Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Review: 6 Comparisons

Mizuno Wave Sky 9 ($180)

Introduction

Sam: The Wave Sky is Mizuno’s  max cushion, inherently steady, impartial day by day coach. For its twenty ninth version, it will get a layer of the most recent Enerzy NXT foam, a supercritical nitrogen EVA underfoot with under a comparatively skinny layer of EVA mix Enerzy foam formed on its high facet as a Mizuno Wave plate however right here aa foam Wave. a

The higher is a dense, single layer, woven mesh that may be very supportive and fairly breathable.

With what now’s a “tremendous max” stack top of 44 mm heel /  38 mm forefoot (+2mm on the heel and  +4mm on the forefoot in comparison with the 8),  it additionally turns into a 6mm drop shoe. 

Given the tremendous max stack heights and  broad platform, weight stays very affordable at about 10.25 oz / 290g US males’s 9. And on the run, they actually weren’t lumbering or mushy.  

Professionals:

Regular paces cruiser with some enjoyable supercritical foam return within the combine: Sam/Sally

Decrease EVA foam Wave layer is nicely built-in: provides a contact of inherent stability, simple any tempo transitions and a few response: Sam

Very supportive and safe higher: Sam

Stable day by day coach for heavier runners and rookies, wonderful restoration run shoe for quicker runners, protecting alternative for piling on distance: Sam/Sally

Cons:

Low and pointy toe field. Some will want the 2E huge model. When the higher “warms up” match improves, some stretch: Sam/Sally 

Shallow toe field means measurement up if in between sizes: Sam/Sally

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s  10.25 oz / 290g US9 girls’s  8.5 oz / 241g US8

  Pattern Weights: 

     males’s  10 oz / 283g US 8.5

     girls’s:  8.5 oz / 241 g US W8

Stack Top:  44 mm heel /  38 mm forefoot, 6mm drop 

Platform Width:  95 mm heel /  85 mm midfoot  / 110 mm forefoot 

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Sam: The higher is a single layer, unlined  engineered woven mesh. It’s fairly skinny and dense with not a lot stretch. It’s a very supportive higher.  It’s decently breathable however not as breathable because the Jacquard mesh higher of the brand new Wave Rider 29.

Maintain helped by the very stout heel counter and the mesh itself is completely safe and confidence inspiring serving to the Wave Sky to even be a light-weight stability choice, and one with out gimmicks or over wrought aggressive medial geometry. Consolation is OK however the toe field, as unlined, is a bit tough feeling because of the woven nature of the mesh.

First attempt on, and through the first run, had me say the toe field was too low and a bit pointy with the not significantly smooth non stretch mesh not serving to. By the second run, the strain over the toes had principally subsided and match clearly improved because the mesh stretched with use. I additionally seen that after a mile or two into every run the mesh turned extra accommodating. It’s simply true to measurement however, unusually for me and for longer runs, I’d wish to attempt the obtainable 2E huge sizing.

Lace up is tremendous simple, though given the comparatively low quantity of the higher the laces find yourself virtually too brief. That mentioned I doubt anybody will want a runner’s knot right here to safe the heel! The reasonably padded tongue has a slender strap gusset probably extra to maintain the tongue properly aligned because the higher mesh has loads of assist and the mid foot quantity is comparatively low.

Midsole & Platform

Sam: The midsole now options as its high layer supercritical nitrogen EVA Enezy NXT foam whereas within the Sky Wave 8 it was a non supercritical Enerzy EVA. The highest foam is kind of smooth and energetic. Under it we now have a layer denser however not overly agency stabilizing EVA. Don’t come fairly anticipating the “pure” supercritical softer but extra energetic trip of rivals such because the Nike Vomero Plus, Bondi 9 or Puma Amplify Nitro 3.

That mentioned, the decrease layer with its Wave form gives some stability and response on the street whereas the Wave shaping delivers a simple circulation ahead, and no matter tempo which isn’t simple to drag off with such a large stack top shoe. The transitions by way of the gait are clean and constant. 

The comparatively skinny layer of EVA, the decrease layer, seems to be a deliberate alternative by Mizuno to stability the softer, extra energetic high layer with sufficient stability and geometric shaping from the Wave to permit the Wave Sky roll easily. It really feels ike a wave gently headed for shore!  

Above what I really feel by way of my gait. I didn’t carefully have a look at the Wave geometry till after a number of runs however I clearly if subtly felt every of the weather under.

The softer Enerzy NXT high foam is deeper on the heel resulting in pleasant heel landings with sufficient EVA and the large outsole and heel counter retaining issues steady

The deeper Enerzy NXT continues at mid foot after a small rise (for stability) simply forward of the heel. One feels a slight settling in that space enabling transition off the heel

The firmer denser EVA rises on the ball of the foot which gives a steady and extra responsive space to provoke toe off. 

The decrease EVA then thins on the remaining toe off permitting the shoe to flex and the foot to sink into the NXT foam and push away.

To not fear there may be loads of forgiving cushion in Wave Sky, nicely managed and managed for an environment friendly trip mile after mile.

Outsole

Numerous deep, nicely segmented rubber with anticipated wonderful sturdiness. The association offers the Wave Sky some flex (it is not a inflexible rocker sort shoe), serving to stabilize it and reduces weight 

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Sam: The trip is constant and clean in really feel at any tempo (laborious to do with such an enormous 44/38 stack), steady, and with some supercritical foam rebound enjoyable that by no means goes too far afield. By that I imply that the platform with its decrease Wave EVA layer retains the stride monitoring ahead with out over softness or over stiffness. There’s plentiful protecting cushioning. 

