The On Cloudeclipse and the On Cloudmonster 3 are On’s two cushioning heavyweights, two takes on good cushioning that complement each other more than they copy each other. The Cloudeclipse goes for softness, the Cloudmonster bets on volume and forward roll.
The two are close on the scale, with a slight edge to the Cloudeclipse. It also sits a bit higher underfoot. The drop is identical.
The two midsoles feel nothing alike. The Cloudeclipse stacks two layers of CloudTec Phase with a soft feel at impact. Shock absorption is very good and responsiveness is decent. The Cloudmonster 3 piles three layers of CloudTec on a noticeably firmer Helion, with a pronounced rocker: the feel at impact is very balanced, the roll-through smooth, with decent stability.
In terms of use, the Cloudeclipse is the go-to for long runs and recovery, smooth and comfortable for racking up miles. The Cloudmonster 3 targets high-volume training: the pronounced rocker makes for a smooth roll-through and plenty of forward roll, but its high weight rules it out for pure speed. It is also a good choice for the marathon.
On the upper, the Cloudmonster 3 delivers a premium, breathable build, with sizing that is now standard. The Cloudeclipse sticks with a very soft, airy mesh, true to the line’s comfort.
Cloudeclipse or Cloudmonster 3: which should you choose?
For most runners, the Cloudeclipse is the better choice: softer and better rated in our tests, it adapts to any pace.
On is betting on the Cloudmonster line (which also includes the Hyper version) as the flagship of its running range, especially for comfort-first marathons (the Cloudboom line is there for racing).
In fact, On seems to be on the verge of dropping the Cloudeclipse line to focus on the Cloudmonster. That is not necessarily a good call: it is a divisive model that not everyone loves.
