100 Mile Check-in: On Cloudmonster Sneaker Review

I am quite particular about my running shoes. I am not a huge fan of running to begin with, but sometimes that is all the time I have to get some exercise in. So, at the very least, the shoe has to be comfortable and look good.

I have run, pun intended 😄, through many styles to land on what I am using today, which is the On Cloudmonster. I have tried the Nike Miler 1 and 2, which I really liked. I also tried the Nike Pegasus Turbo and have gone so far as to run in a pair of Nike React Live for a 30-degree Turkey Trot in upstate New York (I got talked into it at the last minute, and it was the only athletic shoes I had). As my need for better running comfort increased to support my joints, I was on the hunt for a shoe with more midsole and outsole cushioning. I had access to a discount with Altra because it is a sister brand of the company I worked for, so I gave it a try. The Altra Torin 7 was okay, but I felt like I was sinking when I was running. The shoe is heel forward, meaning I didn’t have a spring in my stride to push off of the pavement. My ankle joint took too much punishment, and it felt like a lot of extra work during my run.

So then I went out of the box and looked at On. I had seen the CNBC 'Make it' clip on YouTube with their founder, Olivier Bernhard, and admired the innovation that went into the shoe. But I had been against On, not because of the shoe tech, but because the Cloud style is an Instagram Dad Shoe. Find a dude wearing Vuori and On, and they have been Instagram influenced, like robots roaming Orange County, CA. So, reluctantly, I found a discounted pair of On Cloudmonsters and gave them a try. I watched the Feet Fleet review, and the shoe had bounce, and the 'speedboard' plate added extra spring. I felt those benefits after the first run, and I kept with it. 100 miles later, and it is my favorite running shoe. It doesn’t beat up my joints and feet. I have gone on longer distance runs (at least by my standard), and I wake up the next day recovering much better than in the past. Yes, you stand taller because of the extremely high outsole, but that is what gives you the ultra support.

So what does the shoe look and feel like after 100 miles? I share some images below. The bounce and support are still there, and the shoe is broken in, meaning it is molded to my feet and running style. There is tread wear, but still not as much as I would expect after 100 miles.

Do I recommend this shoe? 100%. It provides comfort and performance, with some solid styling. I am looking forward to trying the On Cloudmonster 2 or Hyper once my current pair is ready to retire.