On Running

Cloudmonster 2 Shoe - Men's

Awesome Sneaker with a Ton of Tech!

These are great, and super lightweight and comfortable out of the box! I've added my review here as these are the same for men or women :) (the sizing is based on the gender on the title). They even performed great on the trail. Also that white and orange color scheme looks absolutely fire, and I love the polka dotted shoelaces! I'm not usually into maximally cushioned shoes, but I honestly really liked these. They are super light, but have tons of support too as another Gearhead mentioned - a nice stiff sole with a cushy footbed. They were even supportive enough for my feet and ankles to hit the trail. Not rock plate needed with that thick cushioned, protective sole! On Cloud has extensive tech in their air light sole - they are known as a top designer in this space for a reason and where they get the name from! The cubed sole you'll see on nearly all of their shoes is made of a special firm EVA (On Cloud calls it the Zero Gravity foam) with an open air pocket in the middle of the midsole and hollowed out cubes that are cut down the line of the shoe, which adds flexibility than most typical shoe soles. For my couple hour run, I encountered some snow and mud and rocks. My feet never got too hot. These Monsters ventilate and breathe super well, which is important for me. They are also very responsive, so I was able to be precise on the trail. Also great for just strolling around the neighborhood. Did I mention how fire they look? I mean, just check out the pics! Also run true to size for my size 10 foot.

Daily Drivers!

Familiarity:

I've used it several times

Size Bought:

9.5

Weight:

175

The experience of walking in the Cloudmonster can be compared to having cylindrical rubber pieces horizontally affixed to your shoe soles, effortlessly compressing with each step. This was precisely the vision On's founders aimed for when crafting their inaugural shoe design. Typically a trail runner, I've ventured onto the sidewalks with my new Cloudmonsters and couldn't be happier. Usually wearing a size 10 with most Hokas like the Speedgoat and Challenger, I opted for a 9.5 with these, and they fit perfectly. While I expected them to feel ultra-soft right out of the box, I was pleasantly surprised that after an hour-long jog, they maintained their firmness and springiness – a rare find in such heavily cushioned shoes. Overall, I believe these are an excellent choice for daily wear.

Love for a great cushioned Monster.

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

11.5

Weight:

200

Right out of the box this shoe felt amazing in terms of fit and cushion. I normally wear 11.5 and this shoe fit fantastic. The toe box is on the wider side in my opinion. The upper was a super breathable and comfy material. One issue I ran into though is with the wider toe box and upper material, it is a little difficult to really lock down those lower laces. I was able to look past this issue though, but feel like should be noted for anyone with narrower feet. I was also a big fan of the rockered geometry of the shoe. It really wants you to move forward and get up on the midfoot/toes. #BackcountryGearhead

Amazing Comfort for Long Miles

Familiarity:

I've used it once or twice and have initial impressions

Size Bought:

11.5

Height:

5' 11"

Weight:

240

I had the original Cloudmonster and loved them. For anything from long runs to speed work, these shoes have held up well. Moving on to the second iteration, the Cloudmonster 2's, I was happy to see they added even MORE cushioning. I love max cushioned shoes for my long runs. I'm a heavier-than-average runner, so the cushioning really helps with ankle and knee fatigue during long runs. The rocker profile helps with speedier transitions as well. The fit of the shoe is very similar to the original, though I think it's slightly roomier both in overall length and width. I wear a size 11.5 across the board and that's what I ordered here. I've only done a few runs in them so far so I'll have to come back and comment on the durability, but if they hold up as well as the originals, I'll be wearing them a long time!