On Cloudmonster Hyper Reviews

Over 400 km, this 3:23 marathoner with wide feet and bunions found the original Cloudmonster Hyper true to size and excellent for long runs with marathon-pace segments.

Two pairs, 860 km and then 210 km, used almost entirely for long runs and easy runs over an hour. They love the secure, roomy upper (it fits about a half size long) and the bouncy forefoot with a structured, stable feel that keeps the legs fresh over 2.5 to 3 hours. It stays firm and a bit clunky for the first half hour or more, the outsole rubber pods wear so heavy heel strikers should be wary, and they call the price far too high. A dedicated long-run shoe more than a daily one.

After a short first run, this runner who struggles with fit really likes the Cloudmonster Hyper's roomy upper.

'Accidentally ordered decaf' (performance C). The upper and fit are near the top of the category, but one tester can't get past the boxy feel, and you can get the same ride or better elsewhere. The rigid, blocky midsole doesn't feel 'super'. Fine if you love On and have the budget.

Comfortable, forgiving and stable for easy and longer miles, but not speedy, and v2 does the same for £40 less. She'd pick the Hoka Skyward X any day. It needs a stiffer forefoot and a peppier ride.

'Not worth the hype': it's easy to find shoes that offer more for less, like the Superblast. The Endorphin Speed 4, Hoka Mach 6 and Rebel v4 are more enjoyable and much cheaper.

She genuinely enjoyed it for slow, steady miles and loves the look. But it doesn't feel dramatically different from other big-cushion trainers and doesn't live up to the 'Hyper' name for speed or lightness. Better value exists if price matters.

Rotating it with the Vomero 17, this runner loves the Cloudmonster Hyper's wide toe box, but it gives them a blister below the ball of the foot.

This runner with wide, high-arched feet finds the Cloudmonster Hyper's upper more comfortable than any shoe they've tried in a long time, though it's expensive.

Three testers each logged roughly 50 to 60 km, mostly easy runs, with an interval session and runs up to about 20 km or 90 minutes. They found it comfortable and protective, with a roomy, secure fit and a ride that softens later in a run. They also found it firm and stiff early on, a dull, bottom-heavy ride that is not versatile, and grip that felt slippery on wet roads. Overall they would not recommend it at its price, seeing it as a cushioned shoe for easy miles.