On Cloudmonster 2 Review | Maintaining That Long Run Feel

The original Cloudmonster was the first On running shoe to really change my mind about the brand. How does the updated Cloundmonster 2 stand up to the original? It feels much like the same firmly cushioned running shoe that will serve a lot of people well as a daily trainer.
When the Cloudmonster was released, it was the first truly cushioned shoe from On. However, it was…pun intended fully eclipsed when they released the On Cloudeclipse. That max cushion shoe makes the Cloudmonster now feel like a firm cushion in a slightly faster daily trainer.

As you know I’m always honest in my running shoe reviews with what I like, dislike and what might work for you that wasn’t a fit for me! Which is why when someone used to ask about On Running shoes I said I think they’re good, but their everyday run shoes didn’t feel great to my foot.

That’s just no longer true as the brand has made some major shifts in new releases.

I’ve been putting miles on the Cloudmonster 2 and it’s going to be a steady part of my running shoe rotation. Truly with all of my testing it’s unusual that I have tossed a previous version before testing the new one, but I recently had to bid adieu to the Cloudmonster as they too many miles on them.

Technically the brand is simply, On. But maybe you, like me, noticed that trying to just search ON or On running never quite got you where you wanted to go, so that’s why you may see them referred to as On, On Running, or On Cloud.

There is no one perfect running shoe for all runners, so I’m going to share my findings. But as always I encourage you to head in to a running store and put them on! Run around the shop and see what you think.

On Cloudmonster 2 Details

Having noted the rise in max cushion shoes, the Cloudmonster 2 falls squarely in the category of a nice moderately cushioned daily trainer. It’s absolutely a shoe that you can utilize for easy miles, power walking, all the way up to a long run.

I find that it’s probably most comparable to something like the Hoka Mach 6, except heavier. A daily trainer that feels firm enough to hold up over many miles and even with the stack height remains stable and can easily transition to tempo runs, fast finish workouts, etc.

Where you might lose some energy in the softness of the Cloudeclipse, you’ll maintain a little more here so it feels a bit faster.

If you like the original, you are going to be supremely happy with the On Running Cloudmonster 2. They have added a new layer of compressed Helion foam to the forefoot, which makes that feel just a wee bit softer. But also you’ll see in the fit section that it has changed.

Absolutely a daily running shoe that I would recommend. (checkout the fit section below if you have a really narrow foot)

The Cloudmonster pods are slightly larger than other models and combined with their Helion Superfoam to create that combination of cushion, plus power. In a super plush shoe, you often lose the spring off the ground and that’s a component that On is not willing to sacrifice.

The photo above does a great job showing the difference in the pods on the sole of these shoes. The way in which they are placed and direction changes the feel of the shoe.

• Heel Drop: 6mm
• Weight: 8.1 oz women’s, 10.40 oz men’s
• Moderate cushion, neutral
• Available in 3 colors
• Available at On Running, REI and retail stores for $180

For the Cloudmonster 2 they actually went with a dual layer of foam that sandwiches a nylon speedboard. That’s not the same as a carbon plate, instead it’s about providing more stability to a high stack running shoe.

While they talked a lot about the rocker in the first version, it’s not so much a huge feature this time around. The shoe rolls really smooth from heel to toe, but unlike some of the speed shoes you aren’t getting a huge boost.

The shoe also has a 92% recycled upper and I know that feature may not be a stand out for some, but many runners (myself included) are often looking at how we can reduce our impact. Because we all want a lot more days running in nature and if we can help with our shoe choice, then right on.

BUT IN FACT, this is no longer their most cushioned shoe. That status now goes to the new On Cloudeclipse. Here you can see the two side by side and the Cloudeclipse is taller because it’s just got more cushion. Checkout that full review to see how they’re different.

Cloudmonster 2 Fit

The overall fit of this shoe is a lot roomier than the traditional fit of On shoes. In early reviews and even with the Cloudboom Echo 3, carbon plate shoe, I noted it was so narrow I would have wanted to size up.

Now the Cloudmonster 2 is an overall roomy shoe with a great toebox.  My feet can wear narrow shoes, so my initial impression putting these on was that maybe I got the men’s size because it felt so big. This is throughout the whole midfoot to toebox that it feels bigger and possibly a tad longer?

I tightened the laces and did my standard heel lock lacing to keep everything locked in place. I really didn’t notice it once I was running.

I would buy the same size I always run in for other brands. If you do run narrow, then maybe a half size down. The reviews on this are mixed and some folks think the Cloudmonster 2 is just too voluminous.

The tongue is super thin, breathable and comfortable. I have seen this trend in a number of shoes lately to cut weight, but not everyone has nailed. Take the Altra Torrin 6 where the thin tongue was so rigid it cut in to my ankle.

I’ve found these shoes are pretty comfortable on most easy runs. I could probably wear them up to the marathon distance, but right now they remain in my 6-8 mile shoe selection. They’re light enough to make a great 5K or 10K shoe too for the average runner.

On 90% of my running shoes, I use a

Bonus: I really like the way Cloundmonster 2 looks. That’s not really fit or function, but I feel like it matters! All of the On shoes have a really classic feel, which is probably due to the Swiss design which they believe is really important.

What You Need to Know About On Running Shoes

On started in 2010 in Switzerland, when yet again another runner thought “I could do this better.”

This time it was three retired professional athletes, who decided there needed to be a shoe that had more firmness to create that bounce off the ground, along with cushion.

On uses CloudTec technology which is what makes their shoe look and feel different.

The pods (or clouds) compress both horizontally and vertically and then rapidly expand, helping to propel you faster off the ground.

And in fact, those clouds are different sizes based on the shoe and the goal for that shoe.

Is it like running on clouds?

No. Not cloudlike in that plush fluffy kind of way.

So for me, no…not at all like a cloud. And that’s not all bad.

In my On Running Shoes Review, I go in to all the reasons that there are benefits to the pod design and why other runners have loved them from the start. So checkout that if you’re curious to learn more.

Drawbacks to On Running Shoes

As noted, every runner has a preference, so there are just a couple of things from my experience.

• They are not ideal for those with high arches or a high mid-foot
• Most On Cloud shoes run narrow, and the toebox is not wide (they have started created specific wide models!)
• Rocks stuck in between the pods make them not ideal on trails or gravel running. (again not an issue with the change to the outsole here)
• I ran in to trouble with the thick toebox creasing in weird spots on the top of my foot in some models
• Not much traction to these shoes

I found the Carbon fiber shoe to run small, but otherwise I have found them to run true to size.

See current colors and pricing on all models >>

All right I hope this On Cloudmonster 2 review gave you some info to help you make a shoe decision! If  there’s more you want to see in a review let me know!

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