has an exterior that's large and fierce, but an interior that can charm even the loveliest Disney princess. This year, the shoe from Swiss
ideal for easy runs, like a dance in the ballroom, but don't be fooled. Once the beast awakens, the shoe bites back with aggression.
The midsole is made of the same HelionTM material, and the Speedboard® is still found in the midsole, all wrapped in On's classic CloudTec. But as soon as you dive into the details, it becomes clear that the shoe is entirely different from previous generations.
- Weight: 310 grams
- Foam material: HelionTM
- Drop: 6 mm (35 mm/29 mm)
- The shoe is for those who want a volume shoe for runs with intensity up to half marathon, while also suitable for short strides.
On Cloudmonster 3 – Protective upper with an eye for comfort
Starting with the Cloudmonster's upper, the shoe's engineered mesh upper has received a full update.
You get improved breathability, perfect for the warmer times we face in Scandinavia.
While updated, it has maintained an excellent fit. The upper feels light on your foot, which is a big plus. The shoe is a volume trainer and has an upper that can withstand many kilometers. The light feel around the foot is particularly impressive because the upper is also relatively robust. The heel is stiff but not felt at the Achilles tendon.
The reinforcing details on the upper are executed with finesse, supporting the premium feel you get when stepping into the shoes.
For those who use it, there's an elastic for the laces on the shoe's tongue. The tongue is attached on the inside, creating a comfortable and enveloping fit around the foot.
The fit is, as you might hear, really good. Lockdown works well, and Cloudmonster 3 is actually one of the few shoes where I haven't removed the insole within the first hundred kilometers.
This might require an explanation:
I've developed a habit of removing the insole from my shoes after a few runs to create more space and increase comfort. Try it, it works. But in these shoes, I haven't needed to. There's the space I want. It works really well and is gentle on the feet.
On Cloudmonster 3 – Midsole: The heavy exterior becomes light and elegant
The midsole is and remains the most interesting part of On Cloudmonster 3. It's what gives the shoe its distinctive look, and it's also what creates the excellent roll.
The roll is something you can't help but notice. I imagine it's mainly due to the Speedboard®. The nylon plate provides a subtle propulsion that works really well in the shoe. It's this feeling that sets this type of shoe apart from classic volume training shoes.
And what is this type of shoe then? It's the shoe that's hard to do without in the rotation. For it's a volume trainer, the shoe everyone needs. At the same time, it's also the shoe I choose for long progressive runs or a continuous run mid-week. The roll gives a feeling that each step naturally leads to the next.
In fact, the shoe also works really well for strides, short intervals with high intensity, keeping the legs going on easy days.
On's volume shoes haven't always been known for a significant bounce. CloudTec has traditionally focused on propulsion through low weight and a firmer foam. But that has changed this year. The sole has received an extra layer of Helion foam, so you now run on three layers of CloudTec. It provides the best bounce I've experienced in CloudTec, making the shoe suitable for long runs with intensity around marathon.
At the same time, the shoe still feels natural. On has added an extra layer to an already high shoe without compromising stability. This is achieved through a new design of the bottom foam layer. Here, On truly shows their level of innovation. Great praise for that.
On Cloudmonster 3 – Outsole with grip for various surfaces
Another element that has improved stability is the new rubber outsole. Here, there has also been a targeted effort to improve grip.
Due to the sole's design, I've primarily used the shoe on asphalt, where the geometry really shines. But the increased focus on the outsole has also made me want to test it on gravel, and it works fine.
A shoe should of course be able to do this, but On has previously had challenges on this type of surface, where the sole collected stones. This hasn't been a problem in Cloudmonster 3.
Cloudmonster 3 is perhaps one of On's most versatile shoes. It's the type of shoe most runners need. It works really well at a slow pace but can also handle intensity up to half marathon.
Cloudmonster 3 is not explicitly aggressive. It is primarily a calm monster that naturally binds intensities under half marathon together.
But when required, it has that extra gear associated with a super trainer. It bites back at high intensity.
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