This review is not sponsored and contains the author’s personal experience. The Good Trade purchased this product. The Good Trade editors endorse products we’ve personally researched, tested, and genuinely love. Learn more about our methodology and business model here.

Summary: As a former avid runner with over a decade of experience with running gear, I tested On’s Cloudmonster 2 running shoes for two months. I tracked dozens of miles, both running and walking, across various terrains. I can confidently say they offer a unique blend of comfort and exceptional support, surpassing even my tried-and-true Mizunos and Allbirds.

PROS

  • On shoes are lightweight, and give you a buoyant feeling without extra effort from bouncing or steadying yourself.
  • The Cloudmonster 2 model is excellent for city runners who need a little less impact from the harsh concrete sidewalks. My knees were noticeably less sore the next day than if I had worn less supportive shoes.
  • The shoes are true-to-size and are comfortable enough that I forget I’m wearing them in the house sometimes.
  • The minimalist design makes these shoes cute to wear with anything (even dresses!)
  • I admire On’s ongoing sustainability efforts, and am excited to see more.

CONS

  • While suitable for hobby runners and casual athletes, the Cloudmonster 2 (which cost $180) may not be the most budget-friendly option in the market. However, considering their superior support and performance, the investment is well justified for serious runners.
  • The Cloudmonster 2 does have a slight lift to it, and fits narrow feet well, so if you have wider feet or are concerned about twisting an ankle, you might look at some of the brand’s other models. (The lift isn’t significant, but it’s still worth mentioning).

Some days I miss running. There, I said it. But the keyword there is some days. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve become more aware of how this high-impact exercise often leaves me sore and achy down to the bones — it’s simply not the best exercise for me anymore. But one thing that has helped temper the creaky knees has been finding supportive, buoyant shoes that shield me from some of the harshness of city running. 

“One thing that has helped temper the creaky knees has been finding supportive, buoyant shoes that shield me from some of the harshness of city running.”

That’s why On Running’s Cloudmonster 2 caught my attention; it’s the next generation of the first On shoe I tried (the original Cloudmonster) and comes with even more support and cushioning than its still-impeccable predecessor.

You may recognize On’s logo and its signature honeycomb-looking soles from your everyday life. Everywhere I look, it seems, folks are wearing On Running shoes for everything — from grocery store errands to high intensity trail runs. (If you haven’t noticed just yet, keep an eye out!)

As a former avid runner with over a decade of experience with running shoes and gear, I decided to give this futuristic-looking shoe a try to see if it really does feel like “running on clouds” as the brand says. I wanted to see how they stacked up to my Mizunos (the supportive brand I’ve trusted for years with my slight overpronation and impact reduction). I also wanted to see how they might compare to the more affordable Allbirds sneakers, which I’ve previously found weren’t the best for high-performance exercises. 

So for the past two months, I’ve tracked dozens of miles in my On Running Cloudmonster 2s, from walking to running to hiking. Here’s what I’ve discovered.

Unboxing and first impressions

Unboxing your first pair of On Running shoes is undoubtedly special. The shoes ship quickly, and arrive in minimal packaging made from 100% recycled cardboard printed with water-based inks (and I didn’t spot any plastic!). 

A new pair of shoes in a cardboard box, partially covered with on-branded tissue paper.
A new white running shoe with distinctive thick soles, displayed on white paper next to a cardboard box and a green pillow.
The shoes come in minimal packaging made from 100% recycled cardboard printed with water-based inks.

The packaging isn’t the only factor On considers when it comes to sustainability — they also prioritize fossil-free materials, product circularity, and circular business models. CleanCloud, a material developed by On that captures carbon emissions and turns them into high-performance materials, is currently incorporated into On’s apparel lines and will eventually launch in their shoes as well. 🤯

I unboxed my On shoes in the colorway frost and sand, and immediately raced to get some socks to try them on. These babies are light, almost effervescent, and I gave them a joyous toss in the air before pulling them onto my feet.

Are On shoes comfortable?

The initial test did not disappoint. I wore the shoes around my apartment, especially on my rugs, so I didn’t wear them down in case I determined they were the wrong size or style for me. If you need to return for any reason, On does have a 30-day return policy for shoes in new condition, so be sure to test them briefly before heading out for a run.

The style is striking, and I especially like how light the upper part of the shoe is. The tongue is very thin (not super-padded like some shoes I’ve worn before, like my New Balances in the early aughts). If you need padding on the top, this may be worth noting, but I found it nice and non-constricting.

“On has a 30-day return policy for shoes in new condition, so be sure to test them briefly before heading out for a run.”

You can order these shoes in half sizes, in a range from 5–11 for women’s and 7–14 for men’s. I opted for my true size, a 6.5, and found them to be a perfect fit all around. I do have rather narrow feet though, so if your feet are wider you might want to consider a pair from the brand’s wide collection.

