| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| + Additional foam + Price + Good weight | – Dense upper |
The Mizuno Wave Rider has more longevity than just about any other running shoe not named the Nike Pegasus. This year marks the 29th edition of the neutral daily trainer (Pegasus is on #42), a feat that ought to be applauded given the constant turnover in running shoes. It seems at least one notable shoe is either discontinued or rebranded each year, coupled with the abundance of new models flooding the market. Not to mention the pairs that change everything but the name. After nearly three decades, has Mizuno mastered its best-selling pair, first introduced in 1998? Find out, in this Mizuno Wave Rider 29 review.
Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review
| STACK HEIGHT | WEIGHT | PRICE |
|---|---|---|
| 39/29 mm (10 mm drop) | M9: 9.3 oz/258 g W8: 8 oz/226 g | $150 |
Midsole
Let’s not bury the lede: the Wave Rider 29 has a plate! Before you cream your jeans, it’s not a real plate. The MIZUNO WAVE plate is made of PEBAX RNEW, a “plant-based high-performance TPU.” Told you it wasn’t the real deal. Don’t expect this plate to provide the same propulsive experience of carbon fiber or nylon plates. It doesn’t. And that’s not its purpose. The plate helps provide a more stable platform and extra cushioning. Yawn. Screw it—Mizuno might as well remove the plate.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The latest update adds even more foam to the stack height. Because let’s be honest: if a shoe doesn’t increase its foam, can it even be considered new? No. It can’t.
The nitrogen-infused EVA foam, ENERZY NXT, increases 1.5 mm in the heel and 3.5 mm in the forefoot, measuring at an impressive 39/29 mm stack height.
A welcome update, Mizuno finally changed the Wave Rider from a 12 to 10 millimeter drop. It’s interesting timing, very interesting timing, given Brooks also modified the Ghost’s 12 mm drop to 10 this very year. Conspiracy theory: this cannot have been a coincidence; I don’t care what anyone says. And trust me, people are talking. They’re talking up a storm.
Brooks and Mizuno must have coordinated on this. I sure wish shoe brands would partner on more exciting things. Alas, it seems shedding 2 millimeters from a drop is the best we can get. How’s that for innovation?
Thankfully, the 12 mm drop is becoming extinct from the running planet. It’s too dramatic of a heel-toe drop, one that doesn’t work well for midfoot and forefoot strikers, and even for myself, as a heel-striker.
Ride
Right off the bat foot, the ride of the Wave Rider 29 reminds me of the Ghost 17. Just slightly less cushioned at 36.5/26.5 mm, the Ghost shares a 10 mm drop and a nitrogen-infused EVA foam (DNA LOFT v3). Both provide very stable rides that work for a variety of neutral runners.
How do they differ? The Wave Rider feels more responsive and softer than the Ghost 17. It’s also considerably lighter than the Ghost—0.8 oz, to be exact. If I had to choose between the two, I’d go with the Wave Rider.
Staying in the Mizuno family, the max cushioned Wave Sky 9 (44/38 mm) feels softer underfoot and more responsive than the Wave Rider. The Wave Sky 9 shares the ENERZY NXT foam but also has a top foam layer of U4icX — no, that’s not the name of one of Elon Musk’s 14 children. Unsurprisingly, the $180 Wave Sky 9 provides a more comfortable and fun running experience, from top to bottom. This time, the Wave Rider loses.
ENERZY NXT has decent energy return, but, again, similar to the Ghost, don’t expect any kind of bounce on the run. The Wave Rider works best as a daily trainer. Although it’s got a great weight and is very stable, it’s not a long run shoe for me. I prefer an even softer, more exciting ride.
Mizuno describes the Wave Rider 29 as moderately cushioned, but its 39/29 mm stack begs to differ, if only so it can be granted entry into the “Max Cushion Club.” I will say, I was shocked to learn the heel measures at 39 mm; it doesn’t feel that tall.
Upper
Similar to the Wave Sky 9, the jacquard mesh upper is not very breathable. In both pairs, it’s clear Mizuno didn’t prioritize ventilation—a curious decision given we’re in the year of our lord: 2025. Having a dense upper is so 2008, and Mizuno is so “2000 and late.” Boom boom pow. (Whatever happened to the Black Eyed Susans, anyway?)
On the bright side, the upper is comfy and the heel collar has decent padding. The gusseted tongue is light, stretchy, and the perfect length to keep my feet in place. However, I have noticed the Wave Rider runs a tad long, so I need to tie my laces extra tight to ensure a secure lockdown. It probably doesn’t help that I never learned to tie my laces the right way. Don’t worry: you shouldn’t need to size down.
Outsole
The shoe keeps the X10 outsole from the previous version with a redesigned rubber pattern. X10 is comprised of carbon rubber, designed for longer wear. I had no issue with traction in wet conditions, and, based off my test runs and the amount of rubber, I expect great durability from the pair.
Weight
In other awesome news, the Wave Rider 29 cut nearly a half ounce (0.4 oz) from the 28, coming in at a surprising 9.3 ounces for a men’s size 9 and 8 ounces for a women’s size 8. Every shoe company ought to take note: Mizuno added cushioning yet was able to decrease the weight. This is a stellar weight for a plated daily trainer measuring at 39 millimeters in the heel. I’m surprised Mizuno can get it that light with its dense upper and the ample amount of outsole rubber.
Aesthetics
My “ODYSSEY GREY-CAPRI BREEZE” colorway is the most “fun” of the five available options, although you can’t go wrong with any of them—unlike the milquetoast Wave Sky 9 options. The 29th edition carries a slightly more contemporary design than the 28 for reasons I can’t quite put my finger on. Expert analysis provided by The Size 15 Runner.
Price
Ok, now I definitely know Mizuno and Brooks are in cahoots: Mizuno increased the price $10 from the previous edition, now sitting at a (still) reasonable $150, the same price as…you guessed it: the Ghost 17—which was…you guessed it: $140 in the previous edition. Forget conspiracy theory, this is cold hard collusion. There’s too much evidence to ignore.
Conclusion
The addition of more midsole foam, decreased weight, and a slight—but notable—reduction in drop give the long-running Wave Rider a nice refresh that feels right at home in 2025. It won’t weigh you or your wallet down; just don’t expect it to do all the heavy lifting.
The Wave Rider 29 is available on Mizuno’s website…or anywhere you buy shoes.
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Mizuno graciously provided this shoe to me for wear testing. I was not compensated for this Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review and they didn’t get an opportunity to see this Mizuno Wave Rider 29 review before I published.
