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The On Cloudmonster was a game changer for me with On shoes. I have since come to love their newer foams which are softer and still keep that fabulous style. But have the missed the mark with this adaptation in the On Cloudmonster Hyper?
As you know I’m always honest in my running shoe reviews with what I like, dislike and what might work for you that wasn’t a fit for me! So who knows, this might be the last time they send me running shoes because it’s not my most glowing review.
And yet, NO ONE loves every single running shoe. Which is why I’m going to give you the details and you can see if it will be a perfect fit for your running shoe rotation.
While I was insanely excited for the Cloudmonster Hyper, it’s fun, but not going to be my first pick On Running shoe.
Technically the brand is simply, On. But maybe you, like me, noticed that trying to just search ON or On running never quite got you where you wanted to go, so that’s why you may see them referred to as On, On Running, or On Cloud.
There is no one perfect running shoe for all runners, so I’m going to share my findings. But as always I encourage you to head in to a running store and put them on! Run around the shop and see what you think.
On Cloudmonster Hyper Details
The goal of the Cloudmonster Hyper is a training super trainer shoe without a carbon plate. The idea is to be a daily trainer along side the Cloudboom Echo 3 that keeps your legs feeling fresh (per the tag on the insole “fresh legs, fast legs”.
I freaking LOVE the original Cloudmonster. When the Cloudmonster 2 came out and I found the fit to be different, I immediately emailed all my contacts and heaved a massive sigh when they said the original wasn’t going away.
So again, my hopes were VERY HIGH for the Cloudmonster Hyper. Surely it was just going to make a good thing even better. And for some runners that is 100% what happened.
But for me it’s an entirely different shoe trading on the good graces of one of the best On Running Shoes. Instead, this is a softer “super trainer” without a carbon plate. Yes, it’s faster. Yes, it’s great cushion. But it’s not a Cloudmonster!
It’s probably far more comparable to the On Cloudeclispe, with just an additional .5mm of stack height and shift in the foam. Now that’s a max cushion shoe that I really enjoy…so let’s find out more about the Hyper, who is going to like it and where it would fit in your line up.
Specifications
- Stack Height: 37.5 mm
- Heel Drop: 6mm heel drop
- Weight: 7.4 oz women’s, 9.30 oz men’s
- Style: Max cushioned Cloudtec + Pebax Helion Hyper Foam
- Usage: Daily trainer for faster runs
- Available in two colors for women and two for men, not available in wide
- Available at On Running $219
- On Cloudmonster 2 Review (shoe released Feb 2024)
- On Cloudmonster Original Review
I’ll compare to both shoes below, but quick links in case you want more info.
Where some super shoes miss the mark is on the outsole, but I don’t see that as an issue here. The Hyper has good traction and I never worried about it for a rainy day.
What is a Super Trainer?
It’s a shoe that doesn’t have all the tech of the carbon plated race day shoes, but is still designed for speed and more daily training. The idea is that things like the PEBAX foam are going to help keep your legs fresher.
If you’re looking for a daily training shoe that also works for your tempo runs and speed work, that’s where the Hyper fits in to the line up.
While it’s a bouncy max cushion similar to many of the best carbon plate shoes, it does not have a plate which I think may be a detriment to the shoe and I wonder if they’ll reverse that in a version 2.
This is a fun shoe, but I admit I’m just not sold on its purpose or place in the new super trainer category. I’d be more likely to think of the Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 with a plate or the non-plated New Balance FuelCell Rebel for speed work. And then I’d grab the original Monster or Eclipse for easy runs.
So again, this might be a shoe where you need to decide for yourself if it’s worth the price. It’s definitely going to feel speedier, but for me still not as fast as some other lightweight or plated shoes.
Cloudmonster Hyper Fit
In general, On Running shoes can run a little bit more narrow. However, I would say the Cloudmonster versions are all a more standard running shoe fit.
The tongue is super thin, breathable and comfortable. I have seen this trend in a number of shoes lately to cut weight, but not everyone has nailed. Interestingly for a lighter weight shoe, this one has more padding than the other Cloudmonster versions.
They also have SUPER long laces, which of course I’m a fan of as someone who uses a heel lock lacing.
Cloudmonster Hyper vs Cloudmonster Original
All right this is what I personally really wanted to know when hearing about the shoe, so hopefully this will save you some time as well!
Let’s look at the Cloundmonster, Cloudmonster 2, Cloudeclispse and Cloudmonster Hyper
- Cloudmonster Hyper the softest and most cushioned of the 4 shoes
- Cloudeclipse is very cushioned with a little lower stack height that feels more stable
- Cloudmonster 2 widest midfoot fit
- Cloudmonster Hyper most breathable thin upper
- Cloudmonster Hyper is the most expensive at $219
- Cloudmonster has a nylon speed board that makes for a more firm stable shoe
- All are designed to be daily trainers
Top left to right: On Cloudeclipse, On Clound Monster 2, On Cloudmonster Hyper, On Cloundmonster original.
Here you can see that the pods are set just slightly different on the shoes, to change the way the cushion feels or springs forward.
What You Need to Know About On Running Shoes
On started in 2010 in Switzerland, when yet again another runner thought “I could do this better.”
This time it was three retired professional athletes, who decided there needed to be a shoe that had more firmness to create that bounce off the ground, along with cushion.
On uses CloudTec technology which is what makes their shoe look and feel different.
The pods (or clouds) compress both horizontally and vertically and then rapidly expand, helping to propel you faster off the ground.
And in fact, those clouds are different sizes based on the shoe and the goal for that shoe.
Is it like running on clouds?
No. Not cloudlike in that plush fluffy kind of way.
So for me, no…not at all like a cloud. And that’s not all bad.
In my On Running Shoes Review, I go in to all the reasons that there are benefits to the pod design and why other runners have loved them from the start. So checkout that if you’re curious to learn more.
Drawbacks to On Running Shoes
As noted, every runner has a preference, so there are just a couple of things from my experience.
- They are not ideal for those with high arches or a high mid-foot
- Most On Cloud shoes run narrow, and the toebox is not wide (they have started created specific wide models!)
- Rocks stuck in between the pods make them not ideal on trails or gravel running.
- I ran in to trouble with the thick toebox creasing in weird spots on the top of my foot in some models
I found the Carbon fiber shoe to run small, but otherwise I have found them to run true to size.
See current colors and pricing on all models >>
All right I hope this On Cloudmonster Hyper review gave you some info to help you make a shoe decision! If there’s more you want to see in a review let me know!
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