Mizuno running shoes and I go way back. I ran 7 marathons in the Wave Creation until I got a blood blister the size of Asia at NYCM in 2014. The Creations and I broke up after NYCM but my love for the Sayonara for speed and tempo work has stood the test of time. When the opportunity arose to test the new 20th anniversary Wave Rider, I cautiously raised my hand.
The Wave Rider 20s arrived during my marathon taper. Who doesn’t love the Tiffany blue? I found them so alluring I wore them on the red carpet at a Girls On The Run event.
Stylish, yes?
But the real test would come on the road. I took them out for a spin around the neighborhood…
…and on the track…
…and even on some trails. They performed perfectly on my final 10 miler before Indy and passed all tests I threw at them with flying colors.
What I love about the Mizuno Wave Rider 20:
- They’re nice and light, with an airy mesh upper. Light and fast is my mantra and the Wave Riders play right into that.
- They feel like just the right amount of shoe. Not heavy or clumpy but still pleasantly cushioned.
- The toebox seems “just right” as well. Not too roomy yet not tight either.
- Something Mizuno calls “cloudwave technology” makes the ride softer and smoother, with a little more cushion in the heel. I call it awesome.
- The updated design is sleek and contemporary. I already told you how much I love the blue.
I’m going to wear them to my last half marathon of the year in Florida next month and then who knows? Maybe this will be my future marathon shoe? I am hopeful. If you’re a neutral runner, I highly recommend you give the new Mizuno Wave Rider 20 a try.
What shoe are you loving now? Do you wear a different shoe for speedwork vs long runs?
Special thanks to Mizuno and Fitfluential for sponsoring this discussion. All thoughts and opinions, as always, are my own.
I’m linking up with Meranda, Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five.
I have been wearing Brooks GTS for many years.I bought 3 pair to train for Paris & NY, so just bought the new model (17s) which came out a couple weeks ago. Haven’t tried them yet.
Ive never tried Mizunos but so many runners swear by them! I tried on a pair in a running store a few months ago but the ones I tried just weren’t for me…I have no idea which ones they were! I have been rotating between the Launch and Pureflows but I am always on the lookout for another shoe that will make my feet happy.
I love my Mizunos!
I have yet to try this brand! Maybe I should slide my foot in one the next time I am at the running store. They sure do look nice on you! 🙂
Glad you fell in love all over again! Love the color!
I do not wear different shoes for a long run. I have never wore Mizunos. But my sister does and love them. I am still really liking my Brooks Launch 2 before having to buy the 3’s that are out now.
They are so pretty! (#FashionBeforeFunction) My stability-challenged feet probably wouldn’t like these, unfortunately. I love the Wave Inspire’s, though the last few models have been tweaked a bit. Currently, I”m sporting Brooks Adrenaline GTS…same thing….the 16’s are great but not as great as the 15’s. I have heard of rotating shoes for different workouts, but have never done that with different models….I do rotate various shoes (older vs. newer) for different runs, though.
I’m a huge fan of Mizuno sneakers. I run in the wave inspire sneakers.
I have been wearing Wave Riders for as long as I have been a runner. At this point if they stopped making them or changed them DRASTICALLY I would be completely lost. At this point, they feel like an extension of my foot. That being said, I am not a fan of the updates they do to the shoes. I don’t like change at all! The 15s to the 16s was a very noticeable change. I didn’t like it and almost changed shoes. But I made myself get used to them and I finally am. I am in 19s right now and thank you for the reminder that I should look for some on sale!! I suppose I will get the 20s when they are on sale and the 21s are out!
Wow Marcia, I never read posts about shoes but you wrote about MY SHOE so I felt compelled to read and comment! 🙂
Speed work? What’s that :-p I just bought the Brooks Ravenna at the beginning of the month, and a new pair of NB’s came in the mail on Wednesday. I’ve put those aside since those will be my next shoes when I wear down the Ravennas.
I am currently wearing the M izuno catalyst and loving them. Will have to try these too
I used to wear Miizunos. Recently I discovered NIKEs that have a wider toe box. They are my new favorites.
I rotate so many shoes, but don’t really care for Mizunos. I wish I liked them, but I need more cushion and a wider toe box. These blue ones are SO cute though!
They are a lovely color! I have never run in that brand…I tried on a few times, but just wasn’t sure. Maybe I will give them a try when I wear out my shoes. I do usually go with a lighter shoe like my Reebok if I am trying to get a speedier run done 🙂 I wore A hoka Clifton 3 for the marathon.
I loved your red carpet with running shoes!
I’ve been a fan of the Wave Rider since version 14, I’ve run a lot of marathons in their shoes, I had to skip I think it was 17 because that was the only one that I didn’t love as much. But overall, they are a great shoe and most importantly when they modify the new versions it’s not so much that I hate them and have to switch shoes up like in other brands!
I don’t own the 20’s YET, lol But definitely see it in my future!!
I’m going shoe shopping today. Adding these to my list to try. Thanks!
Have a fantastic Friday friend. xoxo
Those look pretty cool!
I’ve been using the Nike Free for over a year, and I feel lost on anything else. But i’ll check out mizunos!
I can’t remember which model of Mizuno I run in sometimes — I like it, but I find it’s the only running shoe I actually have to break in.
I do tend to wear a different shoe for speedwork vs long runs. I tend to like more cushioning for longer runs. Although I think I might run the half in my Newtons, I’ve been doing longer runs in them lately. I gave them up when my ankle started to bother me at the beginning of the year, but I’d also run a half in them with no problems.
I totally miss my Mizunos… but they weren’t so great for my feet. We had to break up. 🙁
I’ve never tried Mizunos, but those are so pretty (I know, I know, wrong reason to ever pick a shoe). I’m so glad they worked out for you – I’m filling in the blanks and guessing you didn’t wear them for Indy? Nice review and you get some serious air in your photos girl!
Love, love the color! I bought the 19 in purple and pink and like them a lot. I’ve only run in them once so hopefully I won’t be disappointed.