On Cloudmonster Hyper Review: The MONSTER IS BACK In My Good Books!

Hey everyone, welcome to my On Cloudmonster Hyper review – yes, you heard that right – another Cloudmonster is here, barely 2 months after the Cloudmonster 2 was released. In this review I’m going to be my thoughts on this ultimate super trainer, and also breaking down the differences between the Cloudmonster Hyper, the Cloud Monster 2, and the original Cloudmonster.

I’m going to be sharing who this shoe is really for, what its core purpose is, and I’ll also walk you through the features I’m loving and the areas where I think there’s room for improvement. I’ll also tackle the big question: is it worth the $220 investment? Keep reading as I get into all the juicy details of this monstrous super trainer.

The Key Specifications

• Price: $220
• Sizing and fit: True to size with a medium width fit
• Weight: 9.1oz (258g) for a size US(M)9 (my pair)
• Drop: 6mm – Stack height: 37mm at the heel, 31mm at the toe
• Toe box width: Medium with space
• Stability: They have a nice stable platform but no additional stability built in
• Midsole Cushioning: Max cushioning Cloudtec with new Pebax Helion Hyper Foam – let’s call it Helion HF
• Best for: Road running, daily training, recovery runs, volume mileage, training super shoe. Switch it out for the Cloudboom Echo 3 on race day

What is their intended use, and who are they best for?

So, what are the On Cloudmonster Hyper running shoes actually for, and who should be wearing them? Essentially, they’re positioned as the ultimate go-to daily trainer, perfect for racking up those effortless miles and also for nailing your fast, long training sessions.

You could categorize it as a tempo shoe or a recovery shoe, On however, is positioning it as their first training super shoe.

• LEARN: The concept of a ‘super trainer’ running shoe is basically that it’s a daily trainer to rule them all, that you swap out for your racing carbon fiber plate running shoes come race day.

On brands this as a training super shoe, and you might wonder, what gives, especially since it doesn’t incorporate a carbon fiber plate in the midsole? Well, the answer lies in its innovative PEBAX hyper foam combined with On’s CloudTec technology, that’s one of a few styles of midsole found in some of the best On running shoes available, not to be confused with Cloudtec Phase.

This combo results in a shoe that’s not only responsive but also packs a punch in terms of energy return and durability, making it more resilient than the standard Helion foam. To put it simply, if you’re in search of a top-tier training shoe that can handle easy miles, fast tempo runs, and everything in between, this is the shoe for you.

Now, for those race days when you want an extra edge, you will want to switch to the On Cloudboom Echo 3, which features a lighter geometry, and a carbon fiber plate for that competitive advantage – it’s On’s flagship Super Shoe for racing.

On Cloudmonster Hyper VS Cloudmonster 2

From my runs so far, I can tell you the Cloudmonster Hyper feels fantastic; it’s very well cushioned, offers a great response underfoot, and, in my view, it’s a huge step up from the On Cloudmonster 2.

In terms of fit, the Hyper is true to size whereas the Cloudmonster 2 was wide, and overly spacious.

What about in terms of the ‘feel’ of it, how it connects with the ground, and its overall ride, though? Well, it strikes a balance somewhere between the original Cloudmonster and the Cloudmonster 2 with added benefits. More specifically, it has more cushioning, bounce, and protection than the Cloudmonster 2, though it doesn’t quite reach the bounciness of the original. What it does bring to the table compared with the original, is the stability that was introduced with the Cloudmonster 2.

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Cloudmonster Hyper features that work really well

This is the part where I share the features of the Cloudmonster Hyper that have really stood out to me during my runs so far. I’m going to start with the overall sensation right out of the box as they’re incredibly comfortable, something I have come to expect from On after so many years reviewing their running shoes.

The fit is snug and just feels right, thanks to a lacing system that’s both efficient and effective in securing a great fit.

While there are a couple of niggles with the lacing and the tongue that I’ll touch on later in terms of improvements for the next iteration, the overall fit is notably enhanced by the flexible upper.

