On Cloudmonster 3 vs HOKA Bondi 9
Cloudmonster 3 or Bondi 9? Here’s how they compare on feel, fit, brand specs and price, from the fitting team at The Run House.
The short answer
Want a firm, snappy ride with On’s signature feel? Get the Cloudmonster 3.
Want max cushion with a firmer, more supportive feel? Get the Bondi 9.
Get the Cloudmonster 3 if
- You like a firmer, more stable feel
- You’ll use it for tempo runs and workouts
- You like a stiffer, rocker-style forefoot that rolls you forward
Get the Bondi 9 if
- You want a little more give underfoot
- You want more foam underfoot (8mm more at the heel)
- You want a dedicated recovery-day shoe
- You like a less rigid forefoot
On the run
Cloudmonster 3: Firm, snappy, unmistakably On. The firmest shoe here in lab tests, with a stiff plate and a rocker that give it a snappy feel at faster paces. It isn’t the shoe for soft recovery runs.
Bondi 9: The supportive max-cushion tank. A huge, protective slab of foam that’s firmer than it looks, more supportive than squishy. The rocker keeps it moving, but it’s built for easy miles and long days on your feet, not speed.
Specs side by side
| Cloudmonster 3 | Bondi 9 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $189.95 | $175 |
| Stack height (heel / forefoot) | 35 / 29mm* | 43 / 38mm* |
| Drop | 6mm | 5mm |
| Weight, men’s | 10.4 oz | 10.5 oz |
| Weight, women’s | 8.5 oz | 9.3 oz |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Plate | None | None |
| Widths | Standard, Wide | Standard, Wide, Extra wide |
| Built for | Easy days, Tempo & workouts, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear | Easy days, Recovery runs, Long runs, Walking & all-day wear |
| Expected life | 300–400 miles | 400–500 miles |
Stack, drop and weight come from each brand’s own website. Numbers marked * aren’t published by the brand and come from other published specs. Weights are for the size each brand quotes. Expected life is our estimate.
Fit
Cloudmonster 3. Snug heel and midfoot. The toebox is narrower than the Cloudmonster 2’s, and it can run a touch long, so if you’re between sizes, try both. Standard width only.
Bondi 9. Lower volume, with a toebox that tapers, so wide feet should go straight to the wide. The heel counter is stiff, so it isn’t a sockless shoe.
Try them on
Come try on both at The Run House in Walpole, Needham or Falmouth. Gait analysis is always free.
Shop the Cloudmonster 3 · Shop the Bondi 9 · Compare other running shoes