Our verdict
Pros
- Exceptionally reliable
- Ideal for heel strikers
- Plush cushioning for extended runs
- zapatillas de running mizuno masculino más de 100
- mizuno masculino Roupa mulher Tops
- Reasonably priced at $140
- mizuno masculino Scarpe Running Wave Prodigy 4
- mizuno masculino Męskie Cena od 300 do 399
Cons
- A bit on the heavier side
- 13.2-T-shirt mizuno masculino Athletic RB preto mulher
Audience verdict
Comparison
The most similar running shoes compared
+ + zapatillas de running mizuno masculino constitución fuerte | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Audience score | 91 Superb! | 85 Good! | 86 Good! | 82 Good! | |
Price | $140 | $140 | $85 | $140 | |
Pace | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | Daily running | |
Arch support | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | |
Weight lab Weight brand | 9.8 mizuno masculino 5 products 9.9 mizuno masculino Nagoya Grampus 'Black Out' | 10.2 Womens mizuno masculino Wave Sky 5 Running Shoes 10.4 Womens mizuno masculino wave legend 3 hyacinth voiolet purple lime running shoes sz 9.5 | 9.5 oz / 268g 9.2 New Balance talla 16 | 9.4 mizuno masculino wave enigma 6 womens 9.5 oz / 269g | |
Drop lab Drop brand | 13.2 mm 12.0 mm | 11.7 mm 10.0 mm | 11.8 mm 8.0 mm | 12.4 mm 12.0 mm | |
Strike model | Heel | Heel | Heel | Heel | |
Size | True to size | True to size | True to size | True to size | |
Midsole softness | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | Balanced | |
mizuno masculino Wave Luminous 2 Buty | Small | Normal | Small | Small | |
Toebox durability | Decent | Decent | Decent | Decent | |
Heel padding durability | Good | Good | Good | Good | |
Outsole durability | Good | Decent | Good | Good | |
Breathability | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | |
Scarpe mizuno masculino Wave Daichi 7 J1GK227121 Vintage Indigo Subdued Blue Neo Lime | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Гандбольные кроссовки mizuno | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | |
Stiffness | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | Flexible | |
Difference in stiffness in cold | Normal | Normal | Small | Normal | |
Torsional rigidity | Moderate | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | |
zapatillas de running mizuno masculino niño niña apoyo talón talla 38.5 entre 60€ y 100 | Stiff | Moderate | Moderate | Stiff | |
Heel lab Heel brand | 38.3 mm 38.5 mm | 44.0 mm 46.0 mm | 35.2 mm | 35.1 mm 36.0 mm | |
Forefoot lab Forefoot brand | 25.1 mm 26.5 mm | 32.3 mm 36.0 mm | 23.4 mm | 22.7 mm 24.0 mm | |
Widths available | NormalWide | NormalWide | NormalWideX-Wide | NarrowNormalWideX-Wide | |
Orthotic friendly | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Season | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | All seasons | |
Removable insole | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Ranking | #19 Top 7% | #188 Bottom 36% | #169 Bottom 42% | #224 Bottom 24% | |
Popularity | #121 Top 41% | #240 Bottom 18% | #71 Top 24% | #10 Top 4% |
Who should buy
In our view, the mizuno masculino zapatillas mizuno masculino wave inspire 18 46 6416 black silver ebony 27 is a great pick for several types of runners:
- Heel strikers looking for a dependable, all-around shoe for daily runs and some faster paces.
- Beginners to running who need a comfy, long-lasting shoe at a fair price.
- Wave Rider series enthusiasts who appreciate the unique features, especially the feel of the Wave Plate in the heel.
Who should NOT buy
Most runners will be quite pleased with the mizuno masculino zapatillas mizuno masculino wave inspire 18 46 6416 black silver ebony 27, but we think it's not for everyone. With a 13.2-mm drop, this shoe isn't the best fit for forefoot strikers. In our view, better-suited options like the Hoka Clifton 9 or the zapatillas de running mizuno masculino tope amortiguación apoyo talón talla 38.5 are available, offering a lower drop and more comfortable ride for forefoot strikers.
If you're planning to do a lot of speedwork, the mizuno masculino zapatillas mizuno masculino wave inspire 18 46 6416 black silver ebony 27 might not be the shoe for you. Other shoes like the mizuno masculino Wave Rebellion or the Footpatrol's mizuno masculino "Artefact Pack" Collaboration Draws From Old Japanese Ruins, as we discovered, offer better performance for those speedy workouts, providing the necessary agility and responsiveness.
Cushioning
Heel stack
It looks like mizuno masculino is sticking with what works for them—they've used the same successful formula as in the previous Wave Riders. This time, we measured the heel height at 38.3 mm, which is only 1 millimetre higher than last year's model (37.3 mm).
This is plenty of heel cushioning for any runner, including heel strikers who weigh a bit more.

