Will the On Cloudmonster 3 Become Your New Go-To Trainer?

I was recently fortunate enough to test out the On Cloudmonster 3 — one of the Swiss company’s fan-favorite everyday trainers that just got a new update. I have wanted to try an On shoe for a while now, but I’ve never gotten the chance, so I was really excited when I met a rep from the company at The Running Event in Texas late last year.

While in Texas, I took the Cloudmonster 3 (and a couple of other On shoes) for a trot on the treadmill, and I left quite impressed. A few weeks later, On shipped a pair to me for a more in-depth test. After logging many miles in the shoes, taking them for longer easy runs and throwing them on for quicker sessions, my opinion on the Cloudmonster 3 is the same as it was when I got off that expo treadmill: this is a great shoe, and one that I think anyone and everyone would want to use in their everyday training runs.

Picking the Right Cloudmonster

On has three Cloudmonster models. There is the everyday trainer that I tried out (Cloudmonster 3), the Cloudmonster Hyper and the LightSpray Cloudmonster Hyper. The Cloudmonster 3 is great for everyday running and longer efforts, and it is also the cheapest of the three Cloudmonsters (US$190 versus $220 and $280 for the Hyper 3 and LightSpray, respectively). If you’re in the market for a trainer that keeps you comfortable from mile one to mile 10 or beyond without needing outrageous speed, the Cloudmonster 3 could be the move for you.

The Cloudmonster 3 has a triple-layer cushioning system underfoot, which is a lot, but the Hyper (which is also in its third iteration) adds even more protection and foam to the midsole. The Hyper is On’s “super trainer for long runs” and, when you look at it and its thick cushioning, you’ll see why. It’s also a very versatile shoe that is just as comfortable on long runs as it is during tempo runs and harder efforts. If you’re looking for an all-around shoe that can handle your full weekly training load, this could be a better option for you than the Cloudmonster 3.

Finally, there is the LightSpray Cloudmonster Hyper 3. Fans of triathlon may be familiar with On’s LightSpray design, as Norway’s Kristian Blummenfelt wore LightSpray shoes (the Cloudboom, not the Cloudmonster) to carry him to wins in multiple IRONMAN races in 2025, as well as podium finishes at both the IRONMAN and 70.3 world champs. The LightSpray Cloudmonster Hyper 3 has a laceless design and pulls on like a sock, although it is surprisingly secure.

Like the Hyper 3, the LightSpray is equally effective for long runs as it is for harder sessions, and while it is designed as a trainer, you won’t be misstepping if you opt to run in it for races.

Cloudmonster 3 Specs

The Cloudmonster 3 isn’t as light as its siblings (the LightSpray weighs in at 7.2 ounces and the Cloudmonster Hyper is 8.9 ounces), topping the scales at 10.4 ounces. This may be a big jump in weight, but the Cloudmonster isn’t designed to be a light shoe that will fly along race courses. Instead, its sturdy makeup is crafted to keep you running comfortably through all of your training, getting your slow and easy miles in so you can run the hard and fast ones as quickly as possible on race day.

The shoe has a 6 mm drop with a stack height of 35 mm at the heel down to 29 mm at its toe. This ample stack provides plenty of room for On’s CloudTec cushioning system, giving runners tremendous protection with exceptional responsiveness.

The shoe has a compressed rubber outsole that is surprisingly grippy, and its engineered mesh upper is breathable and soft to the touch.

Running in the Cloudmonster 3

As I wrote above, the Cloudmonster 3 was my first run in an On shoe. I had two expectations for my first experience in a pair of Ons: they should be plush and they should be springy. The Cloudmonster 3 delivered on both fronts.

When I first put them on, I simply bounced on the spot, feeling the reaction of the CloudTec foam underfoot. Taking them out for my first run (and every run since), I’ve been extremely pleased with the soft ride this cushioning system provides. Plus, with the shoe’s rocker design, each step feels like it naturally rolls from heel to toe, propelling me along with ease.

I mentioned above that the Hyper 3 and LightSpray are more designed for faster runs than the Cloudmonster 3, and while that is true, it doesn’t mean you can’t get some solid workouts in with this shoe. It’s heavier than its counterparts, but the rocker shape and responsive cushioning help you pick up the pace seamlessly. Plus, even once you’re up to speed, you’ll hardly notice, as the cushioning and absorption keeps the impact pretty much uniform across the board, whether you’re running at a jog or an all-out sprint.

Something else that really impressed me, but that I wasn’t expecting, was the Cloudmonster 3’s ability to lock my foot in. Funnily enough, when I first put the shoes on and went to tie the laces, I thought they were too short. They were long enough to tie a regular knot, but I didn’t think there would be room to give them an extra tug, if that makes sense. I was worried they wouldn’t be tight enough, or that perhaps the fit would start out alright but after a few minutes of running it would loosen.

That was not the case at all, and despite the fact that the laces were shorter, didn’t need any additional length to tighten the fit. The laces stayed locked in place (even on my longest runs) without requiring me to tie them extra tight, which added to the shoe’s comfortability, as there was no unnecessary pressure on the upper and top of my feet.

Finally, the shoes outsole performed great as well. I tested these shoes almost exclusively on icy and wet roads and sidewalks. At first I questioned whether it was wise to take these brand new, unfamiliar shoes out on slippery terrain, but I realized in no time at all that they could handle the conditions just fine.

Cloudmonster Conclusion

I will be training in the Cloudmonster 3s for the foreseeable future. They may not be the lightest shoes I have in my closet, but they are among the most comfortable. They might also be the shoes in which I feel best protected when it comes to impact with each step. That’s a huge reason I like the Cloudmonster 3s — they may not be a shoe I’ll ever compete in, but they will help get me to any races well-trained and with many miles under my belt while also injury-free, which is, of course, what every runner wants.

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