The Robotic Future of Speed

This page is a preview based on early news and info and will be updated with a full hands-on review upon launch.

Let’s be honest: On Running has always been the brand for people who want their trainers to look like a piece of modern art from a Swiss gallery. For you to understand why the upcoming On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is such a massive deal, firstly you have to look at how we got here. We’ve moved past the days of "garden hoses" glued to soles and into a full-blown robotic revolution that's about to change how your shoes are actually built.

Expected to drop in March 2026, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper isn't just a seasonal refresh. It is On’s aggressive attempt to own the "super trainer" category by mixing space-age foams with a manufacturing process that sounds like it was ripped from a sci-fi movie.

The Story So Far: From "Clown Shoes" to Hyper-Performance

On basically invented the "maximalist-but-firm" aesthetic, and we all just went along with it because the CloudTec pods looked cool and our knees finally felt supported. For years, On shoes were known for being a bit stiff—relying on a mechanical "Speedboard" to give you that "pop". It was great for stability, but it lacked the bouncy "oomph" we were seeing from the super-shoe competition.

Then came the original Cloudmonster in 2022. It was On’s first true maximalist monster, and it was a hit. But as the "Super Shoe Wars" heated up, the brand needed something more. They released the Cloudmonster 2 in early 2024, but the feedback was a bit mixed; some runners found the fit a bit "baggy" and the ride a little uninspired compared to the original.

The original Cloudmonster Hyper was the answer to that—a "moonshot" project developed with the On Athletics Club (OAC). They ditched the Speedboard and threw in a massive wedge of Helion™ HF foam—the same Pebax-based superfoam they use in their top-tier racing models like the Cloudboom Echo 3. It was a dream for pacy training, but it still felt like a first-generation experiment.

The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is where that experiment turns into a masterpiece.

The 2026 Pivot: LightSpray and the Three-Minute Shoe

The real headline for 2026 isn’t just a new foam; it’s LightSpray™ technology. For you to understand why this is a game-changer, firstly you have to look at how traditional uppers are made. Usually, you’re looking at 20 or 30 different pieces of fabric, overlays, and laces all stitched or glued together. It’s heavy, it’s wasteful, and it’s complicated.

The LightSpray version of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper (expected to retail around £240/$240) uses a robotic arm to spray a single, continuous filament directly onto the midsole in under three minutes. This creates a seamless, one-piece upper that looks like a spiderweb and fits like a second skin.

Early rumours from trade events like The Running Event (TRE) suggest this LightSpray version will weigh a staggering 190g—nearly 85g lighter than the standard version. And for those who struggled with the "heel shears" needed to get into previous LightSpray prototypes, the 2026 model has been redesigned for an effortless step-in.

Technical Specs: Hyper 3 vs. Standard Cloudmonster 3

If the LightSpray version is the "Formula 1" car, the standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is the high-performance daily driver. It’s still a "super trainer," but it keeps a more traditional woven upper for those who aren't quite ready for the robotic spiderweb look.

Feature	Cloudmonster 3 (Standard)	Cloudmonster 3 Hyper	LightSpray CM3 Hyper
Release Date	March 5, 2026	March 2026	March 2026
Midsole Foam	Helion (EVA)	Dual PEBA + EVA	Full Helion HF (PEBA)
Stack Height	35mm	39.5mm	45mm
Heel Drop	6mm	6mm	6mm
Weight (Men's)	306g	274g	190g
Plate	None	Plate-less	Plate-less
Price (Est.)	£170 / $190	£210 / $220	£240 / $240

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Why No Plate? The OAC Influence

It’s tempting to think that "more tech equals a better shoe," but the decision to keep the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper plate-less was a deliberate move inspired by professional athletes like Hellen Obiri.

For you to understand the logic, firstly you have to look at the "Software vs. Hardware" problem. Training exclusively in carbon-plated shoes can actually make your feet "lazy." The plate does the mechanical work, which means your own muscles and tendons don't have to. By removing the rigid plate and relying purely on the high-energy Helion™ HF foam, On has created a tool that lets you train at marathon intensity while still making your feet do the work. It’s about "Fresh Legs, Fast Legs"—facilitating pacy sessions without the metabolic tax of high-impact road running.

The "Hyper" Performance: Fresh Legs, Fast Legs

The central value proposition here is protection. On’s signature CloudTec pods collapse horizontally and vertically upon impact to absorb the "hammer blow" of the road. Then, the Helion HF foam (the same Pebax-based compound found in elite racers) rapidly expands to give you that bouncy rebound.

This combination is perfect for those marathon-paced long runs where you want to maintain a consistent turnover without feeling like you're "bottoming out" the shoe. Unlike the standard Cloudmonster 3, which is a bit firmer and better suited for recovery walks, the Hyper 3 is designed to disappear on your foot when you start to turn the screw.

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The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is essentially a "super trainer" for the robotic age. It’s fast, it’s protective, and it’s a little bit mad—which is exactly why it’s the most anticipated shoe of 2026.

The Competition: 10 Alternative Super Trainers to Try

Not quite ready to hand your feet over to our new Swiss robotic overlords? Or maybe you just want to see how the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper stacks up against the rest of the market? Let’s be honest: the "super trainer" category is currently booming with incredible, leg-saving options. If you're looking for massive stack heights, elite superfoams, and high-energy performance, here are 10 shoes that go toe-to-toe with On's latest creation:

1. ASICS Superblast 3

• The Vibe: The undisputed heavyweight champion of plate-less super trainers.

