Best Mizuno Running Shoes 2024
Buyer's Guide | Fleet Feet
Mizuno was founded on the belief that a passion for sports, no matter the level, encourages everyone to push their limits and be a better version of themselves. Mizuno designs shoes to help make that happen.
Known for a smooth ride, high-quality support and a commitment to using recycled and sustainable materials, Mizuno’s continuous development of the best running shoe technology lights the road ahead. With some of the most popular running shoes on the market every year, Mizuno is a great brand for beginners and experts alike.
From shoes that can soak up most of your training miles to race-day models that you bust out to set a new PR, the best Mizuno running shoes will help you reach your goals.
What It’s Best For | Shoe Model |
Best for Everyday Training | Mizuno Wave Rider 27 |
Best for Overpronators | Mizuno Wave Horizon 7 |
Best for Cushioning | Mizuno Wave Sky 7 |
Best for Stability | Mizuno Wave Inspire 20 |
Best for Racing | Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 |
Best for Speedwork | Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2 |
Best for Trails | Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 |
[This article is part of the Fleet Feet Buyer's Guide for The Best Running Shoes 2024. Find all the best running shoes from the top brands for all situations.]
Best Mizuno Running Shoes for Everyday Training
Mizuno Wave Rider 27
The Mizuno Wave Rider 27 is as consistent and comfortable as they come, which is exactly what you need from an everyday running shoe.
The Wave Rider 27 features Mizuno Enerzy foam for a cushioned, bouncy ride and smooth transitions. Designers paired the Enerzy foam with a bio-based wave plate embedded in the midsole that helps to support your foot and propel you forward.
The new smooth and stretchy mesh upper is light, breathable and hugs your foot in all the right places as you tick off the miles. Both the upper and outsole are durable enough to last through daily miles and light enough to wear on race day.
Best Mizuno Running Shoes for Overpronators
Mizuno Wave Horizon 7
The Wave Horizon has been a trusted stability shoe from Mizuno for quite some time. Now with 2 mm of additional ENERZY foam and a wider base, this high-cushioned daily trainer feels smoother than ever. Runners who seek extra support, stability and cushioning will love the signature Mizuno Wave that combines a dual-density midsole with a rubber wall on the medial side (instep) that keeps your stride stable.
We love the Wave Horizon 7 for everything from walking the dog to long runs thanks to the energetic midsole and luxurious stretch woven upper that fits great on a variety of foot shapes.
Best Mizuno Running Shoes for Max Cushion
Mizuno Wave Sky 7
If you want a soft, smooth ride, the Mizuno Wave Sky 7 is the perfect shoe for you.
Mizuno designed the Wave Sky 7 with a two-layer foam composition: Mizuno Enerzy and Mizuno Enerzy Core. Mizuno Enerzy is the slightly firmer of the two foams for a more stable ride, while Enerzy Core is the softest and springiest composition in Mizuno’s lineup. Combined, the two foams deliver a supremely soft and bouncy ride with transitions that feel as smooth as silk. Plus, designers added 2 millimeters more foam to the stack height for even more cushioning during your runs, walks and long hours spent on your feet.
The step-in feeling of this high-cushioned running shoe is soft, stretchy and breathable while the gusseted tongue hugs your foot for an adaptive and secure fit. The Mizuno Wave Sky 7 is one of the best Mizuno running shoes for runners craving a premium cushioned ride.
Best Mizuno Running Shoes for Support
Mizuno Wave Inspire 20
The Mizuno Wave Inspire is a tried and true stability shoe that runners of all levels love. The Wave Inspire 20 features more cushion and improved support to give you a better ride.
Mizuno uses its Wave Plate technology to dial up certain attributes. The Wave Plate creates added stability by dispersing weight evenly across the shoe without feeling overly rigid. This is ideal for people who overpronate or have flexible arches.
Designers incorporated Mizuno Enerzy foam into the midsole to provide responsive cushioning that lasts through daily training and wear. The shock absorption that the Mizuno Energy foam provides adds to the smooth and stable feel of the shoe and makes it an easy favorite.
The Wave Inspire 20 is available in two different uppers, a traditional mesh upper and a more streamlined, smooth stretch-woven upper, so you can pick the look, fit and feel that works best for you.
Best Mizuno Running Shoes for Racing
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2
The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 was designed to be light, fast and efficient to help you reach top speeds on race day. The unique geometry of this shoe is designed to propel you forward with the rocker-like SmoothSpeed Assist design and reinforced carbon plate.
The shoe is streamlined with an incredibly light upper that doesn’t weigh you down and the Mizuno Enerzy Lite+ and Enerzy foam provide you plenty of propulsion, bounce and cushion to run long distances fast.
The Wave Rebellion Pro 2 also has an outsole made with recycled materials that gives you grip in wet conditions and around corners.
Best Mizuno Running Shoes for Speedwork
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash
Get ready to run extra fast during your training in the lightweight Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2. This shoe has a glass fiber reinforced plate combined with a unique geometry that gives you an extra spring in your step and leads to faster transitions.
The shoe has a bouncy, cushioned ride that doesn’t weigh you down, while the outsole material gives you excellent traction for the roads. This snappy shoe will have you cruising through your speedwork on your way to race day.
Best for Trails
Mizuno Wave Mujin 9
The Mizuno Wave Mujin 9 will have you ready to tackle the trails. It uses Mizuno’s lightweight ENERZY foam that can be found in its road line-up to bring that same softness and spring off-road.
The outsole provides amazing traction and support with the Michelin rubber and TPU panel on the side, so you can tackle uneven, muddy and wet surfaces with confidence. The mesh upper keeps your feet cool and comfortable while giving you the protection you need from roots and rocks.
Recent Mizuno Reviews
Mizuno Wave Technology
Mizuno’s Wave technology takes many forms across its range of running shoes.
The Wave’s first job is to promote flexibility. The orientation of the waves creates natural flexibility that works with your foot as it rolls through its transition, but at the same time it resists bending laterally, or from side to side, to improve stability.
After flexibility, the Wave also has to absorb and disperse the impact forces of running and then return some of that energy to create responsiveness. Mizuno says the Wave is able to direct impact forces away from your body but also keep those forces centered in the shoe so you get a more stable feeling.
The new generation of Wave Technology, though, is Mizuno’s Foam Wave. The Foam Wave ditches the traditional plastic insert in favor of foam. Like the Wave Plate, designers influence a shoe’s ride by tweaking the shapes of the wave—flat and rectangular for stability, tall and rounded for cushion.
How We Picked the Best Mizuno Running Shoes
We used data from our fit id® outfitting process, interviews with designers and real-life wear testing to determine the best Mizuno running shoes for most runs and the most runners.
You can shop with confidence at Fleet Feet: We offer free shipping on all orders over $99, and you have 60 days to return any gear if you don’t like the way it looks, fits or feels. Plus, with our price-match guarantee, you can make sure you never pay too much for a new pair of running shoes.
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