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"Shoes Without Heels" Evolve Further! The Potential of Mizuno's Latest Top Racing Shoe "WAVE REBELLION PRO 3"
Members equipped with insights on how to run faster have gathered at Mizuno’s SMOOTH SPEED PROJECT. While pursuing smoothness in speed running, they developed the patented SMOOTH SPEED ASSIST.
Released “Shoes Without Heels” in 2022
First, let’s confirm the SMOOTH SPEED PROJECT and SMOOTH SPEED ASSIST. The SMOOTH SPEED PROJECT started in 2021. Members within Mizuno who possess the knowledge to help people run faster gathered across departmental lines to begin the pursuit of smoothness in speed running.By taking a zero-based approach to manufacturing, they embraced new ideas and flexibly adopted whatever was beneficial. This led to the innovation named SMOOTH SPEED ASSIST.
SMOOTH SPEED ASSIST is a patented sole structure that incorporates insights gained from Mizuno’s development of sprint spikes. The forefoot is designed to curve at a natural angle during forefoot landing, while the midfoot is extended to provide stability at landing and achieve significant energy return.
Moreover, the heel section is boldly cut. In typical running shoes, when landing on the forefoot, gravity causes the heel to drop, supported by the muscles around the calves; however, SMOOTH SPEED ASSIST helps to alleviate the strain on these calf muscles during that time.
Since the release of the “shoes without heels” using this SMOOTH SPEED ASSIST in 2022, it has become emblematic of Mizuno’s racing shoe technology.
“WAVE REBELLION PRO 3 is a model equipped with explosive responsiveness for forefoot landing athletes. In contrast, WAVE REBELLION PRO LOW is designed for midfoot landing athletes, featuring high responsiveness and a flat landing feel. WAVE REBELLION PRO LOW has a sole construction that minimizes incline, making it a fitting model for more runners,” says Shingo Sudo from Mizuno's Global Footwear Product Division.
MIZUNO ENERZY XP: The New Midsole Material
The two new models feature a new midsole material called MIZUNO ENERZY XP.“Born from supercritical foaming technology, the new material MIZUNO ENERZY XP is softer, provides superior responsiveness, and pursues lightweight characteristics compared to the conventional MIZUNO ENERZY. With the incorporation of MIZUNO ENERZY XP, the WAVE REBELLION PRO 3 has improved cushioning by 12% and responsiveness by 17% in the forefoot, and 16% cushioning and 21% responsiveness in the midfoot compared to its predecessor, the WAVE REBELLION PRO 2.”
The adoption of this new material has significantly enhanced cushioning and responsiveness, creating a shoe that allows for a much faster and smoother run (the materials used in the WAVE REBELLION PRO 2 were MIZUNO ENERZY LITE+ and MIZUNO ENERZY LITE).
Additionally, WAVE REBELLION PRO 3 has seen a 37% increase in the flat area of the outsole compared to its predecessor (the area of the cushioning holes in the sole center, which were large in the previous model, has decreased, and the contact area has expanded both horizontally and vertically), and the area of the plate has also increased by 14%. This signifies that while using a dramatically improved foam with enhanced cushioning and responsiveness, balance has been maintained to avoid compromising stability.
The upper of the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 features a highly breathable mesh material. The tongue and collar are made with a soft suede-like synthetic leather, providing a comfortable fit. Additionally, the sponge material in the heel has been adjusted in thickness and position to enhance the fit compared to the previous model.
How to Choose Between WAVE REBELLION PRO 3 & PRO LOW?
The "WAVE REBELLION PRO 3" is a model focused on forefoot landing for top runners. The "WAVE REBELLION PRO LOW" is more suitable for a wider range of runners, optimized for midfoot landing. The former maximizes rebound power for forward motion, while the latter promotes a flatter landing while maintaining bounce.Both models feature the high-rebound material MIZUNO ENERZY XP in the midsole and are equipped with a carbon-reinforced nylon plate.
During a trial run held for the media, I tested both models, and the "WAVE REBELLION PRO 3" offers exceptional rebound. It should be a top contender for elite runners aiming for personal bests with a forefoot landing. However, as expected from its heel-less design, the runners who can handle it are quite limited. With my running ability, I could only manage about 1 kilometer in the "WAVE REBELLION PRO 3."
On the other hand, the "WAVE REBELLION PRO LOW" has a considerably milder ride compared to the "WAVE REBELLION PRO 3." I found it to be a shoe I'd like to try for races of about 5 to 10 kilometers.
PROFILE
Shingo Sudo
Mizuno Corporation, Global Footwear Product Division, Performance Running Planning Department
Text by Fumihito Kouzu
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