On Cloudmonsters After 900km: Long-Term Durability Review
On Cloudmonsters After 900km: Long-Term Durability Review
I bought the On Cloudmonsters as my main daily trainer when I started running consistently. Nine months and 900km later, I am still running in them. They have outlasted two pairs of my husbandâs shoes in the same timeframe. Here is exactly what 900km does to a pair of Cloudmonsters, with photos showing the full reality.
Why I Chose the Cloudmonsters
When I started running seriously, I needed a shoe that offered plenty of cushion for a beginner putting stress on joints that were not conditioned for impact. My husband Jos had opinions (he always does about shoes), but I wanted to make my own choice.
The Cloudmonsters appealed to me for straightforward reasons:
- Maximum cushion in the On lineup
- Wide stable platform (I am not a lightweight gazelle, and stability matters to me)
- They looked good enough to wear casually
- The âcloudâ pods on the outsole promised a soft landing
I walked into a running store, tried them on, and they felt immediately comfortable. Not bouncy or aggressive. Just comfortable. For a new runner, that is exactly what matters.
The 900km Journey
Here is how the shoe progressed through its life:
0-100km: Breaking in. The CloudTec pods felt distinct underfoot. Each landing had a clear compression-and-release sensation. The upper was snug but not tight. Everything felt new and responsive.
100-300km: Peak performance window. The pods had softened slightly to mold to my gait pattern. The ride felt natural and personalized. This is where the shoe felt its absolute best.
300-500km: Still very good. Foam maintained most of its properties. Outsole started showing wear on the heel pods (my heel strike pattern was clearly visible in the rubber). Upper still in great shape.
500-700km: Noticeable softening. The landing was less cushioned than before, but still comfortable. The shoe went from âactively helpingâ to âneutral platform.â I stopped using it for my longer runs and switched to it for shorter 5-8km sessions.
700-900km (now): The pods are significantly compressed. The foam has lost maybe 40% of its original energy return. The outsole rubber is worn smooth on the heel and forefoot. The upper has held up remarkably well considering the mileage. Still functional for easy short runs, but I am actively shopping for a replacement.
What 900km Looks Like: Photo Evidence
The photos tell the story better than words:
Outsole: The distinctive CloudTec pods are worn smooth in the high-impact zones. The heel shows the most degradation. Some pods are compressed to the point where they no longer compress further on landing. The grooves between pods are partially filled with rubber wear.
Midsole: Visible creasing on the medial side. The foam appears thinner in the forefoot compared to a new pair. The compressed state of the pods is visible from a side angle.
Upper: Surprisingly intact. Minor wear at the toe box from my toenails, some fading of the original color, but no holes, no tears, no structural failure. The engineered mesh has held its shape well.
Heel counter: Still supportive. No significant deformation or collapse. This is important because a collapsed heel counter changes your alignment and can lead to injury.
Cushion Degradation: The Honest Assessment
On a scale of 1-10 where 10 is brand new:
- 100km: 9/10 (broken in, perfect)
- 300km: 8/10 (slight softening, still great)
- 500km: 6.5/10 (noticeable difference, still comfortable)
- 700km: 5/10 (clearly past peak)
- 900km: 4/10 (functional but tired)
The Cloudmonsters degrade gradually rather than falling off a cliff. There was no single run where I thought âthese are dead.â Instead, it was a slow realization over months that the cushioning was not what it used to be. For a newer runner who might not notice subtle changes in foam response, this is actually a risk: you might run longer than you should in a worn-out shoe.
Durability Verdict: Is 900km Good?
For context, most running shoes are ârecommendedâ for 500-800km depending on the brand and model. Getting 900km from the Cloudmonsters puts them firmly in the âabove average durabilityâ category.
Compared to shoes Jos has worn to similar mileage:
- His Novablast 4 reached 1000km (exceptional)
- His Boston 12 was done at 600km
- His Endorphin Speed 3 lasted to 740km
- The Cloudmonsters at 900km still technically function
The upper durability is where On really shines. Most shoes I see Jos retire have upper damage (holes, stretching, heel collapse) long before the foam dies. My Cloudmonstersâ upper could go another 500km easily. It is the foam that determines the end of life.
Who Should Buy Cloudmonsters
Based on my 900km experience, the Cloudmonsters are ideal for:
Newer runners who need maximum cushion and stability during their adaptation phase. The wide platform and generous foam volume protect joints that are still building running-specific resilience.
Heavier runners who need more cushion underfoot. The thick sole stack provides meaningful shock absorption that lighter, thinner shoes cannot match.
Runners who want one shoe for everything (including looking decent at brunch afterward). The design is clean enough for casual wear, which matters if you are not ready to own five running shoes.
