On Cloudmonster Hyper Review
By David Salas and Andrea Myers
On Cloudmonster HyperPrice: $219.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.3 oz, 272 g (men's size 9), 7.5 oz, 212 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 40 mm / 34 mm
Drop: 6mm
Shoe Purpose: Super Trainer
Pros: Good rebound and rhythm, versatile range of uses, slight guidance
Cons: Expensive, Can feel a tad clunky at first
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a brand new max cushion training model from On Running. It features a combination of their CloudTec (EVA) and new Helion HF (Peba) foams, pushing the shoe into super trainer territory. The Hyper provides a versatile ride for longer distances and different paces. It comes in at a high price, but offers one of the best rides our team has seen from On Running so far.
SIMILAR SHOES: New Balance SC Trainer
PAST MODEL: N/A
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The On Cloudmonster Hyper fits me a 1/4 size long in my normal Men's US Size 10. It feels somewhat similar in length to the Cloudboom Echo 3 with a much higher volume. The volume and width is slightly wider especially in the forefoot and midfoot. I had to really tighten down the laces to get a secure fit, but once I did it was mostly fine. I found that this shoe always felt long during the beginning of runs and fit better the longer I ran in it (normal foot swelling). Fortunately, the laces lock down the upper extremely well and I have not needed to lace lock the shoe. The forefoot is slightly wide with a little extra volume that is adjustable thanks to some mild stretch from the upper. The upper material is light and breathable. The midfoot fits slightly wide with extra volume and a thin gusseted tongue. Despite tightening the laces down, I did not experience any irritation on the top of my foot like the Cloudmonster 2. The heel fits fairly normal with a thin moderately flexible heel counter in the rear. There is only minor heel collar padding, so those sensitive to counters may or may not notice this one. I personally have been fine, so only those most sensitive are likely to have issues. The inner liner is really comfortable against bare skin except for the toe guard, which can cause some mild rubbing. Combined with the slightly long fit, I would encourage the use of socks with this shoe.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
David: The On Cloudmonster Hyper fits true to size in my Men's 9.5. The shoe has decent volume and width through it and should accommodate most foot types. The length is a tad long, but the lockdown makes up for it. The upper material is a microfiber material that does come as being light and breathable. There is mild stretch to it, but it does hold its structure well. The tongue is mild to moderately padded, though I never had any issues with biting. The lacing system is different from the Cloudmonster 2. The lacing system is not an elastic material, and rather a more traditional wide eyelet that helps wrap up the upper onto the foot. For me, this is what I wanted the lacing system to look like in the Cloudmonster 2.
I have been very happy with the fit of the Cloudmonster Hyper. There is a mild to moderately padded heel counter that is coupled with thickened fabric wrap. This extends into the forefoot on both the medial and lateral sides gives another nice holding sensation on the foot. Despite the big volume and decent width to the shoe, I never had any lockdown or slippage issues. The heel collar does go a little high up along the calcaneus, so I would recommend wearing slightly higher socks. I did have come rubbing on lower riding socks. My only recommendation on the fit would be to lower that probably.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Andrea: The On Cloudmonster Hyper fits true to size in my usual women's 9.5. There is ample width in the toebox and I did not experience any discomfort at my 1st or 5th MTPs. The midfoot and heel are normal width and this was a shoe that didn't take a lot of effort to achieve comfortable lockdown. The partially gusseted tongue is thin, but it has just enough padding to protect the dorsum of the foot from the laces. The tongue stays securely in place due to the gusset and because the midfoot of the outer almost completely encircles the foot, creating a midfoot wrap sensation. The laces are flat and have a silicone grip material on one side, which does seem to help the laces stay tied. There is a semi-rigid heel counter with a moderate amount of padding internally. I did not experience any discomfort in the heel, even when wearing low socks. Like the On Cloudboom Echo 3, I found the fit of this shoe to be highly comfortable and the upper felt like it disappeared while running.
Andrea's Typical Size: Women's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit Andrea well: New Balance Beacon v3, Brooks Hyperion Max, Topo Cyclone 2, Nike Vaporfly 3, Altra Via Olympus 2
Shoes that have fit snug: Saucony Kinvara 14 (length and toe box width), Altra FWD Experience (length and width), Hoka Cielo Road (toe box width), Saucony Endorphin Speed and Pro 1-3 (length)
Shoes that have fit large: Adidas Boston 12 (length), Adidas Adios 8 (length)
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: No
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: No
Is the Forefoot Flexible: No
How Flexible is the Shoe: Highly Stiff
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: No
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average - Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a maximum cushioned trainer shoe. It sits in the super shoe category thanks to a top/inner layer of Pebax-based foam but runs firmer than the others. This is thanks to the Helion HF foam being a bit firmer but also a large amount of Helion foam encapsulating it. The weight is on the lighter side, giving it a trainer/lighter trainer feel to it. There is a 6mm drop that is quite noticeable. The heel features a small bevel that initially a little clunky on warm up but breaks in as the Cloudtec compresses more. This transitions into a stiff midfoot and forefoot, which is partially due to the stiffer midsole and also due to the fact that this shoe fits me slightly long (so I am not hitting the flex point correctly). The forefoot rocker is a little late, making for a stiffer and snappier ride. The forefoot is definitely stiff without much flexibility. I have found the On Cloudmonster best for easy runs, long runs and uptempo runs if you like a firmer shoe.
