Mizuno Men's Wave Rider 26 Running Shoe, 50 M EU

Product Information

Even though the Wave Rider 26 doesn't necessarily feel heavy on the run, keep in mind that it is a little heftier than the average daily trainer (9.7 oz/274g). The Wave Rider 26 is best for middle miles My first impression when I opened the box was that I thought they were the Mizuno Wave Inspire 18s. They look very similar to one another and they felt alike. Ben Walmsley is an elite SportsShoes x Mizuno athlete, currently specialising in 10K to marathon distances. If you were judging a shoe on looks alone, you’d be forgiven for thinking the Wave Rider 27 would feel heavy and a little flat underfoot. But we're pleased to report that this is a deceptively good – and lightweight – daily trainer.

Personal: A ( A shoe that feels great to rest my calves a little after hard workouts or long runs, one of my favorite trainers this year) This series is usually considered in the stable neutral category and this latest edition falls right in line. The new technology allows for multiple ways the shoe will help guide your feet.The quality is easily known when you look at them. It does have a 12mm heel drop that might not be for everyone. It runs extremely narrow and is a firm-fitting shoe. Of course, I’m trying to say that the most successful and brilliant legacy shoes are those that closely resemble Taylor Swift’s career throughout their many, many iterations. Let’s see if the 26th iteration of the Wave Rider measures up. Also, I’m listening to Midnights while writing this, so be prepared for lots of references. We always recommend heading to your local running store to be measured up, however if you can’t make it into store as an alternative, we recommend measuring your feet at home by following these easy steps: Stability: B (neutral) (mild sole flare, wider forefoot and guidance lines may help center the foot during stance phase) Pellentesque orci lectus, consectetur vel posuere posuere, rutrum eu ipsum. Aliquam eget odio sed ligula iaculis consequat at eget orci. Mauris molestie sit amet metus mattis varius. Donec sit amet ligula eget nisi sodales egestas. Aliquam interdum dolor aliquet dolor sollicitudin fermentum. Donec congue lorem a molestie bibendum. Etiam nisi ante, consectetur eget placerat a, tempus a neque. Donec ut elit urna. Etiam venenatis eleifend urna eget scelerisque. Aliquam in nunc quis dui sollicitudin ornare ac vitae lectus.

David: I really enjoyed my experience with the Mizuno Wave Rider 26. The things I'd probably focus on would be refining the midfoot experience a little bit. The shoe still feels a tad slappy coming off of the higher heel into the higher part of the plate. I think decreasing that arc a tiny bit might do it for me. I also felt a tiny bit of a rolling motion in the forefoot laterally and think a little sole flare on the lateral side could help. Otherwise, this is a top-shelf daily trainer for me. That’s not to say they cannot be used for a race, some people may prefer comfort over anything else. I would recommend sizing up a half-size. They weigh 8.3oz. Not too heavy but not extremely lightweight either. It falls into the typical daily trainer price range. DPT/Footwear Science: B/B- ( Points for maintaining guidance, but the increase in weight and increase in clunkiness in the heel needs to be fixed. This could be modulated by a heel bevel and reducing the density of the foam just enough to help it break in a little faster). Coming in at 10.3 oz (290g) in a men’s US size 9, the 26th Wave Rider has gained some weight compared to its predecessor (the Wave Rider 25 weighs 9.5 oz/270g).

DOR Archive

My first few runs were like the song Lavender Haze in that it took me a while to get used to the style. The upper is extremely loose out of the box and needs some adjusting to get the right fit, but I got there eventually. I also enjoyed the durable feeling of the recycled material, which remains stretchy and forgiving. It should be noted that the Wave Rider is undoubtedly narrower than, say, a Brooks Ghost, though I didn’t find any issues with it. Ultraspire Fitted Race Belt:The best way to carry your phone and goods on the run. No bounce and various sizes for waist. (Also recommend the Naked belt) Overall: A- ( A really well-executed daily trainer to crush the bulk of your mileage. Good stability throughout with surprising responsiveness. Can be a tad slappy through the midfoot.)

Compared to the Mizuno Wave Neo Collection, the Wave Rider 26 is more likely to make an appearance on my feet in the future. I will probably wear them more as everyday or work sneakers, not as a running shoe. Lastly, the shoe’s weight is great, and it felt on the lighter end of some recent daily trainers I’ve tried. I think the foam helps with this. David: The Mizuno Wave Rider is a neutral daily training shoe that provides a very "traditional" ride. The shoe does maintain a high drop from heel to toe like many older training shoes. With that said the transition is still well maintained when loaded and the decrease in flex grooves actually feels like it smoothens the forefoot out and makes it a little more poppy up front as well. When I first placed my feet into them I could immediately notice the 12mm heel drop. It’s a good mix-up to have in my running shoe rotation.

Mizuno Wave Rider 26 First Impressions

Features include the MIZUNO ENERZY FOAM for cushioning and energy return in the entire midsole, MIZUNO WAVE PLATE to help you smoothly move your body weight, and the new Smooth Stretch Woven material that gives a soft fit. Our Wave Rider shoes have a heel drop that guarantees a good landing of the foot. By adding a couple of extra millimetres to the heel, you will land your feet in a way that suits your running style and will help you become a better running.