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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Weight
    2. Stack Heights
    3. External Shape
    4. Internal Shape
    5. Other Features
  5. Performance
    1. Heel Energy Return
    2. Forefoot Energy Return
    3. Heel Cushioning
    4. Forefoot Cushioning
    5. Heel Firmness
    6. Forefoot Firmness
  6. Comments

On Cloudmonster 2 vs Mizuno Neo Zen

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

On Cloudmonster 2
Mizuno Neo Zen

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 15, 2025 05:32 PM

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Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v0.8

Updated Apr 25, 2025 03:35 PM

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Amazon.com
On Cloudmonster 2 Picture
Mizuno Neo Zen Picture
  1. Recommended in 2 articles:
  2. Running Shoes
  3. For Men

Variants

  • Cloudmonster 2 (Asphalt/Iron - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Asphalt/Iron - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Asphalt/Lima - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Asphalt/Lima - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Black/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Black/Eclipse - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Black/Frost - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Cream/Horizon - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Cream/Ice - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Cream/Ice - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Ivory/Red - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Ivory/Silver - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Mineral/Aloe - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (Tempest/Horizon - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (White/Flame - (Women - US 7))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (White/Flame - (Men - US 9))
  • Cloudmonster 2 (White/Frost - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Zen (Black/Raspberry - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Zen (Black/White - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Zen (Hint Mint/India Ink - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Zen (Nimbus Cloud/Black - (Women - US 7))
  • Neo Zen (White/Black - (Men - US 9))
  • Neo Zen (White/Frontier Blue - (Men - US 9))

Our Verdict

On Cloudmonster 2

Mizuno Neo Zen

The Mizuno Neo Zen and the On Cloudmonster 2 are both modern daily trainers, but they sit on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Cloudmonster is significantly firmer and more stable, offering a structured ride that feels controlled. On the other hand, the Neo Zen is much lighter, noticeably more energetic, and exceptionally squishy, delivering a soft, plush experience that prioritizes comfort and protection. While both are designed for daily training, the Cloudmonster 2 leans toward stability, whereas the Neo Zen excels in softness and easy-day comfort, making it a better pick for recovery runs or runners who enjoy a truly maximalist feel.

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Main Differences for
Marathon Racing

Threshold 

0.10

Marathon Racing 

5.8
6.8

Weight  

4.5
7.3

Plate 
 

Plastic
None

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

4.8
6.9

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.0
7.4

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.4
8.7

Full Comparison

Design

Weight  

4.5
7.3

Right Shoe Weight Photo  

On Cloudmonster 2 Right Shoe Weight Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Right Shoe Weight Photo

Left Shoe Weight Photo  

On Cloudmonster 2 Left Shoe Weight Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Left Shoe Weight Photo

Weight 
 

295.8 g (10.43 oz)
226.3 g (7.98 oz)
Show Text 

Stack Heights 
 

Stack Height Photo  

On Cloudmonster 2 Stack Height Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Stack Height Photo

Heel Stack Height 
 

40.5 mm
41.1 mm

Forefoot Stack Height 
 

33.0 mm
36.2 mm

Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

7.5 mm
4.9 mm

Advertised Heel-To-Toe Drop 
 

6.0 mm
6.0 mm

External Shape 
 

3D Model Full Shoe  

On Cloudmonster 2 3D Model Full Shoe
Mizuno Neo Zen 3D Model Full Shoe

Outsole Heel Width 
 

84 mm (3.3")
92 mm (3.6")

Outsole Arch Width 
 

78 mm (3.1")
79 mm (3.1")

Outsole Forefoot Width 
 

113 mm (4.5")
111 mm (4.4")
Show Text 

Internal Shape 
 

3D Model Internal  

On Cloudmonster 2 3D Model Internal
Mizuno Neo Zen 3D Model Internal

Internal Length 
 

277 mm (10.9")
275 mm (10.8")

Internal Heel Width 
 

66 mm (2.6")
62 mm (2.4")

Internal Forefoot Width 
 

93 mm (3.7")
93 mm (3.7")

Other Features  

Other Features Photo  

On Cloudmonster 2 Other Features Photo
Mizuno Neo Zen Other Features Photo

Tongue Gusset Type 
 

Fully-gusseted
Non-gusseted

Plate 
 

Plastic
None
Performance

Heel Energy Return 
 

4.0
7.4

Heel Compression Video  

Heel Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Heel Energy Return 
 

75.4%
82.4%
Show Text 

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

4.8
6.9

Forefoot Compression Video  

Forefoot Energy Return  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Forefoot Energy Return 
 

76.2%
80.5%
Show Text 

Heel Cushioning 
 

7.8
9.0

Heel Cushioning Picture  

On Cloudmonster 2 Heel Cushioning Picture
Mizuno Neo Zen Heel Cushioning Picture

Heel Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

1.21 J
1.58 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

3.78 J
4.61 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

6.42 J
7.57 J
Show Text 

Forefoot Cushioning 
 

6.4
8.7

Forefoot Cushioning Picture  

On Cloudmonster 2 Forefoot Cushioning Picture
Mizuno Neo Zen Forefoot Cushioning Picture

Forefoot Cushioning  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Energy Absorbed At 300N 
 

0.87 J
1.39 J

Energy Absorbed At 600N 
 

2.47 J
3.67 J

Energy Absorbed At 900N 
 

4.48 J
5.94 J
Show Text 

Heel Firmness 
 

6.2
4.4

Heel Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

35.6 N/mm
26.9 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

52.3 N/mm
44.6 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

85.6 N/mm
75.6 N/mm
Show Text 

Forefoot Firmness 
 

8.9
6.7

Forefoot Firmness  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Average Firmness 0 To 300N 
 

49.1 N/mm
30.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 300 To 600N 
 

83.5 N/mm
59.4 N/mm

Average Firmness 600 To 900N 
 

113.4 N/mm
98.9 N/mm
Show Text 

On Cloudmonster 2

Mizuno Neo Zen

Comments

  1. Comparison

On Cloudmonster 2 vs Mizuno Neo Zen: Main Discussion

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