On Cloudmonster Hyper Review

On Cloudmonster Hyper

The On Cloudmonster Hyper is On’s newest addition to the Cloudmonster lineup. As On’s first real venture into the super trainer category they have kept within their brand and created a shoe that looks to be quite impressive on paper. As the first trainer with On’s super foam, Helion HF, the Cloudmonster Hyper looks to be an incredible option for long runs and progressions. However with a price tag of $220 is the hyper worth the extra cost?

The On Cloudmonster Hyper features 37.5mm of foam in the heel and 31.5mm in the forefoot featuring a 6mm drop. It has a really bouncy but firmer ride that really wants you to pick up the pace. For me this hasn’t been my favorite and it has felt a bit clunky and weird at times even making my achilles and other parts of my leg really sore. However, this only has happened on distance runs, and when I drop the pace the Cloudmonster Hyper really feels amazing.  

However as their are a ton of super trainers on the market, it becomes really hard to recommend a $220 shoe that only works for faster paces. For a similar vibe at a cheaper price, I would recommend looking at the Adidas Boston 12, the Brooks Hyperion Max 2, or the Puma Deviate Nitro 2/3. For a detailed comparisons on super trainers and more, be sure to visit our YouTube channel, where we've conducted thorough comparisons of many super trainers.

Specs

• Weight 263g/9.3 oz
• Stack 37.5mm heel/31.5mm forefoot
• Drop 6mm
• $220

Midsole

The On Cloudmonster Hyper features uses a dual foam construction featuring On’s Helion and Helion HF foam. However unlike most of On’s trainer’s the Hyper lacks a speed board, but still remains fairly stable and rigid thanks to the firmer helion foam. In the back of the shoe, the Hyper is very similar to the normal Cloudmonster featuring big cloudtec units designed to absorb impact and create a bouncy ride. In practice it works fairly well but is still a bit on the firmer side due to the nature of the Helion foam.

The Helion HF in the forefoot is very nice and adds a nice bit of softest and bounciness to the shoe. While not being quite as soft as some other super foams such as New Balance FuelCell, the addition of Helion HF is very nice to see although a trainer with a full Helion HF midsole would just be a dream. (Cloudboom Zone???) We also see On’s staple holes in the forefoot although they are a bit smaller letting the super foam do most of the work.

Ride

The On Cloudmonster Hyper has an extremely bouncy ride that also feels pretty firm. At slower paces it can feel a bit clunky and awkward making you run faster than you run on distance runs. For me when I would try to do easy runs my legs would just get weirdly tired unless I picked up the pace. However if your going to be doing progressions or tempo work, I could see this shoe being a great option as it’s firmer foam will give more durability than a typical racing shoe. It really rolls your forward onto the super foam in the forefoot and pops you off the ground. If your a fan of the Adidas Boston 12, this really just feels like a slightly more premium option with a massive price hike.

Even though it’s pretty firm, I would say the Cloudmonster Hyper is fairly protective. Obviously something like the New Balance More V5 is going to be more protective, but the Hyper is designed to go fast. The Hyper is also very stable thanks to the Helion foam, so if your an On fanboy this could be a great option. However if your looking for more of a softer max cushion shoe from On, I would recommend taking a look at the On Cloudeclipse, and if you want a true daily trainer go with the Cloudmonster 1/2 or Cloudsurfer 7.

Upper and Fit

The On Cloudmonster Hyper has a very nice upper, but for $220 it better be. The upper is pretty breathable and feels pretty similar to On’s racing shoes, which feels very premium. The tongue is sort of gusseted and the laces are fine. They never came untied and I never had an issue with them. The tongue is also a bit padded and I could tie my laces pretty tight without discomfort. The heel and sides are also pretty rigid giving you some more stability and lockdown. Overall I really like the upper/fit and I really wasn’t thinking about it while I was running. (Which is a good thing)

Sizing-wise, the On Cloudmonster Hyper runs a bit long and has a very roomy toe box, so I would recommend dropping down half a size.

Outsole and Durability 

The Outsole on the Cloudmonster Hyper is decent. I took it on a few trails out in California and I handled them decently. You get a lot of rubber coverage and although I never took it out in the rain (cause it’s a $220 shoe) I wouldn’t have any concerns about grip. It also gets a think layer of rubber so should be fairly durable.

Who's is Best For

The On Cloudmonster Hyper is going to be best suited for On fanboys, and for people who want a firmer uptempo shoe. For $220 there definitely are better options such as the Adidas Boston 12, Puma Deviate Nitro 3, or Brooks Hyperion Max 2, but if you want something that is stiff but doesn't have a plate, this could be a solid option. For me this shoe found its way into my rotation as a long run option especially I if was trying to progress my pace through the run.  For more information on other shoes, be sure to check out our shoe matcher tool, where we'll choose the best running shoes for you based on your goals and preferences.

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