Fashion & Footwear › Running Shoes
Cloudmonster 2newer model: Cloudmonster 3
Running sneakers with cushioned sole
More about it ↓Quick take
In short: what each side says
AI panel · Reviewers — each opened up in full further down ↓
Best on Grok (avg #19.0), weakest on Gemini (#21.0)
The Cloudmonster 2 trades the original's bouncy, playful ride for a firmer, wider, more stable shoe that most reviewers still like but a few miss the old character of.
The juries split — Divided. Check both sides before you commit.
Quick read · who it’s for
Main competitors
Top rivals in Running Shoes.
About
What it is.
Cloudmonster 2 sits within On's running footwear range, built around the brand's signature CloudTec cushioning approach applied to a maximalist, high-stack sole. It belongs to the everyday shoe category for wearers who move between casual use and running mileage without switching pairs.
The design suits people who want a dependable option from an established maker — something that performs predictably out of the box, without a break-in period or fussy setup. It also appeals to those who like a shoe that visibly signals its brand pedigree through On's distinct sole architecture, making it as much a style statement as a functional trainer.
The verdict
The Cloudmonster 2 lands as the fifth-best sneaker for working women, praised by buyers for lightweight cushioning and modern looks, though fit inconsistency compared to its predecessor leaves some owners uncomfortable right out of the box.
Act one
What the machines think.
Several AI models read the category and place this product — model by model, list by list, over time.
Model by model?
How each AI sees it.
Best on Grok (avg #19.0), weakest on Gemini (#21.0) Averaging across the AI panel, Cloudmonster 2 sits around #20.5 this snapshot.
Gemini
#21.0
3 appearances · best #17
GPT
—
Didn’t rank Cloudmonster 2 this snapshot.
Perplexity
—
Didn’t rank Cloudmonster 2 this snapshot.
AI Mode
—
Didn’t rank Cloudmonster 2 this snapshot.
Claude
Didn’t rank Cloudmonster 2 this snapshot.
Footprint?
Every intent it shows up in.
sorted by current rank · weakest: Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#26 of 30)
Rank trajectory?
Weeks of movement.
Act two · ★ new
What the people say.
The same product, judged by the owners who bought and filmed it — what they praise, what they knock, who it's for.
Video reviews?
What reviewers actually say.
AI summary of 5 reviews · as of Aug 2026
The Cloudmonster 2 trades the original's bouncy, playful ride for a firmer, wider, more stable shoe that most reviewers still like but a few miss the old character of.
What they praise
- Breathable, lightweight upper
- Wide, roomy toebox that suits wide feet
- Comfortable for standing and walking all day
- Firm, protective cushioning with good impact absorption
- Grippy outsole that sheds debris well
What they knock
- Lost much of the original's bounce and playful lateral roll
- Thin tongue can irritate the front of the ankle when laces are cinched tight
- Heel counter and lockdown feel less secure than expected for a max-cushion shoe
- Feels heavier and firmer, less exciting on slower easy runs
Synthesised from: Alastair Running · kofuzi · Flawless Physio | Shoe Reviews · Foot Doctor Zach · Dr. Jay
On Cloudmonster 2 Review
Alastair Running
On Cloudmonster 2
kofuzi
ON Cloudmonster 2 Review by a Foot Specialist
Flawless Physio | Shoe Reviews
On Cloudmonster 2 Performance Review From The Inside Out
Foot Doctor Zach
ON CLOUDMONSTER 2 THE BEST SHOE OF 2024?! FOOT DOCTOR REVIEW
Dr. Jay
Act three · ★ new
Do they agree?
Put the machine's rank and the owners' score in one frame, settle it with a verdict, and answer the only question that matters: should you buy it?
The disagreement
Where the juries actually split.
Dr. Jay
4.5/ 5
the warmest read in the room
Alastair Running
3.0/ 5
the toughest read in the room
What splits them
Some reviewers see the wider fit as a plus, others with average-width feet find it too roomy and sloppy
AI #17 doesn't share the critics' split.
AI #17Per-critic scores from the video reviews above?
The bottom line
So should you buy it?
The AIs’ #17 pick in Running Shoes. Critics keep reserve at 3.8 / 5 — the machines place it at #17, outside their top picks.
Find your situation?
Made for some — wrong for others.
Who reviewers think this product is — and isn’t — for
For you if
Look elsewhere if
You value a flagship from a respected maker and want design that signals quality.
