Three years after a Cloudmonster 2 that disappointed on fit, On is correcting course with a third generation launched on March 5, 2026: a slimmer, redesigned silhouette, CloudTec cushioning that now comes in three layers, and a rethought upper. The first French reviews, out since late March, are unanimously positive, but not without reservations. We read the verdicts from Runninglab, Runpack and Jolie Foulée before forming our own view.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
The On Cloudmonster 3 fixes the main flaw of version 2 with a redesigned upper that finally holds your foot without forcing you to size down. The triple-layer CloudTec cushioning, paired with a nylon Speedboard, delivers a level of comfort and stability praised by every independent review available, at the cost of a 70 to 80 km break-in before the Helion foam fully softens. One real flaw remains, and On owns it: at 286 g in a size 42, it's one of the heaviest daily trainers in its category, and the foam is still an EVA/OBC blend rather than a latest-generation PEBA or A-TPU compound.
The Cloudmonster line holds a special place at On: it's the Swiss brand's most maximalist daily trainer, built for easy mileage and recovery rather than outright speed. Version 2, released in 2024, suffered from a recurring fit problem reported by many runners: the heel lacked hold, and some buyers had to drop half a size to compensate. On clearly took note. The Cloudmonster 3, launched on March 5, 2026, arrives with a completely redesigned upper, three-lace-row lacing and a reworked tongue gusset to eliminate the issue.
On the cushioning side, the key technical change is the move to a triple-layer CloudTec system, up from two layers on the previous version. The Helion foam is still an EVA/OBC (olefin block copolymer) compound, not the PEBA or A-TPU formula you'll find on the latest competing models. But On pairs it with a nylon Speedboard that runs the full length of the sole to inject some responsiveness into a bulky shoe.
RunMorph tip: plan on a 70 to 80 km break-in before the Helion foam fully softens, a point Runpack raised independently. Your first runs may feel firmer than you'd expect from a shoe billed as maximalist.
| Brand | On |
| Model | Cloudmonster 3 (Limelight | Seedling colorway) |
| Release | March 5, 2026 |
| Weight | 286 g (men's, EU 42) / 268 g (women's) |
| Drop | 6 mm |
| Stack height | 35 mm heel / 29 mm forefoot |
| Cushioning | Helion foam, triple-layer CloudTec system |
| Plate | Full-length nylon Speedboard |
| Upper | Breathable mesh, 3-lace-row lacing, redesigned tongue gusset |
| Outsole | Strategically placed rubber, tested grippy on dry and wet surfaces |
| Recommended use (On) | Everyday shoe, daily running at moderate pace |
| Materials | Recycled polyester (share not disclosed), made in Vietnam |
| Available sizes | 40 to 49 (men's) |
| Price | 200 euros at launch, some colorways already discounted by mid-2026 |
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
Three full French reviews have been available since late March 2026. They agree on the essentials but split on one concrete point, and we'd rather flag it than smooth it over.
Runninglab (Julien Guyod, overall score 8.8/10) delivers the most critical and most data-driven review of the three. Detailed subscores: comfort 9.5/10, responsiveness 8/10, foot hold 9/10, stability 9/10, lifespan 9/10, value for money 8/10, design 9/10. The tester puts a precise number on the weight problem: 286 g versus 244 g for a New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15, a 42 g gap you feel at the end of a long run. He also argues that the Helion foam, an EVA/OBC compound, isn't the most advanced on the market next to the PEBA or A-TPU formulas now common among competitors at the same price, and he finds the price high for that technology. Estimated lifespan: around 600 km with no premature wear.
Runpack (Simon Raffi) confirms the positive trend with similar subscores: comfort 9/10, responsiveness 8/10, cushioning 9/10, stability and hold 8/10, grip 9/10, tested on dry and wet surfaces. The tester places its sweet spot between 3:30 and 3:40 per kilometer for an experienced runner, and closer to 3:50 to 4:00 for a regular runner, which confirms its role as a daily trainer rather than a fast tempo shoe. One key point he raised on his own: expect a 70 to 80 km break-in before the foam fully softens, a detail missing from the other reviews.
