The Latest in a Wildly Popular, Long-Selling Series! The Evolution and Performance of Mizuno's WAVE RIDER 29

Mizuno's WAVE RIDER is a long-selling model that has guided countless runners to the finish line of full marathons, thanks to its superb cushioning and stability. It's also a proud staple in Mizuno's lineup, a classic daily trainer perfect for everyday jogs.

This shoe embodies the "smoothness" that Mizuno values in a running experience. Its major appeal lies in the Wave Plate, which provides an excellent balance of cushioning, responsiveness, and stability at a high level.

So, what kind of upgrades have been made to the latest model, the Wave Rider 29, and how has it evolved?

Featuring a Midsole Material Made with Supercritical Foaming Technology

Since its launch in 1997, the "Wave Rider" series has become Mizuno's flagship running shoe, with over 10 million pairs sold globally. As a beloved flagship model with fans all over the world, it has consistently received updates that align with the times while carefully preserving its core identity to meet high expectations.

"One of the biggest updates in this latest model is the change in the midsole foam material. We've used MIZUNO ENERZY NXT, Mizuno's proprietary material created with supercritical foaming technology, throughout the entire midsole," explains Dai Yokoyama of the Global Footwear Product Headquarters at Mizuno Corporation.

Its predecessor, the "Wave Rider 28," used MIZUNO ENERZY in the top layer of the midsole, with MIZUNO ENERZY NXT only featured in the heel section below the Wave Plate (the bottom of the midsole). In contrast, this new model incorporates MIZUNO ENERZY NXT in both the top and bottom layers.

The Unchanging Core: The Pursuit of Smoothness

"The midsole thickness has also been adjusted, making the forefoot 2mm thicker. As a result, the drop (the height difference between the heel and forefoot) is now 10mm."

While most running shoes today feature a drop between 4mm and 10mm, the "Wave Rider" has long maintained a 12mm drop. It was known as a quintessential high-drop model, so for me, this change was quite a surprise.

Of course, reducing the drop to 10mm wasn't the goal itself, but rather a means to achieve greater smoothness. This shift was heavily influenced by the significant evolution of midsole materials in recent years. The newly adopted MIZUNO ENERZY NXT is not only considerably more responsive and cushioned than conventional materials but also exceptionally lightweight.

In the quest for a smooth ride that fully leverages these material properties, a 10mm drop proved to be the optimal choice.

Thanks to these updates—using MIZUNO ENERZY NXT throughout the midsole and adding 2mm of thickness to the forefoot—the "Wave Rider 29" boasts impressive improvements over its predecessor. Cushioning has increased by approximately 56% in the forefoot and 21% in the rearfoot, while responsiveness has jumped by approximately 59% in the forefoot and 19% in the rearfoot.

What's more, despite the thicker forefoot, the designers also managed to reduce the overall weight. The shoe is now about 15g lighter for men's and unisex models (27.0 cm / single shoe) and 10g lighter for the women's model (24.5 cm / single shoe) compared to its predecessor.

A Design Engineered for Solid Stability

While this latest model boasts significant improvements in both cushioning and responsiveness, it naturally doesn't skimp on stability. After all, a smooth ride isn't just about being "soft" and "bouncy."

"It's not that difficult—in fact, it's almost a given—that you can improve cushioning and responsiveness by using an abundance of advanced materials. However, cushioning and a bouncy feel are often a trade-off for stability. The Wave Plate is the key component that resolves this issue and is indispensable for securing ample stability."

Running shoes demand both cushioning to absorb the shock of impact and stability to prevent your foot from wobbling, ensuring a smooth transition to your next step. While modern foam materials have continuously evolved to become softer and lighter, simply being soft can lead to instability. Conversely, using harder materials enhances stability and reduces landing wobble, but at the cost of noticeable cushioning.

Typically, when soft materials are used, designers compensate by incorporating harder materials, widening the sole's footprint, or raising the sidewalls. Mizuno, however, has masterfully balanced cushioning and stability with its proprietary Mizuno Wave technology.

The Mizuno Wave has evolved over the years, and today there are two main types.

The first type features a wave-shaped plate, known as the Wave Plate, sandwiched within the midsole. The second is a plate-less design that layers two midsole foams of different densities in a wave pattern. The "Wave Rider 29" utilizes the first type, with a Wave Plate integrated from the heel to the midfoot.

"In addition to incorporating the Wave Plate, we've designed a flatter sole than the previous model. This increases the ground contact area, thereby ensuring greater stability."

A Ride that Stays True to the "Wave Rider" Feel

When I actually took the "Wave Rider 29" for a run, the first thing that stood out was the incredible softness on landing. This is likely a result of the updated midsole material, creating a softer, more cushioned impression compared to previous "Wave Rider" series models. If you previously thought of the "Wave Rider" as being a "firm" shoe, this version will completely change your mind.

Despite the plush cushioning, the integrated Wave Plate means there's no sense of instability or wobbling upon landing. It’s a beautifully balanced shoe that's easy to recommend for beginner runners, and it's also perfect for anyone who wants to enjoy safe and secure daily runs.