PROTECT YOUR DNA WITH QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY
Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by Adpathway
From everyday miles to marathon training and cutting-edge innovation, the On Cloudmonster family has a shoe for every type of runner. Here's how the Cloudmonster 3, Cloudmonster 3 Hyper and LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper compare – and which one deserves a place in your rotation.
Photo © Women's Running/Canva/On
The On Cloudmonster has become one of the Swiss brand’s most recognisable road running shoes, renowned for its distinctive, futuristic look, max-cushioned feel and energetic ride. The range has since expanded with the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, and it’s recently welcomed its most radical addition yet: the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper.
Built using On’s groundbreaking LightSpray™ technology, it challenges traditional ideas of how a performance running shoe is constructed with its futuristic upper unlike anything we’ve seen before.
While all three shoes share the same Cloudmonster DNA, with responsive CloudTec® cushioning, a smooth, forward-rolling ride and plenty of energy return, each has been engineered with a different runner and purpose in mind.
Whether you’re looking for a reliable everyday trainer, a high-performance super trainer for marathon preparation, or the lightest and most innovative option in the range, this guide will help you understand the differences and find the Cloudmonster that’s right for you.
Jump to section
Meet the Cloudmonster family
Cloudmonster is On’s ‘Energy’ franchise, designed for road runners who enjoy a more lively, propulsive feel than the softer Cloudsurfer or the more supportive Cloudrunner.
The Cloudmonster family is built around one simple idea: combining maximum cushioning with an energetic, responsive ride. Rather than simply making a soft shoe, On’s aim is to create a ride that’s both comfortable and dynamic, whether you’re heading out for an easy morning run or pushing the pace during marathon training.
From left to right: the Cloudmonster 3, Cloudmonster 3 Hyper and LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. Each is designed for road runners who enjoy a highly cushioned shoe with an energetic ride. Photo © Women's Running
The range uses On’s distinctive CloudTec® cushioning and a rocker-shaped sole to help smooth the transition from landing to toe-off, delivering plenty of cushioning for longer miles while maintaining an energetic feel.
Although they all share this same DNA, each member of the Cloudmonster family has its own role. The Cloudmonster 3 is the everyday all-rounder, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is built for long runs and marathon training, while the new LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper takes the Hyper platform and pairs it with On’s revolutionary one-piece LightSpray™ upper to create the lightest, most advanced shoe in the range.
Which Cloudmonster should you choose?
Not sure which Cloudmonster is right for you? Here’s a quick comparison of the three models before we take a closer look at each one.
| If you… | Choose |
| Want an everyday trainer | Cloudmonster 3 |
| Want one shoe for long runs and marathon training | Cloudmonster 3 Hyper |
| Want the lightest, most advanced option | LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper |
How On Cloudmonster shoes compare
On Cloudmonster 3
The Cloudmonster 3 is the everyday workhorse of the family. Designed to handle everything from easy miles to longer training runs, it combines On’s biggest CloudTec® elements with a nylon-blend Speedboard® to create a ride that’s cushioned, smooth and energetic without feeling overly aggressive. It’s the shoe most runners will reach for day after day.
Designed for everyday training, the Cloudmonster 3 balances maximum cushioning with a responsive, forward-rolling ride that makes it an ideal daily trainer. Photo © Women's Running
Best for: Everyday training, easy runs and building weekly mileage
Ride feel: Max-cushioned, smooth and energetic with a stable, consistent feel
Ideal runner: Anyone looking for a reliable daily trainer that balances comfort with responsiveness
Key technologies:
- Triple-layer CloudTec® cushioning
- Helion™ superfoam midsole
- Nylon-blend Speedboard®
- Engineered mesh upper
Pros
- Versatile enough for most training runs
- Comfortable over a wide range of distances
- Cushioned without feeling cumbersome
Potential considerations
- Less specialised than the Hyper for faster sessions
- Heavier than the LightSpray model
Price: £180
The Cloudmonster 3 is the most versatile member of the family, making it a great choice for runners who want one shoe that can comfortably tackle a wide variety of training runs. Photo © Women's Running
On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
If the Cloudmonster 3 is your daily trainer, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is its faster, more performance-focused sibling. It swaps in Helion™ HF foam (the same PEBA-based foam used in On’s racing shoes) to create a lighter, bouncier ride that’s ideal for longer runs and marathon training.