Runners who prioritize comfort over speed. These are not fast shoes. They are comfortable shoes that happen to work for running.
They are NOT ideal for:
Speed-focused runners looking for energy return and propulsion. The CloudTec pods absorb impact beautifully but do not return much energy. Compared to something like the Endorphin Speed, there is a clear speed penalty.
Lightweight runners who do not need maximum cushion. The shoe is relatively heavy (280g+ in womenâs sizes), and all that foam is wasted if you do not need it.
Runners seeking a versatile daily trainer that works for both easy days and tempo sessions. The Cloudmonsters are one-speed shoes: comfortable and slow.
The On Brand Experience
A note on the brand itself. On gets criticized by serious runners for being âlifestyleâ shoes marketed as performance products. After 900km, my take is nuanced:
The Cloudmonsters are not a performance shoe. They do not make you faster. They do not have the responsiveness of a dedicated running shoe from Saucony, ASICS, or Nike. What they do is provide consistent, comfortable cushioning that lasts a very long time.
For me as someone who started running for health and enjoyment rather than PBs, that was perfectly adequate. Now that I care more about pace and improvement, I find myself wanting something more responsive for my next shoe. That progression makes sense: the right shoe changes as your goals change.
How On Compares to What I Am Considering Next
I am looking at three replacement options:
| Feature | On Cloudmonsters | ASICS Novablast 5 | Saucony Endorphin Speed 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushion | Maximum, soft | Bouncy, energetic | Responsive, moderate |
| Weight | 280g | 240g | 215g |
| Durability | Excellent (900km) | Excellent (1000km+) | Good (700km) |
| Speed versatility | Low | Medium | High |
| Price | $170 | $140 | $160 |
I am leaning toward the Novablast 5 based on brand comparisons I have read. It offers more bounce and versatility while maintaining the high-cushion feel I am used to.
Maintenance and Care
For the record, I did not baby these shoes. They ran in rain, on wet trails, through puddles. I never put them in the washing machine (Jos says that degrades foam), but I did rinse mud off and let them air dry. The fact that they survived 900km of real-world use without any dramatic failure speaks to their build quality.
If you want to maximize lifespan:
- Rotate with another pair (I did not do this, which probably shortened their life)
- Remove insoles after wet runs to dry faster
- Do not machine wash or use direct heat
- Use them only for running (not walking errands, not gym workouts)
Final Verdict
The On Cloudmonsters gave me 900km of comfortable, reliable running. That is excellent value. They were the right first shoe for a new runner who needed cushion and forgiveness. They held up structurally far beyond what I expected.
But I have outgrown them. Not physically, but in terms of what I want from a running shoe. I want more energy back, more versatility between easy and fast days, and a shoe that helps me run better rather than just comfortably.
For anyone starting out or running purely for enjoyment: the Cloudmonsters are genuinely good at what they do. For anyone with pace goals, look elsewhere. And check our shoe selection guide to find what matches your current running level.
FAQ
How many kilometers should On Cloudmonsters last?
Based on my experience, 700-900km is realistic. The foam starts feeling noticeably flatter around 500-600km, but the shoe remains functional for easy running beyond that. The upper outlasts the foam significantly, so the end of life is determined by cushion degradation rather than structural failure.
Are On Cloudmonsters good for long runs?
For the first 400-500km, yes. The cushioning is generous enough for 15-20km runs. Beyond 500km of total shoe life, I would limit them to shorter efforts because the degraded foam increases impact stress over longer distances. Fresh Cloudmonsters handle long runs perfectly well for non-speed-focused runners.
Why do On shoes feel different from Nike or ASICS?
The CloudTec pod system creates a distinctive landing sensation: you feel individual pods compress sequentially rather than the uniform foam compression of traditional shoes. This is not better or worse, just different. Some runners love the sensation, others find it distracting. It becomes unnoticeable after 50-100km as you adapt.
Are On Cloudmonsters worth the price for a beginner?
At $170, they are mid-range priced with above-average durability. The cost per kilometer (about $0.19/km based on my 900km) is reasonable. Cheaper options exist that perform similarly (ASICS Gel-Nimbus, Brooks Ghost), but the Cloudmonstersâ build quality and longevity justify the price if you prefer the fit and feel.
Should I replace Cloudmonsters with the newer Cloudmonster 2?
If you loved the original ride, the Cloudmonster 2 is a safe upgrade with updated foam and refined fit. If you are looking for something more responsive or faster, consider switching brands entirely. Onâs strength is cushion comfort, not speed. Match your shoe to your current goals, not brand loyalty.