On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe review – opinion, price, comparison, who it’s recommended for

Who the On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is recommended for

• Recommended if you like firmer, more stable midsoles.
• Recommended if secure foot lockdown and a stable ride are important to you.
• Recommended if you are looking for a shoe for moderate-pace, longer runs.
• Recommended if you would also use it for all-day wear besides running.
• Recommended if you want a neutral shoe with good stability.

Who the On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is NOT recommended for

• Not recommended if you are looking for a soft, plush running shoe.
• Not recommended if you want a daily trainer for fast-paced workouts.
• Not recommended if you expect a lightweight and playful ride.
• Not recommended for beginner runners looking for a more forgiving midsole.

On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe upper

The upper has become more comfortable and more refined than before.

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe upper is made from an engineered mesh material that is completely seamless and gives off a very premium feel. The mesh material is thin and more flexible than average, but since there are no ventilation holes, the upper’s breathability is weaker, making it more suitable for colder days. Because the upper material is thinner, it is less durable, but it is more comfortable and provides better foot lockdown than the uppers of previous versions. The tongue is wide, wraps nicely around the foot, and is thin, with padding only on the upper section to prevent lace pressure. The tongue is secured on both sides and does not slide around while running, although it is not attached in the usual way. The tongue continues into an inner layer like a built-in inner sleeve. There is an elastic loop on the tongue where you can tuck the laces away so they do not bother you during runs. The heel collar is moderately padded, flexible on the sides, heavily reinforced at the back, very comfortable, and holds the foot securely. The insole is thick, comfortable, and not glued into the shoe. The upper is clearly focused on comfort rather than performance, and this matches the character of the shoe well. The shoe fits true to size lengthwise, has a medium width, but it is also available in a wide version.

On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe midsole

The Cloudmonster 3 is more stable than it looks.

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe midsole is still made from On’s Helion foam, which is a traditional EVA foam.

I think it is important to make it clear from the beginning that this is not a soft, plush midsole, but a distinctly firm and stable one. The many cavities do not make it softer, even though the midsole now features cross-directional holes in 3 layers (CloudTec technology). This is not criticism, because many runners like firmer-tuned midsoles, I just wanted to avoid misunderstandings.

Besides being firmer, the midsole is also stiffer, which is further reinforced by the full-length Speedboard plate running through the entire midsole. This is not a carbon plate, but a plastic plate that, besides adding stability, can also provide a very slight amount of dynamism in shoes, although in a midsole this stiff and firm I do not think it adds much. What it does help with, however, is maintaining the curved geometry of the midsole, and the Cloudmonster 3 does this very well. This greatly helps with quick and smooth transitions and roll-throughs.

This is not a soft running shoe, but a firmly rolling daily trainer.

During lower-intensity runs, the firmness and stiffness of the midsole may feel bothersome. For fast running, the shoe is too heavy and does not have enough energy return to sustain higher speeds comfortably. The heel stack is 39 mm, which cannot really be considered high among modern running shoes, so its cushioning is not outstanding either, and there are better options for longer runs. It is best suited for moderate-intensity, not overly long runs. If you are looking for a firmer neutral running shoe with good stability, the Cloudmonster 3 can definitely be a good solution. My main issue is that On sells it at a fairly high price, especially considering that the midsole foam is a traditional EVA foam rather than an advanced PEBA or supercritical foam.

Many people already consider EVA foams outdated, but I do not necessarily agree with that. Good foams can still be made from EVA. My bigger problem is that On uses the same name (Helion foam) for much softer shoes as well, which can be misleading. The Cloudsurfer 7, which also used Helion foam, was criticized by many for being too soft. Its successor also uses Helion foam, but in a much firmer version, the same one found in the Cloudmonster 3. Why did they not give it a different name, as most running shoe brands do?

On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe outsole

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe outsole is something On did not hold back on. They used plenty of outsole rubber on the midsole. Wherever the cloud elements allow it, there is outsole coverage almost everywhere, and the outsole itself is also thicker than average. Since the rubber compound used for the outsole is a firmer compound, its durability is good, and when combined with the added thickness, the overall durability is especially strong. Physics are hard to cheat: because the outsole uses a firmer rubber compound, its grip is correspondingly only average. It is not bad, but there is nothing particularly exceptional about it.

What is it like to run in the On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe?

Cushioning and midsole

The midsole of the On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is 39 mm high in the heel, providing moderate cushioning. The midsole is made from a firmer-than-average EVA foam, and because of the plastic Speedboard plate inside it, the midsole is also stiffer than average.

