ASICS Megablast vs On Cloudmonster 3
A side-by-side comparison grounded in verdicts from 6 reviewers with every source linked. We don't invent quotes; every claim below is attributed.
Specs at a glance
The consensus read
Each paragraph is a synthesis across every reviewer in our database for that shoe — what they collectively concluded after wear-testing. Not a quote. Not one person's take. The shape of the room.
On Cloudmonster 3
A firm, rockered daily trainer that divides testers: some praise its stable, poppy ride and improved upper for easy miles and recovery, while others find the CloudTec cushioning dated and heavy against modern foam rivals.
Reviewers who wore both
Direct paired observations — reviewers who actually ran in both of these and wrote the contrast. This is the strongest comparative signal on the page.
Livelier and bouncier with a bit more punch but less stable and heavier; cheaper, making it the testers' pick on value
ASICS Megablast — what reviewers say
Ride profile: maximal cushion , neutral stability .
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Very similar feel to the Superblast 2 but with a slightly narrower fit that cuts in at the forefoot.
In their words: "watch the cut of the shoe"
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Ben Parkes' top ASICS pick; a unique max-stack plateless race shoe that is ultralight, responsive, durable, and fun to run in, ideal for runners who want fast races without a carbon plate.
In their words: "always puts a smile on my face" · "best non-plated race shoe out there" · "loves to cruise at marathon pace"
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An exceptionally versatile, bouncy and lively super trainer that the testers rate among the best on the market; the pick over the Cloudmonster mainly because it is so good and considerably cheaper.
Ride:Big, soft and bouncy with high cushion and lots of compression and spring-back; feels like a higher-stack shoe with a slight element of instability around the heel.
Fit:True to size; roomy, airy and comfortable with plenty of wiggle room in the toe box and easy lockdown, though slightly narrow/tapered for one tester.
In their words: "big, soft, and bouncy" · "the most versatility" · "the best on the market pretty much full stop"
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Mega stack with a quick return to form from the FF Turbo Squared foam and a light, bare-bones upper; one of his favorites that handles faster paces better than the UFO, and his narrow pick of the group, though it has less outsole rubber for wet conditions.
In their words: "a real nice quick to return to form" · "it's still right up there" · "edge over the UFO"
On Cloudmonster 3 — what reviewers say
Ride profile: high cushion , firm_responsive feel , moderate energy return , neutral stability , aggressive rocker.
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Returns to what made the original Cloudmonster great: a stable, comfortable, poppy daily trainer — the reviewer's pick of the two over the Hyper 3.
Ride:Needs a few runs to break in — pods feel firm at first then soften to a poppy, bouncy, stable ride; feels closer to the original Cloudmonster than the stiffer v2 did.
Fit:Improved heel counter and slightly padded tongue versus v2; runs true to size.
In their words: "a real stable workhorse of a shoe" · "the more comfortable option for me" · "took a little bit more breaking in"
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A high-cushion performance trainer that outperforms expectations — the reviewer's favorite shoe so far this year thanks to its stiff, snappy feel with genuine long-run protection.
Ride:Stiffer high-cushion ride rather than plush — lets the reviewer stay snappy on track and up-tempo runs while still protecting on long road miles; not a soft quagmire.
Fit:Runs true to size in US 12; good forefoot width despite the brand's reputation for narrow fits; tongue is a touch short and slightly puffy.
In their words: "stiffer high cushion shoe" · "ran some snappy miles" · "high cushion trainer"
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A dated, overpriced max-stack daily trainer whose EVA CloudTec tech no longer competes with modern foam rivals; one to avoid.
Ride:Removing the speedboard made the ride worse; lifeless EVA foam, no propulsion, feels unstable and dated versus modern PEBA/TPEE competition.
In their words: "it's just starting to feel very dated" · "There's no propulsion in it" · "the stability in this thing is not great"
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A refined, characterful daily trainer that leans responsive and stable rather than plush, working best at steady to tempo paces.
Ride:Responsive and stable rather than overly soft; characterful compression from Helion foam with rolling feel from the nylon Speedboard
Fit:Foot-hugging upper, fits narrower feet well; wider version also available
In their words: "more on the responsive side" · "nice forward rolling sensation" · "soften up over those initial miles"
Who should buy which
Use cases the reviewers above actually call out — one bullet per distinct take, attributed. Where reviewers converge (e.g. "5K to half marathon" appearing across multiple takes) the agreement is a stronger buying signal than any single voice.
Consider the ASICS Megablast if
- Versatile non-plated max-stack option that can handle fast running up to marathon distance — EDDBUD
- Runners wanting a non-plated, versatile marathon race day shoe — FORDY RUNS
- Runners wanting a lightweight workout-to-race shoe that is less aggressive than traditional super shoes but still delivers pop at faster paces — Doctors of Running
- Half and full marathon training; versatile daily trainer — EDDBUD
- Versatile super trainer for marathon training across the pace range, from easy runs to tempos and intervals. — The Run Testers
- Easy long runs where you want maximum cushion and softness — Run Moore
Consider the On Cloudmonster 3 if
- Easy aerobic miles or casual wear — FORDY RUNS
- Daily to steady-pace running for runners who prefer responsive over squashy cushioning — EDDBUD
- Fans of classic On CloudTec cushioning and anyone who loved the Cloudmonster 2; otherwise hard to recommend given the competition. — The Run Testers
- Runners who want a stiffer, high-cushion performance trainer that handles long easy days and track work alike; especially good for returning from minor injuries thanks to the stable ride. — Run Moore
- Easy daily miles, long days on feet, and walking/run-walk use rather than fast running. — Doctors of Running
- Stable daily-training miles, easy runs, and long runs — especially useful when coming back from a niggle. — Ben Is Running
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between the ASICS Megablast and the On Cloudmonster 3?
The ASICS Megablast is a daily trainer and the On Cloudmonster 3 is a daily trainer. By the numbers, the ASICS Megablast weighs 221g, has a 45mm heel stack and an 8mm drop, while the On Cloudmonster 3 weighs 295g, has a 40mm heel stack and a 6mm drop. The On Cloudmonster 3 has a Embedded Speedboard plate; the ASICS Megablast has none. MSRP is $225 for the ASICS Megablast and $180 for the On Cloudmonster 3.
Should I buy the ASICS Megablast or the On Cloudmonster 3?
EDDBUD on the ASICS Megablast: Versatile non-plated max-stack option that can handle fast running up to marathon distance. FORDY RUNS on the On Cloudmonster 3: Easy aerobic miles or casual wear.
Per EDDBUD, FORDY RUNS.
Has anyone reviewed both the ASICS Megablast and the On Cloudmonster 3?
Yes — The Run Testers directly compared the ASICS Megablast and the On Cloudmonster 3 in their reviews.
Per The Run Testers.
Which is lighter, the ASICS Megablast or the On Cloudmonster 3?
The ASICS Megablast is lighter, at 221g versus 295g (men's 9) — about 74g less.
Which is more cushioned, the ASICS Megablast or the On Cloudmonster 3?
Measured by stack height, the ASICS Megablast has more underfoot foam — 45mm at the heel versus 40mm.