On Cloudmonster by On Holding - maximal cushioning for daily runs

On Cloudmonster is the shoe you notice even before lacing up, with those oversized cloud pods jutting out from the sole like hollow columns under your feet. On co-founder Caspar Coppetti describes it as the brand’s “fun maximalist trainer”, built for runners who want comfort without losing snap.

Max-cushioned but still lively

On positions the Cloudmonster as a max-cushion road running shoe for daily training, long runs and recovery days, sitting above the Cloudsurfer and Cloudflow in terms of softness and stack height. The midsole uses On’s Helion foam combined with the signature CloudTec hollow pods to create deep cushioning that compresses and rebounds on impact.

The rocker geometry of the forefoot is pronounced, designed to roll the runner forward and encourage an efficient stride even as the shoe remains heavily cushioned. On’s product team points out that this rocker, together with the Speedboard plate embedded in the midsole, aims to keep transitions feeling energetic rather than mushy.

Design details and fit

On gives the Cloudmonster a visibly tall midsole, with a stack height around the mid-30 mm range in the heel, depending on size, making it one of the brand’s highest shoes. Reviewers describe a soft landing under the heel and a slightly firmer feel under the forefoot once the clouds compress. The overall sensation is cushioned but not overly squishy.

The upper is an engineered mesh with structured panels around the midfoot and heel to hold the foot securely. A gusseted tongue helps prevent sliding, while padding around the collar aims for comfort on long runs. The laces run through reinforced eyelets that allow for various lacing techniques if a runner needs to fine-tune lockdown.

Target runner and use cases

On’s product manager for the Cloudmonster line, while not as publicly prominent as CEO Marc Maurer, describes the shoe in media interviews as “for runners who want big comfort but still like some snap in their step”. It is not marketed as a race-only shoe; instead, it targets daily mileage, long runs, and easier efforts where comfort is prioritized.

Independent testers tend to agree that the Cloudmonster fits best into the easy and moderate-pace category rather than all-out sprints. The rocker and Speedboard provide enough assistance to pick up the pace slightly, but the shoe’s primary role remains cushioned support across many kilometers.

On’s cushioning philosophy

On Holding has built its identity on the CloudTec concept: hollow pods that collapse to absorb impact and then lock to push the runner forward. In the Cloudmonster, this concept is amplified – the pods are larger and more numerous, making the cushioning more noticeable both visually and underfoot.

The Speedboard plate, a staple of many On models, sits above the CloudTec layer and is designed to distribute pressure and add torsional stiffness. In practice, this plate aims to prevent the shoe from feeling too flexible despite the soft underfoot feel, giving the Cloudmonster a more directed, rolling transition.

Durability, outsole and grip

The outsole of the Cloudmonster uses rubber placed strategically on the areas most exposed to wear, such as the heel and lateral forefoot. Testers report that the Helion foam and rubber combination offers reasonable durability for a high-stack trainer, with the pods maintaining structure over hundreds of kilometers. The open CloudTec design naturally picks up small stones, but the Cloudmonster’s pods are somewhat less prone to trapping debris than some earlier On models.

Grip on wet pavement is described as adequate for daily training, though not aggressively lugged. The shoe remains focused on road use rather than trail running, and On’s marketing materials generally refer to it as a road trainer, leaving off-road duties to other models in the lineup.

Weight and ride feel

On lists the Cloudmonster’s weight around the mid-200 gram range for a standard men’s size, placing it in the typical band for max-cushion trainers rather than ultra-light marathon shoes. Runners who have tested it mention that the shoe feels lighter on foot than its silhouette suggests, largely due to the rocker and the way the clouds compress and rebound.

The ride is described as smooth and rolling, rather than sharply propulsive like carbon-plate racers. Runners moving through urban streets often notice a subtle bounce when landing midfoot, with the Speedboard guiding the transition forward. That tactile sensation of compressing the clouds underfoot is part of the shoe’s identity.

Position in On’s portfolio

Within On’s broader running portfolio, the Cloudmonster sits alongside models like the Cloudsurfer, Cloudflow and Cloudstratus as one of the more cushioned offerings. The company uses different combinations of Helion foam, Speedboard stiffness and CloudTec geometry to tailor each shoe to a distinct use case and runner profile.

The Cloudmonster therefore helps On cover the segment of runners seeking high comfort and cushioning without going to carbon-plated race shoes. This category has become commercially important, as many recreational runners prefer a forgiving daily trainer that can handle most of their weekly mileage.

Market availability and pricing

On Holding distributes the Cloudmonster through its own online store and a wide network of specialty running retailers across Europe, North America and Asia. The shoe is generally positioned at a premium price point within the running category, reflecting the brand’s broader strategy.

Regional colorways and occasional limited editions add variety, with some markets seeing exclusive palettes tied to local events or retail partners. Availability can fluctuate depending on season and new version cycles, as On occasionally tweaks materials or details while maintaining the core Cloudmonster concept.

Management perspective and growth

On Holding’s management, including co-CEO Marc Maurer and co-founder Caspar Coppetti, often highlights cushioned trainers such as the Cloudmonster as part of a balanced product mix between performance running, all-day lifestyle and tennis, among others. In earnings calls, they typically emphasize innovation in cushioning and design as drivers of brand differentiation.

For investors observing product-level developments, the Cloudmonster line exemplifies how On extends its technology into specific niches like max-cushion daily trainers. That segment attracts repeat purchases from regular runners, potentially contributing to recurring revenue rather than one-time race-shoe sales.

Context and On Holding AG stock

For retail investors and consumers, the Cloudmonster offers concrete evidence of how On translates its Helion and CloudTec technologies into distinct product families. The model helps anchor On in the premium cushioned trainer category, a segment with steady demand from runners seeking comfort and mileage.

On Holding AG stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange in US dollars under the ticker ONON, and the performance of the Cloudmonster and similar running lines feeds into the company’s reported footwear revenues without altering the share’s separate, market-driven price dynamics.