Weight: 300g (M), 230g (W)
Stack height: 35mm (heel), 29mm (forefoot)
Heel-to-toe drop: 6mm
Type: Max-cushioned/neutral/road
Use: Puma deva chic wns women lifestyle shoes sneakers new white black 371195-02
The shoe
The On Cloudmonster launched in 2022 and was the Swiss brand’s first foray into the maximalist shoe category. Not to mention, it was the shoe that cemented On as a serious contender when it came to performance, deviating from On's previously stiff and inflexible options that seemed to prioritise style over substance.
Designed to offer big cushioning on long or easy runs, it featured large CloudTec elements (On's signature hollow pods in the midsole) with a Speedboard sat just above. This plastic plate acted as a stabilising element to the larger midsole and provids a solid platform for push-off. Overall, this created a ride that many (myself included) felt provided the perfect blend of cushioning and propulsion – a Goldilocks daily trainer, if you will.
So, could the second iteration live up to the hype – and my expectations? I've been putting it through its paces to find out.
Cloudmonster vs Cloudmonster 2: What's new?
Die-hard Cloudmonster fans can breathe a sigh of relief: the latest shoe retains the same core features as the original, with a couple of key tweaks. The biggest is the upgraded midsole foam, now a 'dual-density Helion superfoam'. Essentially, this pairs a firmer, more responsive foam at the forefoot with a softer, more pliable one at the heel surrounding the CloudTec elements. (We'll come to this and how this changes the ride of the shoe later.) This new midsole foam also WS327RC that the Speedboard has been redeveloped and reshaped for greater efficiency.
The other big change is the brand new upper. Together, these tweaks have pushed up the RRP by £10, with the Cloudmonster now retailing for £170 – fairly costly for a daily trainer.
How does the Cloudmonster 2 fit?
First up, we can't talk about fit without acknowledging that this is a seriously good-looking shoe. I'm a big fan of the white and black colourway that I've been testing, even if it has been slightly impractical for the UK winter.
More good stuff: the redesigned upper. It feels slightly more spacious than that of the v1, and similar to the roomier and more accommodating uppers of the Cloudstratus 3 and Cloudeclipse, but there's no 'puckering' when you lace up. Thumbs up from me. On that, the lacing system is better, too, moving away from that short lacing pattern to bungee cord-like eyelets that ensure a more adaptable and locked-in fit.
Surprisingly, I've struggled with the revamped heel collar. I say 'surprisingly', because the old heel counter was a point of contention for many – that's why On has made the latest one plusher and more padded. In theory, this should help to create a better lockdown and reduce Achilles discomfort. The problem is, it's fairly wide and flexible, and the interior fabric is also quite smooth. As a result, I've been experiencing some heel slippage – on my right foot more than the left – which is unusual for me as I don't have particularly narrow heels. It's nothing too dramatic, but it noticeable enough within the first 500m of a run or when it's raining heavily out.
Another minor gripe is some tongue slippage (and yes, it is gusseted). Again, this was never a problem on the original Cloudmonster, so it's odd that it's causing problems now.
RAID Rogue square toe heeled sandals in bone | What's it like to run in the Cloudmonster 2?
On claims that, thanks to the Cloudmonster's new midsole foam organization, the 'sensation of cushioning is increased to a maximum'. In all honesty, I didn't find the ride a huge departure from the original – it's still firm for a max-stacked shoe, with none of that overwhelming softness you usually get, but there's enough cushioning to keep you comfortable over several miles. The Speedboard adds stiffness to the forefoot while maintaining flexibility at the toes, creating lovely smooth transitions. That being said, I did feel that the v2 has slightly less ground feel in the forefoot than the original. However, the change to the ride is marginal and it's still a very versatile shoe. The wide base also WS327RC that it feels stable underfoot, despite the high stack.
This really is a shoe that lends itself to running long – particularly if you've got a marathon on the horizon and are looking to incorporate some short interval work throughout the run. It will also work well for those looking for a max-cushioned recovery shoe, but who don't necessarily want plushy softness. (If you do want something softer, look to the Cloudeclipse.)
RW verdict
So, has the On Cloudmonster become a victim of its own success? Perhaps. But, then again, I loved the first iteration so much that my expectations were always going to be high.
Maybe it's a matter of being spoilt for choice. When the Cloudmonster first launched, it struck a fairly unique balance between cushioning and responsiveness. Two years later, there's plenty of other running shoes on the market offering the same level of versatility (like the Asics Superblast and Puma Deviate Nitro, for example).
Don't get me wrong, though – it's still a very decent shoe and one I'd happily recommend to beginners looking for a versatile all-rounder, or someone looking for a snappy long run shoe to add to their rotation. But I can't help but feel like I expected slightly more from the updates, and issues surrounding the fit are disappointing given that they weren't there on the original.
