On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper review

We enjoyed testing the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper and recommend it for:

• Runners who liked the Cloudmonster 3 and want a more advanced version with lower weight and better energy return.
• Anyone looking for a super trainer with excellent durability and premium build quality based on our lab tests.
• Runners who prefer a firmer ride and want a high-performance shoe that can handle a wide range of paces and distances.
• Those who tried the Cloudmonster Hyper or the Cloudboom Max and were a bit disappointed. Give this one a try!

We think the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper may not be the best pick if budget matters. For those with a tight budget, we suggest the Adidas Adizero EVO SL or Saucony Endorphin Azura as the two best alternatives inside the super trainer category.

We also found in the lab that the shock absorption of the CM3 Hyper is solid, but it does not reach top-tier levels. Instead, we recommend the ASICS Megablast for a bounce-loaded ride or the ASICS Superblast 3 as a more versatile option that also delivers excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces.

The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper proves itself as a highly cushioned shoe with 139 SA in the heel and 122 SA in the forefoot. These strong numbers make it suitable for runners of all sizes and capable of handling any distance.

We also found that the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper brings real energy return to your legs, and that’s what adds more value over the regular Cloudmonster 3. With 66.1% in the heel and 69.4% in the forefoot, we’re talking about real bounce here, comparable with many other top super trainers.

The truth is that, here in the lab, we discovered that most training shoes from On are not up to their price when it comes to energy return, something that was also the case with the Cloudmonster Hyper (remember that there was no Cloudmonster 2 Hyper). However, here On truly delivered what we were waiting for!

We already tagged this shoe as a super trainer, and there’s simply no doubt about that. With the PEBA-based Helion HF foam on top and a maximalist heel stack height of 43.4 mm, runners seeking a deeply cushioned feel underfoot will get exactly that here.

The forefoot is also impressive from a stack height standpoint, rising higher than the regular Cloudmonster with a measurement of 34.2 mm. That’s nearly the same height in the forefoot as many daily trainers offer in the heel!

On states a drop of 6 mm, but we found a slightly higher one at 9.2 mm. While running, the shoe felt closer to 8 mm, so we were not surprised after measuring it in the lab once we cut it in half.

For us, it’s a shoe that works very well for all footstrikes, although the geometry is likely better suited for midfoot and heel strikers.

One of the biggest deal-breakers for many runners in the regular Cloudmonster series is its firm feel underfoot. That is partially improved with the midsole design of the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper.

Here we found two layers of foam instead of one, with the main layer being the excellent Helion HF on top. This is a PEBA-based foam that is much softer than the standard Helion, reaching 37.2 AC in our Asker C durometer. The ride is not plush at all, but it no longer feels firm-as-a-brick underfoot and clearly moves in a better direction for most runners.

The lower layer that contacts the ground is the same Helion foam used across the midsole of the regular Cloudmonster. Therefore, it is quite firm at 51.2 AC, although it feels slightly softer in use thanks to the compression of the CloudTec pods.

This layer helps protect the Helion HF and adds stability, following a design seen in rival super trainers (and made popular by the Superblast) by pairing a high-performance foam on top with a standard EVA foam below.

The rocker of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is similar to the regular version in the forefoot, but it changes noticeably in the heel.

We found that the rear of the shoe is highly aggressive, with an extended heel flare reaching almost 3 cm from the calcaneus, and the bevel here is also quite pronounced, making it less suitable for runners who do not enjoy a rolling feel.

CloudTec is still present, but the three-layer system from the regular Cloudmonster 3 does not carry over to this shoe. We see this as a positive, as having more Helion HF foam underfoot is a clear advantage.

We found the fit remarkably similar to its sibling, which does not come as a big surprise.

After letting the gel solidify in the fridge and removing it from the shoe, we were able to take measurements. The first one came in at an average 95.0 mm.

The toebox also measures close to average at 72.8 mm, and that is exactly how it feels on foot, not wide like an Altra, but also far from a toe-crunching design.

The no-risk approach from On with Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is clear, with another near-average measurement at 27.5 mm.

Therefore, we expect no issues even during the longest runs of a marathon build.

With a 0.50 score in our traction test on wet concrete, the result feels a bit mixed. It offers very good grip on dry ground and solid grip in wet conditions, but for a super trainer priced above 200 dollars, we expected top-level performance, and this is good rather than excellent.

The outsole keeps the familiar design from the On Cloudmonster, with 10 pods separated by a very wide guidance line running from heel to toe, complemented by horizontal cutouts.

