The On Cloudmonster 3 is a cushioned trainer that delivers the firm ride and pockmarked midsole for which the Swiss brand is known, with a few updates since the On Cloudmonster 2. The upper in the third monster has been tweaked and is now more structured and less baggy than the second version, and the tongue has more padding, reducing some of the lace bite that plagued earlier Cloudmonsters. The platform of the Cloudmonster 3 has been widened a bit, and despite being built around a void, the midsole does a better job of absorbing impact than the 2nd version, so it's a step in the right direction. The ride of the Cloudmonster 3 still doesn't feel very lively, though, as there's almost no bounce-back from the Helion Foam and plastic 'Speedboard,' although these elements do work together to create a stable ride.
Our Verdict
The On Cloudmonster 3 is inadequate for the marathon distance. The lack of rebound from the midsole and the shoe's relatively heavy construction make it feel sluggish in the later stages of a marathon. The CloudTec pods reduce the shoe's ability to protect your feet from repeated pounding over long distances.
Midsole feels lifeless.
Cushioning starts to bottom out early.
Heavy construction.
The On Cloudmonster 3 is a sub-par shoe for racing a 5K or 10K. It can cover the distance, but the lack of energy return and heavy construction mean it will be hard to run very fast. If you're doing a casual Parkrun, the Cloudmonster 3 is a fine choice, but if you're chasing a PR, it will leave you disappointed.
Midsole feels lifeless.
Heavy construction.
The On Cloudmonster 3 has abysmal energy return. Helion foam is already not the bounciest, and filling it with holes does nothing to help it rebound when you land. The shoe has a bit of a rocker to help your foot roll forward, but the ride feels rather flat overall.
Midsole feels lifeless.
CloudTec pods collapse but don't rebound quickly.
The On Cloudmonster 3 scores impressively well on our cushioning test, as the CloudTec pods allow the midsole to deeply compress upon impact. Once the holes are compressed, however, the firm Helion foam struggles to absorb any shock. The midsole is particularly ill-suited to long runs, as it bottoms out and becomes harsh within the first 10K.
Combination of Helion Foam and pods absorbs impact well.
Cushioning starts to bottom out early.
The On Cloudmonster 3 has good lateral stability, thanks to the relatively firm midsole and the wider base. If you land with much force on your heel and are not in perfect alignment, the uneven compression of the CloudTec pods could cause you to wobble, however.
Wide platform.
Relatively firm forefoot.
The On Cloudmonster 3 has fantastic sizing, and most runners can stick to their normal size. The reworked upper has ample width through the arch and forefoot, without being too baggy, and the length is true to size. The toe box doesn't have much height, so it could be uncomfortable if you have tall toes.
Good length
Upper is accommodating without feeling baggy.
Performance Usages
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the On Cloudmonster 3 in men's US size 9, as indicated on our model's label. The colorway shown here is Twilight/White, and the shoe is available in a variety of other colorways depending on your region. The Cloudmonster 3 is available in Standard and Wide widths in both the men's and women's versions. The design section applies only to the exact model we tested, but we expect other sizes to perform similarly.
Popular Running Shoe Comparisons
The On Cloudmonster 3 is billed as a max-cushioned daily trainer, and its main distinguishing feature is its Swiss cheese midsole. This allows it to absorb more impact despite having very firm foam, but there are plenty of other daily trainers that manage to provide similar cushioning and a firmer ride, without compromising energy return by hollowing out their midsoles. The New Balance 1080v15, the HOKA Clifton 10, and the ASICS NOVABLAST 5 all do the job without the premium price tag. Indeed, it's difficult to justify the Cloudmonster 3's initial pricing, which puts it in the same tier as max-cushioned trainers like the Nike Vomero Plus, a shoe that has better impact absorption and significantly more energy return.
Within On's lineup, the On Cloudmonster 3 is the daily trainer positioned at the intersection of stability and cushioning. More stable but less cushioned trainers include the On Cloudrunner 3, which is the brand's dedicated support trainer for runners with pronation issues, and the On Cloudsurfer Max, which, despite its name, is lower-stacked. A more cushioned option is the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, which is a taller, softer, less hollowed-out version of the Cloudmonster 3.
For more options, check out our recommendations for the best On running shoes, as well as the best long-distance running shoes, and the best shoes for running a marathon.
The On Cloudmonster 3 has several notable updates that set it apart from the On Cloudmonster 2. The upper of the third version has been reworked, and now has a bit more structure, so the fit is more snug and less baggy than the 2nd version. Underfoot, the two shoes have a similar configuration, with a plastic 'Speedboard' and pockmarked Helion foam, but the 3rd version is less firm and absorbs impact better.
The HOKA Clifton 10 and On Cloudmonster 3 are two daily trainers that provide an impressive amount of cushioning while still maintaining a fairly firm ride. The Clifton 10's has better heel cushioning, while the Cloudmonster 3 is better cushioned in the forefoot. This, combined with the steeper heel-to-toe drop in the Clifton, makes it slightly better suited to heel strikers.
The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is the lighter, more energetic sibling of the On Cloudmonster 3, which is a stable, neutral daily trainer. The Hyper is higher stacked, has a more premium, PEBA-based Helion HF foam, and most of the holes in its midsole are decorative, and don't go all the way through. That gives the Hyper far better cushioning and drastically more energy return, all while weighing over 30g less. The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is firmer and more stable, so it will appeal more to runners who want a more grounded ride.
We buy and test running shoes with a very data-oriented approach. While we're just getting started, our methodology already has dozens of tests to help you make the right purchasing decision for your needs. Not only do we use high-end equipment to gather objective data, but we also order multiple sizes of the same shoes so team members can log in miles. This real-world testing is conducted at various paces and conditions, across different types of workouts, to cover all the bases. This allows us to verify our results and ensure they align with what you might feel with a specific pair.
Test Results
