Although it may not be universally accurate, it’s widely recognized that the On Cloudmonster marked the company’s true entry into the serious running market. Before this, while On’s style was undeniably impressive, their shoes generally didn’t meet the performance expectations set by their unique pod construction. The brand’s tagline, “running on clouds,” felt more like clever marketing than reality.
We appreciated their shoes for what they were, but the Cloudmonster and Cloudmonster 2 launches significantly elevated this Portland-based company.
See all our posts about On Running
We’ve reviewed both iterations of the Cloudmonster, and now we’re back with a new addition: the Cloudmonster Hyper. So, what makes it “Hyper”? No, it’s not designed for screen-addicted seven-year-olds—this shoe boasts some truly unique features.
Looks:
In terms of appearance, if you’ve been a fan of the Cloudmonster’s visuals before, you’ll like these as well. There are some familiar colorways, but our Black/Lima colorway was a pleasant surprise. I’m really enjoying the mostly black upper paired with pinkish accents on the outer midsole and outsole. As someone who loves pink, I’m definitely here for these. The look is subtle yet fun.
If this isn’t you style, there are three other colorways available.
Construction:
At $220, the Cloudmonster Hyper falls into the “super trainer” category. While people have varying definitions of what that means, it generally implies you’re paying a premium for both durability and performance—with perhaps a stronger emphasis on the latter. I believe the shoe holds up reasonably well in this category, though it may not be at the very top of the list. But that’s perfectly fine—not every shoe needs to be number one.
With “On” and “Cloudmonster” as the first two words in the shoe’s name, you pretty much know what to expect—and for good reason. What you get is a sharp-looking shoe with a significant amount of stack and cushion, although some might argue this version feels slightly less cushioned than the original.
The engineered mesh upper is really solid and hugs the foot well. There are also rubberized laces—a unique feature. Interestingly, for a shoe priced into the super trainer category, this shoe doesn’t include a plate, and that’s perfectly fine by me. As I have mentioned before, I am not all aboard the plate train in shoes (though On’s Cloudboom Echo 3 is one of the exceptions), so something cushioned well is enough for me.
Speaking of that, the midsole is made from the same Pebax construction (Helion HF) used in the Cloudboom Echo 3, On’s premium race-day shoe—which also happens to be our go-to speed shoe. The stack height is on the higher side, but I did a double-take when examining it up close. Unlike most shoes, where the midsole extends all the way to the ground, this one doesn’t. Instead, it wraps up around the shoe, creating a unique visual and structural element. While it looks distinctive, I don’t think it has a significant impact on the shoe’s overall performance.
What sets the Hyper apart is its focus on speed. The design tweaks aim to make it lighter, giving it a more performance-oriented feel. Runners familiar with the original Cloudmonster know it as a cushioned trainer suited for medium to long distances. The Hyper version retains that versatility but shifts slightly more toward performance and speed.
Overall:
I’m definitely excited about these shoes, and a lighter Cloudmonster 2 is a nice touch. But are they worth the $220 “super trainer” price tag? That’s still up for debate. I do feel that the Cloudmonster 2, which is around $40 cheaper, holds its own compared to this version. However, the weight reduction of about 1.2 ounces and the removal of the Speedboard (which I prefer) might justify the extra cost for some.
On Cloudmonster Hyper $220
Specs & Socials
Weight: 9.3 oz – Men’s 8.5
Offset: 37.5mm (heel), 31.5mm (forefoot)
On
Facebook | Instagram
Thank you to On for providing us with a test pair. Please read our transparency page for info on how we do our reviews.
