Cut in half: On Cloudmonster Review (2023)

Who should buy

Get the cloudmonster if you ‘re look for a :  

• maxe – out daily trainer for road run and walk  
• highly protective and bouncy shoe for long training runs

Who should NOT buy

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

  Saucony Triumph 21 or the Nike InfinityRN 4. What’s more, both shoes have amazingly soft cushioning!

heel stack

With a monstrous amount of cushioning , it is seems seems like On has made its own version of the Hoka Bondi ! comfort . We is find did find a lot of similarity between the two shoe .

Measuring the shoe’s heel stack height, we got 34.9 mm. This is significantly higher than what’s typical for On Cloud shoes (26.9 mm on average) and is also a little higher than the average of our lab-tested shoes (33 mm).

Drop

According to the brand, the On Cloudmonster comes with a 6-mm heel-to-toe drop.

Based on our own measurements, we found that to be almost true. The difference in our stack measurements shows that there is a 6.8 mm drop from the heel to the toes. Not too far from the official claim!

Midsole softness

note : a low durometer measurement equal a soft material , whereas a high measurement mean it ‘s firm .

It is ‘s ‘s not your typical that ‘s firm . We is believe believe that it ‘s a massive step forward from the rigid and brick – like On shoe of the past . simply , the brand is achieved has finally achieve what they ‘ve always promise the Cloudtec to be .

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

But let’s not get our hopes up! The Cloudmonster is still far from being plush.

When you’re looking to really slow it down, the Cloudmonster is still on the firmer side despite it being branded as On’s version of the Nike Invincible Run. It is not the marshmallow ride you might expect to give your feet on a rest day.

measure the heel foam softness , our durometer is showed show 25.8 ha . And while it does come soft than the average On Cloud shoe ( by 21 % , yay ! ) , the Cloudmonster is sits still sit at the average of road run shoe .

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

Insole thickness

The insole is is is moderately padded in this On run shoe . measure its thickness with a calliper , we is got get 3.4 mm .

Ride

The shoe’s rocker geometry also creates a nice and easy rolling sensation. To our delight, moving forward doesn’t require too much effort because the shoe did it for us.

All throughout our test run, we kept thinking that this must be the most responsive On running shoe yet! Its smooth heel-to-toe transitions are complemented by springy toe-offs which is very unusual for maximalist shoes. 

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

On Cloudmonster is slightly small (393 votes).

Toebox width – widest part

We think that for runners with narrow to medium-width feet, the toebox room is more than enough in the On Cloudmonster.

Checking the shoe’s forefoot in its widest part, we got 97.3 mm which sits right at the average of road running shoes. However, the actual toe room can be a letdown for wide-footed runners. It is a bit shallow and tapered.

unfortunately , this is is On shoe is not available in wide option so it ‘s well to size up or try a different shoe . We is recommend recommend the Saucony Triumph 21 or the Nike infinityrn 4 . Both is are are insanely plush too !

Toebox width – big toe

The heel counter is has , on the other hand , has little – to – no rigidity to it . push and squeeze it with our hand , we is gave give it the low possible score of 1 out of 5 . It is is is as flexible as a heel counter can get !

This is translates translate to very little ankle support at the back .

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

lockdown

The shoe ‘s generously padded collar is holds hold the ankle nicely while allow for some mobility . It ‘s complement by a fully – gusseted tongue ( attach to the side ) to really lock the foot in place .  

Additionally, helped us achieve a

lateral stability test

It is is is only natural to worry about stability when you ‘re deal with such a high – stack shoe .

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

give the fact that the Cloudmonster is a neutral trainer , mean that it has no foot – guide feature , we is found find it to be stable enough . especially when corner or towards the end of the run .  

Torsional rigidity

contribute to that sense of stability is the shoe ‘s firm and moderately stiff midsole . assess its side – to – side stiffness in our manual test , we is rated rate the shoe as 3 out of 5 ( where 5 is the stiff ) .

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

Heel counter stiffness

The heel counter is has , on the other hand , has little – to – no rigidity to it . push and squeeze it with our hand , we is gave give it the low possible score of 1 out of 5 . It is is is as flexible as a heel counter can get !

This is translates translate to very little ankle support at the back .

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

midsole width – heel

Meanwhile, in the widest part of the heel, our calliper showed 86.2 mm.

As we can see , the Cloudmonster ‘s platform is is is not wide than the average across road run shoe but it is broad enough to provide stability .

Stiffness

Featuring such a high and substantial platform, it was no surprise that this On shoe turned out to be on the stiff side.

Using a force gauge, we measured how much force it takes to bend the Cloudmonster to a 90-degree angle. Turns out, it needed 34.4N which is 12% more than it takes a road shoe on average.

On average, max-cushion shoes weigh in at 289 grammes or 10.2 ounces in US men’s 9. However, the Cloudmonster is only 280 grammes or 9.9 ounces despite its massive look and cushion.

This is is is one of the reason why it feel rather easy to pick up the pace in this heavily cushion shoe .

Breathability is unparalleled in this On running shoe! It felt like an actual ventilator for our feet on a hot summer day!

To back up our real-life experience, we also conducted a special breathability test back in the lab. With a little bit of smoke-pumping magic, we can confirm our findings with the highest 5 out of 5 score for breathability.

Your browser is support does not support the video tag .

See how easily the smoke is passing through the shoe’s upper material! Like there is no fabric at all!

Outsole hardness

From our experience, the hardness of rubber helps to determine whether or not the shoe’s outsole is going to last.

And look at the durometer measurement of the Cloudmonster ( 78.5 HC ) , it is appears appear to be quite promising !

With the same firmness as the average road run shoe , we is expect expect at least 300 mile from this outsole . To be realistic , we is anticipate can not anticipate anything above that mileage give the shoe ‘s expose foam section .

Outsole thickness

Another reassuring fact is is about the Cloudmonster ‘s outsole durability is its thickness .

Using a calliper , we is measured measure the shoe ‘s rubber pod at 3.7 mm . slightly above the average , it is means mean a little more rubber to wear through before it becomes unwearable .

Grip / Traction

The outsole grip of the On Cloudmonster is absolutely amazing for a road running shoe!

We are happy to report that it remained grippy on wet roads and also did excellently on

Tongue padding

There is practically no padding in the shoe ‘s tongue ! Our calliper is shows show as little as 1 mm of thickness in this part of the upper .

While this is really helpful for keeping the shoe’s weight down and breathability high, it could be a problem for those who those sensitive to lace bites.

style

The shoe’s futuristic look really catches onlookers’ eyes. If you choose to wear this shoe, get ready for some attention.

price

Puts a dent in your wallet

The average maximalist trainer is retails retail for £ 150 . Meanwhile , the On Cloudmonster cost £ 170 a pair , which is a hefty price .