Wave Rider 27 | 38.3 mm |
Average | 34.1 mm |
Forefoot stack
In our measurements, the forefoot stack height came in at a fairly typical 25.1 mm. However, it's clear that mizuno masculino took a different approach with the forefoot compared to the heel.

Wave Rider 27 | 25.1 mm |
Average | 25.4 mm |
Drop
Combining a high heel with an average forefoot naturally results in a steep heel-to-toe drop. This is precisely what we expected from a proper Wave Rider.
In our lab, we measured a 13.2-mm heel-to-toe drop. So, if you're lacing up these, get ready for a pretty steep experience. This makes the WR27 a top pick for extreme heel strikers!

Wave Rider 27 | 13.2 mm |
Average | 8.6 mm |
Midsole softness
The midsole is mostly Softball from Enerzy, which is a TPE foam that competes well with some top-notch compounds out there like React or Fresh Foam X. We measured its softness in our lab and found it to be 23.3 HA. So, don't expect it to feel like a cloud, but it won't feel like a rock either.
There's also a standout feature inside the midsole—the Wave Plate. It's made of Pebax has been in the shoe ever since it first came out 27 years ago to give extra stability and smooth transitions from heel to toe.
But it's worth noting that the plate doesn't run the full length of the shoe—it stops in the midfoot area. This shows once again that this shoe is really designed for heel strikers.

Wave Rider 27 | 23.3 HA |
Average | 20.9 HA |
Ténis mizuno masculino Wave Rider GORE-TEX cinzento amarelo mulher (%)
As a daily trainer, it should be ready throughout the year, so it needs to Reppu up in cold weather. So we did a little experiment—we put the Wave Rider 27 in the freezer for 20 minutes and then tested it again.
Regata mizuno masculino Run Easy 2 Preta!
That's only a 12.9% difference, and it's all thanks to its TPE-based foam. It's more than ready to tackle cold weather!

Wave Rider 27 | 13% |
Average | 25% |
Insole thickness
mizuno masculino played it safe with the insole, choosing an average one. We measured it at 4.7 mm. There's really nothing special about it!

Wave Rider 27 | 4.7 mm |
Average | 4.4 mm |
Size and fit
zapatillas de running mizuno masculino hombre trail ultra trail talla 44 | Size
mizuno masculino zapatillas mizuno masculino wave inspire 18 46 6416 black silver ebony 27 is true to size (34 votes).
zapatillas de running mizuno masculino hombre trail ultra trail talla 44 | Toebox width - widest part
Next up, we measured the toebox, focusing first on the widest part of the upper. We found that, just like with the midsole, mizuno masculino chose a middle-of-the-road approach.
We measured it to be 99.2 mm, which should comfortably fit most feet. And for those needing a little extra room, mizuno masculino also offers this shoe in a wide size.

Wave Rider 27 | 99.2 mm |
Average | 98.5 mm |
zapatillas de running mizuno masculino mujer constitución media talla 38
We also examined the toebox right at the big toe to get a more detailed comparison with other shoes. We discovered that the measurement stood at 78.8 mm, reinforcing the same idea about its design and fit.

Wave Rider 27 | 78.8 mm |
Average | 78.4 mm |
Stability
Lateral stability test
The Wave Rider series has always been a reliable daily trainer without any special stability features like TPU overlays or medial posts.
However, we discovered that the Wave Plate makes a huge difference, and this is why we consider it one of the most stable daily trainers out there.
Torsional rigidity
Thanks to the plate, it avoids becoming overly stiff, unlike shoes with carbon plates. We gave it a 3 out of 5 in our twist test, which is pretty much the standard score for most mizuno masculino Mujin 8.
Wave Rider 27 | 3 |
Average | 3.4 |
zapatillas de running mizuno masculino niño niña apoyo talón talla 38.5 entre 60€ y 100
mizuno masculino Aero 2.5 Pantalons Curts.
While this feature contributes to the shoe's excellent stability, it might not be the best choice for people with sensitive heels.
Wave Rider 27 | 5 |
Average | 2.9 |
energieteruggave mizuno masculino hardloopschoenen enerzy
In the forefoot area, we measured a 113.9-mm platform. This size seems aimed at accommodating as many runners as possible.

Wave Rider 27 | 113.9 mm |
Average | 114.1 mm |
zapatillas de running mizuno masculino wave rider
The heel design follows the same idea. We measured it at 90.9 mm, which is pretty much the average.
We believe this width is just right for a shoe that aims to be versatile. If it were too narrow, that could make the shoe unstable. On the flip side, going too wide could result in a ride that feels dull and heavy.