Jolie Foulée (Lionel Fracture) is the most qualitative of the three, and very positive about the new silhouette: "slimmer and sleeker" than version 2, a redesigned heel with a small point that improves hold, and a mesh that looks durable in use. On fit, though, this review directly contradicts the other two. Where Runninglab and Runpack describe a fit that's back to normal (no more sizing down as with the V2), Jolie Foulée explicitly recommends going up half a size. We found no obvious explanation for the gap (the tester's foot shape, a different colorway tested) and would rather flag it than force a verdict: try the shoe on before buying online if you're unsure about your usual On size.
One last point: English-language lab measurements, which we consulted for reference, point the same way. The foam feels noticeably firmer out of the box than on the Cloudmonster 2, which matches Runpack's observation about the break-in period.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Cloudmonster 2's problem was no minor detail: a heel that lacks hold on a shoe weighing over 280 g is a real risk of blisters and instability late in a long run. On reworked three elements to address it. First, the lacing, which now uses three independent lace rows to spread pressure more evenly across the instep. Next, the tongue gusset, redesigned to stop the tongue from sliding sideways, a minor but common flaw on the old version. Finally, the overall shape of the upper, narrower and more structured around the heel, which explains the return to true-to-size fit according to two of the three testers.
Jolie Foulée's different take on sizing doesn't undermine this overall diagnosis. Even that review confirms the improved hold; it only differs on the final size recommendation. The gap may also reflect different foot shapes rather than a flaw in the shoe itself.
| Criterion | On Cloudmonster 3 | NB 1080v15 | Hoka Clifton 11 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (men's) | 286 g | 244 g | 252 g |
| Drop | 6 mm | 8 mm | 5 mm |
| Heel stack | 35 mm | 32 mm | 32 mm |
| Foam | Helion (EVA/OBC) | Fresh Foam X | CMEVA |
| Plate | Nylon Speedboard | None | None |
| Launch price | 200 euros | usually 160 to 180 euros | usually 150 euros |
Against the New Balance Fresh Foam X 1080v15, the Cloudmonster 3 loses clearly on weight (a 42 g gap, confirmed by Runninglab) but gains responsiveness thanks to its Speedboard, which the NB lacks. Against the Hoka Clifton 11, the weight gap is smaller and the difference comes down mostly to cushioning style: the Clifton favors a livelier, lighter bounce, the Cloudmonster more stability and a more enveloping ride. Within the On family, the Cloudsurfer 2 remains the lighter, firmer option if the Cloudmonster 3's weight holds you back.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes
Yes, without hesitation. That's exactly what the Cloudmonster 3 is built for: generous cushioning, solid stability, designed to soak up the kilometers at moderate pace rather than chase the clock.
No. At 286 g, the Cloudmonster 3 isn't cut out for fast runs. If you want a lighter all-rounder, look at the Asics Novablast 6 or the On Cloudsurfer 2 instead.
Yes, this is the most obvious buyer. The problem that annoyed so many runners on version 2 is the top priority on this V3, at the cost of a slightly longer break-in before the foam softens.
The On Cloudmonster 3 does what we expected: it fixes a real fit flaw without sacrificing what made the line's reputation, generous and stable cushioning. The three French reviews we consulted agree on this, with scores ranging from 8 to 8.8/10. But the trade-off hasn't changed: it's a heavy shoe, with a foam that's no longer the most advanced in its price bracket, and it needs a real break-in before delivering its full comfort. None of these are deal-breakers for its target audience, endurance runners who value comfort over low weight. They do justify a serious comparison with a New Balance 1080v15 before you buy, if weight matters to you.
8/10: a max-cushion daily trainer that finally fits right, held back by its weight and a foam that shows its age against recent competitors.
© On, official photo used for editorial purposes