A Trinerd's Perspective on the ON Cloud Monster 2: Unleashing Power for Every Frontrunner
As someone who typically measures a men's 10 4E in New Balance and a 10 2E in Brooks, and usually wears Altra as my daily driver, I found that the Cloud Monster 2 fits me very well. The cushioning comfortably cradles my feet, and the dynamic support reduces stress on my knees and hips, even during casual runs.
After wearing the shoe to work and on multiple runs, the Cloud Monster 2 has maintained its stiffness even after putting around 50 km on them. I've taken them up and down hills, and they delivered a comfortable ride in both directions while helping me maintain a strong, neutral step. Although I had to use a heel lock to secure my foot, which I usually do for most of my shoes, the Cloud Monster 2 still offered consistent support.
I've worn the shoes on wet ground and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly the upper dried while on my feet. Despite initial concerns that the grooves might cause slippage, especially when running on the road, the traction held firm with no real slipping. But what's the secret behind the impressive performance of these shoes? Let’s dive into the functional engineering of the sole and compare how the second-generation Monster differs from its predecessor.
CloudTec® Elements: Engineering Cushioning with Precision
Let's nerd out a bit on the engineering behind the ON Cloud Monster 2's CloudTec® elements. Imagine each of these cloud-like pods on the sole as meticulously designed mini impact absorbers. Structurally, these pods are both a marvel and a product of sophisticated bio-mechanical research.
The design ethos behind CloudTec® is grounded in minimizing impact forces during the gait cycle. Here’s how the pods function: upon foot strike, each pod actively compresses to disperse the energy horizontally as well as vertically, mitigating direct impact forces that typically travel up the leg. This mechanism is particularly beneficial in reducing the load on your joints and facilitating a smoother transition from heel to toe.
To put some numbers into this discussion, consider the bio-mechanical data typically observed in running shoes. Standard running shoes can reduce vertical impact by approximately 20-30%. With CloudTec®, the goal was to enhance this figure significantly. ON’s internal tests suggest that their technology can improve impact dispersion by up to 40%, though specific public datasets on the Cloud Monster 2 may not be readily available.
Further amplifying the performance of these pods is the integration with Helion™ super-foam. Helion™ is engineered for a high rebound, meaning it efficiently converts the absorbed impact into responsive energy for your next step. This synergy between the pods and Helion™ foam creates a dynamic system that supports not just cushioning, but propulsion.
So, when you lace up a pair of Cloud Monster 2s, you're not just wearing a shoe; you're benefiting from years of iterative design and engineering that combine bio-mechanics with advanced materials science. This is why the Cloud Monster 2 feels different—more responsive and less taxing on your body—particularly over long distances or during rigorous training sessions.
Rocker Design: Leveraging Forward Momentum with Precision Engineering
Now let's dig into the rocker design of the Cloud Monster 2. This isn't just your standard "curved sole" affair; it's a finely tuned piece of engineering magic. The exaggerated rocker shape acts like a lever, a mechanical principle that multiplies force to help runners transition smoothly from heel to toe.
The rocker’s shape encourages a fluid stride, especially when you're running uphill or downhill. How does this work in practice? As your foot makes contact with the ground, the rocker begins to engage immediately, guiding your body weight over the mid-foot. As you continue forward, the curve of the sole effectively rolls your foot off the ground, reducing the effort needed to push off into the next stride.
When running uphill, the rocker leverages your body's natural forward lean to help conserve energy and maintain your pace. By smoothly transitioning through the gait cycle, it minimizes the energy needed for each push-off, keeping your momentum consistent and preventing you from wasting energy on exaggerated knee lifts.
Conversely, when descending, the rocker shape helps with stability. It softens the impact on your joints by rolling you smoothly through the stride, keeping the load more evenly distributed. This means you can descend with better control and less stress on your legs, avoiding that jarring feeling that often accompanies downhill running.
The combination of the rocker geometry and CloudTec® elements means the Cloud Monster 2 facilitates a natural, efficient stride pattern whether you're climbing or descending. This thoughtful design reduces the fatigue associated with long runs, allowing you to focus more on enjoying the journey and less on the mechanics of each step. So, the next time you hit those hills, know that the rocker isn't just there for aesthetics—it's a bio-mechanical assist built right into your shoe!
Traction and Durability: Mastering Grip Across Multiple Surfaces
The out-sole of the Cloud Monster 2 isn't just there to protect the cushy CloudTec® pods underneath; it's a finely tuned layer of grip designed for diverse surfaces. Here’s where things get nerdy. ON engineered the out sole with strategically placed rubber elements specifically positioned in high-wear zones. This clever placement maximizes traction where you need it most, whether on pavement, gravel, or even slippery surfaces.
