7 Best Mizuno Running Shoes in 2023

Jens Jakob Andersen
Jens Jakob Andersen on
| Reviewed using methodology 1.6
7 Best Mizuno Running Shoes in 2023
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Mizuno has always been known for its durable, long-distance running shoes. But because we know that different runners need different shoes, we’ve selected some of the best choices from different categories. 

Whether it’s for flat feet, premium cushioning, or just the best Mizuno shoe overall, we’ve got our top picks ready for you. To ensure we only give you the best, we have tested nearly 70 Mizuno running models.

Best overall
Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Mizuno Wave Rider 25
$135 $80 From Amazon
Best stability
Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 Mizuno Wave Horizon 6
$170 $128 From Amazon
Best with wide toebox
Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 Mizuno Wave Inspire 18
$130 $56 From Zappos
Best for long distance
Mizuno Wave Sky 5 Mizuno Wave Sky 5
$170 $68 From Amazon
Best cushioning
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Mizuno Wave Rebellion
$180 $74 From Amazon
Best value
Mizuno Wave Sky WaveKnit 3 Mizuno Wave Sky WaveKnit 3
$160 $55 From Amazon
Most popular
Mizuno Wave Creation 20 Mizuno Wave Creation 20
$170 $105 From Amazon
See all 32 mizuno running shoes

    How we test running shoes

    Because we’re geeks over everything running shoes, we’ve tested tens of Mizuno shoes to pick the greatest. And to do so, we have done the following: 

    • We pay for the shoes with our own money for transparency. 
    • For each shoe, we run at least 30-50 miles in varying conditions. 
    • They then get cut into pieces, so we can measure them with 30+ parameters like softness, breathability, durability, and more. 

    Through our own system, we gather multiple expert and user reviews to come up with a CoreScore (from 0-100), which is integral in the shoe’s ranking. 

    Best Mizuno running shoes overall

    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Features
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Features
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Parts
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Cross Section
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Saw
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Saw
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Cross Section Heel
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Reveal
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Reveal
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Cut
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Cut
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Insole Thickness
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Tongue Thickness
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Cross Section Tongue
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Stack Heel
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Flex
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Flex
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Flex-Test
    Mizuno-Wave-Rider-25-Flex-Test
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Weight
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Outsole
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Outsole Thickness
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Outsole%20(2)
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Upper
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Upper Side
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Wave
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Reflective Side
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25 Reflective Heel
    Mizuno Wave Rider 25
    90
    Superb!

    What makes it the best?

    Mizuno aims at lighter and peppier with the Wave Rider 25. This daily trainer is flexible, comfortable, and perfect for the heel strikers out there that need a ton of foam in the heel to softly dampen impact. The shoe is breathable, and light on the environment with its recycled mesh upper. It’s a great entry point into running shoes for the beginner runner but ultimately falls short for those looking for something a bit more high-performance.

    Pros

    • Lightweight
    • Comfortable
    • Breathable
    • Stable for pronators
    • Grippy
    • Durable

    Cons

    • Too much drop
    • Tall heel
    • Heel slip
    Full review of Mizuno Wave Rider 25

    Today's best price

    Men
    Women
    Any color
    Grey (J1GC210393)
    Neo Lime (J1GC210315)
    Harbor Blue (411319HBHB)
    Peacock Blue (4113205C5C)
    Imperial Blue (4113215R5R)
    Grey (4113199LTU)
    Legion Blue Harbor Blue (411320LGHB)
    905E (411349905E)
    More colors
    $80
    See deal  
    $80
    See deal  
    $85
    See deal  
    $98
    See deal  
    $105
    See deal  
    $140
    See deal  

    Best Mizuno stability running shoes

    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 main image
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-cutting-in-half
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-cutting-in-half
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 lab view
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 outdoor run
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-reflective-elements
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-reflective-elements
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 cut in half
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 forefoot stack height
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 heel stack height
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 freezer
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-running
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-running
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 pieces of a shoe
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 outsole
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-flexibility
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-flexibility
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 overlays upper
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-upper-light-test
    Mizuno-Wave-Horizon-6-upper-light-test
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 tongue thickness
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 laces
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 scale
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 outsole thickness
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 jump
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6 stretch
    Mizuno Wave Horizon 6
    88
    Great!

    What makes it the best?

    The Wave Horizon 6 from Mizuno is a stability running shoe that's built ready for cruising long miles and giving your feet and legs the rest day they deserve during recovery sessions. Unlike other stability shoes, the Horizon 6 doesn't feel harsh. As a matter of fact, it's a very comfy shoe that will give you all the cushioning you crave.

    Pros

    • Support that's not harsh
    • Impact-absorbing
    • Gives your stride a boost
    • Very comfy for recovery runs
    • Stable when cornering
    • Breathable
    • Keeps the foot in place
    • Grip that sticks

    Cons

    • Long break-in period
    • Comes with a hefty tag
    Full review of Mizuno Wave Horizon 6

    Today's best price

    Men
    Women
    Any color
    Black (4113519073)
    Estate Blue (411351UG73)
    Smoke Blue Ebony (411351KBEY)
    $128
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  

    Best Mizuno running shoes with wide toebox

    Mizuno Wave Inspire 18
    90
    Superb!

    What makes it the best?

    The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 is a solid daily trainer. It might not impress with its traditional design, but taking all the good from its previous iterations it’s now versatile, responsive, extremely durable and a great choice for mild to moderate overpronators who want support on easy and recovery runs.

