underfoot, and choosing the wrong one for your running style is an easy mistake to make. Here is how they stack up, and which one suits which runner.

At a Glance: Specs and Prices

The Cloudsurfer 7 has the lowest stack of the three at 32mm heel and 22mm forefoot for a 10mm drop. The Cloudmonster sits at 33mm/27mm with a 6mm drop, and the Cloud Eclipse is the biggest wedge at 37mm/31mm, also with a 6mm drop.

On price, the Cloudsurfer 7 and Cloudmonster both cost £150 in the UK, at $160 and $170 respectively in the US. The Cloud Eclipse is the priciest at £170 or $180.

Weights differ meaningfully too. In a UK men’s 8.5, the Cloudsurfer 7 weighs 237g (8.4oz), the Cloudmonster 278g (9.8oz), and the Cloud Eclipse is heaviest at 292g (10.5oz).

On Cloudmonster: The Firm, Snappy All-Rounder

All three shoes use Helion foam, but the Cloudmonster is the firmest of the trio. Its Speedboard plate is sandwiched in the middle of the midsole, which gives the ride a snappy, propulsive character that is very recognisably On. The podular outsole design has more rubber patches than the other two, and traction is arguably the best here.

The upper is denser and slightly stiffer than the Cloudsurfer 7’s, with a narrower lacing setup that stops higher up the shoe. It fits true to size, but the toe box runs a little close, so it is the narrowest-fitting of the three.

As a ride, it handles a mix of paces and works well for comfortable, steady paces and longer runs, particularly if you like a firmer feeling shoe. The trade-off is that it can stray into harshness over long distances, and it is not the shoe you will reach for when you want softness or a faster, uptempo feel.

On Cloudsurfer 7: The Soft, Plush Cruiser

The Cloudsurfer 7 was a sea change for On: much softer than the brand’s usual firm feel, with a CloudTec Phase midsole where the cloud elements collapse in sequence for softer landings and a smoother roll through transition. It is also the lightest of the three, and the dual-layer mesh upper with extra padding in the heel collar and tongue makes it the plushest, most accommodating fit here.

This is the shoe that cruises through easy 5 to 10K runs beautifully. It is comfortable, consistent and genuinely fun to run in. The downsides: it squeaks a little when walking, there is not a huge amount of cushioning under the forefoot, and the soft foam does not give much bounce back, so longer runs and faster paces are not its forte. Of the three, it is the least versatile.

On Cloud Eclipse: The Best of Both

The Cloud Eclipse is almost a fusion of the other two. It takes the firmer feel and resiliency of the Cloudmonster, the rocker and CloudTec Phase midsole of the Cloudsurfer, and adds a Speedboard plate sitting low in the shoe. It is firmer than the Cloudsurfer but not harsh, with a more aggressive forefoot rocker that delivers noticeably smooth transitions.

Despite the tallest stack and the heaviest weight, it never feels cumbersome. It rolls through high mileage extremely well, making it a standout marathon training shoe for daily runs of 8 to 10 miles and up. It is also more versatile than the Cloudsurfer: it picks up the pace happily for lighter speed sessions, even if it is not a true speedwork shoe. The upper offers the best lockdown of the three, with a slightly more rigid heel counter that adds a touch of stability, and a slightly roomier toe box than the Cloudmonster.

In side-by-side running, the Eclipse’s ride actually comes out ahead of the Cloudsurfer 7 thanks to its snappier transitions and better protection at pace, and ahead of the Cloudmonster thanks to its smoother, more forgiving roll.

Which One Should You Buy?

If you ramp up the mileage, want a versatile shoe that excels at long runs and can handle slightly quicker paces, the Cloud Eclipse is the pick. It is the most expensive of the three, but it balances protection, response and smoothness better than either rival, and it is the shoe that keeps earning rotation time after testing.

If most of your runs are easy 5 to 10K efforts and you prioritise soft, plush comfort above all, the Cloudsurfer 7 is the most enjoyable of the three. It is also the lightest and the most accommodating fit.

The Cloudmonster does both jobs reasonably fine, but the ride is not as refined as the rockers on the Eclipse and the Surfer. It makes most sense for runners who specifically like a firmer shoe with On’s classic snappy character and strong traction.

Conclusion

All three are among On’s best daily trainers, but they serve different runners. The Cloud Eclipse is the best all-round choice and the one to pick for marathon training and varied mileage. The Cloudsurfer 7 is the comfort pick for shorter, easy running. The Cloudmonster suits fans of On’s firmer, snappier traditional feel. Match the shoe to your mileage and pace, and any of the three will serve you well.