7 Mizuno Wave Equate 4

After subjecting Mizuno running shoes to both real-world runs and rigorous lab examinations, we proudly present the Wave Rider 27 as our top pick. We found it to be very versatile and comfortable across a range of speeds and distances. It features the renowned Wave Plate for a stable and smoother ride and ensures a long shoe lifespan with its durable outsole.

The midsole strikes the perfect balance between comfort and stability, featuring a high heel with just the right amount of softness. Our 23.3 HA durometer reading aligns with the average, while the elevated 38.3 mm heel amplifies a gentler underfoot sensation.

An outstanding feature contributing to confident strides is the Wave Plate in the heel, promoting steady landings and seamless transitions. Despite its rigidity, the shoe maintains longitudinal flexibility. Our bend test confirms it’s 55.9% more adaptive than average—making it suitable for walking and other activities.

The robust outsole exhibits remarkable resilience, showing minimal wear after extensive testing. Our lab metrics confirm its superior durability, boasting higher hardness (83.0 vs. 80.3 HC), increased thickness (3.8 vs. 3.2 mm), and greater resistance to indentation from our Dremel (0.6 vs. 0.9 mm) compared to the average.

With its modest forefoot, the 13.2 mm drop might feel too steep for forefoot strikers. We believe this shoe will be enjoyed best by heel strikers.

We tested Mizuno running shoes in and out of the lab and found the Wave Sky 8 as the perfect companion to gobble up the miles without leg fatigue. The lab shows the numbers, but our feet can confirm it’s Mizuno’s best daily trainer because of its ultra-soft, cloud-like cushion, effortless ride, and light build.

Our caliper reveals a sky-high 40.7/30.7 mm stack, 6.8/5.4 mm taller than average. It has generous cushioning for us to finish long runs comfortably, regardless of footstrike and weight. It gives a good amount of energy return, which we truly enjoyed, notably the Enerzy NXT layer right beneath our foot. Our durometer reveals it’s a plush 14.0 HA, while the base layer is a firmer 26.4 HA for stability and protection from wear.

Contrary to most maximalists, Wave Sky 8 made us feel very agile thanks to its light and flexible midsole. We expect a shoe of this height to surpass the 10-oz mark but our scales revealed it’s only 9.6 oz (271g)! Meanwhile, the outsole includes large flex grooves and its purpose came alive in our bend test. Wave Sky 8 emerged 23.0% more malleable than average, making it versatile for activities beyond running.

However, because of its plush and stacked midsole, this shoe is only suitable for neutral runners. Those looking for extra support should check stability shoes.

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion is an extremely lightweight, ultra-responsive, and super cushioned shoe that’s ready for any and all runs. A speedy shoe with a unique geometry, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion is our pick for the best speed trainer in the Mizuno running shoe lineup.

Weighing in at 247g (8.71 oz), it is significantly lighter than the average of road running shoes at 268g (9.45 oz). Aside from being light on the scales, it also feels almost weightless on the feet.

Responsiveness abounds with the Wave Rebellion. Its midsole is moderately firm, just a hair below the average (0.8%) while an embedded fiberglass plate provides a lively pop that we enjoyed during our speed sessions.

Measuring 36.4 mm at the heel stack, it has more foam than the average of 33.2 mm. We actually felt this notable stack difference with every step, and it made our runs so much more comfortable. 

Unfortunately, on our outsole durability test with the Dremel, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion took much more damage than the average (3.9 mm vs 0.9 mm). We recommend runners to look at other options for daily runs and easy runs that do not require speed.

Already in its name, Wave Rebellion Pro 2 is a one-of-a-kind rebel racer. With its unconventional geometry, crazy stack height, and light build, it delivers a uniquely enjoyable ride. Through our runs and lab tests, we discovered it's insanely responsive and is the best Mizuno race shoe for a niche market—fast and technical midfoot strikers.

At first glance and slip-on, this racer immediately stands out with its innovative design. Featuring an ultra-thick midfoot foam for comfort, it boasts a U-shaped rocker that amplifies forward momentum. To stay within the 40-mm race-legal limit, the heel has less foam at 37.9 mm. The forefoot measures a staggering 35.8 mm, the highest we’ve encountered among hundreds of lab-tested shoes.