Since I’ve received my On shoes, I’ve worn them for my daily walks, jogs, and even to the airport and on an all-day mattress factory tour (!!). Sometimes I don’t take them off when I return home; they’re so comfortable I don’t fully realize I’m wearing them. 

One important thing to note is that there is a bit more of a lift on these shoes than I’m used to for running — while it’s not a “platform” per se, you will want to keep in mind this particular style has you standing a bit taller than usual. I say this particularly for folks who have a tendency to roll their ankles. While I haven’t had any issues myself with this style, if it’s too much lift you might want to opt for a model like the Cloudnova instead.

A person's hand holding open a light gray shoe with white shoelaces, showing the inner sole branded "cloudmonster" with a circular logo.
A person holds a pair of new white sneakers, showing their clean soles, with a cat's legs visible on a green furry surface.
The tongue is very thin, and the bottoms are thick and bouyant.

Okay they’re comfortable, but do the Cloudmonster 2’s perform?

For the real test, I took my Cloudmonsters out for several runs over the course of a few weeks. I’ve been out of the running game for a minute, so I didn’t want to overdo it. 😅 

Most notably, I was pleased with how I felt the day after each run. Instead of that creaky-bones everything-hurts kind of soreness, I felt fatigue most in my muscles. My joints were not as irritated as they might have been had I hopped out for a jog in my worn-down Allbirds, which I’ve now retired from running but keep on hand for walks.

“I felt a bit like a car with really smooth suspension, gracefully leaping over sidewalk cracks and uneven terrains with nary a care in the world.”

The runs themselves felt — well, I’ll admit — like I was running on clouds. That being said, the first few runs in any new pair of shoes are going to feel bouncy and buoyant in my experience, but I love that I’m still getting that feeling even after two months of testing. I felt a bit like a car with really smooth suspension, gracefully leaping over sidewalk cracks and uneven terrains with nary a care in the world. 

What’s even better was that I didn’t want to stop running. Instead of my legs giving out first due to unsupportive shoes, it was my breath that brought me back down to a walk. Which means my legs are in strong, fighting shape while my breath and endurance are areas I can focus on as I begin to train more. The more you know!

A person wearing white sneakers and brown leggings, standing on lush green grass.
The model name says it all: They are like running on clouds!

Are there any drawbacks to On shoes?

While these shoes truly do feel like running on clouds, there are some notable considerations you should make before purchasing — or deciding to keep — these shoes. 

First, the shoes run about $180 per pair. This is quite a significant investment, and that won’t be accessible to many people. If you’re looking for a more casual walking or everyday shoe, I’d suggest one of the brand’s less expensive pairs (still costing a minimum of $130). Or, I still love my Allbirds just not for high-intensity exercises — those might be a better everyday pair.

“If you have wider feet or need to be closer to the ground to protect your ankles, you might want to consider alternative models.”

Secondly, if you have wider feet or need to be closer to the ground to protect your ankles, you might want to consider alternative models besides the Cloudmonster 2. This pair runs a bit “high and tight” so to speak, so be sure to give it a low-impact test wear before deciding to keep them.

Finally, it may seem silly but it’s worth a quick mention if you want to wear your On shoes to work (or a quiet museum): These ones squeak a bit on super-polished wood floors. I’ve tested them on concrete, polished concrete, wood, vinyl, tile, and linoleum and had no issues, but there was one floor in particular I walked across and felt a bit like Spongebob in his squeaky boots.

A pair of white on running shoes lying on a green textured surface, viewed from the sole side.
A person wearing white sneakers with visible toes standing on a wooden floor.
The soles are a bit higher than most running shoes, and be aware of the squeak factor for wooden floors!

My final verdict for the On Cloudmonster 2

Ultimately, squeaks aside, I am truly smitten with these shoes. They’ve become my top-picked pair for nearly any activity thanks to their comfort, ease of wear, and clean, minimal aesthetic. 

“They’ve become my top-picked pair for nearly any activity thanks to their comfort, ease of wear, and clean, minimal aesthetic.”

I highly recommend On Cloudmonster 2s for city runners who need to reduce the impact on their joints and bones, as well as all-day walkers (these would be great for theme parks or tours, too). I’ve already added On’s hiking shoes and boots to my wishlist, and can’t wait to spend more time off-road with this brand.

If these are in your price range and you want to feel like you’re running on clouds — On is the way to go. Happy trails! 

Emily McGowan is the Editorial Director at The Good Trade. She studied Creative Writing and Business at Indiana University, and has over ten years of experience as a writer and editor in sustainability and lifestyle spaces. Since 2017, she’s been discovering and reviewing the top sustainable home, fashion, beauty, and wellness products so readers can make their most informed decisions. Her editorial work has been recognized by major publications like The New York Times and BBC Worklife. You can usually find her in her colorful Los Angeles apartment journaling, caring for her rabbits and cat, or gaming. Say hi on Instagram!