Reader review
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 · 9 oz · 6mm drop · 39/33mm stack
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 came to it from another shoe preferred it. The rating rests on 77 runner reviews and 2 other rated shoes in the Cloudmonster product line.
Exceptional
97/100
Overall
97
Appearance
99
Cushioning
97
Comfort
88
Durability
87
Value
66
Confidence
98
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 will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
98/100
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.”
Prefer this shoe over another
71% 25/35
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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 on 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
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
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
97
2022
69
2024
92
2026
Release year
-
2026 · 5 reviews
92 Very good
79 Confidence
-
2024 · 12 reviews
69 Below average
62 Confidence
-
Cloudmonster This shoe
2022 · 77 reviews
97 Exceptional
98 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 9 oz
- Release
- 2022 Q1
- MSRP
- $180
- Stack Height
- 39mm heel - 33mm toe
- Drop Height
- 6mm
Runner reviews
Reader review
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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Newest
Lightest
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Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9 oz M
10.4 oz M
8.5 oz M
Lightest
Stack
39/33mm
35/29mm
40/35mm
Drop
6mm
6mm
5mm
Release
2022 Q1
2026
Newest
2023 Q1
MSRP
$180
$190
$145
Best price
—
$169.95
$149.99
Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Exceptional (97)
Very good (92)
Exceptional (99)
Best overall
Comfort
Good (88)
Good (85)
Exceptional (99)
Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (97)
Good (87)
Exceptional (99)
Best cushioning
Durability
Good (87)
Decent (79)
Very good (92)
Best durability
Appearance
Exceptional (99)
Best appearance
Excellent (96)
Very good (91)
Value
Below average (66)
Bottom-tier (59)
Good (88)
Best value
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