The On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is the most exciting thing On has released in years. Built around a robotically sprayed, laceless upper and a dual-layer Helion HF midsole, it delivers a genuinely unique, minimal-feeling ride that makes long runs and tempo sessions feel effortless. At $380 it's a premium buy, but it's premium technology, and for the right runner it's worth every cent.
| Price (AUS) | $380 |
| Weight | 205g (US M8.5); 195g in our size 9 tester |
| Stack Height | 45mm heel / 39mm forefoot |
| Drop | 6mm |
| Midsole | Dual-layer Helion HF (soft top layer, firmer CloudTec base layer) |
| Upper | LightSpray - robotically sprayed, laceless |
| Best For | Long runs and tempo sessions |
| Category | Unisex super trainer |
| Run Havoc Verdict | ★★★★☆ 4/5 |
On has been through a tough stretch over the past year or so, and the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper feels like the brand's big comeback moment. This isn't a small update, it's a genuinely new way of building a running shoe, and it's exactly the kind of bold, forward-thinking release we love to see from a brand pushing the sport forward.
In this review we break down what LightSpray actually is, how the shoe feels underfoot, and who it's built for. We've had it on the treadmill and out on the road here at Run Havoc in Wollongong, and here's what you need to know before you buy.
Who Is the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper For?
This is not a shoe built to be everything to everyone, and On isn't pretending otherwise.
If you want the lightest, most minimal-feeling shoe in your rotation for long runs and tempo sessions, this is exactly that shoe. It sits in On's super trainer category, which means it's designed to handle sustained efforts over 15km as well as faster, comfortably-hard tempo work, without the weight or bulk of a traditional daily trainer.
It also suits runners who are curious about where running shoe technology is heading and want to be an early adopter of something genuinely different. The laceless LightSpray upper isn't just a gimmick, it changes how the shoe locks onto your foot entirely, and it's one of the most exciting pieces of footwear tech to land in our store this year.
It best suits narrow to medium foot shapes, so if you're unsure where you sit, it's worth coming in for a fitting before you buy.
What Is LightSpray and Why Does It Matter?
LightSpray is On's biggest innovation story of 2026, and it's worth understanding what actually makes it different.
Traditional running shoe uppers are built from roughly 20 to 30 separate pieces of fabric, overlays, and laces, all stitched or glued together by hand or machine. It's a slow, wasteful process. LightSpray replaces all of that with a robotic arm that sprays a single continuous filament directly onto the midsole, building a seamless, one-piece upper in around three minutes.
According to On's official product launch materials from February 2026, the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is built from just eight components in total, one sprayed upper, two midsole pieces, and five small rubber elements, and weighs only 205g in a US men's size 8.5. That construction is also what makes the shoe laceless. There's nothing to tie, nothing to come undone mid-run, and no traditional lacing structure sitting on top of your foot at all.
It's a genuinely new way of building a shoe, and if this technology continues to roll out across more of On's range, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LightSpray is likely to be remembered as one of the first examples most runners actually got to try.
How Does the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Feel Underfoot?
The midsole is a dual-layer setup. A soft, bouncy Helion HF layer sits on top for cushioning and energy return, while a firmer CloudTec base layer underneath adds durability and helps the shoe hold its shape over higher mileage.
On paper that combination sounds like it could feel disjointed, but in practice the two layers work well together. The ride is soft and lively without feeling unstable, and there's enough pop in the foam to make steady and tempo efforts feel genuinely enjoyable rather than just functional.
What stands out most is how little you feel the shoe at all. Between the light upper and the propulsive foam, the overall sensation is closer to running with nothing on your foot than running in a max-stack super trainer. It's a genuinely fun, addictive feeling once it clicks, and it's the kind of ride that makes you want to get back out and run in it again.
Is the Laceless Upper Actually Comfortable to Run In?
Yes, and this is where the LightSpray upper really earns its reputation.
Without laces, there's no lacing pressure across the top of the foot and nothing to come undone mid-run. The lockdown comes entirely from the shape and structure of the sprayed upper itself, and for narrow to medium feet it delivers a close, glove-like fit with no hot spots or rubbing.
For long runs and half marathon distance, comfort holds up beautifully. It disappears on the foot in a way very few uppers manage, and once you've run in it, going back to a laced shoe feels almost old-fashioned.
How Does the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper Compare to the Competition?
The LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper sits at the top of the super trainer category, both in tech and in price. A few other shoes worth considering if you're shopping in this space:
On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper - The standard, non-LightSpray version and the most obvious comparison. It shares the same Helion HF foam DNA but uses a traditional woven upper, which makes it the more forgiving, wider-fitting option. If the laceless fit of the LightSpray version doesn't suit your foot, this is where we'd point you instead.
Asics Superblast 3 - A maximalist daily trainer with FF Leap foam for extra propulsion and a FF Blast Plus layer for durability. The Superblast 3 rides softer, while the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper feels lighter and more rocker-forward underfoot.
Adidas Hyperboost Edge - Another true super trainer built around the Hyperboost Pro midsole. It's more traditionally laced and a touch more forgiving in fit, and at $340 it undercuts the LightSpray version while still delivering a bouncy, responsive ride.
We stock all of these at Run Havoc in Wollongong, so if you want to try them side by side before committing, come in and we'll put you on the treadmill.
What Are the Downsides of the LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper?
Honestly, there's very little to fault here, it's more a case of knowing what you're buying. At $380 this sits at the premium end of the category, which reflects the technology packed into it rather than a lack of value, but it does mean it's an investment piece rather than an everyday impulse buy.
Fit is the other thing to get right. Because the LightSpray upper is built around the shape of the last, it rewards narrower to medium feet more than wide ones, and a small number of runners have noticed some medial arch sensitivity on longer efforts. Getting properly fitted and building up your mileage gradually solves this for the vast majority of runners, and it's a small trade-off for a shoe that feels this good to run in.
Final Thoughts on the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper
The On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is a genuinely bold release, and one of the most exciting shoes we've had in store all year. The robotically sprayed upper isn't a gimmick, it's a real shift in how a running shoe can be built, and the dual-layer Helion HF midsole backs it up with a ride that feels light, propulsive, and almost like nothing is there at all.
If you've got a narrow to medium foot and you want the lightest, most advanced super trainer On has ever made, this is an easy shoe to fall in love with. It's the kind of release that reminds you why it's exciting to be a runner right now, and we can't wait to see where On takes LightSpray next.
Shop the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper at Run Havoc, or come into our Wollongong store and try it on the treadmill alongside other options in the same category.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper worth buying in Australia?
Yes. It's a genuine step into new territory for On, with a robotically sprayed laceless upper and a dual-layer Helion HF midsole that feels like almost nothing on your foot. At $380 it's a premium investment, but for the technology and ride quality on offer it's genuinely worth it. Shop the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper at Run Havoc.
What is a LightSpray upper and how is it different to a normal running shoe?
LightSpray is On's robotically sprayed upper technology. Instead of stitching together laces, overlays, and multiple fabric panels, a robot sprays a single continuous filament directly onto the midsole in around three minutes, replacing a traditional upper-building process that can take up to 200 steps. The result is a seamless, laceless upper that locks the foot down without any stitching or hot spots.
Is the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper true to size?
Yes, for narrow to medium feet it runs true to size with a close, glove-like lockdown, because the LightSpray upper is built around the shape of the last. If you have a wider foot, it's worth coming into Run Havoc in Wollongong for a fitting or trying a half size up.
How does the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper compare to the regular Cloudmonster 3 Hyper?
They share the same Helion HF foam DNA, but the LightSpray version trades the standard woven upper for a laceless, sprayed-on construction that shaves significant weight off the shoe. The regular Cloudmonster 3 Hyper is the more forgiving, wider-fitting option, while the LightSpray version is built for runners who want the lightest, most locked-in ride possible.
Can you run long distances in the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper?
Yes, that's exactly what it's built for. On markets it as a super trainer for long runs and tempo sessions, and the high stack height plus responsive foam supports comfortable running well beyond an easy 5-10km, right up to half marathon and marathon distance.
Where can I buy the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper in Wollongong?
Run Havoc on Crown Street, Wollongong stocks the On LightSpray Cloudmonster 3 Hyper as a unisex release. You can try it on our in-store treadmill alongside other super trainers in the same category, or shop online at runhavoc.com.au.
Riley Kilham
Riley is the General Manager at Run Havoc and brings hands-on experience from years of triathlon, running events, and coaching. He writes about training, performance, and finding the right gear, combining real-world insight with a passion for helping others get the most out of their movement.
