Mizuno Wave Sky 6 Performance Review

The Mizuno Wave Sky 5 nailed the fit, comfort, and cushion but also came with a few concerns. The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 doesn’t change much but looks to improve the line with small tweaks. Was the Mizuno team successful in improving the shoe? Let’s find out.

Pros

Cushion

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 midsole is the same one used on the Wave Sky 5 and performs exactly the same. The  Enerzy Core and Enerzy foam combo offers great impact protection. It’s not bouncy per se, but it can handle plenty of distance due to its softness. It’s also got a nice wide base, so there’s plenty of stability alongside the impact protection. That means you get a shoe that, while not great for track or speed work, is versatile enough to handle the rest of your runs.

Tyler: Unlike Drew, I didn’t test the Wave Sky 5, so this was my first go at this model, and it didn’t disappoint. The cushion, while plush, still holds true to the Mizuno line, giving a touch of ground feel to keep things in check while being supportive. I got very strong Vomero 13 vibes from the ride, for those who miss that shoe as much as I do. 

Stretch Woven Upper

Drew: The stretch woven upper of the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is very comfortable and very similar to the version used on the Wave Sky 5. Luckily, Mizuno tweaked the fit, so it’s not as tight as last year’s version and is much more accommodating through the midfoot and heel. The extra space along with the stretchiness built into the fabric helps the shoe mold to your foot and vanquishes any potential hotspots. I’d still recommend wide footers go up half a size to get a little more room, but everyone else should be good with the true-to-size fit thanks to the great upper material.

Tyler: I absolutely love the Stretch Woven upper, which can be hit or miss. Given that this is a max comfort runner, I felt that it struck the right balance of being form-fitting yet comfortable, especially in the toe box (where stretch uppers typically fall flat for me), which complimented the overall ride. Unlike Drew, I would probably recommend a true-to-size fit for most people, so I guess he and I will have to duel for the most appropriate recommendation.

Durability

Drew: Despite its softness, the stretch woven upper can take a beating and not show much wear. And while the outsole rubber’s thin ribbing wears away quickly, the pieces of rubber are thick and large and will last a long time before you can wear through them. The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is a shoe that will look fairly new even as it ages. If that’s important to you, this is one of the few running shoes that meet that criteria.

Tyler: As has been the case with the majority of Mizunos that have come through our doors, durability is (yet again) a non-issue with the Wave Sky 6. The X10 outsole not only holds up well and has a good amount of traction, but as Drew said above, continues to look nearly new after a handful of wet, damp runs. And yes, I am one of those people who like my shoes to stay looking new!

Cons

Weight

Drew: With basically the same build as last year’s version, the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is still pretty heavy. It’s tough to go from something feathery and well-cushioned like the Asics Novablast 3 to the Wave Sky 6. It’s just a lot of added weight for a similar daily trainer. It’s even somewhat annoying to go from the much lighter Mizuno Wave Rider 26 to the Wave Sky 6. I think future iterations of the Wave Sky 6 need a diet.

Tyler: I agree with Drew that this shoe is teetering on the “too heavy” side of things. While somewhat expected for a max-cushioned trainer, buyer beware. On the plus side, I think this shoe would be a great addition if you’re on your feet all day and want something comfortable to keep your lower body ache-free. Oh, and did I mention the gray colorway rocks?

Ride

Drew: This may not be the case for you, but the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 doesn’t hit the ground smoothly for me. Over the past year, I’ve been working on my form and now land in a better position underneath my body. I landed more on my heel when I was testing the Wave Sky 5, and back then the setup felt better. Now, it’s kind of a clompy, horseshoe-like ride. I think the weight distribution of the midsole and outsole might feel best if you’re landing heavily on your heel, but I’m not sure about that. My midfoot/front-of-heel strike feels a bit choppy in this shoe. My stride doesn’t feel smooth and effortless like in the Wave Rider 26, the Puma Deviate Nitro 2, or most of the shoes on our Best Running Shoes list.

Tyler: While the ride was good to me during the test runs, one thing I did notice after the 4-5 mile mark was hotspots underneath the balls of my feet. Initially, I shrugged it off and tried different socks each run, but they would occasionally appear. It wasn’t at the level of ruining a run, but a word of warning to those of you prone to hot spots…

Laces

Drew: Not a big issue here but something to watch out for. You need to double-knot the laces in the summer months. If these particular laces get soaked with sweat or rain they will come undone. I didn’t have any issues once I started double-knotting them.

Tyler: Drew, you forgot to say they’re about 2 inches too long, too.

Price

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is priced too high at $170. As a cushioned daily trainer, it needs to be priced around $140-$150. At $170 it’s touching carbon plate territory and with all the marketing dollars behind those shoes…it’s going to be hard to sell a lot of the Wave Sky 6.

Tyler: Completely agree. At $150, this would be a no-brainer. 

Mizuno Wave Sky 6 Summary

Drew: The Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is a well-cushioned, comfortable shoe. If cushion and upper comfort are your main concerns, get a pair and try them on. You’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. But, even if they feel great, I’d say buy the Wave Sky 5 on sale as it’s almost the exact same shoe. Then you can buy the Wave Sky 6 this time next year when it’s on sale and priced more in line with normal category price points.

Tyler: While it has a few quirks that may bother a handful of nitpicky runners, I think the Mizuno Wave Sky 6 is a great shoe in Mizuno’s line as well as a strong contender for a max cushion running shoe that still provides a bit of ground feel to keep you connected on a run. But after hearing Drew’s thoughts compared to the Wave Sky 5, I would recommend picking up last year’s model on discount, unless you’ve got some rewards or credits and have been eyeing the newer version. All in all, the Wave Sky 6 is a solid shoe that should last a long time.