Mizuno Wave Rider 26

Are you wondering if the Mizuno Wave Rider 26 are right for you? Read the following to find out.

I am going to share with you my recent test of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26. The conditions of this test were ideal, as I am completing the last 4 weeks of marathon preparation. This meant that I was able to use these top Mizuno shoes in the following workouts:

• In long series 2 x 5000, (4:25 and 4:20).
• In shorter runs 10 x 1000 (between 4:20 and 4:10)
• In progressive runs (16 km from 5:20 to 4:20)
• In long runs (25, 27 and 30 km at 4:55)
• In regenerative outings (between 8 and 12k at 5:20)
• In an all-out 20k (Behobia 2022 at 4:40)

In total I ran about 20 times and about 250 kilometers to offer you an opinion as objective as possible of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

What type of runner are the Mizuno Wave Rider 26 recommended for?

As you can see from the paces mentioned in the introduction, I'm an amateur slow runner. My stride is neutral with a slight pronation. I am good with pronator shoes or very stable neutral shoes (this is the case of the Mizuno Wave 26). I weigh 80 kg.

One of the signature elements of Mizuno shoes is their Wave plate. No, it is not a carbon plate. Long before the wave of carbon plate shoes, Mizuno already included a plate, called Wave, on the back of its most advanced models. Mizuno 's plate usually runs from the heel to just before the forefoot. Carbon plates are intended to improve the responsiveness of the shoe, while the purpose of Mizuno's Wave plate is to provide cushioning and stability.

In addition to the two main features of the Wave Rider, cushioning, stability, I would also add comfort. Therefore, we are talking about a shoe for runners with a neutral stride, rather slow, and with a medium to high weight.

In the test I did based on pacing, I made the following observations:

At 4:10 / 4:20, the fastest paces at which I run, the shoe consistently gave me a feeling of security and stability. My running technique is not good, and the more I increase the pace, the more I need support that allows me to feel secure (I sometimes tend to twist my ankle in a poorly supported shoe at high paces). In this regard I did not have any scares with the Mizuno Wave Rider 26.

At 4:50 / 4:55, in long run workouts I really enjoyed the Enerzy compound. As the miles increased at a steady pace, each stride stayed consistent. In type of endurance torture workout, I felt very comfortable without the pounding of my feet affecting my comfort on the run. The Wave Rider 26 provided fantastic cushioning throughout all the miles.

At 5:20, on regenerative runs, I appreciated the width of the front of the shoe which gave me extra stability while running at low heart rates, in autopilot mode or chatting with friends. I prefer these paces much more than the agonizing series. With my foot well attached to the shoe and with the rigid and cushioned structure of the heel I felt stability and comfort.

What did we like most about the Mizuno Wave Rider 26?

The weight of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

It is very light for a top cushioning and comfort shoe, weighing less than 285 grams. In fact, when you hold it in your hand for the first time, you will be impressed by the low weight for the volume it has.

Drop of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

The 12 mm drop has also been a great ally. It is a high drop, for runners looking for comfort and who have a tendency to heel strike. The heel entry in the stride turns out to be not very efficient at the bio-mechanical level. With the 12 mm drop, the stride is propelled forward to initiate the next stride.

The wear sole of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

We would have to like to rename it and call it a grip sole. More than 100 islet-shaped lugs are drawn deep into this outsole. In turn, each lug has a mini grid print. The result means that even on asphalt drenched in heavy rain, the Mizuno Wave Rider 26 offers a reliable and secure grip.

The Mizuno Wave Rider has a maximalist midsole, or Japanese maximalism. The thickness of the midsole is responsible for the extra comfort in the stride. I found the deep trench in the outsole to be very effective, allowing material to be removed where neither cushioning nor traction is needed. Mizuno developers have taken advantage of this groove to give visual access to the Wave plate, which can also be seen on both sides of the midsole.

The design of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

Mizuno has always been a brand recognized in the world of runners as an excellent shoe but with a very austere design. But year after year, we have seen how Mizuno evolved in this aspect. Its colorful lugs, the visible Wave plate, an aggressive midsole model and a minimalist upper with 3D heat-sealed prints make the Mizuno Wave Rider 26 a stylish shoe.

The upper of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

Mizuno opts for a new, more sustainable fabric in its upper, which is flexible and knitted. It is breathable and its flexibility allows the foot freedom when it starts to swell as the kilometers increase. At the same time, it offers enough support to ensure a good fit. The thermo-sealed protective elements at the front of the shoe give a little more structure to this model.

Longevity of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

Finally, I wanted to highlight the apparent longevity of the Wave Rider 26. After more than 250 km, they appear as though they are fresh out of the box. And while on long runs I manage to control my stride, when I do series at higher paces I have a tremendous lack of control. I have a tendency to wear out the sole a lot, especially when it comes to the front of the footprint. In this test, for the moment, the sole is still intact. I think I will be able to wear these without any problem beyond 800 km. On a technical level, I'm sure that the X10 compound has something to do with this longevity.

Opportunities for improvement of the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

I found the tongue to be the weak point of this shoe. All the other elements are exquisite, but I have not found the same level of care and pampering in the composition and finish of the tongue. It is attached to the shoe by a piece of fabric on both sides, which I did not like as it felt less ventilated. The round holes where the flat laces pass through are also a detail that could be taken improved upon, and I propose more rectangular holes to guarantee having a flat lace passing through a flat hole.

Final conclusions about the Mizuno Wave Rider 26

I'm taking them to my next marathon!

I hope this statement is enough to convey to you my degree of satisfaction with this model. The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 may be less well known than other top shoes from other brands in the cushioned shoe segment for the slower, heavier runner. But they measure up, and with this extra material in the midsole area, both in looks and comfort, the Wave Rider 26 brings Mizuno closer to the maximalist-type shoes segment.

RUNNEA tester's rating

• Lightweight: 9
• Responsiveness: 8
• Cushioning: 10
• Flexibility: 9
• Stability: 10
• Grip: 10

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