The long runs were excellent as the slightly longer fit accommodated swelling. Uptempo efforts were great as the stiffer ride and Helion HF foam kept things moving. Any faster paces felt clunky thanks to the firmer and slightly too stiff ride. Despite this limitation, the traction and durability have been great. I have run on road, mild trail and wet versions of each and had no tractions issues. The outsole has only mild wear after 60 miles of use, which is incredible for me. I expect a ton of miles out of this shoe based on how well it is wearing, although that is expected for a shoe that runs firmer than most.
David: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a maximum cushioned training shoe. I view this in the same realm of the super trainers like the Asics Superblast and New Balance SC Trainer 2. Despite some similarities with max cushion and a rockered design this shoe does provide a unique experience within that space. The Cloudmonster Hyper uses a dual density midsole, consisting of CloudTec and Helion HF. The midsole construction has an inner bedding and slab of Helion HF, the same foam used in the Cloudboom Echo 3, with a surrounding outer layer and underside of CloudTec. The resulting feeling is soft and bouncy center of the shoe, that has some firmness around it and on the bottom layer. The CloudTec design does have some resemblence to the J-Frame from HOKA I have seen in the Arahi.
The ride is consistent with the image painted above. The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a max cushion training shoe with a rockered ride. It feels unique to me though. The On Cloudmonster Hyper feels like it has two different halves to the shoe that work together cohesively. The heel has a lot more CloudTec around it and it gives you a firm and rounded landing. Despite that, the central platform underfoot is Helion HF and does give you a good sense of compliance underfoot and a centralization feeling from the surrounding CloudTec. The heel is rounded well and you are pitched forward decently quickly. Due to the quick rounding of the heel and compliance of Helion HF, you get a propelling sensation onto the forefoot. The Cloudmonster Hyper does not have a Speedboard, but does still have decent stiffness up front through the forefoot. I will say that you get a small moment of flexibility in the foam when pushing off through the forefoot, which I actually really like. The Cloudmonster Hyper is a shoe that I can fall into rhythm incredibly easy. I have genuinely been enjoying my runs a tad more when running in the shoe. This shoe really shines from moderate pacing to easy pacing. This could very easily be my workhorse trainer and long run shoe. The foam has enough structure to feel nice and rhythmic at slow paces, but also gives a fun bounce that lets you pick up the pace in a lively manner. I could see myself using this to transition down in to marathon workout paces, though I'm not sure I'd race in it. Though if you are someone sensitive to plates, want a little more structure, and want a shoe with super shoe elements the Cloudmonster Hyper does check those boxes. This could easily be a casual marathon shoe.
Andrea: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a max cushioned trainer that may perform markedly differently for heel strikers and those who land further forward. This is due to the dual density midsole, with the heel appearing to be mostly CloudTec and the midfoot and forefoot mostly Helion HF, which is the Pebax-based compound also found in the Cloudboom Echo 3. This makes the heel feel quite firm, which I noticed while walking around after trying the shoe on. For me as a midfoot striker, the shoe feels completely different when running. Landing at the midfoot feels cushioned, bouncy, and protective for me. I really like the responsive feel of the thick Helion HF foam in the midfoot and forefoot. My first run in the shoe was a 4 mile recovery run, and I loved the bounce and relatively light weight of this max stack trainer.
Compared to my other favorite recovery shoe, the New Balance SC Trainer v1, the lower weight of the Cloudmonster Hyper is striking (11oz for a men's size 10 in the SC Trainer vs 9.3oz for a men's 9 in the Cloudmonster Hyper). I enjoyed the shoe so much on this recovery run that I decided to take it on a 10 mile run at about 45" slower than marathon pace the next day. The weight of the shoe allowed it to handle this faster pace no problem, but I did feel like I was fighting the shoe a little bit, which I attribute to the stiff platform and the fact that there is more CloudTec in the medial forefoot compared to the lateral forefoot. I think this made it a little harder for me to load my 1st MTP at this faster pace. This feature may work well for those who need some medial forefoot stability, but as someone with a history of many lateral ankle sprains, I do not need the shoe to help me stay lateral longer. I think that I don't notice this forefoot feature at slower paces because I'm not putting as much force into the shoe.
