On Cloudmonster 3 Review | Are They Worth the Price?

The On Cloudmonster 3 is interesting. I think for some, this could be the shoe that turns you into an On fan, and for others, it will be a running shoe that gives you more questions than answers.

Questions like, are these a bit heavy for my long runs? Does the fit work for my feet? Am I overpaying for this shoe? These are all questions I was asking myself during this review, and I think they’re fair questions to ask if you’re dropping $190 on a running shoe.

A couple of truths. I’m someone who is very particular about their training shoes and running shoes, and even more particular about what shoes cost and the details that go into them.

I’m also a gym rat, HYROX enjoyer, and someone who’s a more recreational runner that hits anywhere from 10-20 miles a week. If you’re similar in your training and approach to shoes, then welcome. Here’s how I’ve categorized and internalized the Cloudmonster 3 to other running shoes I’ve reviewed.

Who Should Buy the Cloudmonster 3?

• Current On Lovers: If you’re a fan of On shoes, these are a solid addition to your lineup. This On running shoe has been one of my favorites from them to date.
• You like a slightly denser feel: If you’re looking for a shoe for casual wear and walking and don’t want something overly plush. For example, they’re not as soft as other maximalist shoes like the Nike Vomero line.
• You primarily need a shoe for chill runs: If you want a shoe for slower-paced runs that can accommodate a forefoot, midfoot, or heel strike, these can work great. I could see these working great for those who want a rather supportive shoe for recovery runs.

Who Shouldn’t Buy the Cloudmonster 3?

• You need versatility and are budget conscious: If you don’t want to spend $190 on limited purpose shoe. Options like the Adizero EVO SL, while not necessarily the best “slow-paced shoe”, can be solid pick for both speed work and mid-range runs with quicker paces at a better price.
• You prioritize softness: If you’re looking for an uber plush ride, then look elsewhere. The CloudTec midsole in the Cloudmonster 3 and its stack will run a little firmer than what most likely think when they see them without trying them.
• You need a shoe for faster runs: If you’re looking for a lighter-weight shoe for speed work, then look into options like the Saucony Endorphin Pro line. The bulky feel of the Cloudmonster 3 hinders its ability to feel “quick” on the feet.

Sizing and Fit

About My Feet: I have a normal arch/instep and my feet come in at an E/EE width. The length of my left and right foot are consistent with one another, and I size as a true US 10 for most companies’ sizing charts. 

Fit Breakdown:

• Narrow (<D) feet: Size down a half size. 
• Medium (D) width: Size down a half size.
• E and EE: True to size.
• 3E+: True to size. 4E may find them snug.

I spent some time looking around and noticed that sizing is a bit all over the place. As someone who leans towards wider shoes, I really enjoyed the fit of these. That’s because they tend to run long. Going with my normal size 10 gave me the extra room I needed in the forefoot.

If you do have a narrow or medium width foot, I’d suggest sizing down. The extra length is going to leave you with too much room in the forefoot and you may find yourself swimming in them. If you’re in the E/EE foot width camp, stay true to size. It’s still not going to be a “wide” toe box but the extra length makes up for it.

If you have a 3E for width or wider, tread carefully. These are not a wide shoe by any means and I’m not sure that true to size or even sizing up a half size is going to give you the width you need to feel comfortable. Give them a shot, wear them around the house, but be ready to return them if they’re still too narrow.

Performance Breakdown

As stated in the intro, I build running shoe reviews for my fellow recreational runners. I’m not your guy doing multiple marathons a year or hitting crazy 50+ mile weeks, but I’m consistent and tackle a healthy amount of miles each week. If you’re similar, then my performance assessment will likely be more relevant for you.

There are plenty of awesome running shoe review resources for the diehard distance crew. I want to always disclose where I stand with my running and make that known for transparency in my reviews.

Short Runs: 8.5/10

For short runs, I’m talking about anything in that 1-3 mile range. That includes short recovery runs, warm up and cool down jogs, and intervals. The Cloudmonster 3 does a great job in this mileage range, especially if you go at a bit slower pace.

I ran in these on standard treadmills, curved treadmills, and took them outdoors on pavement. They were nice and smooth across all surfaces.

The midsole isn’t as plush as it appears at first glance. The HELION foam gives them a bit firmer ride, a nice compliment to a slower-paced outing. The downside here is that they’re heavier than they appear to be. These aren’t going to be the best shoe for those fast-paced track workouts or speed intervals at shorter mileage clips. With that said, I would not recommend these for HYROX training or HYROX competitions.

Mid-Range Runs: 8/10

For mid-range runs, think 4-7 miles. The Cloudmonster 3 delivered quite well in this range. Well, mostly. Towards the end of those runs, especially if I was running on tired or heavy legs, the weight became very noticeable.

For example, some days I’ll hit two-a-days and train legs in the morning, then run in the afternoon and evening (evening runs thanks to living in Phoenix), and on those days, I’ll notice the weight of these shoes more. Basically, sluggish feet and legs, be warned and stay conscious of your stride in these.

The perfect example here is when I took them out for a 6-mile out-and-back run after a deadlift workout earlier in the day. That was a mistake. I hit the turnaround point and began second-guessing all my life choices. The weight of these was a real bummer and I had to slow my pace down even further.

Daily Wear: 8/10

This is really where they shined for me. As most of you know, I tend to lean more towards barefoot and cross-training type shoes. These were a nice break from those when my feet and legs were tired from training. 

Whether I was taking the pups for a walk, or just out and about for the day, these felt great. The heavier, padded heel did a great job of locking my foot in (a nice bonus considering I like to wear my shoes looser if I’m not pushing intensity in the gym).

Construction Details

These shoes weighed in at 10.75 oz in a US men’s size 10. They have a heel stack of 35 mm and a forefoot stack of 29 mm, combining to give you a 6 mm heel-to-toe drop. 

There is an extended outsole layer that runs up the front of the toebox for a bit of added protection. There’s also a light internal toe guard that runs around the toebox. The upper is a lightweight knit, very breathable especially in hotter climates like Arizona. The knit upper runs from the forefoot into the heel. The outer layer of the heel is a knit material over a thicker padded mesh.

There are 5 core eyelets running up the midfoot, with a 6th for lace lock. The tongue is a thin mesh material and is gusseted. Be careful when pulling the tongue up. It’s very thin and can fold and tear easily. There’s an additional lace loop over the midfoot to keep the laces secure.

The midsole is a triple layer. It’s really more of a dual stack with a third pod in between the two layers. The HELION foam midsole runs throughout the entire length of the shoe. Underneath, there are rubber tread sections that cover the extended pods. This also exposes a lot of the foam midsole. Take care in dodgy climates or if you’re running off pavement and exposing them to a lot of dirt, gravel, or rocks.

Final Thoughts

As much as I enjoyed these shoes for my slower paced runs and walks, they’d be a lot better if they were in that $140-$160 range.

Priced where they are, there are too many other options that perform just as well at a lower price point.

That said, if you’re a fan of ON shoes, you’ll really enjoy these. They’re breathable, have a nice firm ride, and are a great slower-paced running or walking shoe.

I don’t know that I’ll be buying these again, but again, that has more to do with the price point than performance.