The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.
Let’s face it. One of the perks of being a runner is the shoes. I own more running shoes than I do any other. If I have the chance to shop for shoes, most likely you will find me in the local running store.
The great thing about running is outside of shoes and race entry fees (if you choose to race) that is the majority of the expenses you are going to face.
If you missed my previously review of the Mizuno Wave Rider 17, you can see it here.
I had such a great experience with Mizuno that I was really excited to try out the Wave Rider 18 when the opportunity was given!
The Mizuno Wave Rider 18 incorporates 3 key Mizuno technologies:
- U4ic midsole delivers optimal shock attenuation, resiliency, responsiveness and superior ride that is 30% than AP+.
- Dynamotion Fit relieves the stress the foot naturally places on footwear, eliminating distortion.
- Mizuno Wave Technology provides runners with a stable ride from landing to toe-off. Features a Double Fan Wave with articled forefoot Wave Plate for the optimal blend of shock attenuation guidance and lightweight flexibility.
Enough with all the big talk, lets get down to how they actually feel and preform.
As I mentioned earlier, I really loved the Wave Rider 17s. They were the first real pair of Mizuno’s that I have owned and they really turned my opinion of the shoe brand around.
The Wave Rider is a neutral shoe that has just enough support for all levels and ranges of runners out there. They are sturdy but still light which make them ideal for training whether it be your long run, speed workout, tempo work or just out for an easy run.
The Wave Rider 18, are in my opinion, even better than the previous version. The responsiveness is much better in these and it also feels like there is more to to the shoe. I can feel a difference in how my feet sit in the shoe and can tell they respond very well to the make.
While this has nothing to do with the performance of the shoe, I absolutely love the color of the pair I received. The black and teal are to me a much nicer combination than the white and purple of the 17s. Again, it doesn’t change the performance but the color combinations were much nicer this time around.
A few differences I noticed in the 18’s vs the 17s were:
- Tong of the shoe did not come up as high
- Laces were a bit shorter
- More overall support
Even though the Wave Rider is considered a neutral shoe I really liked that these seemed to add a bit more support. The tong of the shoe does not come up as high, which at first I thought would bother me but really it doesn’t make much of a difference.
One change that I didn’t like was the shoe laces being shorter. I don’t know if this was something just on my pair, but there isn’t as much room to tie them. I am someone who always double knots my shoes so I don’t have a chance of having to stop and fix an untied lace.
Overall, if you haven’t tried Mizuno I think these are the best starting point for you! If you have already, you won’t be disappointed in their new Mizuno Wave Rider 18’s! They are the perfect combination of fit, performance and weight. They are definitely a multipurpose shoe and can be used no matter what you are training for!
Have you ever tried Mizuno?
What is your favorite go-to pair of shoes?
I am shopping around for some new running shoes. I’ve been running in Mizunos for my last few pairs, I’ll consider these as an option!
I used to run in Inspires but actually needed more support and stability after my injury and switched to asics kayano. I could probably go back to the Inspires at this point since I ran pain free in them a long time, but I haven’t yet checked out the current model.
These look awesome… I have a closet of Wave Riders 🙂
How is the fit? Do they run true to size, or do you have to buy larger? (my only experience with this brand is with a running shirt. I wear men’s medium for tech shirts, and it was really small). How is the toe box? I am always afraid to try new shoes that don’t have a over-sized toe box.
-Run with joy!
Those runners look amazing! I used to wear the Wave Rider 14 and loved them but found they didn’t last too long (they became quite squidgy after 600km, and that was on two pairs bought a couple of months apart). I’ve since moved onto the Saucony Triumph and I’m very happy with their longevity (one pair has recently hit 500km and feels only slightly softer than the pair I have at 100km).
Short laces really bother me! What was funny about the two WR14s I had was that the pair I bought in Australia had an appropriate length while the pair I bought in the US was short! Once the Australian pair died I switched the laces over, but I really don’t understand why short laces were supplied in the first place!
How big would you say the change is from the 17s? I usually buy the previous model on discount until I can’t find them any more, but I did go straight from the 15s to the 17s because the change was so great.
And I think Mizuno must do something strange with their laces! My first pair of 17s had such ridiculously long laces that they still almost dragged on the ground double-laced.
I will have to try those! I wear tennis shoes enough to buy better ones, yet I still have kind of cruddy ones!
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