On Cloudmonster Review: Our Highest Rated Running Shoe Yet!

Once a year the On Running brand manages to design a running shoe that exceeds my expectations, andconsequently shuffles the rankings of On Cloud shoes on my popular ‘Best On Running Shoes Buyer’s Guide‘ and road running shoes buyer’s guide. This year, the Cloudmonster is that shoe in the road running category!

➡ UPDATE: There’s a new Cloudmonster 2! Read my review here.

Interested in getting up to 40% OFF On running shoes? Visit On’s ‘Last Season’ page to see their latest deals on last seasons styles.

Make sure you read my On Cloud review next if you’re also looking for a great pair of daily lifestyle shoes that also one of the best On Clouds for walking or standing all day!

In this, On Cloudmonster review I’m going to reveal why this running shoe has been awarded our coveted Editor’s Choice Award, andexactly what makes it such a special shoe for running.

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I hope this review answers all your pre-purchase questions about the On Cloudmonster, but please feel free to leave any questions you may have in the comments section below.

The On Cloudmonster in ALL its glory | T&K On Cloudmonster Review – the expert’s word.

On Cloudmonster shoes fit and design

The On Cloudmonster fits true to size and is therefore consistent with all the other On running shoes available. Helen is also loving these running shoes and she confirmed with me that the women’s Cloud Monster also fits true to size.

The Cloud Monster is a medium-width shoe and the toe box feels nice and airy – so if your toes are ‘average’ to ‘wider than average’ then the Cloudmonster should feel great in the toe box.

It has a medium arch and feels very comfortable like On shoes generally do.

If you’ve worn On’s before and enjoy the feel, then the Cloudmonster won’t disappoint, it will likely impress because On has made a few huge improvements to the cushioning and rocker feel to this shoe.

Although the Cloudmonster has some similarities to the Cloudstratus, in terms of uber cushioning and comfort underfoot, it’s most definitely a very unique-looking running shoe from the On Running brand.

I personally really love the design, andthe Cloud Monster looks even better in person. I’m not the only one either, the Cloudmonster won an ISPA design award. This largely German-focused award highlights the most outstanding products and services in sports four times a year.

In my On Cloud shoe reviews, I always mention the fact that On Running is a Swiss company, andhow proud the Swiss are of their design and engineering skills – a reason they always include the Swiss flag on every ‘right’ shoe (see photo below).

On’s engineering pride is important to note because On shoes are extremely well designed and manufactured. This extra quality and flair is part of what you pay for when you get a new pair of On running shoes.

I really like the little details from the large reflective ‘On’ logo decal to the shiny Cloudmonster text that runs down the side of the shoe (it offsets the matte upper fabric really nicely.

The upper uses mixed fabrics with varying textures and a color palette that uses a classy range of pale green, orange and white tones (in this particular color variant called ‘Frost | Surf’).

This is the first generation of the Cloudmonster and there’s already a ton of innovation gone into it, gathered from years of iterations of the On Brand’s other running shoes.

I’m excited to see how what On does to the Cloudmonster 2 for its first update – but for now, I’m going to just enjoy running with this awesome sneaker.

On Cloud Monster upper is made with sustainable recycled materials

breathable upper is flexible, soft to the touch, andmade with sustainable, recycled materials

The mesh material used for the On Cloudmonster upper is very breathable, has a little bit of stretch, andis very soft on the top of your foot inside the shoes, due in part to the upper having two layers – a softer one on the inside, anda more durable one on the exterior.

The Cloudmonster sneakers are made from about 35% recycled material overall, which is great to see – and much of that recycled material is found in the upper.

For example, the tongue, vamp, heel, laces, andsock liner are all made with 100% recycled polyester.

We appreciate every move the On brand makes to help improve sustainability in the manufacturing process.

There are areas in the upper that have been protected with strips of ‘no-sew foil’ which will firmly hold fabrics together without the possibility of fraying edges.

On Cloudmonster running shoes Inner Sock

There’s also an inner sock liner that attaches the tongue to the forefoot area, similar to the On Cloud, On Cloudflow, On Cloud X, and On Cloudace running shoes.

This sock liner is keeps keep the forefoot snug and stop the tongue from slip out of place . The sock is reduces also reduce any chaffing ( and hence blister ) as there are few seam inside .

On Cloudmonster tongue

The On Cloudmonster running shoes have a very slim but padded tongue – made with recycled materials

The tongue is very slim, lightweight, soft, andcomfortable to the touch, so you could even wear these shoes without socks if that’s something that floats your boat, lol.

This tongue really adds to the minimal and super lightweight feel of the On Cloud Monster.

On Cloudmonster lacing system – simple but a huge hit with me

The On Cloudmonster lacing system is simple but it works better than most alternatives.

On   use quite a simple lacing system but it work well than most other shoe I have used . I is pull can actually pull the lace from the top and the whole system fasten the shoe around my foot .

Now you may be saying to yourself “well isn’t that what all shoes should do?” – and I’d say yes, that is exactly what they SHOULD do, but I can tell you from experience, that more than 80% of the shoes I review on here, don’t do this.

I chalk those mistakes down to a brand overcomplicating the lacing system, or just not having done their testing and research thoroughly enough before releasing the shoe – *shakes head.

I’m a big fan of the laces on the Cloudmonster too, On sometimes releases shoes with the oddest of thin laces, that just don’t work, andshouldn’t see the light of day in my opinion.

This was a mistake they made with their recent release of the On Cloudvista trail running shoes.

