On Cloud 6 vs Cloudmonster vs Cloudsurfer: Which to Buy
Short answer: The Cloud 6 is the walking and all-day shoe, the Cloudmonster is the max-cushion running shoe, and the Cloudsurfer is the softer daily runner. If you mostly walk, commute and travel, buy the Cloud 6. If you run several times a week and want the most foam underfoot, buy the Cloudmonster. If you want a running shoe with a smoother, less chunky feel, the Cloudsurfer is the one, and the Cloudrunner 3 is the closest shoe we stock to it.
How does CloudTec differ between the three?
Every On shoe uses CloudTec, the hollow pods you can see along the side of the midsole. The pods compress on landing and lock together for push-off. What changes from model to model is the size and layout of those pods, the foam they are made from, and whether there is a Speedboard, On’s stiff plate between the midsole and the footbed.
- Cloud 6: the current version of On’s original shoe. It has smaller, closely spaced pods and a Speedboard, which gives a firm, quick feel rather than a soft one. It comes with elastic speed laces so you can slip it on, with conventional laces in the box if you prefer to tie them.
- Cloudmonster: the largest CloudTec pods On makes, on a rocker shape with Helion superfoam and a Speedboard. It is the softest, tallest and most cushioned shoe of the three, and it rolls you forward with each step.
- Cloudsurfer: uses CloudTec Phase, where the pods sit in a row that collapses one after another from heel to toe. There is no Speedboard, so it feels smoother and more flexible than the Cloudmonster and softer than the Cloud 6.
Who is each shoe for?
Cloud 6: walking, travel and standing all day
This is the shoe to buy if you are not really a runner. It is light, it looks tidy with trousers, and the slip-on lacing is genuinely useful at airports and anywhere you take your shoes off often. You can run short distances in it, but the firm Speedboard and the small pods mean it is not a shoe for regular training. Small stones can lodge in the gaps between the pods on gravel, which is a long-standing On quirk rather than a fault.
Cloudmonster: easy miles and maximum cushion
Buy this for long, slow runs, for recovery days, or if you are heavier and want the most protection. The rocker makes it feel quicker than its size suggests. Walking in it is fine too, but the tall stack and the width of the sole make it look like a running shoe, because it is one.
Cloudsurfer: daily running with a softer ride
The Cloudsurfer suits runners who find the Cloudmonster too tall and the Cloud 6 too firm. It is a daily trainer first, with a soft landing and a natural flex. We do not currently have the Cloudsurfer in stock. Among the On shoes we do have, the Cloudrunner 3 is the nearest everyday running shoe, with a wider base and a more supportive feel, and the Cloud X 5 is the pick for gym sessions and mixed training.
How do On shoes fit?
On shoes run slightly narrow, and the Cloud line is the narrowest of the three. Most people take their usual size in the Cloudmonster and the Cloudsurfer. In the Cloud 6, if you have a wide forefoot or you are between sizes, go up half a size. The Cloudrunner 3 is also offered in a Wide fit, which is the version we stock. Our sizes are UK sizes, since Indian sizing follows the UK scale; if you know your US or EU size, use our size conversion guide before you order.
| Feature | Cloud 6 | Cloudmonster | Cloudsurfer |
|---|---|---|---|
| CloudTec | Small pods, Speedboard | Largest pods, Helion foam, Speedboard | CloudTec Phase, no Speedboard |
| Feel | Firm and quick | Soft, tall, rocker | Soft and flexible |
| Best for | Walking, travel, all day | Long runs, max cushion | Daily running |
| Fit | Narrow, consider half a size up | True to size | True to size |
| In stock | Yes, four colourways | Yes, two colourways | Not at present |
Which On shoe should you buy?
If you only want one pair and you walk more than you run, the Cloud 6 will get the most wear. If you run and want cushioning above everything, the Cloudmonster is worth the extra money. Every pair we sell is verified in hand before dispatch, as described in how we verify every pair, and orders are placed on WhatsApp, where we can also check sizing with you before you commit.
What we have in stock
- Cloud 6 All Black, ₹25,500, in UK 7.5, 8, 9, 10 and 11
- Cloud 6 Triple White, ₹25,400, in UK 6.5
- Cloud 6 Midnight White, ₹23,100, in UK 8
- Cloudmonster All Black, ₹26,800, in UK 10
- Cloudmonster Ivory Grenadine (women’s), ₹27,205, in UK 6
- Cloudrunner 3 Wide White Glacier, ₹25,900, in UK 9
The rest of the range, including the Cloudtilt, Cloudnova and Cloud X 5, is on our On Running page.