The toe box is flexible and bouncy while the ride is stiff and heavy in the heel at times. The wave plate provides stability but it comes at the cost of comfort. This is my first pair of Mizuno running shoes ever. I was pretty excited to try them and see why Mizuno Wave fans love this particular model. I opened the box and was surprised with how well made they looked. They are heavier shoes but that’s due to all the stability technology put into the midsole. They weigh 9.1 oz for women and 10.6 for men. The surprise for me, however, is just how bouncy and light they feel as well. Are you looking for a stable ride, while also having some pep in your step? These may be ready for a race or two down the road as well! Surprisingly agile given its weight

Testers say the knit upper also feels comfortable and secure, but it feels a little bit roomier in the toe box than the mesh option.It has a 12mm drop for both men and women. This is a little on the higher side but I enjoyed wearing these on runs the day after I did a speed workout or when my calves just felt sore. While Japanese sporting goods company Mizuno might not have the name recognition as running brands like Nike and Adidas, it has been an influential shoe designer since the ‘80s. I haven’t tried past models but I was very impressed with the shoe as a whole from the first time I placed them on my feet. they provide a wonderful ride that makes you wonder just how this is a stability shoe in the first place.

Up top, a stretchy woven upper gives the Wave Sky 6 an accommodating fit, and generous placements of carbon rubber on the outsole ensure you’ll have plenty of grip and high-mileage durability. It gives runners a plusher on-foot experience while still providing the stable platform the brand’s shoes are known for. The Wave Sky 6 is a great choice for longer runs or recovery days when your feet could use a little extra love. Overall, the Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 continues to be the reliable stability trainer runners have come to expect while incorporating more modern aspects, such as bio-friendly materials and the springy sensation underfoot that’s become increasingly in demand amongst runners.The upper of the Wave Inspire 17 is built with double-layered air mesh. After comparing it with the 16’s upper I can say they are basically built with the same mesh material. Like in Mizuno’s other models, the wedge of Enerzy foam in the heel of the Inspire 17 lends the shoe a softer touch and bouncier response. The placement gives it a more cushioned feel on landing, and it helps the shoe roll smoothly into the forefoot transition. Mizuno continued overhauling its lineup with a new type of foam called Enerzy. Designers already added the new foam composition to shoes like the Wave Rider 24 and the Wave Sky Waveknit 4.