Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 Performance Review

The long awaited sequel to Mizuno’s highest end volleyball shoe is finally here. The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 picks up where the its predecessor left off, but with some key changes and improvements. The Wave Plate is still there, but this time it’s under Mizuno’s new Enerzy foam midsole, previously seen in their running shoes. The Wave Momentum 2 comes in low and mid-top varieties, and I tried both for this review. This newest volleyball shoe in the popular Mizuno line is a great volleyball-specific option for any player. It’s also one of the best volleyball shoes for training.

Pros

Enerzy Foam Cushioning (Bounce)

Starting with the biggest change, the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 changes its cushion setup from the U4ic midsole to a Mizuno Enerzy midsole. This is Mizuno’s new high-energy-return foam, and it’s immediately noticeable when you put on the shoe.

It’s not the softest riding foam, but in my experience, it was extremely responsive. When combined with Mizuno’s Wave Plate Technology, the Enerzy foam felt very bouncy underfoot.

Approach jumps felt explosive and lateral movements felt quick. Shoes will sometimes seem to “lag” slightly in softer foam setups, but that was not the case here. The new Enerzy cushioning is a huge step up in “bounciness” from the first Wave Momentum.

Lateral Stability

The lateral stability in these sneakers is also excellent. I felt confident and was not thinking about the shoe at all as I pushed off to block at the pin or reach for a dig. The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 has a very wide outrigger built into the outsole that ensures your foot will not roll over it. Additionally, your foot kind of sits inside the “frame” of the midsole/outsole when you wear them, in a way that’s fairly unique to this shoe.

Between the Wave Plate, the heavier Enerzy foam, and the substantial heel counter, your foot is cradled into the shoe in a manner that is both comfortable and effective. This means your foot is always in the right place to maximize energy transfer and stability whether jumping or pushing off laterally. This is a massive improvement from the first Wave Momentum, which I felt was leaning more towards instability. 

Traction

There isn’t much to say about the traction. Mizuno uses high-quality rubber that always seems to grip the court. With a varied tread pattern based on circles and wide curves, the outsole wipes easily (if needed) and reliably bites into plastic and wood court surfaces. The Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 wasn’t the craziest bite I’ve ever felt, but I did not slip at all and anyone would be satisfied with the traction. 

Wave Plate Torsional Support

Torsional support in volleyball shoes is usually pretty black and white. Either the shoe promotes bending and flexibility in only the healthy directions and locations or it doesn’t. In this case, the Wave Plate does its job and the shoe is supportive through the arch while allowing the toes to flex comfortably. The Wave plate also notably helps in transferring energy from your heel through your toes when taking an approach jump, which is crucial in volleyball. 

Cons

Enerzy Foam Cushioning (Softness)

The first con is closely linked to the first pro: the cushion setup. The Enerzy foam is all about responsiveness, but it loses some points for impact protection and joint comfort. The gym I usually play in has partially thick flooring, where the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 felt fine.

But the other portion of the floor is closer to the traditional tournament-style thin court over cement. On that side, I could definitely feel the impacts in my feet and as time went on, in my knees and back as well. If you play on wood or high-quality plastic sports courts, this will be a non-issue. But for some players, this will be a concern. 

Lockdown (Upper Fit)

The lockdown in the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 is a little odd. It’s provided entirely by the heel counter and shoelaces, which both work great. The problem is that the toebox is very wide and fairly tall relative to where your foot sits.

Narrow feet are likely to feel lost in the toebox. I tied the laces fairly tight and noticed no slipping, but as someone who prefers to be on the snug side in the toes, it wasn’t ideal.

The length hit right around where it should, but my feet weren’t touching the sides or top of the toebox unless I really tightened the laces. I do have a slightly narrow foot, but this is not usually an issue for me. I would probably recommend trying to go down ½ a size if you have a narrow foot. 

Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 Summary

In summary, the Mizuno Wave Momentum 2 is an excellent performer that feels great moving laterally and feels bouncy, even if it can feel a little rough on the landings. The Enerzy foam can be a little heavy. But it’s definitely something worth trying, especially if you’re one of the many volleyball players that prefer Mizuno. You’ll notice I didn’t call out much difference between the low and mid-top versions, and that’s because I didn’t feel a difference in performance. Higher ankle cuts don’t prevent ankle twists and sprains but are mostly about comfort. The mid-top didn’t feel restrictive in any way, so if you’re someone who prefers mid-ankle height shoes, don’t hesitate to get the mid versions.