I put this to the test on my runs in wet conditions, and the Cloud Monster 2 didn't disappoint. I expected damp manhole covers or slick street lines to throw me off my stride, but the out-sole's combination of rubber compounds and tread pattern held firm. No traction was lost as I picked up speed or took sharp corners, maintaining confidence with every step.
The tread pattern, which works in concert with the rocker shape, isn’t just about preventing slipping. The alternating lugs and grooves are designed to flex and adapt to your stride while keeping you glued to the surface, ensuring seamless movement without excess drag. This adaptability allows for a quick yet controlled transition from heel to toe, which is particularly noticeable when pushing for speed on wet roads or shifting your weight to maneuver corners.
Data on rubber compounds indicate that grip on wet surfaces can vary significantly based on the tread pattern and the durometer (hardness) of the rubber. The Cloud Monster 2 strikes a balance by combining a relatively soft durometer for maximum grip with strategically hardened sections to resist abrasion. This ensures the outsole remains durable even after clocking significant mileage, so you won't have to worry about it wearing down too soon.
In essence, ON has carefully crafted the out-sole to complement the rocker geometry and cushioning system, ensuring a stable ride that keeps you confident regardless of the terrain. Whether you're speeding up or winding around corners, the Cloud Monster 2 delivers durable traction that you can rely on, rain or shine.
Flex Grooves: Striking the Perfect Balance of Firmness and Flexibility
The Cloud Monster 2 balances firmness and flexibility like a well-tuned machine. My body naturally prefers a firmer ride that doesn’t compromise on support, and the Monster’s sole structure achieves this beautifully. How, you ask? It's all about those deep flex grooves.
Engineered to mirror the natural movement of the foot, these grooves are strategically carved into the sole to enable it to bend and flex without resistance. They’re deep enough to reduce weight and maximize adaptability, creating a seamless ride across uneven surfaces. The result is a shoe that feels firm underfoot while offering a responsive and smooth stride.
But it’s not just the grooves doing the heavy lifting. The subtle plate embedded within the Cloud Monster 2’s sole design provides additional structure. It’s stiff enough to prevent excessive flexing, ensuring that each step rolls smoothly into the next while delivering responsive feedback to keep you tuned into your run. This combination of the plate and flex grooves gives the sole just the right amount of spring, helping you maintain an efficient stride without sacrificing the cushioning your joints crave.
The flex grooves work together with the CloudTec® pods to allow the foot to articulate naturally while maintaining stability. They also improve energy transfer by minimizing wasted movement, helping to propel you forward efficiently. Whether you're pounding the pavement or navigating trails, the grooves keep the shoe adaptable and ensure that every stride remains friendly, firm, and in harmony with your body's natural bio-mechanics.
In short, the Cloud Monster 2 delivers a winning mix of firm yet flexible engineering that helps you enjoy each stride, regardless of the terrain.
Breaking Stereotypes with the ON Cloud Monster 2
I'll admit, I was initially skeptical about ON Cloud products, given their reputation for a narrower fit. Historically, I'd never managed to find a pair that could accommodate my wider foot comfortably. But the Cloud Monster 2 proved me wrong in a pleasantly surprising way. Despite its sleek design and dynamic engineering, this shoe managed to cater to my "monster foot" in terms of width while offering exceptional performance.
Its cushioning, traction, rocker shape, and flex grooves came together in harmony to create a firm yet friendly stride that doesn't compromise on comfort or support. And let's not forget the subtle plate that adds just the right amount of responsiveness to keep each run smooth and efficient. This carefully crafted shoe provides a beautiful blend of performance and design that far exceeds expectations, especially for those of us who might have felt overlooked by typical "narrow-fit" runners.
Though narrower feet may struggle to find their perfect fit in the Monster 2, it has served me exceptionally well, standing out not only for its impressive engineering but also for its fashion-forward appearance. It's not just another bulky "Gerry shoe" that sacrifices style for function—this shoe achieves both, delivering a sleek, striking look that performs exceptionally well.
The Cloud Monster 2 is a triumph in nerdy engineering that caters to a broad audience while ensuring that even those with wider feet can experience dynamic performance. ON has crafted a product that feels great, looks fantastic, and proves that innovative design can cater to a diverse range of runners.
Disclaimer
I want to clarify that I was not gifted the ON Cloud Monster 2 for this article. I purchased it on my own dime, and this review reflects my personal thoughts and firsthand experience with the shoe. My research for this article was conducted independently and is not supplemented by ON or Frontrunners Victoria.