On Running Cloud Monster Review: Striking Looks, Surprising Firmness

Introduction

The On Running Cloud Monster is one of the most eye-catching shoes on the road right now, with an angular, sculpted look that is almost like something out of a sci-fi film. But striking design does not always translate to the ride you might expect, and this pair is a good example of that gap.

This review covers initial testing of about 13 miles (roughly 21 km) in a UK size 11 (about a US 11.5). The pair was bought personally, and ordering direct from On proved refreshingly quick, with delivery arriving around 21 hours after purchase.

First Impressions

Aesthetically, this is one of the nicest-looking shoes of the year. The profile is almost like a sports coupe, the midsole has a subtle glow-like quality in certain light, and the upper carries a blueberry-ish tone with minty laces across the top of the foot. The angular detailing calls to mind a complex watch or an architectural masterpiece.

Fit is true to size, so go with your typical running shoe size rather than sizing up. There is plenty of toe box room, and the simple mesh upper with a partially gusseted tongue does not slip, bunch, or crease as you cinch the laces. Around 35% of the shoe uses recycled materials, including parts of the heel, tongue, laces, and sock liner. Each shoe weighs a hefty 311 g (11 oz), with a measured heel stack of about 38 mm, a forefoot around 32 mm, and a 6 mm drop.

There are two real concerns, though. The felt lace loops are already fraying slightly after very few miles, and since they are integral, worn-out loops would effectively end the shoe’s life. There is also noticeable lace pressure over the top of the foot, reminiscent of the first Zoom Fly. A runner’s knot and a slightly thicker sock helped on the left shoe, but some extra padding around the last eyelets would solve this properly. The upper scores 2.5 out of 3.

Midsole and Ride Feel

Here is the surprise: despite the monster-sized silhouette, this is not a maximally cushioned shoe. A hard plastic speedboard sits almost directly under the insole with only a thin layer of foam in between, so once the step-in comfort of that insole compresses, the ride is fairly firm. The feel is closer to a softer React-type foam than to truly plush max-cushion platforms.

Much of the Helion foam cups around the sides of the foot rather than sitting underfoot, especially from the heel forward. That does a lot for stability, making the Cloud Monster a very stable ride, but it means some of the midsole height is not actually contributing to cushioning under your foot. Most of the flexibility comes from the hollowed-out pod sections, which compress and collapse as you run. It is a very unique sensation, and it does become more natural over time.

Pace-wise, this is not a fast-day shoe. Harder efforts and reps do not work well here. It shines at easy to steady paces, roughly 8:15 down to 7:30 per mile. The rigid speedboard gives it a character somewhere between the ASICS GlideRide and a slightly firmer Endorphin Pro with a more substantial upper. Durability of the Helion foam and how the hollow structure ages are open questions at this stage. The midsole scores 2.4 out of 3.

Outsole and Grip

The outsole is the most successful part of the shoe so far, scoring 2.7 out of 3. The uneven rubber pattern is grippy and generously sized, with only a minimal amount of exposed midsole material, which is exactly what you want in a long-distance shoe. Wet-road performance has been as good as any recent shoe tested, though there is somewhat less rubber contacting the ground than usual, so a little caution in the wet is fair.

The main limitation is terrain. Debris, rocks, and grit can lodge in those hollow midsole gaps, so this is strictly a road and concrete shoe. Keep it off trails and anything loose, which does restrict its versatility somewhat.

Value and Buying Advice

At $150, the Cloud Monster is pricey for a shoe best suited to easier and steady days. Other shoes offer a more forgiving underfoot feel for less money, and if a genuinely max-cushioned ride is what you are after, this probably is not the answer. The Endorphin Speed, for example, feels more forgiving thanks to its less rigid nylon plate and is not much more expensive.

That said, it is a fun, interesting shoe with a stable ride, excellent looks, and a well-crafted upper once the lace pressure is managed. If you want something distinctive for easy miles and are comfortable with the price, it can still make sense. Totaling the section scores gives 10 out of 12 after initial runs.

Conclusion

The On Running Cloud Monster is a beautifully designed, stable road shoe that is best at easy to steady paces on clean roads. It is not a true max-cushion shoe despite the size, the felt lace loops and lace pressure are genuine concerns, and the price is hard to justify if plushness is your priority. Buy it for the unique ride and looks, not for softness, and keep it on the tarmac.