    Pros

    • Excellent durability
    • Roomy toebox
    • Softer than previous iterations
    • Very comfortable upper
    • Amazing traction
    • Smart support for overpronation
    • Surprisingly responsive
    • Feels lighter than its weight
    • Made from renewable materials

    Cons

    • Laces could be shorter
    • Can be warm in hot environments
    Full review of Mizuno Wave Inspire 18

    Today's best price

    Men
    Women
    Any color
    Smoke Blue White (411355KB00)
    Ultimate Grey/Silver (411355UG73)
    Black (J1GC224404)
    0A90 (4113550A90)
    Grey (411357UG73)
    Neo Lime/Misty Blue (4113554M5C)
    $56
    See deal  
    $56
    See deal  
    $90
    See deal  
    $100
    See deal  
    $105
    See deal  
    $140
    See deal  

    Best Mizuno running shoes for long distance

    Mizuno Wave Sky 5
    90
    Superb!

    What makes it the best?

    It's clear as day that the Wave Sky 5 from Mizuno is a cruiser that's made for your easy and recovery days on the road. If you're looking for something fast with an all-around quality, you might want to consider the Mizuno Wave Rider 25 instead. In a nutshell, the Mizuno Wave Sky 5 is a premium-priced training flat with premium comfort. It's like a "luxury sedan" for the feet, made for slow-paced runs from short to long distances.

    Pros

    • Well-cushioned
    • Stable
    • Protective
    • Responsive
    • Essential for easy days
    • Snug fit
    • Smooth and plush upper
    • Secure fit
    • Ample support
    • Durable outsole
    • Attractive

    Cons

    • Lacks breathability
    • Expensive
    • Heavy
    • Limited toe splay
    Full review of Mizuno Wave Sky 5

    Today's best price

    Men
    Women
    Any color
    Green (4113275C5C)
    Black (4113309090)
    Steel Grey (4113279M9M)
    Trooper (411327TRTR)
    9090 (4113279090)
    5R06 (4113275R06)
    $68
    See deal  
    $90
    See deal  
    $105
    See deal  
    $128
    See deal  
    $150
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  

    Mizuno running shoes with best cushioning

    Mizuno Wave Rebellion
    86
    Great!

    What makes it the best?

    The Mizuno Wave Rebellion is a speed trainer that shines in short, fast-paced efforts. And if it's a highly stable tempo shoe you're after, this is THE shoe. Because of its soft heel, experts find it more suitable for heel strikers. The Rebellion is pitted against the Saucony Endorphin Speed 2. But because of its ill-fitting upper, it pales in comparison.

    Pros

    • Delivers a stable ride
    • Ample support
    • Light
    • Durable
    • Excellent midfoot fit
    • Breathable
    • Sufficient cushioning
    • Reliable traction

    Cons

    • Sloppy fit
    • Stiff and firm
    • Lace bite issues
    • Rigid heel counter
    Full review of Mizuno Wave Rebellion

    Today's best price

    Men
    Women
    Any color
    Princess Blue Paradise Green Diva Pink (J1GC211783)
    Blue (J1GC211728)
    Neo Lime (4113314M4M)
    $74
    See deal  
    $90
    See deal  
    $97
    See deal  
    $120
    See deal  
    $135
    See deal  

    Best value

    Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 toe box
    Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 laces
    Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 heel collar
    Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 midsole 1
    Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 outsole
    Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 road running shoes 1
    Mizuno Wave Sky Waveknit 3 cushioned running shoes
    Mizuno Wave Sky WaveKnit 3
    91
    Superb!

    What makes it the best?

    If you are looking for a max-cushioned shoe that you can use as a daily trainer and that will last for hundreds of miles, the Waveknit 3 may be for you. It is an exceptionally well-built shoe, very durable, and should last at least 400 miles, if not more. However, be warned that it’s way too heavy and lacks breathability. With a price tag of $160, there are so many other options at or below that price point that I would prefer.

    Pros

    • Solid lockdown
    • Step-in comfort
    • Good energy return
    • Outsole will last hundreds of miles

    Cons

    • Heavy
    • Little breathability
    • No reflective elements
    Full review of Mizuno Wave Sky WaveKnit 3

    Today's best price

    Men
    Women
    Any color
    Black (4111089090)
    Grey (4111079ZVB)
    Multi (411106MB00)
    Campanula-silver (4111065G73)
    Grey (J1GC192534)
    $55
    See deal  
    No stock  
    No stock  
    No stock  

    Most popular Mizuno running shoes

    Mizuno Wave Creation 20
    86
    Great!

    What makes it the most popular?

    People were generally appreciative of the Mizuno Wave Creation 20. They were happy with what it had to offer. The cushioning system was highlighted for being highly supportive and pleasant from the start. The in-shoe experience was also welcomed as it gave comfort throughout the day.

    Pros

    • Well-cushioned
    • Helps with plantar fasciitis
    • No break-in required
    • Comfortable ride
    • Efficient traction

    Cons

    • Small toebox
    • Outsole wears down quickly
    Full review of Mizuno Wave Creation 20

    Today's best price

    Men
    Women
    Any color
    Grey (4110604K9W)
    Grey (4110609S97)
    Black (4110609090)
    Stormy Weather Silver (4110609J73)
    Festival Fuchsia (4110616W6W)
    Grey (4110609T90)
    Turkish Sea (411060TSTS)
    $105
    See deal  
    $113
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  
    $170
    See deal  

    Comparison of the 7 best Mizuno running shoes

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    Best
    CoreScore
    Users rating
    Experts
    Best price
    Ranking
    Popularity
    # of colorways
    Author
    Jens Jakob Andersen
    Jens Jakob Andersen

    Jens Jakob is a fan of short distances with a 5K PR at 15:58 minutes. Based on 35 million race results, he's among the fastest 0.2% runners. Jens Jakob previously owned a running store, when he was also a competitive runner. His work is regularly featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, BBC and the likes as well as peer-reviewed journals. Finally, he has been a guest on +30 podcasts on running.

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