The shoe feels like its stated 6mm drop and I never felt like the rearfoot was getting in the way of midfoot landings, even at slower paces. For me, the Cloudmonster Hyper has been a great recovery and easy day shoe, but I would not choose it for faster runs. The relatively extensive rubber coverage of the outsole provided sufficient traction, even on wet roads. I think this shoe will have decent outsole durability, but I wonder how long the Helion HF will retain its performance properties, particularly because On says the Cloudboom Echo 3 will only last 4 marathons. I also wonder if the midsole performance will decline faster for midfoot and forefoot strikers due to the higher proportion of Helion HF in those regions of the shoe. Rearfoot strikers may find greater durability of the CloudTec, which is EVA-based.
STABILITY
Matt: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is technically a neutral shoe but is one of the more stable in On's line. There are small sidewalls in the posterior midfoot/anterior heel on both the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. Despite not having a plate, the midsole is quite stiff both longitudinally and torsionally. The most significant feature is the dual layers of Helion and Helion HF. The softer Helion HF is surrounded by firmer Helion, which travels farther forward on the medial compared to the lateral side. This travels from the heel to the midfoot on the medial side and laterally in the heel (and posterior midfoot), providing essentially a second firmer outer material with some resistance to extra motion. . This does add to the stiffness and centeredness, although some of this is offset by the narrow sole width at the midfoot and somewhat at the heel. So while this is a neutral shoe, it is on the stable side.
David: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is definitely a neutral shoe. The CloudTec design does a good job of stabilizing the platform and giving some gentle guidance, though the underfoot platform is still normal width. Outsole traction is good in most situations. The upper is secure and I did not have any translation issues. I am happy with the stability components on this shoe, though I would still throw this into that neutral category.
Andrea: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a neutral shoe with a few guidance features. There is a higher medial midfoot sidewall that contributes to the midfoot wrap feeling I described above. The stiff platform and forefoot rocker make the shoe feel highly oriented to forward motion. The asymmetrical distribution of CloudTec in the forefoot, with a greater amount of CloudTec present medially as compared to laterally, may provide some control of medial motion when loading the forefoot. However, the platform is relatively narrow throughout the length of the shoe and there is not a significant amount of sole flaring, which combined with the high stack height, may make this shoe less stable for some.
Thoughts as a DPT: Dual Density Midsole, Dual Personality Shoe
By Andrea Myers
The On Cloudmonster Hyper feels like a completely different shoe when I am walking (heel striking) as compared to running (midfoot striking). Of course, every shoe is going to feel different walking vs. running, but the unique dual density midsole geometry of the Cloudmonster Hyper makes the difference particularly exaggerated for me. The Cloudmonster Hyper uses two materials, CloudTec (EVA-based) and Helion HF (Pebax-based) in the midsole. The rearfoot contains a thick slab of CloudTec, which extends nearly 2/3 of the length of the shoe medially and less than 1/2 the length of the shoe laterally. The lateral midfoot and forefoot then contain primarily Helion HF, interspersed with chunks of CloudTec. The medial midfoot remains almost completely CloudTec until the level of the 1st MTP, where then Helion HF is the primary foam with a few embedded chunks of CloudTec. This midsole design results in a very stiff feeling rearfoot when heel striking, but a cushioned and responsive ride when landing further forward.
Runners who land further forward often miss out on the cushioning properties of the rearfoot of a shoe because most shoes are designed for rearfoot strikers (because most runners are rearfoot strikers). The Cloudmonster Hyper feels like a shoe that was designed for midfoot and forefoot strikers due to the more compliant and resilient Helion HF foam in the front 1/2 of the shoe. Reviews of this shoe are going to varying markedly based on the landing mechanics of individual reviewers.
For those trying this shoe on in a running store, it will be very important to actually run in the shoe to see how it performs for you. This is important for any running shoes you buy, but even more important for a shoe like this that feels so different depending on where you land. I know if I only walked in the Cloudmonster Hyper, I would have assumed it was clunky and firm, which couldn't be further from the truth for me.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: I am having a different experience from not only the rest of the team but most people in general. I suspect this is due to the shoe fitting a bit long and potentially not transitioning through the right place. In classic On style, I have found this shoe on the firm side and don't feel a ton of the bounce others are describing. The durability has been great but I am struggling to understand why this shoe is $220. The Helion HF does have some mild bounce to it but is far firmer than a shoe like the ASICS Superblast or the New Balance Fuelcell SC Trainer 2. The longer fit is also an issue with the Cloudboom Echo 3 so I assume On will be working on that. The biggest thing is softening the Helion HF foam (improve compliance) without sacrificing the responsiveness (resiliency). Once the ride is a bit softer, it may be more comfortable. I would also suggest widening the midfoot/heel to offset the taller stack height, which will make this a great stable neutral shoe (if implemented)
David: I really enjoyed my time in the Cloudmonster Hyper. This will be one of my top trainers this year, but there was something I would like to improve. The heel collar posteriorly does ride pretty high up. I needed to wear socks that went higher than my normal ones to prevent any rubbing on the Achilles region. Lowering that would make things a little more comfortable in that region.
