Reader review
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jun 8, 2023
training for 5K and 10K
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
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
Most comfortable shoe I’ve ever run in, but not very durable
5/5
Overall
I love these shoes! They are so comfortable and cushion-y, they made me feel like I was actually running on clouds :)
The only issue I have with these shoes is that they would not last very long. I run quite a bit in them, about 100km/week or 60miles/week, but felt the sole wore out pretty quickly compared to other shoes. I think they lasted about 3-4 weeks or 300-400km, which is less than other shoes I have worn in the past. They are also pretty expensive so I hoped they would last a bit longer.
But I’m on my third pair now! So I guess the shoes are worth it!!
Chelsey · Jun 5, 2023
60 mpw training for a marathon came from the New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v2
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
1st running shoe in almost 30 years
5/5
Overall
Years ago I worked in a running store. I pre-date Nike Air running shoes so Nike waffle trainer was the most prevalent shoe I ran in. Learned a lot from the "God Father" of running shoes, Jerry Turner.
For this new purchase 30 years after my last pair of Tigers (can't call them Asics, sorry) tried on 3-4 brands. Said HELL NO to Hokas as they just look wrong. On was the clear winner for fit to my foot. Only one issue I've had with them is the back collar digs into my ankle, so I have to put few layers of athletic tape to prevent blisters. Ton of cushion for such a light trainer.
BTW, surveys are vastly overrated. I remember folks coming into the store with the latest RW shoe issue and asking for that year's #1 ranked shoe. Buy the shoe that fits your foot and style of running, regardless of brand. You might need a straight, full board last shoe. Most are fine with a slight curve, combo last trainer (board/slip last construction).
Anonymous runner · Jun 1, 2023
training for a half marathon
- 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.
Current shoe
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Best appearance
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