There are small changes in rubber placement and cutouts to reduce weight, but coverage remains excellent and surpasses most competitors in this area.

One of the biggest differences in the Hyper model is the absence of the Speedboard plate, which we think is the right choice for this shoe. Even so, it still shows high stiffness at 21.2N thanks to its maximalist midsole and firm Helion foam and we didn't feel it flexible at all during our runs.

At 9.3 oz or 264g, the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper sits between two categories in terms of weight.

It is slightly heavier than the best super trainers, but also much lighter than the Cloudmonster 3 and the Cloudboom Max. We are sure that those who own one of these two will perceive the CM3 Hyper as quite lightweight!

There are three things we have come to expect from recent On running shoes and their uppers: excellent materials, impressive design, and limited breathability. Super shoes aside, of course.

In this case, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper checks those boxes. The upper stands out in execution and looks great, but ventilation is quite limited, earning a 2/5 in our test.

Instead of using large ventilation holes like other brands, On takes a different approach by aiming for more uniform airflow. However, it cannot match the airflow provided by larger openings.

The upper looks outstanding under the microscope. This is a clear example of high-quality material when closely examined, simple as that.

It is not ideal for hot summer days, but in autumn, winter, and spring it performs very well. On also added extra padding in the heel counter with an ultra-plush foam, giving the shoe a more premium feel.

Like most super trainers, the On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is designed for neutral runners but also works well for those with mild pronation.

This is mainly because On made the shoe wider in the forefoot, midfoot, and heel, while also combining a structured upper with the huge guidance line in the outsole described earlier.

Despite lacking any type of plate, the CM3 Hyper is extremely rigid, and we gave it a 5 out of 5 in our test.

The heel counter also adds to the stable feel of the shoe with a rigid design, scoring 4/5. That may also explain why On included a pillowy-soft and thick foam layer in this area.

We mentioned earlier that the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper expands its width compared to the regular version, and now we can support that with lab data.

According to our digital callipers, the Hyper version is 4.9 mm wider than its sibling, measuring 118.6 mm instead of 113.7 mm.

We noticed the same feel in the heel both during runs and when measuring it. Here, On added 4.6 mm, increasing from 90.2 mm in the Cloudmonster 3 to 94.8 mm in the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, and it makes clear sense.

Some may dislike the limited ventilation in the toebox, but it comes with a benefit: durability.

Although a 3/5 is not outstanding, it is strong enough to prevent issues in this area for 99% of runners, including those who tend to wear through the upper with the big toenail.

The heel padding handled our Dremel test extremely well, scoring a 5 out of 5. It delivers a plush feel along with excellent durability, and that is everything we can ask for!

If you want a long-lasting super trainer, look no further. The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper stands on another level in this test.

After using the Dremel, we found only 0.5 mm of damage, an excellent result that surpasses most competitors and adds clear value to the shoe.

To be extra sure that the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper will last a long time, On added 3.2 mm of rubber thickness. This may even be more than needed, especially since the shoe is slightly heavier than some competitors.

However, if durability is your main priority when investing in a shoe, then it's perfect!

The insole measures 3.9 mm in thickness, slightly below average by a small margin.

Removing the insole is possible, although you will lose the slightly flared heel shape that adds a bit of extra stability in that area, though the difference is not significant.

Thanks to its PEBA formulation, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper performs better in cold conditions. After 20 minutes in the freezer, it lost only 7% of its softness.

The Hyper version removes the reflective elements, and that is not something we like to see.

The laces of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper are thinner than what we usually find in most shoes, and that will not suit everyone. However, it is easy to swap them for a thicker option if preferred.

We were also surprised to see that the lacing system uses only punched eyelets instead of including lace loops like the regular Cloudmonster 3, which feels a bit weird considering this is the more expensive model.

The tongue is also reduced to 2.9 mm from 5.3 mm, which makes sense in a shoe designed with performance in mind and where reducing weight was clearly a priority.

The tongue is attached to the sides, preventing any unwanted lateral movement. We also liked that the fabric used here is quite breathable.

The heel features a simple, clean, and well-finished design without any pull tab.

The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is a very expensive shoe, there’s no way to deny that. However, unlike the Cloudmonster 3 where it was difficult to justify the price from a performance standpoint, here we have a model that delivers high-end energy return plus excellent durability, and feels far more capable across different paces and workouts. So while it remains expensive like most On shoes, this one feels more aligned with its price.