ON Cloudmonster 2 Introduction
The On Cloudmonster 2 brings style to long distance running. The shoe is what you imagine when walking into a hospital and every nurse or doctor has them underfoot.
Not only do they look good with the multiple colorways, the Cloudmonster 2 can also exceed running expectations.
A max cushioned daily trainer that handles weekend long runs with no problem. It also manages speed moderately well.
If you have a long run that has short quick interval work incorporated throughout the run it can handle that short speed work well over a few minutes at a time.
It does not feel heavy even weighing in at 10.4 oz (men’s size 9). You can feel the stiffness of the foam underfoot which in turn does not make the Cloudmonster 2 feel like an overwhelming soft max cushioned trainer.
Therefore, the combination of the weight and foam stiffness satisfies the mind on how well it does with short speed work.
Some of the key features includes the biggest ever cloudtec pods. Cloudtec science says during the footstrike each pod crashes down and rebounds back for more energy return.
The larger the pod the more energy return. The nylon blend speedboard also provides more energy return by allowing the shoes to flex with the foot.
Progressing through your gait cycle it then rebounds back to its original position. This provides an efficient and responsive sensation during toe off.
The dual density helion midsole foam provides a combination of stable and soft materials which simply provides durability to the midsole.
All of this technology into a running shoe sounds confusing but one thing to know is it handles long distance runs really well!
The shoe is built for those long grueling days on your feet.
ON Cloudmonster 2 First Impressions
The On Cloudmonster 2 immediately got me overly excited.
It is aesthetically pleasing. The On running overlay across the upper blending into the midsole was definitely an eye catcher.
When trying it on I imagined super soft cushioning but instead it was a bit stiff but not unpleasant.
Lacing them up was a bit confusing I had to tighten them basically all the way to the bottom to feel like I had a secure fit.
There felt like extra room throughout the upper around the top and sides of my feet but yet again the wider toe box was actually a decent surprise. The heel collar also provided nice cushioning.
The tongue lays nice and flat along the top of your feet and is relatively thin.
My first run in the Cloudmonster 2 consisted of a 12 mile run with 10×3 min intervals. I was imagining my 3 min speed intervals would be slow but I held on just fine which was a pleasant surprise coming from a max cushioned daily trainer.
I had no irritation spots or blisters forming after that first run. I was concerned I would due to the fit being inconsistent throughout the upper.
I didn’t notice any dramatic energy return it felt pretty neutral to other shoes in the max cushioned category.
Overall first impression was better than expected especially during the short speed work.
ON Cloudmonster 2 Upper
The Cloudmonster 2 upper was really my only concern.
The fit around the upper such as around the top and side of my feet had extra room which has never really been an issue to other shoes that I have worn. It was not a horrible concept I just did not expect that.
The extra room in the toe box is nice which allows for less pressure points constricting foot movement.
The heel collar is nice and padded but not plush. The laces weave in and out of thin bungee cord like material. It looks nice and you can get a solid lock down even with the extra room around the upper.
The tongue is thin but it sits nicely along the top of the foot when tied down. Nothing out of the ordinary or unique relating to the upper it is sufficient and it compliments the shoe well.
ON Cloudmonster 2 Sole Unit
The cushioning that the Cloudmonster 2 provides is what you expect from a max cushioned daily trainer.
I had doubts regarding the cloudtec pods. I thought there was just too much empty space between the pods and that each pod would show signs of wear relatively fast.
That was not the case.
Each cloudtec pod crashes down through the foot strike as advertised and after each run you see how durable the foam is due to the unnoticeable wear on the pods.
Traction was not a huge concern running on country roads I did not expect any traction issues.
I did have a 30 mile long run while it was snowing and some ice on the roads. I slipped a few times as expected but for 30 miles the rubber on the bottom did a relatively good job.
The ride of the Cloudmonster 2 leaves me with questions: I can tell it is a max cushioned trainer but yet It feels like it can serve other purposes.
I believe that is due to the stiffness of the foam and the responsive speedboard plate. T
The ride is not boring, and before you know it, you knocked out 45 miles in one weekend and you look down and notice that the Cloudmonster 2 is still in peak shape relating to the durability of the midsole and bottom of the shoe.
ON Cloudmonster 2 Conclusions
The On Cloudmonster 2 is simply a solid choice for a max cushioned daily trainer.
It feels more of a in between shoe, a blend of a moderate cushioned and max cushioned shoe. You know it has all the cushion in the world but it performs as if it was a moderate cushioned shoe.
That means it can handle short speed work well while also going a long distance but yet it would not be used as a max cushioned choice for a recovery run.
I think On running did a great job of providing a max cushioned daily trainer that can do almost everything you ask from a shoe in this category.
The ride is efficient I would categorize the Cloudmonster 2 as a workhorse.
I would even go as far to say it can possibly be used as a decent marathon racer if you can’t afford the super shoe price.
As long as you are ok with a little bit of extra room in the upper and the $180 dollar price point I definitely say it is well worth a try especially if you like the On running brand.