• Why it competes: For you to understand why the Superblast 3 is a big deal, firstly you have to look at its launch date of 26 March 2026. This is not just an update; it is a total re-engineering that introduces a brand-new A-TPU foam called FF Leap. It offers a colossal, plate-free stack height of roughly 46.5mm that eats marathon-paced long runs for breakfast while keeping the weight remarkably low. It is the benchmark On is aggressively trying to beat.

  Check Live Price for ASICS Superblast 3

2. Adidas Adizero Prime X 3 Strung

• The Vibe: The illegal, mad-science maximalist.

• Why it competes: If the robotic LightSpray upper caught your attention, Adidas’s "Strung" technology—an upper robotically woven from individual data-mapped threads—is its closest rival. With a whopping 50mm stack height in the heel and twin carbon-infused EnergyRods 2.0 sandwiched in elite Lightstrike Pro foam, it's designed to break rules. It is officially banned by World Athletics for elite competition because it simply offers too much of a trampoline-like energy return.

  Check Live Price for Adidas Adizero Prime X 3 Strung

3. Mizuno Neo Vista 2

• The Vibe: Sock-like comfort meets futuristic bounce.

• Why it competes: For you to understand why this is a contender, firstly you have to look at the January 2026 release. If the seamless fit of LightSpray appeals to you, Mizuno’s bootie-style knit upper offers a similarly locked-in, second-skin feel. Underfoot, it pairs a massive 40.5mm stack of Mizuno Enerzy NXT foam with a highly flexible nylon wave plate for a ridiculously smooth, heavily rockered ride.

  Check Live Price for Mizuno Neo Vista 2

4. Puma MagMax Nitro 2

• The Vibe: Unadulterated, plate-less maximalism.

• Why it competes: Puma launched this updated monster in December 2025, and it is roughly 15g lighter than the original version. Boasting a massive bed of bouncy NITROFOAM with no plate to stiffen things up, the MagMax 2 is designed purely to save your legs from the pavement. It’s an absolute powerhouse for when you want bottomless, plate-free cushioning that doesn't feel like a brick.

  Check Live Price for Puma MagMax Nitro 2

5. Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

• The Vibe: The versatile gold standard for up-tempo days.

• Why it competes: Slated for a February or March 2026 arrival, the Speed 5 is a major player in the "super trainer" space. While the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper relies purely on foam for its pop, the Endorphin Speed 5 uses a flexible nylon plate paired with two layers of foam: PWRRUN HG for response and PWRRUN PB for shock attenuation. It perfectly bridges the gap between a daily trainer and a rigid carbon racer.

  Check Live Price for Saucony Endorphin Speed 5

6. Brooks Glycerin Max 2

• The Vibe: Effortless cruising on supercritical foam.

• Why it competes: Brooks went massive with this 2026 entry, utilising DNA Tuned supercritical foam with a stack height of 45mm in the heel. It features a softer foam in the heel for comfortable landings and a firmer foam in the forefoot for a more lively toe-off. It is plate-less, immensely cushioned, and uses GlideRoll Rocker technology to glide through long runs with a natural transition.

  Check Live Price for Brooks Glycerin Max 2

7. HOKA Mach X 3

• The Vibe: The aggressive, dual-density uptempo pick.

• Why it competes: HOKA updated this flagship super trainer in January 2026 to fix the previous version's heel issues. Similar to the standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, the Mach X 3 uses a dual-density midsole, but it adds a Pebax plate to the mix. This gives you a more aggressive, propulsive snap when you really want to turn the screw and push the pace during your training blocks.

  Check Live Price for HOKA Mach X 3

8. Adidas Adizero Evo SL Exo

• The Vibe: Nimble, undercover superfoam bounce.

• Why it competes: For you to understand this shoe, firstly you have to look at the 2026 Exoskeleton upgrade. If you want the elite energy return of a super trainer but aren't quite ready for a 45mm stack height, the Evo SL Exo is your perfect alternative. It keeps the elite Lightstrike Pro racing foam but adds an exoskeleton cage for extra reinforcement and a 39mm heel stack that feels insanely light and versatile.

  Check Live Price for Adidas Adizero Evo SL Exo

9. Nike Vomero Premium

• The Vibe: A futuristic, maximalist super-cruiser.

• Why it competes: Nike took their reliable workhorse and gave it a space-age makeover with a gargantuan 55mm stack height. It is designed to meeting the needs of elite marathoners, combining plush ZoomX foam with exposed Air Zoom units in both the heel and forefoot. It delivers an "anti-gravity sensation" that is purely about maximum impact reduction for your long training miles.

  Check Live Price for Nike Vomero Premium

10. New Balance FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3

• The Vibe: Plush, protective, marathon-pace luxury.

• Why it competes: If you actually want the mechanical assistance of a carbon plate during your training, the SC Trainer v3 is a masterclass. It features a massive, ultra-soft wedge of FuelCell PEBA foam paired with Energy Arc technology—a combination of a carbon fibre plate and midsole voids to optimise energy return. It has a 6mm drop and is engineered to keep your legs fresh through those pacy, high-volume sessions.

  Check Live Price for NB FuelCell SuperComp Trainer v3