Mizuno Wave Rider 28 review

We believe the Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a strong choice for:

• Heel strikers seeking a reliable, all-purpose shoe for daily runs, walking, or even casual wear.
• Beginners willing to invest slightly more for a well-cushioned, durable workhorse.
• Loyal Wave Rider fans, as this update maintains its core identity while introducing Enerzy NXT foam for a bouncier ride.

We believe that one of the biggest drawbacks of the Wave Rider 28 is its firm midsole. Runners who prefer a softer, more energetic ride should consider the Mizuno Neo Vista instead.

Additionally, the extremely steep drop is far from ideal for midfoot or forefoot strikers. In our view, the Wave Rider 28 heavily favours heel strikers, making it a poor fit for those with a more forward-leaning stride. For a more balanced alternative, we recommend the ASICS Novablast 5 or the New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v15.

The Wave Rider has consistently ranked among Mizuno’s highest-stacked shoes, and we see no sign of that changing. Our measurements confirmed a towering 39.3 mm of heel stack—plenty of cushion to keep heel strikers comfortable on multi-hour runs.

It’s also a slight increase over the previous version, as we recorded 38.3 mm in the Wave Rider 27.

On the flip side, the wedge-shaped design limits forefoot cushioning to a moderate 24.6 mm, providing ample ground feel—especially for heavier runners.

That leaves us with a towering 14.7 mm offset—putting the Wave Rider 28 in the top 1% of our lab-tested shoes with the highest drops. While that number might seem extreme, it's only 2.7 mm off Mizuno’s official 12-mm spec.

That said, this design stays true to the Wave Rider series, which has always been a high-drop, heel-striker-friendly shoe.

The Wave Rider 28’s midsole gets a much-needed overhaul, and we believe it’s a step in the right direction. Mizuno now incorporates a dual-foam setup, blending a main slab of Enerzy with a secondary layer of Enerzy NXT positioned just below the plate in the heel.

Enerzy dominates the construction, extending across the entire forefoot and covering most of the midfoot and heel. Our durometer measured it at 28.0 HA—making it a firm, stability-driven choice. If you’re expecting a cloud-like ride, that’s simply not what this shoe delivers.

The secondary foam, Enerzy NXT, brings a real boost in responsiveness and softness, registering 20.2 HA on our durometer.

Positioned just beneath the Wave plate in the heel and midfoot, this layer of better-and-bouncier foam significantly enhances the underfoot feel compared to previous Wave Rider models.

After chilling the Wave Rider 28 for 20 minutes, we measured only an 8% increase in firmness—an impressively minor change!

The insole measures a generous 5.5 mm, providing an extra layer of cushioning to this high-stack trainer.

The Wave Rider 28 stays true to its signature design with a subtle rocker—and we’re glad it does. However, Mizuno introduced a slight tweak in the midfoot, adding a noticeable gap to shave off some weight from previous models.

With the market flooded by aggressively rockered shoes, we believe loyal Wave Rider fans will appreciate this consistent design.

If there’s one defining feature that sets the Wave Rider apart from other daily trainers, it’s the Wave Plate. Positioned in the heel and extending into the midfoot, this stability-enhancing component is made from Pebax Rnew—a bio-friendly, plastic-like material designed to reinforce the rearfoot without adding stiffness.

Thanks to this plate and the firm midsole, even with the addition of Enerzy NXT in the heel, the WR28 maintains its reputation as one of the most stable shoes in its category.

Designed as a versatile daily trainer, this shoe aims to accommodate a wide range of foot shapes. To put that claim to the test, we analysed its toebox width using a gel mould and precise measurements, ensuring a direct comparison with other models.

After testing, we discovered that the widest part of the upper measured 96.7 mm. This places it within the average range for workhorse trainers, though it leans slightly toward a more accommodating fit.

Our measurements confirmed that the big toe area plays a crucial role in defining this shoe’s kind-of-spacious fit. After testing, we found it to be an nice 77.2 mm—considerably wider than most competitors, reinforcing the importance of doing multiple measurements.

The toebox offers plenty of room for natural foot splay, allowing for comfortable expansion during long miles or in warm conditions. That’s a key feature for a long-run shoe—especially in this heat-absorbing black colorway.

We found that the toebox provides remarkable vertical space.

We measured an expansive 33.8 mm in height, easily surpassing the average running shoe and ranking among the tallest we've analysed in the lab. While this allows tonnes of extra room for toe movement, runners who prefer a snugger fit might find it less than ideal.

The Wave Rider has always been a neutral daily trainer, yet it has steadily leaned toward stability.

