Best Mizuno Running Shoes

Mizuno Neo Vista

Perhaps one of the best under the radar shoes on the market, the Mizuno Neo Vista, sports a radical geometry (called Smooth Speed Assist) that pay dividends on long runs. The geometry makes you feel like you’re falling forward with every step and keeps your stride smooth as the miles drag on. The Mizuno Enerzy NXT foam and plant-based Wave Plate also provide good bounce. And though we were initially skeptical of the knit upper, it adapts well to most if not all foot shapes and can be considered wide foot friendly. The collar may hit too high on the ankle for some but it’s nothing a pair of crew socks can’t solve. The $180 price point feels high at first glance but you get everything you pay for with this ultra smooth, versatile, and fun shoe.

Fits: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $180

Mizuno Wave Sky 8

The Mizuno Wave Sky 8 is the best performing and best looking Wave Sky yet. The line has long been a solid performer delivering a cushioned yet somewhat firm and stable underfoot feel. The Wave Sky 8 fits true to size with good room in the forefoot while the midfoot and heel are somewhat narrow. The stretch woven upper is comfortable and moldable while the gusseted tongue features a bunch of thick cushion. It’s a shoe that molds to your foot the more you wear it. The beefy heel counter is hard and unforgiving for those with sensitive heels or Haglund’s Deformity. The Wave Sky 8 is a reliable daily trainer that will make buyers happier if they use a coupon to get that too high $170 price tag down a bit.

Fits: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $170

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Flash 2 is your best bet for a speed day shoe from the current Mizuno lineup and it can fill the daily trainer role pretty well too. It feels light on foot but still packs a ton of rubber on the outsole. That outsole, in typical Mizuno fashion, hardly shows wear and is ready for the long haul. The fairly standard mesh upper is minimal and breathable but still comfy.

Underfoot the Mizuno Enerzy Lite and Glass Fiber Infused Nylon Wave plate make the shoe feel poppy. The heel cutaway takes some getting used to but as long as you’re not a heavy heel striker, the aggressive Mizuno geometry will pay dividends as the pace increases. The stability is also solid with the layer of firmer Enerzy foam beneath the plate.

The Wave Rebellion Flash 2 is also a good option for flat footers who don’t want much of an arch and wide footers who enjoy the Mizuno midsole geometry.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 1mm, Price: $170

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2

After returning to the marathon racing shoe arena with the Wave Rebellion Pro, Mizuno’s Wave Rebellion Pro 2 refines the concept while still maintaining the fun factor and aggressive geometry of the original. The Wave Rebellion Pro 2 is the most aggressive super shoe on the market (edging out the Puma Fast-R 2). The midsole is cut into a supercharged rocker shape without much of a heel. This shape puts you on your midfoot/forefoot more than any other shoe. Because of that, the Wave Rebellion Pro 2 demands better running form and you may feel some accompanying soreness as you break it in. But once you get the hang of it, the bounce is elite. Every step feels like you’re getting a ton of energy return.

The upper is comfy but made of basic engineered mesh so it’s nothing special. Mizuno solved the sizing issues from the first version and the Pro 2 fits true to size. And you may be thinking a shoe this tall will feel unstable…but you’d be wrong. You can take corners fast in the Wave Rebellion Pro 2 because the G3 outsole grips everything and the upper locks your foot onto the footbed. Mizuno nailed it with this one.

Fits: True to size, Drop: 2mm, Price: $250

Mizuno Wave Inspire 20

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 20 is an extremely versatile, moderately priced stability shoe. The stability features aren’t overwhelming so they do the job without feeling oppressive. And while the laces are ridiculously long, that’s our only (minor) gripe. The ground feel is great while still delivering a solid amount of cushion. And the lockdown was near perfect. Think of the Wave Inspire 20 as a great daily trainer with extra stability thrown in for good measure.

Fit: True to size, Drop: 12mm, Price: $140

Mizuno Wave Rider 28

Mizuno’s flagship Wave Rider series continues to march on and is now firmly under the radar. But the shoe itself is also firm (compared to most shoes on the market) so that’s part of why it’s not in the spotlight. The Wave Plate at the heel is stiff. After some break in time, the heel will feel more natural and the shoe as a whole will soften (slightly).

There’s plenty of rubber coverage, and when combined with the durable foam, this is a shoe built to last. The upper is comfortable but basic, and comes in two widths. The Wave Rider 28 is a solid running shoe without any eye popping technology. And at $140, you can find better value elsewhere. For Wave Rider and Mizuno fans, it’s another solid offering in the long-running line.

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 12mm, Price: $140

Mizuno Wave Neo Ultra

The Mizuno Wave Neo Ultra is a sustainability-focused, well-rounded daily running shoe that’s priced a little too high. It’s a little heavy with a collar height that isn’t for everyone, but the comfortable knit upper tops a buffet of Mizuno’s best foams. It’s Mizuno’s plushest shoe but can still pick up the pace when needed. It’s definitely worth grabbing if you can find a good sale. Read the full review. 

Fit: True to Size, Drop: 8mm, Price: $250