On Cloudmonster versus On Cloudeclipse

When On running shoes first debuted ten years ago, they were hardly what you’d call max-cushioned. With an innovative series of pods underfoot, called CloudTec cushioning, On running shoes offered a fairly firm ride with plenty of ground feedback.

Fast forward a decade, and the CloudTec cushioning remains–only this time, it’s grown larger than life. The On Cloudmonster (now in its second iteration), marked a revolutionary change for On. Featuring a “monster” stack height with thick, plush CloudTec pods, it’s largely thought of as On’s most cushioned shoe…until the Cloudeclipse came along.

How do the On Cloudmonster and On Cloudeclipse compare, and which shoe is right for you? Read on to learn more.

Buy the Cloudmonster if…

• You enjoy a firmer underfoot feel with some ground feedback
• You have high-volume feet that take up a lot of space within your shoes
• You like a shoe with a funky look

Buy the Cloudeclipse if…

• You want as much cushioning between your foot and the ground as possible
• You love a nice rocker shape to guide you forward
• You appreciate some inherent stability

Both the Cloudmonster 2 and the Cloudeclipse sport lightweight and breathable mesh uppers made with recycled content. According to On, the Cloudmonster 2’s upper is made with 92% recycled content while the Cloudeclipse features 100% recycled content.

Despite the similarities in materials, the fit is what sets these two shoes apart. Reviewers noticed that the Cloudeclipse fits true to size, while the Cloudmonster 2 was pretty roomy.

“When I first put the Cloudmonster 2, I noticed that they felt big. I checked the size. Did they accidentally send me a men’s shoe? No, it was my standard women’s 8. Hmm…I cinched down the laces and got a decent fit, but they were definitely roomier than normal,” says Kate.

I didn’t notice this at first when I slid into the shoe, but once I was lacing up I realized I needed to really cinch down the laces in order to get a properly snug midfoot fit. But when I cinched down the laces, the material in the forefoot puckered up.

Kate and I have low-to-medium volume feet, which means they don’t take up much room within the shoe. Nate, on the other hand, has high-volume feet, loved the fit. If you have high-volume feet like Nate, you’ll likely enjoy the fit as well, but if you have low-volume feet like me you may want to size down. If you don’t know the volume of your feet, it’s best to head into your local Fleet Feet. Fleet Feet outfitters use 3D fit id® foot scanning technology to gather information about your feet and the support they need by taking precise measurements of your foot length, width and arch height, so you can learn a lot about your feet while you’re there.

“On my first test run in the Cloudeclipse, I was just rolling along with ease,” says Travis. “It was one of those runs where you feel like you’re going easy, but when you look at your watch the pace is much faster than anticipated. It was one of the best runs I’ve had in a couple of years—the shoes just made the run feel so much fun.”

Reviewers noticed that the rocker sensation feels more pronounced in the Cloudeclipse than the Cloudmonster, which can be a good or bad thing depending on your preferences. Nate tends to experience sore calves from shoes with rocker shapes, so he was pleased with the ride of the Cloudmonster 2.

I love a good rocker shape, and I felt like the shape of the Cloudeclipse was just begging me to keep running as I stopped my watch.

While both the Cloudmonster and Cloudeclipse offer plenty of cushioning underfoot, the Cloudeclipse has a slightly higher stack height. On’s marketing messaging for this shoe was “noise-canceling for your feet,” and that’s exactly how they felt.

If you’re like me and you don’t want to feel anything but cushion as you float along the pavement, the Cloudeclipse will serve you well.

If you enjoy a bit of ground feedback on the run, though, you’ll probably prefer the Cloudmonster. It’s a bit lower to the ground and offers a slightly firmer ride, perfect for those who like to feel “one with the road.”

“I love the inherent stability of the Cloudmonster 2 and the nice, balanced underfoot feel of protection that skews towards the firmer side,” says Nate.

Whichever shoe you choose, it helps to get fit by an expert. Head into your local Fleet Feet so you can try the Cloudmonster and Cloudeclipse on in-person and see which shoe makes your feet happiest.