5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jun 17, 2024
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
On Cloudmonster
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.9 oz · 39/33mm stack · 6mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The On Cloudmonster 2 replaced it
How it ranks
The On Cloudmonster is one of the strongest daily trainers in our data. Looks and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Value scores well below its other sub-ratings. Most runners who compared it with another shoe preferred it. The rating is based on 77 runner reviews and 2 other rated shoes in the Cloudmonster product line.
Very good
91
Overall
91
Appearance
99
Cushioning
90
Durability
81
Comfort
80
Value
65
Confidence
99
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
99 Very high
External retailer ratings
We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.
The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Our ratings
- Brand rating
- External ratings
What runners say
“I feel like I've strapped mini trampolines to my feet.”
“The best shoe I've ever run in. Super responsive with a comfortable but firm ride.”
“Super lightweight, tipping the scales at just around 10.8 ounces.”
“They feel like I'm running on clouds.”
“I love the way they bounce back after hitting the ground.”
“So comfortable and cushioned, they made me feel like I was actually running on clouds.”
“Boasts a substantial cushion stack height, which provides a plush ride.”
“This shoe functioned as a great daily trainer that especially excelled at picking up the pace.”
“They seem to strike the perfect balance between cushioned and stable.”
“The cushioning is good without being too soft, and the speedboard allows for a propulsive feel.”
“The sole wore out pretty quickly compared to other shoes. Lasted about 3-4 weeks or 300-400km.”
“Very light and responsive. Plate makes it stiff, which helps late in long runs but doesn't feel awesome at very slow paces.”
“It only lasts around 200 miles; the heel of the shoe starts to fall apart after that.”
“The back collar digs into my ankle, so I have to put layers of athletic tape to prevent blisters.”
“They are more cushioned, but needed a break-in because at first they felt really stiff.”
“My main issue is with how they fit around the ankle and top of the foot.”
“No medial post, so ankles suffered early.”
“The only downside is the lackluster durability.”
“The cloud cushioning technology is very enjoyable even though some other aspects seem compromised.”
“If you wear the shoe too long, the plate will become uncomfortable.”
“It also takes a while to break in for comfort.”
Prefer this shoe over another
69% 25/36
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- Reviewers say the plate and rocker add snap for tempo and long runs.
- Reviewers call it among the most comfortable, cushioned shoes they have run in.
- Reviewers describe the ride as cushioned but firm rather than soft.
Cons
- It lists above the $150 median for daily trainers for sale, and eleven reviewers call it expensive.
- Five reviewers say the sole wears out sooner than other trainers, though three report 500 miles or more.
- Three reviewers find the stiff plate uncomfortable at slow, easy paces.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Confidence
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the On Cloudmonster
Each dot is one version of the Cloudmonster, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
40
60
80
100
91
2022
71
2024
85
2026
Release year
-
2026 · 5 reviews
85 Good
78 Confidence
-
2024 · 12 reviews
71 Decent
79 Confidence
-
Cloudmonster This shoe
2022 · 77 reviews
91 Very good
99 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 8.9 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 9.7 oz · Women's 8.1 oz
- Release
- 2022 Q1
- MSRP
- $180
- Stack
- 39/33mm
- Drop
- 6mm
Runner reviews
2/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jun 14, 2024
- Comfort
- 1/5
- Cushioning
- 1/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 2/5
Good for long runs + runs with more uptempo (fartlek, strides)
5/5
Overall
Very light and responsive. Plate makes it stiff, which helps in the latter parts of a long run but doesn't feel awesome at very slow recovery paces. Excellent quality and a fun shoe to run in.
You can stick various sticks and pencils in the bottom. Once I stuck a battery in the bottom for fun and forgot about it for a couple months. When I found it I got a free battery
Anonymous runner · Mar 13, 2024
55 mpw training for 5K and 10K
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
On Cloud Monster for the win
4/5
Overall
Lacing up my On Running Cloud Monster, I feel like I've strapped mini trampolines to my feet. I’m new to On Running shoes and in my first 50 miles, I rate them 8 out of 10. Here's a quick run-down:
Firstly, the weight: super lightweight, tipping the scales at just around 10.8 ounces.
Now, the stack: The Cloud Monster boasts a substantial cushion stack height, which provides a plush ride — and it is. This hefty cushioning, paired with their Helion superfoam material, makes for a great ride. Not the best daily trainers but great for me as I nurse my Achilles’ back after an annoying few months dealing with Achilles tendinitis.
And about the materials: The upper is crafted from a breathable mesh that keeps things airy and comfortable, no matter the distance. Not to tight yet snug.
Although the lacing can be a bit fiddly, and in each of my runs I’ve had to stop early on to adjust, but no other problems during the run.
In comparison to my previous Nike Pegasus, which felt a bit too snug, or my trail running Altras (that led to my Achilles issues), the Cloud Monster has been great. It's like upgrading from economy to business class.
We’ll see how they hold up but for now, I’m just having some fun!
Kevin Pirehpour · Dec 30, 2023
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 38
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Definitely not worth the money
4/5
Overall
I bought this shoe about 2 or 3 months ago, so I have 250+ miles on them. They are not a bad shoe, but there are definitely a lot better shoes you can get for the money. In comparison to other shoes of this type I have run in, my main issue is with how they fit around the ankle and top of the foot. However, the cloud cushioning technology is still very enjoyable even though it seems to me like some other aspects have been compromised.
Tate · Dec 29, 2023
35 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 26
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from On
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
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Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.9 oz
Lightest
9.5 oz
9.9 oz
Stack
39/33mm
35/29mm
40/35mm
Drop
6mm
6mm
4mm
Release
2022 Q1
2026
Newest
2022 Q3
MSRP
$180
$190
$165
Best price
—
$135
$95
Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
91 Very good
85 Good
99 Exceptional
Best overall
Comfort
80 Good
73 Decent
99 Exceptional
Best comfort
Cushioning
90 Very good
79 Decent
99 Exceptional
Best cushioning
Durability
81 Good
72 Decent
97 Exceptional
Best durability
Appearance
99 Exceptional
Best appearance
90 Very good
75 Decent
Value
65 Below average
58 Bottom-tier
77 Decent
Best value rating
On Cloudmonster In Context
More on the On Cloudmonster
- On Cloudmonster 3
- On Cloudmonster 2 next version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Nike ZoomX Invincible Run 3 3 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 40 3 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 39 2 runners