On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoes

The On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoe is aimed at the super trainer category. Super trainers feature advanced technologies, are versatile, suitable for all types of workouts, including fast and long workouts. There are many running shoes that are versatile and can be used for fast runs, but they do not contain the most advanced technology of the brand and therefore cannot be classified as a super trainer. Such was the case with the On Running Cloudmonster 2, released a few months ago, and now On Running has made a lighter, faster super trainer with advanced midfoot foam in the On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoe. A small point of interest is that the shoe’s insole is printed in large letters with the words “Fresh Legs, Fast Legs” which is a big truth, the question is whether the Cloudmonster Hyper can really deliver this, and if so at what price.

On Running Cloudmonster Hyper upper

On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoe upper

The upper of the On Running Cloudmonster Hyper Running Shoe is made from a mesh material with a different weave in different areas of the upper. Where needed, it is more heavily woven for good foot support and durability, and where breathability is more important, it is more loosely woven. The tongue of the shoe is fixed on both sides and is made from a thinner fabric, providing adequate support for the foot and protection from the “bite” of laces if not pulled too tight. But unfortunately for most feet, the laces have to be pulled tight. The Cloudmonster Hyper’s upper is wider and taller than average, which is good news for runners with wide feet, but it doesn’t give an average runner or a runner with a thinner, smaller foot a tight, secure fit. The heel collar is moderately stiff and moderately cushioned, providing great foot support. While functionally irrelevant, you can’t get past the fact that the Cloudmonster Hyper upper is beautiful, appealing to the eye like most On Running shoes and is obviously made from premium materials. The upper fulfils the expectations you’d expect from a supertrainer, it’s somewhere between comfortable and optimised for performance, meeting both needs but not excelling at either. It’s comfortable but not the most comfortable, it’s lightweight and it aids performance, but we’ve seen better performance-optimised uppers.

On Running Cloudmonster Hyper midsole

On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoes midfoot

The On Running Cloudmonster Hyper Running Shoe Midsole is a composite midsole. It’s like the Cloudmonster 2 in the heel and like the Cloudboom Echo 3 in the toe, but without the SpeedBoard plate like the previous two shoes mentioned.
The result is that the Cloudmonster Hyper is good for virtually any type of running, slow or fast, short or long.
However, there is a very interesting duality to the midsole, it gives a very different feel and result depending on which part of the foot the runner lands on the ground.
The 37.5mm high heel features the familiar Helion foam with Cloudtec cushioning, which is a bit stiffer but has good shock absorption, which makes the shoe suitable for longer distances.
From mid-sole to toe, the On Running’s supercritical foam is Helion HF (HyperFoam) with some Helion layers and tiny CloudTec cushions on the bottom. The Helion HF is a PEBA foam, a soft, lightweight, very dynamic supercritical foam that can provide long-lasting cushioning with high energy dissipation.
This duality means that the runner who hits the ground with his heels will feel a completely different shoe than the one who hits the ground with his toes. If we’re being completely honest, it’s the toe touchdowns that will really make the Cloudmonster Hyper different, more than the Cloudmonster 2.
The split midsole also means that the stability of the shoe is different at the heel and under the toes. At the heel, the Cloudmonster Hyper feels very stable, but less so at the toe, which is improved by the wider than average midfoot at the front.
In terms of both stability and dynamics, I got the same feeling as with the Cloudsurfer 7 that the midsole is good, but I’d like to try the same with a SpeedBoard insert to add stability and even more dynamics to the On Running shoes.

On Running Cloudmonster Hyper Outsole

On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoes cleat

The On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoe outsole does not cover the entire midsole, saving weight and keeping the midsole from becoming unnecessarily stiff. As we mentioned with the midsole that this shoe is primarily for people who want to plant the front of their foot at the toes, the outsole continues this by having more outsole overlays under the toes. The grip of the Cloudmonster Hypert is excellent, it grips well on wet or dusty surfaces thanks to the fact that it has a good pattern and is made from softer than average material. The outsole is thick and has good abrasion resistance, making it durable.

Summary

Overall, the On Running Cloudmonster Hyper running shoe is a versatile all-around supertrainer that differs in many ways from the Cloudmonster 2 running shoe. On has taken a versatile everyday running shoe, the Cloudmonster 2, and a running shoe with supercritical foam designed for competitive running, the Cloudboom Echo 3, and made a blend. The resulting supertrainer is a completely new segment for the On Running brand and brings what a supertrainer should bring, standing up to fast and long runs. The top is a little wider and a little taller, making it harder to squeeze it properly for a secure foot hold, but it’s hard to find any other faults with it when you consider what On Running is intended for. Let’s hope the starting price comes down (significantly), because it’s now the same price as the Cloudboom Echo 3, and should be somewhere between the Echo 3 and the Cloudmonster.
And the answer to the question in the introduction is yes, yes it can deliver the slogan written on the insole by Hyper: “Fresh Legs, Fast Legs”