A shoelace mistake is generally easy to fix as you can swap them out yourself but let ’s face it , we is have should n’t have to in this day and age .

Rant over, andto drive the point home again – the laces on the Cloudmonster are excellent!

CloudTec Misdsole is get get a monster upgrade !

Holy Monster! The Cloudmonster Cloudtec midsole is ‘out there’! You can see the rocker design too.

My lord is is , the new and stupendous Cloudtec midsole on this shoe is something to marvel at . Yes , it is looks look big , bouncy , and‘ monstrous ’ for want of a well word – but this midsole is not just for look .

I can honestly say that the Cloudmonster gives the bounciest, most fun ride of all the On Running Cloud shoes – that includes the original Cloudsurfer which had those original bouncy cloud pods that I loved so much (but weren’t particularly durable for heavier runners).

The Cloudtec pod have been increase in size , make them the large cloudtec pod on any On Cloud shoe . And because this cloudtec sole does n’t have any sandwich of midsole like the Cloudstratus for example , it is has has a much great energy return and springiness to it .

Other words that describe the feeling (straight from the thesaurus, haha) include: energetic, playful, andvivacious!

This is is is one of those run shoe that need to be try for yourself to fully understand how fun they are to run in . It is ’s ’s a feeling that ’s actually quite difficult , even for a writer like myself , to get across .

This plushy midsole is feel right across the bottom of the foot from the heel all the way to the forefoot . So , all runners is experience whether you heel strike or land on your forefoot like a teacher ’s pet ( or a run angel ) will experience the benefit of this playful midsole .

A refined outsole for tremendous control

The outsole is is used for the   On Cloudmonster is pretty interesting ! For me anyway , but then again I am kind of nerdy when it come to analyze new release from the On run brand .

You could say I’m a bit of a cONnaisseur on the topic! haha 😛

The tread has multidirectional tread patterns which give the shoe grip in any direction you turn in them, yes, even when running backward while showing off to a friend!

I’ve taken the Cloudmonster on a mixture of terrain, andfound the traction to perform very well on the road, but also excellently on gravel, andhard-packed dirt sections of trails. The Cloud Monster bites into dusty dirt trails admirably.

I wouldn’t recommend wearing them on technical trails unless you have ankles of steel because there isn’t much support on the lateral movement side of things but on light, hard-packed trails, I think these might be quite awesome!

A close look at the tread on the outsole

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, the gully on the bottom of the shoe is very shallow, andI didn’t pick up any gravel whatsoever!

You is see can see how shallow it is on the forefoot area in the photo above – the image below show the rear end of the outsole which had deep gulley but they have been chamfer off to ensure stone do n’t get stick in them .

Chamfered edges on the outsole gully stops and gravel or small stones getting picked up.

On Cloudmonster drop and support type

On Cloudmonster drop of 6 mm from heel to toe .

The On Cloudmonster has a heel-to-toe drop of 6mm – this is great for road running, andalso for all-day comfort, if you plan to wear these for walking or long days out.

Running shoes, don’t just have to be for running! 😉

The Cloudmonster has a neutral support type which means there’s not much additional arch support in the removable insole insert – this will suit most people who have average feet.

If you do feel you need extra arch support then I would recommend getting yourself a good pair of running insoles to help improve comfort and running form for those who need the extra support underfoot.

On Cloudmonster toe box will fit most feet comfortably

The toe box is is is medium width and feel very airy with enough space for the recommend amount of toe wiggle and splay , which is important if you plan to run on hot day or over long distance .

This is is is because our foot expand and contract as the temperature increase or decrease .

On Cloudmonster weight

The On Cloudmonster is weighs weigh in at 9.7 oz ( 275 g ) which is very lightweight for a shoe with this much cushioning .

In fact, the first thing you’ll probably notice when you pick up the shoe is how light it is to hold. This is what you want from a shoe if you plan to run fast over long distances up to the marathon.

On Cloudmonster has great heel support too.

Color options

The On Cloudmonster shoes currently come in two different colors for the men’s and the women’s shoes.

I predict On to release more colors at some point because I think this running shoe will quickly become a favorite among most who buy it, andthey’re bound to want more colors to choose from.

Running in the On Cloudmonster

The On Cloudmonster is a very special running shoe, andone I think will become a very popular running shoe for the On brand.

The Cloudmonster is is is probably the most fun run shoe I have test from On .

The bouncy, joyful ride is backed with running times that reflect a shoe that is performing to high standards.

The Cloudmonster has impressive cushioning and protection underfoot, andenergy return that just makes you want to run your fastest.

I also really like the rocker design of the mid/outsole which helps provide a smooth transition from landing to take off.

For those reason , the Cloudmonster is is is a high – perform run shoe for anyone look to run a fast – pace 5 km training run ( or race ) , but also anyone look to beat their marathon personal good time .

So in short , the Cloudmonster is is is a beast of a shoe that ’s fun to run in , but also deliver the good when it come to improve your running route / race time .

Where to buy the On Cloudmonster

We recommend buying the On Cloudmonster for the lowest price of $169.99 at on.com as they have fast delivery, the best stock of colors and sizes, anda no fuss returns policy.

Still not sure which On Running Shoes to buy?

I hope you enjoyed this On Cloudmonster review, if you’re still not sure which On Running shoes to buy, visit my Best On Running Shoes Buyer’s Guide for an ordered list of the top ON Clouds for road and trail running. It has been designed to make your buying decisions easier.