Simple paces should not cumbersome and reasonable day by day coaching paces see extra but noticeable entrance rebound. I discovered it to be a tremendous restoration run, lengthy sluggish runs and simple days shoe that’s mild sufficient and steady sufficient with the superb geometry making it no means a chore to run. It is usually a wonderful alternative if you happen to suppose you want a little bit of stability. 

Its weight at about 10.25 oz / 290g US males’s 9 may be very affordable for its big stack and broad platform.

That mentioned, the Wave Sky shouldn’t be the speedy day by day coach within the Mizuno line up with the Neo Zen, Neo Vista, and for one thing a bit extra conventional than these the Wave Rider 29 the choices. For simpler restoration days or lengthy sluggish distance the Wave Sky is my choose within the Mizuno line up.

I do suppose given the non stretch supportive woven mesh within the toe field space may very well be relaxed a bit particularly in top on the very entrance. I might doubtless both go along with a large model or measurement up in a subsequent pair.

The Wave Sky is a giant vendor for Mizuno and this replace retains it very a lot true to what runners like about it: very nicely cushioned, steady and dependable for a wide range of reasonable tempo runs.  By upgrading the froth underfoot to supercritical Enerzy NXT they provide their most huge shoe some enjoyable and spunk.

Sam’s Rating: 9.2 / 10

Deductions for the low quantity and pointy match upfront and considerably tough really feel of the woven mesh higher there. Some who often go common widths (as I do) could wish to attempt the huge variations or measurement up and particularly if you happen to plan to make use of them for lengthy runs.

6 Comparisons

The brand new Wave Rider 29 (RTR Overview) is a decrease stack, larger drop,  lighter shoe and extra traditional 10mm drop day by day coach. It additionally will get the brand new Enerzy NXT foam however for its total midsole (no EVA layer) with its Wave a plastic plate in direction of the rear of the shoe and it’s seen for certain as a stabilizing ingredient given the smooth foam. I point out the Wave Rider right here as each whereas sharing the brand new midsole foams have distinctly completely different trip feels, the Wave Rider fast and snappier and whereas each are “impartial” sneakers each are notably steady.

Hoka Bondi 9 (RTR Overview) is barely heavier, has a roomier, softer (and fewer supportive) higher than right here, and a considerably softer and bouncier supercritical foam trip. It’s much less steady than the Wave Sky if a bit extra thrilling. Sure a Bondi that’s really thrilling, a primary.

Diadora Atomo Star  (RTR Overview) is superbly crafted in Italy ($240) and has an equally supportive (and likewise considerably low quantity toe field) however has a extra refined and comfy (lined) higher. It trip is softer and extra thrilling if not fairly as steady. Not fairly as extremely stacked, it’s 18g lighter, and this felt together with its extra energetic single density supercritical foam midsole.

New Steadiness Recent Foam Extra v6  (RTR Video Overview) has a non supercritical foam midsole and is considerably heavier with a 4mmd drop and has a clearly softer and bouncier trip leaning less difficult simple days than the extra responsive Wave Sky.  Its higher is significantly broader and better quantity particularly within the toe field. Entrance quantity apart, the Wave Sky is a extra versatile shoe

Nike Vomero Plus (RTR Overview) has about the identical heel top at 45mm however has 3mm much less upfront as it’s a 10mm drop shoe. With all supercritical ZoomX foam it’s a livelier driving shoe and has extra aggressive waffle sort outsole. As with the Wave Sky, it has a really supportive higher and likewise up entrance some low quantity over the toes. On the identical value it’s my choose. 

Nike Vomero 18 (RTR Overview) with its just like Wave Sky twin foam building (supercritical above, EVA under) is a 10mm drop shoe (identical stack top because the Plus) at about the identical weight because the Wave Sky with a extra accommodating higher. Experience feels are related noting the Vomero 18 is $155 to the $180 right here.

Thanks for studying our overview!

Buying at our companions under is way appreciated and helps assist RoadTrailRun

MIZUNO RUNNING USA

Wave Sky 9

TOP4RUNNING EUROPE

Wave Sky 9

Use RTR code RTRTOP4 for 5% off all merchandise, even sale merchandise

Samples have been offered at no cost for overview functions. No compensation was offered by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and should earn fee on merchandise bought through buying hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are fully the authors’.

Tester Profiles

Sam is the Editor and Founding father of Street Path Run. He’s in his 60’s with 2025 Sam’s 54th 12 months of working roads and trails. He has a many years outdated 2:28 marathon PR. Lately he runs halves within the simply sub 1:43 vary if he will get very, very fortunate. Sam trains 30-40 miles per week principally at reasonable paces on the roads and trails of New Hampshire and Utah be it on the run, climbing or on nordic skis. He’s 5’9” tall and weighs about 160 lbs, if he’s not having fun with too many tremendous New England IPA’s.

RoadTrailRun Official Retailer Customized Fractel Caps and Bucket Hats

Cap:$35                                                            Bucket:$39

Free US Financial system Delivery!

Please Like and Comply with RoadTrailRun

WATCH OUR YOUTUBE REVIEWS ON THE ROADTRAILRUN CHANNEL