Andrea: The Cloudmonster Hyper has replaced my worn out New Balance SC Trainer v1 as my favorite recovery and easy day shoe thanks to its lower weight and bouncier ride. I am perfectly happy with the shoe just for this purpose, but I think I would like the shoe better if the CloudTec was not as prominent in the medial forefoot due to my lateral stability issues. This is a minor grievance. Overall, this is a fantastic new shoe from On.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is for those who have normal to slightly higher volume feet wanting a stiffer shoe with some mild structure that combines some super foam for a firmer super trainer feel. The light upper has enough structure to stay secure but a higher volume for those who want more room. Despite using a super based foam, the ride is still on the firmer side. I have noticed the bounce more recently as the shoe has broken in, but it is still firmer. The durability has been good, but time will tell how many miles on these I get. The limitation into faster efforts makes me question the price of this shoe as $220 is steep for a firmer ride like this. Those who want a firmer ride will rejoice in this shoe's offering as firmer shoes are not common in today's world. That population is limited, so given this is supposed to be the "Hyper" model, making it a bit more soft and responsive may be helpful. That said, for the majority of training this shoe has been good. I will report back after 100 miles, but so far the wear, fit and ride have been consistent.
David: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a maximum cushioned training shoe that is for someone that wants a little structure and bounce to their rockered ride. The shoe has an element of firmness throughout, but does have a big rebound from the Helion HF foam that lines the inside of the shoe under the foot. The CloudTec gives an encasing design and helps keep you feel centered. This rockered shoe can handle daily miles, long runs, and longer range tempo runs and races.
Andrea: The On Cloudmonster Hyper is a max stack trainer that provides a cushioned and bouncy ride for midfoot and forefoot strikers. That is not to say that this shoe does not work for heel strikers, as it is one of David's favorite shoes of the year. For those who like the ride of the On Cloudboom Echo 3, this could be a nice training companion due to the use of the same Helion HF foam and similar fit. At $220, this shoe is more expensive than other super trainers, so hopefully its durability will match its price tag. I would say that the lighter weight of the Cloudmonster Hyper partially justifies its higher cost. I will definitely be reaching for this shoe for many easy runs in the future.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+ (Slightly long fit with higher volume. Laces are secure well and shoe feels better the longer you go)
Performance: B+ (Firmer, more responsive ride that works best for easy, uptempo and long runs)
Stability: A-/B+ [Borderline Stable Neutral (Great duel material of Helion and Helion HF that create a centered ride slightly offset by relatively narrow midfoot/heel)
Value: B (Durable shoe but does not have the super stack height, lighter weight or bounce that its competitors do. It is bouncy for an On shoe but is still on the firmer side. $220 is a bit steep for this shoe but it is quite durable. )
Personal: B+/A- (Despite the slightly long fit, I really have enjoyed this shoe. It is slightly long but adjusts to my feet with swelling. I feel though that this shoe does need to be softer to be more comfortable. )
Overall Design: B+
David
Fit: B+/A- (Good volume and width, a tad long, heel collar rides up high posteriorly, otherwise really nice)
Performance: A (Very rhythmic with good bounce through the forefoot, nicely transitioning rocker, literal monster for training mileage)
Stability: B+/A- (Definitely neutral, platform underfoot normal width and foam is soft, but the CloudTec does a good job of helping with some guidance)
Value: A- (This is tough. Time will tell for durability, but it is doing ok so far. For Super Trainers this is my favorite. So... it lines up with the others in the market at that price point.)
Personal: A (My training run monster at this point)
Overall Design: A- (A well done rockered shoe that gives max cushion, gentle guidance, and good responsiveness)
Andrea
Fit: A (perfect fit in length and toe box width, enough volume without being sloppy, well integrated tongue and unique laces contribute to excellent lockdown)
Performance: A- (One of the best daily trainers of 2024 for me, but use limited to easy paces due to stiffer medial forefoot platform)
Stability: (neutral) B+ (a neutral shoe with some guidance thanks to medial sidewall, forefoot rocker, and asymmetrical dual density midsole in midfoot/forefoot)
Value: A- (A more expensive super trainer than other brands, but lighter weight and more responsive ride scores value points. Long term value will depend on midsole and outsole durability.)
Personal: A-/A (One of my favorite trainers of 2024 and my definite favorite recovery shoe.)
Overall Design: A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DOROn Cloudmonster HyperPrice: $219.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
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