Your feet will feel snug and secure, and pairing this with the midsole made from the PEBAX hyper foam, the underfoot feeling is cushioned yet far from plush, maintaining a solid level of responsiveness, even more so than what you’d find in the Cloudmonster 2, courtesy of this new foam and design tweaks.

This translates to an enjoyable running experience really well, the new PEBAX hyper foam brings a noticeable improvement in responsiveness compared to its predecessors, defining what makes this such a good training shoe.

Whether you’re planning to buy these for long training runs, a recovery day, or pushing the pace on tempo runs, this shoe handles it all really well. Given its $220 price tag, you’re either looking for a highly versatile running shoe or something that excels exceptionally in a specific aspect, and the Cloudmonster Hyper has the former covered.

The only training area it doesn’t handle too well, is speed training for which I would personally recommend a running shoe with a lighter overall weight, like the Cloudspark, for example.

While the On Cloudboom Echo 3 might be the go-to for racing, offering outstanding speed and distance capabilities, the Cloudmonster Hyper shines in its versatility and performance across various runs, just about justifying its high price tag.

Another feature that I like is the outsole design, for which On has strategically placed rubber compounds on the outsole to not only reduce weight but also to enhance performance where it matters most along the sole.

• LEARN: For those not in the know, running shoe brands often exclude the rubber compound in areas less likely to come into contact with the ground, saving weight without sacrificing necessary traction.

The orange sections you see in the photo above are part of the PEBAX foam, but the white sections are the rubber compound, providing excellent traction and surprisingly good control, even when taking corners – something I wouldn’t normally expect from a shoe with such a high stack height.

Lastly, revisiting the upper, I didn’t mention earlier the cushioned collar and heel counter, which deserve a mention as they wrap around your feet really well, enhancing the overall comfort.

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The features that could be improved for the next version

For those looking to dial in an even better fit, I definitely recommend trying out the Racer’s Loop, also known as the heel lock lacing technique (that’s a link to a video showing you how to do it).

This lacing method is a great way to stop heel slip in your running shoes, and it also cleverly shortens the lace length, so you’re not bothered by laces flapping around mid-run.

I found myself needing to use this technique with the Cloudmonster Hyper due to the unexpectedly long laces, which is one such area ripe for improvement in future iterations of this shoe.

Yes, the laces are quite long, and while the Racer’s Loop is an effective workaround, it feels like a step that shouldn’t be necessary. Implementing this lacing technique not only eliminates the nuisance of excessive lace length but also ensures a snugger heel fit, which is sometimes crucial for achieving the ideal fit. So, if your heel tends to slip in running shoes, I strongly recommend giving the Racer’s Loop a go.

Moving on to the tongue, which is another aspect that could use some attention as it’s definitely on the shorter side, and when you apply the Racer’s Loop technique, you might find your laces teetering dangerously close to the edge of the tongue, which isn’t ideal.

Moreover, the absence of a loop on the tongue means it can slide down a bit during runs. Adding a simple loop for the laces to go through on the tongue would secure it in place; this would be a straightforward fix for On to implement in the next version of the Cloudmonster Hyper. It’s a small detail, but one that could make a significant difference in the overall fit and comfort.

Is the Cloudmonster Hyper worth buying?

It certainly is for some, even with the heavy $220 price tag! If you’re looking for a versatile training shoe so that you can eliminate some other overlapping shoes from your shoe rotation then I would consider this one.

Like I mentioned earlier, it doesn’t replace all training shoes, like lightweight interval shoes for example but it gets you 70% of the way there (in terms of the types of training runs you can do in them), and then all you need to do is switch out to a carbon fiber plated running shoe come race day.

If you read or watched my Cloudmonster 2, you’ll know I wasn’t a fan of that one because of how far it swayed from the original Cloudmonster which was an epicly fun running shoe but I’m pleased to say the MONSTER is back in my good books!

I really hope you found this Cloudmonster Hyper review informative and enjoyable. If you did, don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter, so you don’t miss new in-depth running shoe reviews just like this one.

YouTube Video review

Did you know we also create shoe review videos on our YouTube Channel too? Click the image below to watch our On Cloudmonster Hyper review on YouTube next.

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