Stability and guidance

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is a neutral running shoe, but it has good stability, thanks to the stiffness and firmness of the midsole. The midsole has a rocker geometry, and because of the stiffness it maintains this shape very well, which results in excellent guidance and smooth transitions.

Upper and comfort

The upper of the On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is very comfortable. Although it is only moderately padded, the premium materials and design make it very comfortable. Its breathability is moderate, so on hotter summer days or in the gym this may cause some discomfort.

Foot strike and traction

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe has a 6 mm drop, which mainly benefits runners landing on the midfoot or forefoot. The midsole is rockered, and the front rocker starts early, so the shoe does not contact the ground over a very large surface area. The outsole is made from a relatively firm rubber, making it durable, while grip remains average.

Pace and dynamism

The energy return of the On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe midsole is average. The shoe’s weight is on the upper end of average, and considering the 39 mm high midsole, it cannot really be called lightweight (especially given all the empty cavities in the midsole). Based on these two characteristics, it would seem more suited to lower-intensity runs, but for those it may feel a bit too stiff, so it is probably best suited for moderately paced, not overly long runs.

Long runs vs tempo vs training

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is clearly optimized more for comfort than performance, making it suitable for everyday runs. Its cushioning is not exceptionally high, and the midsole is stiff, so it will not necessarily be a good choice for everyone for longer runs.

Who the On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is recommended for – and who it is not

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is mainly recommended for runners looking for a neutral running shoe with a comfortable upper, but a relatively firm and stiff midsole, for moderate-intensity, not overly long runs. It is an excellent option for everyday wear in cooler weather, and can also be a very good choice for walking, spring and autumn city walks, and sightseeing trips.

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is not a good choice if you are looking for a fast, lightweight running shoe for quicker workouts or racing. It is also less ideal if you want a soft, highly cushioned running shoe for long runs or low-intensity runs. It is not unsuitable for beginner runners, but because of its high price and firm, stiff midsole, it may not be the best option.

What changed compared to the previous version? On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe vs On Running Cloudmonster 2.

The Cloudmonster 3 went through major changes and was updated in many ways compared to the previous version. The most criticized parts were improved, but the character of the shoe remained the same.

The upper of the Cloudmonster 3 has a narrower fit, while the previous version was too roomy, especially around the toes, so even runners with normal-width feet had to tighten the shoe excessively, which caused wrinkling in the upper that could become annoying over longer distances. If you have wide feet, it is worth choosing the wide version of the Cloudmonster 3. Compared to the previous version, the tongue became thicker and protects better against lace pressure. The upper material became thinner, but it holds the foot better than the upper of the previous version.

The midsole also underwent major changes compared to the Cloudmonster 2. It uses the same foam and still includes a Speedboard plate, but the cloud elements are layered in multiple levels, which did not make it softer, but improved the transitions.

The outsole of the Cloudmonster 3 became thicker and more durable compared to the outsole of the Cloudmonster 2. The tread pattern also changed, slightly improving grip. Grip is also helped by the fact that the outsole of the Cloudmonster 3 covers a larger surface area of the midsole and makes contact with the ground over a wider area. The center cutout of the outsole became smaller, so small stones get stuck in it less easily than on the previous version.

On Running Cloudmonster 3 vs. Cloudmonster 3 Hyper vs LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper

There are two additional versions of the Cloudmonster 3, although I would put the word “versions” in quotation marks because these shoes differ greatly both in character and in the materials used.

The On Running Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is a completely different category. Both its weight and its midsole are entirely different from the Cloudmonster 3. The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper does not have a plate in the midsole, so it is less stiff. The midsole is made from two different foams: on the top there is the more dynamic, softer, more advanced Helion HF foam, while underneath is the firmer and more stable Helion foam. It is excellent for long runs, endurance workouts, and harder training days, and can comfortably handle paces up to marathon pace. Its weight is 42 grams lower, meaning 253 grams, while the price is 30 € higher than the standard Cloudmonster 3.

The On Running LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is the upgraded version of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. Their midsoles are the same, but the upper is an ultra-thin and flexible upper sprayed by a robot, making it much lighter, so the entire shoe weighs only 205 grams. This technology comes at a price, as the shoe costs 280 €, but in return it performs well during long runs, tempo workouts, and even half marathon or marathon races.

Is there a difference between the men’s and women’s On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe?

The women’s On Running Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is built on a narrower last, with a narrower heel and midfoot that wrap around the foot more closely, while the men’s model has a slightly roomier interior. This follows the same logic used by On and most running brands: men’s standard width is roughly D, while women’s is B width. Although they are not measured in the same size, the official weight of the women’s Cloudmonster 3 running shoe is also nearly 50 grams lighter.