The On Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS is the first shoe I’ve spent proper time in with On’s LightSpray™ upper, and after 100km, it feels less like a futuristic concept and more like a genuine performance feature.

At its core, the Hyper LS still carries the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper DNA. You get the energetic CloudTec cushioning, responsive Helion™ HF hyper foam, dual-density midsole setup and 6mm drop designed for long runs, tempo efforts and faster training days. It still has that protective, rolling and efficient super trainer feel under the foot.

Compared to the regular Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, the Hyper LS removes the familiar laced upper and replaces it with On’s seamless, glueless and laceless LightSpray™ construction. A robotic arm sprays a single 1.5km filament directly onto the midsole, creating a one-piece upper that feels lighter, cleaner and more precise around the foot.

There is also an important underfoot detail. Through its no-insole construction, the Hyper LS has an added 4mm of stack than the regular Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. This is to refine the fit, placing the foot closer to the Helion™ HF foam and provide added security with the laceless upper. While also helping the Lightspray to shed over 50g from the standard Hyper.

This gives the shoe a slightly more elevated and cushioned feel without moving too far away from the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper platform.

The Hyper LS also comes packaged with an On Elite Running Sock, designed to complement the laceless LightSpray™ fit. That detail matters, because the sock helps complete the step-in experience and supports the secure, sleek feel the shoe is built around.

Rather than a complete comparison between the Lightspray™ and standard Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, in this review we look at what the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS actually feels like after real kilometres. We’ll explore how it fits, how it holds, how easy it is to live with, and whether something this minimal can feel durable enough for regular training.

Five Things I’ve Learnt About LightSpray™ after 100km

1. The Fit Gets Better With Each Run

The first thing you notice with LightSpray™ is that it does not feel like a standard running shoe upper.

There is less padding, less structure and less bulk around the foot, which gives the Hyper LS a cleaner and more performance-focused feel. The fit is true to size, but it feels more precise than traditional. Rather than relying on laces, tongue padding or overlays, the upper wraps the foot in a way that feels close, secure and highly connected from the first run.

What has impressed me most is that the fit has only improved with time.

My first run in the shoe was probably a little ambitious: a progressive 16km long run. Early on, I had a few questions about how the LightSpray™ upper would feel over distance, especially without the ability to adjust laces mid-run.

But after 100km, the shoe feels increasingly dialled in around my foot.

Importantly, it does not feel like the upper is stretching out. It feels more like the LightSpray™ construction is settling and moulding better to my foot with each run, while still holding its shape and keeping that precise, secure feel.

2. The Lockdown Is Better Than You Expect

The biggest question with the Hyper LS is obvious: can a laceless running shoe actually feel secure?

After running in it, the answer is yes. The lockdown through the midfoot is one of the most impressive parts of the shoe. Once your foot is in place, the LightSpray™ upper holds well without feeling overbuilt or restrictive.

It does not give you the adjustability of a traditional laced shoe, so the initial fit needs to be right. But once it is right, the shoe feels secure, smooth and surprisingly natural on the move.

The longer I have spent in the shoe, the more confident I have become in the way the upper holds the foot. It feels secure without needing to be tightened, and that gives the Hyper LS a really clean, distraction-free feel once you are running.

3. Getting It On Is Easy In Three Simple Steps.

The Hyper LS looks like it might be difficult to get on at first, but once you understand the step-in process, it becomes quick and repeatable.

For me, the easiest method is to fold the heel down, slide my foot fully into the shoe, then pull the heel back into place. It is simple, efficient and seems to position my foot correctly every time.

1. Fold the heel counter inwards and begin stepping into the shoe.

2. Slide your foot all the way forward until your forefoot feels securely positioned within the LightSpray™ upper, while keeping the heel folded down.

3. Pull the heel counter back up behind your foot. Once the heel is set and the sock is sitting cleanly, the Hyper LS is secure and ready to run.

The included On Elite Running Sock helps this process feel smoother. It sits well inside the shoe, does not pull awkwardly, and complements the laceless construction in a way that makes the whole setup feel more considered.

4. The Ride Feels Easier The More You Run In It

The Cloudmonster 3 Hyper platform already gives the shoe plenty of protection and energy underfoot, but the LightSpray™ upper changes the way that ride comes together.

Because the upper is so minimal and seamless, the shoe feels lighter and cleaner on foot. There is less material sitting between you and the run, fewer pressure points across the top of the foot, and a more direct connection to the midsole underneath.

There is also an important internal detail here. With no traditional insole, your foot sits closer to the Helion™ HF foam while effectively gaining around 4mm of stack compared to the regular Cloudmonster 3 Hyper. That gives the Hyper LS a slightly different step-in feel, even though the overall platform remains closely connected to the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper.

The midsole felt good from the first run, but it has definitely improved with more time on foot. It now feels very easy to settle into, with a surprisingly fun and efficient feel for long runs and easier kilometres during the week.

That is where the shoe has started to make the most sense for me. It has the protection you want for longer efforts, but the lighter upper and energetic midsole combination make it feel smoother, more natural and more enjoyable than other super trainer options on the market. 

5. It Looks Minimal, But Not Delicate

LightSpray™ looks incredibly minimal, so durability is one of the first questions people ask.

That is fair. When an upper is this thin, seamless and futuristic-looking, it is natural to wonder whether it is built for real training or just built to impress out of the box.

After 100km, the reassuring part is that the upper has not felt fragile. It has held its shape exceptionally well, and the fit has become more comfortable without feeling like it has loosened or stretched.

This is an important point because the upper feels more settled around the foot, not less secure.

On tests their LightSpray™ uppers, so they are just as tough as the uppers used across its standard running shoe range, and that lines up with how the shoe has felt so far. It feels performance-built, not concept-built.

The Hyper LS is not just a visual statement. It is a premium, lightweight interpretation of the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper, built for runners who want the same energetic platform with a more precise, breathable and refined upper experience.

Final Thoughts

After 100km, the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper LS feels less like a concept shoe and more like a genuine step forward in how a premium running shoe upper can fit and feel.

It is not trying to replace the regular Cloudmonster 3 Hyper for every runner. The standard version still makes sense if you want a familiar laced fit, more adjustability and a more traditional step-in experience.

The Hyper LS is for the runner who wants the most refined version of the platform. It keeps the energetic, long-run super trainer feel, but adds a lighter, cleaner and more precise upper experience that becomes more convincing the longer you run in it.

It is secure without laces, minimal without feeling delicate, and more practical than it first appears.

For me, the biggest takeaway is that LightSpray™ does not just make the shoe look different. After 100km, it changes the way the Cloudmonster 3 Hyper platform feels around the foot, and it does so in a way that feels genuinely performance-led.

It also gives a glimpse of where running shoe uppers may be heading next. As brands continue to explore lighter, cleaner and more efficient ways to build performance footwear.

About the Author

Ed - Runner & Content Specialist

I’m a distance runner and Performance Content Specialist at RunDNA, with a passion for running, road and gravel cycling, quality gear, and the stories shaped by effort and adventure. My current focus is long-distance road running and triathlon, driven by a love of performance and the challenge of pushing body and mind further.