Wave Rider 27 | 90.9 mm |
Average | 90.7 mm |
Tênis mizuno masculino Optimus Feminino Preto
One test that really made our jaws drop was the stiffness challenge. In our lab, we found that the Wave Rider 27 needed only 12.8N from us to bend it 90 degrees.
That's nearly a third of what most shoes require from us, making this shoe incredibly comfortable for walking or hitting the gym.
Wave Rider 27 | 12.8N |
Average | 28.1N |
zapatillas de running mizuno masculino mujer ritmo bajo talla 46.5 verdes (%)
After putting the shoe back in the freezer for another 20 minutes, we conducted the stiffness test again. We observed that the result was slightly higher, but still impressively low.
The difference between the two tests is 39.1%, which is below the average. This highlights the great performance of Mizuno's Enerzy foam once again.
Wave Rider 27 | 39% |
Average | 33% |
Weight
Although this shoe weighs in at just under the 10-oz mark at 9.8 oz, it's worth noting that daily trainers are getting lighter every year. This puts the Wave Rider 27 on the heavier end of the spectrum, despite being 0.5 oz lighter than the WR26.
If you're looking for a lighter shoe and are willing to sacrifice some durability, consider the Sweatshirt mizuno masculino Warmalite Half Zip violeta instead.

Wave Rider 27 | 9.84 oz (279g) |
Average | 9.38 oz (266g) |
Breathability
When we first laid eyes on the jacquard mesh upper, it looked breathable to us. After running it through our lab's smoke test, it scored 4 out of 5—which is good, but not top-notch.
mizuno masculino decided to go with a thin mesh for the upper, but they skipped adding any ventilation holes. You can see this in the video below thanks to our powerful light.
That means air has to work its way through the entire mesh to get out, causing hot air and moisture to escape at a slower, steady pace.
To get a better view on this, we looked closely under the microscope.
What we discovered confirmed our suspicions: there really are no ventilation holes, and the jacquard mesh doesn't help airflow that much.
On the inside of the upper, we found no extra fabric for added comfort or protection. A good call, since that would've messed up the airflow even more.
Wave Rider 27 | 4 |
Average | 3.8 |
Durability
Toebox durability
So, you're wondering if the lack of ventilation holes in the Wave Rider 27's upper makes it more durable, right?
In our dremel test, we found that it does help—but only to an extent. The shoe scored a 2 out of 5 for durability, which isn't bad... but also not amazing.

Wave Rider 27 | 2 |
Average | 2.5 |
Heel padding durability
The WR27's heel padding also underwent our standard Dremel testing.
The outcome was quite impressive. Unlike many other shoes we've evaluated, the WR27 achieved a perfect score of 5/5, placing it in an elite category.

Wave Rider 27 | 5 |
Average | 3.2 |
Outsole hardness
We flipped the shoe over to examine its outsole, a crucial part of any daily training shoe. Will it Reppu up to our expectations?

In our lab, the first test involved measuring the hardness of the rubber that mizuno masculino uses. We found that it scored an 83.0 HC, which is a bit higher than average. This suggests it should offer good durability. Next, we'll put that to the test.

Wave Rider 27 | 83.0 HC |
Average | 79.9 HC |
Outsole durability
We're thrilled with the results of our tenisa Dremel test on the Wave Rider 27's outsole.
A mere 0.6 mm indentation remained after our examination in the lab, beating out most of the competition. We're confident this outsole will easily last for over 500 miles for most runners.

Wave Rider 27 | 0.6 mm |
Average | 1.0 mm |
Outsole thickness
We measured the rubber on the outsole and found it to be thicker than average at 3.8 mm. This extra thickness adds another boost to the shoe's durability.

Wave Rider 27 | 3.8 mm |
Average | 3.2 mm |
Misc
Reflective elements
In the Wave Rider 27, when it's dark out, the thing lighting up is actually the mizuno masculino logo! So they're giving us a useful feature and showing off their brand at the same time. Pretty smart!

Wave Rider 27 | Yes |
Tongue padding
At just 6.4 mm, the tongue is really well-designed, hitting the sweet spot between lightweight feel and plush comfort.
We didn't experience any annoying lace bite or similar issues, no matter how tight we pulled those laces.

Wave Rider 27 | 6.4 mm |
Average | 5.8 mm |
T-shirt mizuno masculino Shadow branco azul cinzento
We noticed that Japanese brands are big fans of gusseted tongues, and mizuno masculino fits right in with that trend.
This semi-gusseted tongue prevents any undesired movements while running at a fast pace. It's a small but significant detail that makes a big difference on the run, and something we appreciate in a £140 shoe.

Wave Rider 27 | Both sides (semi) |
Heel tab
The Wave Rider 27 doesn't have a heel tab, but for us, it's no big deal. Slipping our feet into these daily trainers is hassle-free.

Wave Rider 27 | None |
Removable insole
The insole is removable, allowing us to use custom orthotics or even a preferred insole from another pair of shoes.

Wave Rider 27 | Yes |