This is a pair of shoes that are great trainers for neutral runners.
First out of the box, I was surprised by the light weight of the shoes. The cushion that it donned made it look heavy but I was proven wrong. When I first slipped my feet into the shoes, it was a joy to feel the cushion from both the tongue and the shoes wrap around my ankle. I had no problems with the width of the shoes as well. When I stood up, the thickness of the soles did prove significant as I felt “further” from the ground.
I did five kilometres and long runs on the roads and pavements. For the cushion it gave, it was surprising lightweight compared to heavier ones that I’ve tried like the Asics Gel Kayano. The Wave Technology did give a bouncier feel and the significant heel-to-toe drop of the shoes did provide a smooth ride and transition from heel to toe. Being a midfoot striker, this pair of shoes did not cause any discomfort despite being built for heel strikers. Downhills are a joy to cruise in these pair of shoes but there’s also additional effort needed to climb up the hills – perhaps due to the significant heel-to-toe drop. The thickness of the sole gave me less control of my landing compared to the other shoes I’ve used with less cushioning. Hence I strongly recommend that this pair of shoes remain on the road and not be tested in the trails.
Its Intercool feature, evident by the mesh outer covering, provides good ventilation. I did not have any incidents of overheating in them. However, this pair of shoes will do nothing to avoid the moisture from puddles as water seeps through easily. Wet pavements are another enemy for this pair of shoes as the traction is not very impressive; the shoes are easily broken into. By the second run, I was already used to the feel of the shoes without any blisters or hot spots on any occasion.
As a whole, the Mizuno Wave Rider 14 is a superb trainer for road runs. There shouldn’t be problems clocking mileage in this very well cushioned pair of shoes. I would recommend this pair of shoes to anyone looking for a cheaper pair of trainers with great cushioning and fit. For minimalist runners out there, I feel that these pair of shoes may not be suitable due to the thickness of the soles and lesser feet to ground interaction.
Runner’s Boon
- Pretty lightweight for a well cushioned trainer
- Snug fit cushioning that wraps around the ankle for comfort
- Runners can easily break into the shoes (no blisters or discomfort even from the first run)
- Significant heel-to-toe drop allows for smooth transitioning (not a problem for mid-foot strikers as well)
- Wave Technology provides a springy feel
Runner’s Bane
- Soles of the shoes are pretty thick (pretty much used to minimalist running so thicker soles give me a feeling of lesser contact with the ground resulting in instability of the ankle)
- Mesh of the shoes gives ventilation but moisture seeps through the shoes too easily
- Relatively poor traction especially on wet pavements
Technical Specifications
- Weight – 310g (US 8.5)
- Mizuno Wave® – Unique technology that provides both cushioning and stability and can be engineered for all types of runners
- Gender Engineering – Based on biomechanical research into the differences between men’s and women’s gait, Mizuno constructs the midsole/outsole of each gender differently to improve the ride, performance and comfort
- ap+ – Amazing ride from Mizuno’s new midsole compound; increased cushioning and comfort levels that just go on feeling new due to a huge improvement in durability
- Dynamotion Fit – The Dynamotion Fit system uses the latest motion capture and biomechanics technology to develop a design blueprint to engineer shoes that work with your foot throughout the gait cycle
- SmoothRide – Engineering approach to minimise the rapid acceleration and deceleration of the foot during transition, creating the smoothest ride possible
- VS-1 – Shock-absorbing cushioning compound found in the forefoot
- AIRmesh – Provides the utmost in breathability and comfort of the upper
- Premium Insock – Removable OrthoLite® insock for premium comfort, cushioning and durability
- pebax Rnew® – Wave plate constructed from pebax Rnew®, which is made from plant based oil that’s sustainable and produces less carbon while retaining all performance characteristics
Where to find them?
The Mizuno Wave Rider 14 (Men & Women) is available at selected World of Sports stores and authorised dealers.