Its design remains stability-focused, featuring a firmer foam and the Wave Plate to keep the foot centred. However, we wouldn’t recommend it for runners needing true support, as mild-stability models like the ASICS GT 2000 13 still offer a more structured, guided ride.

The inclusion of a carbon plate in the heel and midfoot increases torsional rigidity—a trade-off that won’t suit everyone. We measured a 4/5 score, putting it closer to stability shoes than the average neutral trainer.

We found that the heel counter incorporates generous padding, boosting comfort while preserving essential support. It retains a moderate stiffness score of 3/5.

Additionally, the heel collar has an all-new Achilles flare with a sleeker, more modern look, now effectively reducing pressure and improving step-in comfort.

One of the most noticeable changes in the Wave Rider 28 is the forefoot width, expanding from a standard 113.9 mm to an ultra-wide 119.5 mm—offering enhanced stability up front.

However, the heel width took an unexpected turn, narrowing to just 85.1 mm—a change that truly surprised us. If this WR28 is designed for heel strikers, why shrink the landing zone?

Sure, the plate does help maintain a stable heel, but we believe shifting those extra millimetres to the rear instead of the forefoot would have been a smarter move for this shoe.

We discovered that the Wave Rider 28 remains highly flexible, requiring just 21.5N to bend to 90 degrees. That’s a solid result for a versatile daily trainer, making it well-suited for both running and walking.

The weight decreased by just 1% from the previous model—an imperceptible change well within manufacturing tolerances. It now stands at 9.75 oz or 276g, which we believe is a decent outcome for a daily trainer built for steady mileage.

When we got our hands on this shoe, we assumed breathability would be a weak spot—especially since we didn’t spot any ventilation holes. However, after testing it in the lab, we quickly realised our assumption was completely off.

Connecting the Wave Rider 28 to our smoke machine, we observed airflow moving through the toebox with ease, earning a solid 4/5 breathability score. That’s impressive for a shoe with no visible perforations, proving that Mizuno found an effective way to balance structure and ventilation.

To understand how the upper was built, we moved it over an LED light. As expected, Mizuno used a denser, more structured material in the heel and midfoot for added stability, while the forefoot remained thinner and more flexible to encourage airflow.

Curious about how air escapes from the toebox, we turned to our digital microscope.

We discovered a network of ultra-small holes scattered throughout the upper, allowing heat to dissipate without relying on large cutouts.

True to Mizuno’s reputation, the upper maintains top craftsmanship. We saw no messy glue stains, loose threads, or misaligned stitching—just a well-executed design. It’s the kind of precision we’ve come to expect from Japanese engineering!

Without big ventilation holes, we anticipated solid durability—and the Wave Rider 28 delivered. In our first Dremel test, it earned a respectable 3/5, showing that Mizuno’s upper holds up well against abrasion.

But it was the heel padding that truly stunned us, scoring a flawless 5/5 and proving that durability in this area is simply not a concern.

The outsole remains largely unchanged from the previous version, retaining solid rubber coverage and the same longitudinal cutout that exposes the plate in the midfoot and heel.

The design resembles the Nike Pegasus with its waffle-like tread pattern, offering reliable traction on pavement and good grip on dirt roads too. We measured an average 81.4 HC in our lab, aligning with the expectations for a daily trainer.

When we put the Dremel to the test on the rubber, the results weren’t particularly impressive. With 1.3 mm of damage, the Wave Rider 28 falls short in outsole durability.

However, Mizuno knew that, so to compensate, they increased the rubber thickness to 4.3 mm—well above the usual 2.5 to 3.5 mm found in daily trainers. It adds some extra weight, but…

The Wave Rider 28 sits at the same price point as its main competitors, making the decision easier on this front. We believe it offers fair value for its features—especially if you're a dedicated heel striker!

We always appreciate finding reflective elements on running shoes—even when they're subtle, as seen in the Wave Rider 28.

Being 6.0 mm thick, the tongue provides plush comfort while maintaining a lightweight feel.

We tested various lacing tightness levels and never encountered lace bite or discomfort, and we also found that it remains nearly identical to last year’s version—an aspect we appreciate, as it already delivered a solid performance.

The tongue it's also semi-gusseted—our preferred setup for road-ready daily trainers—ensuring it stays centered and secure without unwanted shifting.

No heel tab on the Wave Rider 28, but that’s no surprise given Mizuno’s consistent design approach.

The insole is fairly basic, but its higher thickness makes swapping to a thinner one a practical option—allowing for extra interior space and a more accommodating fit.