The Cloudmonster Hyper takes On's original Monster and adds a layer of super foam while removing their Speedboard. Is it s good exchange?
On Running Cloudmonster Hyper: Plugging the Gap?
Andy: Initially, the Cloudmonster from On announced it as a running brand which had become a more serious contender in the space. On release, the max cushioned shoe was popular with runners despite its slightly firmer cushion. Since then, the Cloudsurfer and Cloudmonster 2 have followed on with good reviews. Furthermore, On have released some of the best track spikes in the game while hosting races worldwide. In these, they have showcased their athletes and products. They have arrived and are looking to take over.
However, in the age of super trainers, On was missing a link. Enter the Cloudmonster Hyper. First, the basics of the Cloudmonster. Then add a layer of Helion HF in the mid and forefoot. Here we have a shoe which is designed to be the bridge builder between the daily shoe line and the Cloudboom Echo 3 for race day. As the insole says, fresh legs are fast legs. Whilst the silhouette and midsole may look familiar, there are some substantial differences to the Cloudmonster. Gone is the Speedboard, this makes the shoe more forgiving and flexible. Overall, it all sounds good, but how does it work on the pavement?
Specs:
Stack and drop: 6mm drop, 37.5mm heel, 31.5 mm forefoot but feels higher
MSRP: $220/€230
Release Date: 4th April 2024
On Cloudmonster Hyper Upper: Stripped Back but Baggy
Andy: The Cloudmonster Hyper is a mash-up of the best bits of On’s shoes and the upper is no different. Thinner than the Cloudmonster itself, breathability is no issue. That being said, the heel cup is just as stout as that on its little sister. Also, there is a good amount of padding. Around the ankle, the cut is more traditional than the Monster. No longer a square cut around the ankle, more rounded and softer. Next, we move to the tongue. Thin, padded in the right places and gusseted, the tongue adds to the lockdown through the midfoot and sits comfortably on the foot. Atop the foot, the laces are decent and slightly rubberised which helps them stay tied and keep the foot in place.
Sadly, the fit starts to become a little baggy in the forefoot. This is a shame as it lessens the joy of the shoe. Whilst I haven’t felt any pain or discomfort from the forefoot, it combines with the midsole to create a rather sloppy feel. I have tried pulling the laces tighter, using a runner’s knot and wearing thicker socks but none of this has alleviated the feeling.
Overall, the heel portion of the Cloudmonster Hyper is a good fit, the heel cup works well , the tongue does its job comfortably. On the other hand, the forefoot feel does let it down. Hopefully, this will be rectified in the next version of the shoe.
Midsole: A Mismatch of Foam?
Andy: This is my first experience of On’s Helion HF in a road shoe. As a forefoot striker, I appreciate the placement in the Cloudmonster Hyper. All the fun of the midsole is in that front half. However, it is a strange feeling shoe underfoot. The Helion HF is reactive, soft and bouncy but coupled with the second foam type it feels like a strange pairing. While running in the Cloudmonster Hyper, it feels like the top layer, with its added softness, is almost mushrooming out over the firmer lower layer. It is an odd feel and coupled with the looser fit in the forefoot takes some getting used to. It makes the shoe feel slightly unstable and like it is listing from side to side particularly around corners. Perhaps this is an instance where the On Speedboard, which has been removed, would have helped to stabilise the ride somewhat.
Whilst it is an odd shoe, I don’t find it unpleasant. Once I had become more accustomed to the characteristics of the ride, I found it quite enjoyable. One thing I can say for sure is that it doesn’t feel like any other shoe I have run in. The majority of the runs I have taken in it have been moderate paced, daily runs of between 9 and 16 km. For this the Cloudmonster Hyper has been in its element. I have turned up the pace in it on a few occasions and it has worked out ok. Here, the forefoot foam gives a good bounce and the thickness of it keeps the legs feeling fresh as promised on the insole.
That being said, the slightly Jekyll and Hyde mix of forefoot foams mean that the inherent feeling of instability coupled with the sloppier forefoot fit mean that it will never be my first choice for a speed day. At a price point which puts it in the same bracket as the ASICS Superblast, it feels slightly less versatile and capable. Furthermore, I imagine that heel strikers would have a very different experience of the Cloudmonster Hyper. Landing on the heel feels very firm and, whilst more stable, a lot less fun.
On Cloudmonster Hyper Outsole: Full Coverage Confidence
Andy: Chiefly, the outsole is very similar to that of the Cloudmonster itself in terms of placement. Although, on the Cloudmonster Hyper, there is slightly more rubber present. Each cloud is linked by a strip to add more coverage and keep the midsole foam more protected from the harshness of the road. In my 70 km so far, I have noticed no wear, even in my high impact areas. This is a real improvement over my experience in the original Monster which suffered noticeable wear in the first few runs.
Certainly, the pattern is designed to give more grip and, here, I can’t fault it. I have run it through all sorts of pavement gunk and across damp grass verges. So far, it hasn’t given me much to fear. Consequently, I would hope that the extra thickness and durability of the rubber would lead to a long life for the shoe.
On Cloudmonster Hyper Conclusion: A Whole New Experience
Andy: On continue to make slightly strange but not unenjoyable shoes. This is not a conventional feeling running shoe. A mix of firm and very soft foam lead to a bouncy but unstable feel in the forefoot. The rear gives firmness and strong lockdown. This is a shoe that I am sure I will do a lot of running in over the coming months.
However, if I was to be spending this kind of money, I would also strongly consider the ASICS Superblast which has proven to be a versatile, durable and very well engineered shoe. As always, I applaud experimentation and attempts to try something new. Whilst this isn’t a failure of an experiment, it could do with some tweaks to the upper and combination of foams to make it a secure and balanced feeling shoe. Whilst I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this as an instant buy, I would strongly encourage everyone to give it a try as I have the feeling that this is a shoe which will polarise opinion.
