5 min readAS MUCH AS the running shoe industry has been obsessed with tech over the past half-decade, the types of innovations available to put on your feet aren’t always that exciting—or even obvious—at first glance.
That’s not the case with On’s LightSpray tech, the robot-spun, silly string-like material that the Swiss brand has been showcasing at major running events since late 2024. The translucent, light upper is meant to stand out, even in a crowded field of lightweight, funky-looking kicks. The material was first used for a super shoe, the LightSpray Cloudboom Strike, which pro Helen Obiri wore to Boston and NYC Marathon wins. But that model was an extremely limited release, and most runners would never get a chance to see the tech outside one of On’s robot demos. For the most part, LightSpray seemed like it might be more high-performance gimmick than actual consumer-level innovation.
That changes (to some degree) with the next shoe given the LS treatment. The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, a super trainer built for long haul efforts, is for more than just the fastest marathoners. And while the LightSpray version is still tabbed as a limited edition release, it’s much more widely available than the Cloudboom Strike version has been.
Still, it took me some time to get my hands on the shoe. It was one of my most highly-anticipated pairs of 2026 after I got a sneak peak at The Running Event (TRE) last December. By the time I was finally able to slip into the kicks and run, I’d built up more anticipation than just about any model I can remember. Thankfully, over a few weeks of testing, my expectations were exceeded.
Pros
- Extremely light
- Responsive, balanced performance
- Cool/innovation factor is off the charts
Cons
- Upper might not work for everyone
- Socks look silly showing through
- Expensive and might be hard to find
The Shoe Specs
THIS IS ALL about the upper. The LightSpray material is still feels novel to me, even though I’ve demoed the tech several times and have a pair of the LS Cloudboom Strike shoes. The seamless, glueless upper of the LS Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is significantly lower cut than that of the marathon racer, which made me nervous about the fit and lockdown. More on that in a moment. The laceless upper is pliable, but still firm enough that it doesn’t lose its shape.
Okay, I take it back—it’s not all about the upper. The 45 millimeter stack of foam is a pretty big deal, too. The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper uses a combination of two formulations within On’s signature Cloudtec cushioning: a top layer of Helion HF hyper foam for max energy return, then a bottom layer of the brand’s more standard Helion foam for added durability.
The shoe has a 5mm drop and a rocker shape, meant to promote turnover through the stride cycle. The outsole is grippy too, without too much rubber. Thanks to the upper’s lightweight construction and its lack of a sockliner, the LS model is more than an ounce lighter than the standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper (7.2 to 8.9 ounces).
Road Feel
EVEN BEFORE HITTING the road, there was a test: getting the shoes on my feet. LightSpray is light and flexible, but the Cloudboom Strike model was a nightmare to put on. I wondered how that would translate to the more mass-appealing LS Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. Would I find myself hopping up and down, hauling on the heel of the shoe as I tried to jam my foot in?
No. Putting the shoes on is actually really simple. There’s a slight learning curve the first time around, but I got the process down to a science. This definitely beats lacing up my other sneakers—but I was nervous that the laceless upper would come up short when it came to fit and lockdown, especially since they felt loose on my feet.
The first few strides I took in the LS Cloudmonster 3 Hyper might have been tentative, but they weren’t slow. The shoes aren’t as propulsive as racing models (especially without a carbon plate), but the combination of the highly responsive foam, rocker shape, and light weight is really lively for a super trainer. I enjoyed getting used to the feeling, then settling into my run.
SHOP THE ON LIGHTSPRAY CLOUDMONSTER 3 HYPER
But I was waiting for something to go wrong. As someone who prefers a tight lockdown and double-knotted laces, I didn’t trust the slightly loose feel of the shoes. I ran on—but at a certain point, I stopped worrying and just locked into the rhythm of my strides. Even though the fit didn’t feel like I’m used to, I realized that shoe isn’t just going to fly off.
Once those apprehensions were resolved, I just had fun running. I’m in a gap in training, so I was able to take on whatever types of runs I wanted. I ran some short, fast sessions, and longer workouts at lower paces. I didn’t push into a speed session—this is still sitting on 45 millimeters of foam, after all—but the shoe felt great in every context.
Final Score - 4.7/5
I WENT INTO testing the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper wary of a race day gimmick that might not hold up to regular training. I ended the period not wanting to wear another pair of shoes for my workouts—and looking for ways to rock them off the road, too. I don’t know exactly how, given my preference for a tighter lockdown, but the LightSpray just works. It doesn’t hurt that the kicks are totally unique (at least for now), so every time I pulled up next to another jogger, showed up to a run club (shoutout Recess NYC), or wore them casually, they started a conversation. Usually that went something like: “Yo, are those actually good?” My response: “Way better than I even expected.”
Still, there are some knocks on the LS Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. My pair fit, but I’m concerned about how well a long run shoe will work without laces for other runners. The upper still only comes in a translucent white color, which shows straight through to the socks underneath. For some people, this will be another opportunity to stunt and personalize their running look. For others—probably most people—it will be a source of annoyance when logos printed on socks show through their expensive shoe upper and ruin their vibe. Make sure you choose your socks wisely. And finally, the shoe is expensive. Most super trainers are around $200, with some like Nike’s Vomero Premium pushing up just a bit higher. At $280, the LS Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is priced like a premium race day shoe. You’ll probably get more milage out of it than something with a carbon plate—but up till now, that type of cost has been tied directly to race day performances. The nature of the tech justifies that sticker shock (at least for now), but that’s going to be a nonstarter for lots of runners.
For those without budgetary concerns, though, this model is going to be one of the best of the year. High performance run junkies will appreciate the lightweight performance, while tech geeks will want to have the latest, greatest innovation on their feet. I’m right in the middle—and I just want to get them back on to log more mileage.
Pros
- Extremely light
- Responsive, balanced performance
- Cool/innovation factor is off the charts
Cons
- Upper might not work for everyone
- Socks look silly showing through
- Expensive and might be hard to find
Brett Williams, NASM-CPT, PES, a senior editor at Men's Health, is a certified trainer and former pro football player and tech reporter. You can find his work elsewhere at Mashable, Thrillist, and other outlets.