On is an established premium brand with strong design reputation; Cloudmonster 2 is positioned as a flagship cushioned model with prestige positioning and aesthetic appeal.
You need a proven, low-risk running shoe from a mature brand with broad consensus.
1009 buyer ratings show strong consensus (4.6/5), On is an established brand with settled product line, and Cloudmonster 2 is a mature model with proven track record.
You want a running shoe that works out of the box with no fuss or learning curve.
Cushioned sneaker with straightforward fit-and-wear design; high comfort and support ratings suggest intuitive performance without configuration or adjustment needs.
You're hunting the best-in-class cushioned running shoe with no compromises.
High buyer trust (1009 ratings), strong across comfort, support, durability and style; On is an established brand with deep expertise, though not universally ranked as absolute top-tier.
You love running shoes that feel and look exceptional, not just functional.
Strong style and appearance rating plus high comfort/cushioning praise suggest sensory delight; On's design reputation adds appeal, though not positioned as a pure enthusiast statement piece.
You want a well-reviewed cushioned runner without overpaying for brand prestige.
Mid-to-high street price with strong 4.6/5 rating and solid cushioning/support covers the essentials, but premium positioning means rivals like Ghost 17 deliver similar comfort at lower cost.
Grounded in our buyer-review, reviewer-video, price and successor signals — a poor fit names a closer pick · as of Jul 13.
Frequent rivals?
What it competes against.
- Phantom 3Topo AthleticOn leads 3–0 · 3 sharedRead
- Paradigm 7AltraOn leads 2–1 · 3 sharedRead
- Cloudmonster 3OnCloudmonster 2 leads 2–1 · 3 shared · successorRead
- Torin 8AltraAltra leads 2–1 · 3 sharedRead
- Fresh Foam X 880v15New BalanceNew Balance leads 2–1 · 3 sharedRead
- Fresh Foam X More v6New BalanceNew Balance leads 2–1 · 3 sharedRead
- Paradigm 8AltraAltra leads 2–1 · 3 sharedRead
Frequently asked
What buyers want to know.
What's the Cloudmonster 2 known for?
Reviewers praise its lightweight, breathable upper and wide, roomy toebox that works well for standing and walking all day. The shoe delivers firm, protective cushioning with good impact absorption and a grippy outsole. Buyers rate its lightweight design 4.8 out of 5 and comfort and cushioning 4.7 out of 5.
How does the Cloudmonster 2 compare to the original?
The new version trades the original's bouncy, playful ride for a firmer, wider, more stable shoe. Reviewers note it lost much of the original's bounce and lateral roll, and some fans of the older model's character find it less exciting on slower easy runs. The fit is noticeably different, which has left some long-term…
Who is the Cloudmonster 2 best for?
It suits runners with wide feet who want a stable, well-cushioned everyday shoe for walking, standing, or moderate-paced runs. It's also a good fit for beginners and those seeking a proven, low-risk cushioned running shoe from an established brand that needs no break-in period.
What are the drawbacks?
The thin tongue can irritate the front of the ankle when laces are cinched tight. The heel counter and lockdown feel less secure than expected for a max-cushion shoe. Reviewers are split on fit—some with average-width feet find the wide design too roomy and sloppy, and fit inconsistency compared to the original is a r…
Does the Cloudmonster 2 work well for running?
Reviewers disagree on this. Some find it better suited to walking and standing than fast running, while others see it as capable for uptempo running. Overall, buyers report strong comfort and support ratings (4.5 out of 5 for support), though the firmer, flatter feel means it's less exciting on slower easy runs than t…
OnCloud Monster 2 Try-On — what should I know about fit?r/RunningShoeGeeks
The shoe has a wide, roomy toebox that suits wide feet well, but fit is inconsistent compared to the original. Some buyers experience immediate discomfort, while others love the fit out of the box. Fit and sizing rates 3.8 out of 5 across buyers, so trying them on or understanding your foot width before purchase matte…
Source-tagged questions come verbatim from public forum threads · answers are ours
The recap
Where it stands today.
- PositionBest rank #17 across 3 intents tracked (slipped 4 this week).
- FootprintStrongest in Best Running Shoes for Beginners (#17). Weakest in Best Running Shoes for Wide Feet (#26).
- TraitsMost often described as “bouncy”.
- Closest rivalPhantom 3 (3–0 across 3 shared intents).
- Generation★Superseded by Cloudmonster 3 — the newer model in On’s lineup.
- MakerBy On — see how it ranks across other intents on its brand profile.
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