Unlike many super trainers, it doesn’t use a carbon plate, helping reduce stiffness while still delivering excellent energy return. On says this makes it easier on tired legs during high-mileage training.
Designed for runners chasing longer distances and faster training, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper delivers a highly responsive ride without the stiffness of a plated shoe. Photo © Women's Running
Best for: Long runs, marathon training and tempo sessions
Ride feel: Lightweight, highly cushioned and noticeably more responsive than the standard Cloudmonster
Ideal runner: Runners looking for a high-performance training shoe without the firmness of a plated super trainer
Key technologies:
- Helion™ HF and Helion™ dual-foam midsole
- CloudTec® cushioning
- No carbon plate
- Re-engineered heel construction for improved comfort
Pros
- Excellent energy return
- Comfortable over long distances
- More forgiving than many plated super trainers
- Built with durability in mind for regular training
Potential considerations
- More focused on faster training than everyday easy runs
- Higher price than the Cloudmonster 3
Price: £210
The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper blends the bounce of a super trainer with the versatility of a training shoe, making it a great companion for marathon blocks and high-mileage weeks. Photo © Women's Running
LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
The LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper takes everything that makes the Hyper such an exciting trainer and wraps it in one of the most innovative uppers in running. Instead of stitching multiple panels together, On uses a robot to spray a continuous filament directly onto a mould, creating a seamless one-piece upper in around four minutes.
The result is an exceptionally lightweight shoe with a precise fit and minimal waste. They also comes with a pair of Elite Run Sock High Hyper socks to complement the laceless design.
Read our full review of the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper here.
The most advanced shoe in the Cloudmonster family, the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper combines an ultralight, laceless upper with a highly responsive ride for fast training and racing. Photo © Women's Running
Best for: Fast training, race efforts and runners looking for the latest footwear innovation
Ride feel: Ultra-light, fast and highly responsive
Ideal runner: Experienced runners who want the lightest Cloudmonster experience and are comfortable with a laceless fit
Key technologies:
- LightSpray™ one-piece seamless upper
- Robot-built upper produced in around four minutes
- Helion™ HF and Helion™ dual-foam midsole
- CloudTec® cushioning
Pros
- Lightest shoe in the Cloudmonster range
- Innovative seamless upper reduces weight and waste
- Precise, sock-like fit
- Laceless design for faff-free runs
- Elite Run Sock High Hyper included
- Shares the energetic ride of the Hyper
Potential considerations
- Premium price
- Laceless design won’t suit everyone
- More specialised than a traditional everyday trainer
Price: £270
Created by a robot in around four minutes, the seamless LightSpray™ upper reduces weight while delivering a secure, sock-like fit. Every pair also comes with On's Elite Run Sock High Hyper for the complete experience. Photo © Women's Running
What makes the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper different?
One look at the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is enough to tell you this isn’t an ordinary running shoe. Instead of a traditional stitched upper with a tongue and laces, On has reimagined the way a running shoe is made.
Using its LightSpray™ technology, a robot sprays a continuous filament directly onto a mould, creating a seamless, one-piece upper in around four minutes. The result is a striking laceless design that’s incredibly lightweight, uses less material and eliminates the need for dozens of individual components.
But this unusual construction isn’t just about turning heads; the one-piece upper wraps closely around the foot, creating a secure, sock-like fit with no seams, pressure points or laces to adjust mid-run. It’s a very different experience to a conventional running shoe, but one that quickly feels natural.
When Women’s Running reviewer Laura Fountain put the shoe through its paces, she was immediately struck by just how light it felt despite the towering stack of cushioning. She also found that the LightSpray upper “comes into its own once you’re moving, providing a secure, distraction-free fit”, while the Helion™ HF midsole delivered a springy, enjoyable ride that made both easy miles and faster efforts feel effortless.
The LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper won’t suit everyone (particularly runners who prefer the reassurance of traditional laces), but if you’re excited by cutting-edge footwear technology and want to experience one of the most innovative shoes on the market, it’s unlike anything else in the Cloudmonster family.
Unlike a conventional running shoe, the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper has no stitched upper, tongue or laces. Instead, it's created by a robot that sprays a continuous filament onto a mould, producing a seamless one-piece upper in around four minutes. Photo © Women's Running
Side-by-side comparison
Still deciding? Here’s a side-by-side comparison of the three Cloudmonster models to help you find the best fit for your runs.
| Best for | Everyday training | Long runs, marathon training and tempo sessions | Fast training, race efforts and runners who want the latest innovation |
| How it feels | Cushioned, smooth and energetic | Lighter, bouncier and more responsive | Featherweight and exceptionally responsive |
| Cushioning | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Responsiveness | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Weight | Standard | Lightweight | Ultralight |
| Upper | Engineered mesh | Engineered mesh | LightSpray™ seamless one-piece upper |
| Midsole | Helion™ superfoam | Helion™ HF + Helion™ | Helion™ HF + Helion™ |
| Plate | Nylon-blend Speedboard® | None | None |
| Best suited to | Daily mileage, recovery runs and longer steady efforts | Marathon blocks, long runs and faster training | Performance-focused runners looking for the lightest Cloudmonster experience |
| Choose this if… | You want one shoe to handle almost every run. | You want a super trainer that delivers excellent energy return without the stiffness of a carbon plate. | You want cutting-edge technology, minimal weight and a premium performance experience. |
Which shoe suits your training?
You’re training for your first marathon
Recommendation: Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
Why: Long runs become the focus of marathon training, and the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is designed with exactly that in mind. Its Helion™ HF midsole delivers plenty of energy return while the plate-free design helps keep the ride feeling natural and your legs fresher over high weekly mileage. After all, as On says: fresh legs are fast legs!
You’re building weekly mileage
Recommendation: Cloudmonster 3
Why: If most of your running consists of easy miles, steady runs and the occasional longer effort, the Cloudmonster 3 is the most versatile option. It offers plenty of cushioning for everyday training without feeling overly specialised.
You love fast tempo sessions
Recommendation: Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
Why: The lighter, more responsive ride makes the Hyper ideal for picking up the pace. Whether you’re tackling tempo runs, marathon-pace sessions or progression runs, it’s built to help you run fast while remaining comfortable enough for longer efforts.
On's mantra is 'fresh legs are fast legs', and the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is designed with that in mind, pairing Helion™ HF foam with a plate-free ride for long runs, marathon training and tempo sessions. Photo © Women's Running
You want the latest running innovation
Recommendation: LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
Why: The LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper pairs the responsive ride of the Hyper with On’s revolutionary robot-built LightSpray™ upper. Its seamless one-piece construction keeps weight to a minimum, making it the choice for runners who want to experience the brand’s most advanced footwear technology.
You want one shoe for most of your running
Recommendation: Cloudmonster 3
Why: If you’d rather own one shoe that can comfortably handle everything from recovery runs to weekend long runs, the Cloudmonster 3 is the most versatile member of the family.
Final thoughts
When it comes to picking your perfect shoe from the range, the good news is there’s no wrong choice – all three shoes deliver the energetic, cushioned ride that defines the Cloudmonster family. The decision simply comes down to how you train.
If you want one shoe to handle the majority of your running, the Cloudmonster 3 is the natural choice. If you’re training for longer races or enjoy faster sessions, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper offers a lighter, more responsive ride.
And if you want to experience On’s latest footwear innovation, the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper takes that same Hyper platform and pairs it with an ultralight, seamless upper unlike anything else in the range.
Ready to experience the latest in cutting-edge innovation? Shop the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
English (US) · 
French (CA) ·