On Cloudmonster 2 vs Mizuno Neo Zen

Which Running Shoe Is Better?

Products

On Cloudmonster 2
Mizuno Neo Zen

Tested using Methodology v0.9

Updated Dec 16, 2025 03:43 PM

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Tested using Methodology v0.10

Updated Mar 10, 2026 03:31 PM

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  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Marathon
  3. Long Distance

Our Verdict

On Cloudmonster 2

Mizuno Neo Zen

The Mizuno Neo Zen and the On Cloudmonster 2 are both modern daily trainers, but they sit on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Cloudmonster is significantly firmer and more stable, offering a structured ride that feels controlled. On the other hand, the Neo Zen is much lighter, noticeably more energetic, and exceptionally squishy, delivering a soft, plush experience that prioritizes comfort and protection. While both are designed for daily training, the Cloudmonster 2 leans toward stability, whereas the Neo Zen excels in softness and easy-day comfort, making it a better pick for recovery runs or runners who enjoy a truly maximalist feel.

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Variants

  • Cloudmonster 2 (Asphalt/Iron - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Asphalt/Iron - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Zen (Black/Raspberry - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Zen (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
Read more

Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 
 

5.9
7.6

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.2
7.1

Weight  

4.6
7.3

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.5
7.3

Plate 
 

Plastic
None

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.6
7.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudmonster 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Zen Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudmonster 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Zen Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

295.8 g (10.43 oz)
226.3 g (7.98 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudmonster 2 Stack Height Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Zen Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

40.5 mm
41.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.0 mm
36.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.5 mm
4.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

Preview 3D
On Cloudmonster 2 3D Model Full Shoe
Preview 3D
Mizuno Neo Zen 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
92 mm (3.6")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

78 mm (3.1")
79 mm (3.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

113 mm (4.5")
111 mm (4.4")

Heel Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

2.07
2.24

Forefoot Width-To-Stack Ratio 
 

3.42
3.07
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

Preview 3D
On Cloudmonster 2 3D Model Internal
Preview 3D
Mizuno Neo Zen 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
275 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
93 mm (3.7")

Wide Sizing Available 
 

No
No

Forefoot Fit: Width 
 

9.9

Forefoot Width Photo  

Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Width Photo

Ball-Of-Foot TTS Deviation 
 

-0.5 mm (-0.020")

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

0.7 mm (0.026")

Forefoot Fit: Height 
 

7.7

Forefoot Height Photo  

Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Height Photo

Toe TTS Deviation 
 

-2.7 mm (-0.107")

Arch Fit: Width 
 

7.4

Arch Fit Photo  

Mizuno Neo Zen Arch Fit Photo

Arch Width TTS Deviation 
 

-4.1 mm (-0.161")

Length Fit 
 

10

Toe Clearance Photo  

Mizuno Neo Zen Toe Clearance Photo
Show Text 

Other Features  

Other Features Photo 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudmonster 2 Other Features Photo
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Zen Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Plastic
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

1.5
7.3

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudmonster 2 Heel Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Zen Heel Energy Return

Heel Energy Return 
 

66.5%
77.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

2.2
7.1

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudmonster 2 Forefoot Energy Return
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Energy Return

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

68.3%
76.5%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.2
8.3

Heel Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudmonster 2 Heel Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Zen Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudmonster 2 Heel Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Zen Heel Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 550N 
 

3.37 J
4.24 J

Energy Absorbed At 1100N 
 

9.11 J
10.05 J

Energy Absorbed At 1900N 
 

14.60 J
16.18 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

7.3
8.4

Forefoot Cushioning Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
On Cloudmonster 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Compare High-Res
Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudmonster 2 Forefoot Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 800N 
 

4.20 J
5.48 J

Energy Absorbed At 1300N 
 

7.85 J
9.10 J

Energy Absorbed At 2050N 
 

11.81 J
12.99 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

5.8
5.6

Heel Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudmonster 2 Heel Firmness
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Zen Heel Firmness

Firmness At 550N 
 

48.9 N/mm
47.9 N/mm

Firmness At 1100N 
 

130.8 N/mm
117.4 N/mm

Firmness At 1900N 
 

271.6 N/mm
268.4 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

7.8
7.9

Forefoot Firmness  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudmonster 2 Forefoot Firmness
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Firmness

Firmness At 800N 
 

100.9 N/mm
98.0 N/mm

Firmness At 1300N 
 

207.5 N/mm
206.9 N/mm

Firmness At 2050N 
 

379.0 N/mm
435.7 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning 
 

6.2
8.0

Forefoot Long Run Cushioning  

 Preview Graph
On Cloudmonster 2 Forefoot Long Run Cushioning
 Preview Graph
Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Long Run Cushioning

Energy Absorbed At 10km 
 

6.97 J
8.88 J

Energy Absorbed At 20km 
 

6.68 J
8.72 J

Energy Absorbed At 30km 
 

6.47 J
8.63 J

Energy Absorbed At 40km 
 

6.31 J
8.53 J

On Cloudmonster 2

Mizuno Neo Zen

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  1. Comparison

On Cloudmonster 2 vs Mizuno Neo Zen: Main Discussion

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