The midsole boasts a dual-density foam, comprising a soft and responsive 16.0 HA top layer according to our durometer, complemented by a firmer 26.0 HA bottom layer for added support. Nestled between these layers is another remarkable feature: the nylon Wave plate. Unlike the typical carbon plate, our bend test confirms it offers less resistance, requiring a force of 58.4N—a figure falling between daily trainers and supershoes.

Despite its monstrous size, this racer is astonishingly light at 7.4 oz (209g), at par with other speedsters.

Because of its build, this shoe is unstable and won't deliver its maximum performance for heel and forefoot strikers. 

With its thick and balanced midsole, flexible and breathable upper, and unobtrusive support, there is no other Mizuno shoe that offers a higher level of overall comfort than the Wave Horizon 6.

The Wave Horizon 6 delivers major underfoot comfort with its massive midsole, which has 3.9 mm more foam in the heel and 6.4 mm more in the forefoot, respectively. Moreover, that midsole is remarkable because it is made up of three layers, whose average softness came in at 22 HA. That is just a bit softer than the average of 24.5 HA, and we certainly felt it was well-balanced: not too soft and not too firm.

Meanwhile, the shoe’s simply constructed upper contributes to the overall comfort with its flexibility and breathability. The tongue is only minimally padded as we measured it at just 3.6 mm, 2.2 mm thinner than the average running shoe.

And while the Wave Horizon 6 is known more as a stability shoe, it offers a much less intrusive type of support compared to other stability shoes. The shoe achieves that level of stability through an exceptionally wide base, which is 6.7 mm and 7.3 mm wider in the forefoot and heel, respectively. 

However, the Wave Horizon 6 is a markedly hefty shoe. At 11.04 oz (313g), it's a good 1.48 oz (42g) heavier than the average road shoe, so those looking for a more lightweight trainer should look elsewhere.

We went on runs and took apart Mizuno running shoes in search of the best stability shoe—and we found the 20th Wave Inspire. It strikes the equilibrium between comfort and support. It has elements that subtly guide us, allowing us to stride naturally. Plus, its stellar X10 rubber outsole is a perfect mix of durability and traction.

The main stability features are the vast platform and Wave plate. The extra width ensures safe landings without adding intrusive elements for a cozier ride. While the rigid Wave plate’s positioning under our arches feels extra supportive. It prevents ankle rolls and excessive lateral movements, as proven by our torsional rigidity test when it received a high 4/5 mark.

Unlike most stability shoes, Wave Inspire highlights comfort in our ride. Its loose build allows us to move freely. In our flex test, it takes 28.6% less force to bend vs. the average. Underfoot, it offers plushness without being mushy. Our durometer shows average firmness and amplifies its softness through its 37.7/25.1 mm stack.

Completing this package is a robust outsole that barely showed signs of wear after our runs and displayed reliable traction on wet pavements, thanks to its wavy pattern and mini lugs.

We discovered a steep 12.6 mm heel drop more suited for heel-strikers. Runners seeking a more leveled platform should look elsewhere.

The Mizuno Neo Vista sets itself apart with its unmatched fun and cushioning. Beyond its sock-like upper and mega stack, Neo Vista offers a unique experience through its insane speed and surprising flexibility in our runs. Ultimately, our lab agrees it’s the best Mizuno supertrainer.

At first glance, it’s obvious the stack is massive but the actual numbers took our breath away: a skyscraper 44.9/35.3 mm stack. The forefoot is even taller than other shoes’ heels! This platform is packed with a soft 15.6 HA ENERZY NEXT foam, which feels cloudlike yet electric! We felt protected and energized regardless of footstrike or distance.

Amazingly, Neo Vista didn’t burden us with its weight as it’s only 9.1 oz (259g). It also barely resisted our feet when bending, which made the ride more effortless. Our 90-degree test confirms it’s 13.5% more flexible than the average running shoe.

Besides its maximalist nature, Neo Vista surprised us with its fluidity because of the Wave Plate nestled in the foam. This nylon plate serves to stabilize the ride without adding too much rigidity. To neutralize potential imbalances, Neo Vista also expanded its 120.8/97.9 mm base for safe landings.

However, the sock-like upper presents limited airflow. Therefore, we can’t recommend this to runners training in hot weather.