Kurt's Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Review: Mizuno redefines its max cushioned trainer: 2 comparisons

Article by Kurt Biesemans

Mizuno Wave Sky 9 (190€)

Introduction

Mizuno’s Wave Sky collection has lengthy held the crown because the model’s most cushioned impartial day by day coach. But, in recent times, based on many reviewers, the road was beginning to really feel somewhat stagnant, with solely minor tweaks between variations. Enter the Wave Sky 9—a daring reset that places Mizuno firmly again within the max-cushion sport.

This isn’t only a refresh; it’s a full rebuild from the bottom up.

The all-new midsole platform delivers a real max-cushioned expertise, with a luxurious, protecting journey that also feels surprisingly easy. A delicate rocker geometry helps information the foot effortlessly via the gait cycle, whereas a wider midsole base provides noticeable stability—contributing to a ‘floating-like’ really feel underfoot. Up high, the reengineered Easy Stretch Woven higher gives a safe, breathable match with premium step-in consolation.

With the Wave Sky 9, Mizuno reconnects with the core identification of the collection whereas introducing fashionable updates that make it extremely aggressive in at the moment’s crowded max-cushion market.

Let’s take a better look.

Execs

Enjoyable shoe to run in

Regardless of introduced as ‘simple’ cruiser, it may possibly deal with a extra up-tempo paces

Versatile shoe, ideally for rookies that search for a one-shoe-does-it-all

Supportive shoe

Acceptable weight for a max-cushioned shoe

No cumbersome look and feeling

Cons

Stats

Approx. weight: males’s EUR43 – 290g / girls’s EUR39 – 241gr

Pattern weight: males’s EUR44 – 307gr

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

Platform: Heel 100mm, Midfoot 95mm, forefoot 125mm

Most comparable sneakers

Hoka Skyward X

New Steadiness 880 V15

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Proper out of the field, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 impresses with its glossy, fashionable silhouette and refined supplies. The premium look is matched by an equally premium really feel when you slip it on. The step-in consolation is excellent—smooth, structured, and instantly plush with out being sloppy

The redesigned single-layer, unlined engineered woven mesh higher, is skinny with not a lot stretch. However, it feels versatile and comfy with out dragging additional weight.

It adapts gently to the form of the foot, providing a safe midfoot lockdown with out strain factors. It gives good air flow. The match is true to dimension.

The toe bumper extends excessive sufficient to look sturdy whereas providing dependable safety.

The toe field is generously spacious, permitting pure toe splay and freedom of motion throughout longer runs.

In the meantime, the gusseted tongue provides a luxurious, safe really feel and performs a key position in delivering a assured midfoot lock-in.

The tongue is generously padded, providing a smooth and comfy really feel, whereas successfully stopping any lace strain on the highest of the foot.

The heel rises excessive and is generously padded, creating a comfortable and comfy match. It feels agency and supportive, and the mix of the elevated heel building, ample cushioning, and structural rigidity ensures a superb heel lockdown.

Midsole and platform

Mizuno has taken a daring step ahead with the Wave Sky 9’s midsole, making it a real departure from model 8. The stack top has been raised to 44mm within the heel and 38mm within the forefoot (8mm drop), giving it the unmistakable really feel of a contemporary max-cushioned coach. At its core is a dual-layer setup: Mizuno’s nitrogen-infused ENERZY nxt high layer gives plush softness and energetic rebound, whereas a firmer foam beneath provides construction and sturdiness. The forefoot carries a contact of stiffness, which contributes to a extra responsive toe-off.

Past supplies, Mizuno additionally reshaped the midsole with a newly launched rockered geometry. This design promotes a smoother heel-to-toe transition, serving to you roll via your stride with much less effort and extra effectivity. The result’s a journey that blends cushion, bounce, and ahead momentum in a method earlier variations couldn’t fairly obtain.

The platform itself has additionally been widened — 100mm on the heel, 95mm on the midfoot, and 125mm on the forefoot — making a steady base that conjures up confidence with out dulling the shoe’s fluid really feel. Whereas it’s primarily tuned for lengthy, simple miles, the Wave Sky 9 has sufficient snap to deal with reasonable uptempo work, making it a surprisingly versatile choice within the max-cushion class.

Outsole

The outsole is created from Mizuno’s X10 carbon rubber in a full-length structure. It’s designed with sturdiness in thoughts, although I’ve some doubts about that given the rubber feels fairly smooth. Mizuno utilized noticeably thicker rubber in high-impact areas and thinner sections — for instance within the midfoot — seemingly to assist scale back weight.

Flex grooves are strategically positioned the place extra flexibility is required, guaranteeing a easy and pure roll-through.

The softer rubber on the Wave Sky 9’s outsole not solely enhances grip but additionally conjures up confidence on moist roads. Traction feels safe throughout totally different situations, and the shoe even handles gentle gravel comfortably, including a contact of versatility to its road-focused design.

Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions

In my view Mizuno nailed it with the Wave Sky 9 within the max cushion class. A smooth journey, a responsive and steady shoe that has an ideal and comfy match. Your preferrred companion for lengthy runs and even runs at a barely quicker paces.

The colour scheme makes the shoe seems to be fashionable and regardless of the excessive stack it doesn’t look bombastic and it undoubtedly doesn’t really feel like that.

With 307 gr in my dimension (EUR44 – US10) it’s nonetheless with the appropriate vary for a max cushion shoe.

To conclude, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a good selection when you’re on the lookout for an all-round day by day coach that provides loads of cushioning, excels on lengthy distances, and feels most at residence at a reasonable, regular tempo.

Rating: 9,18/10 😊😊😊😊

Journey: 9 (50%) Match: 9,5 (30%) Worth: 9 (15%) Type: 9,5 (5%)

2 Comparisons

Hoka Skyward X (RTR Assessment)

The Hoka Skyward X is a posh but remarkably nice working shoe. It’s a coaching shoe geared up with a carbon plate, weighing in at 335 grams (dimension 44), which makes it comparatively heavy. With a price ticket of €225, it’s additionally on the costly aspect. In my view, the Mizuno is the higher choice: appropriate for each simple and barely extra up-tempo runs, round 30 grams lighter, €35 cheaper, and delivering a really comparable fulfilling journey.

New Steadiness 880 V15 (RTR Assessment)

The New Steadiness 880v15 isn’t technically a max-cushioning shoe—that title within the NB lineup belongs extra to the 1080—however I embrace it right here as a result of with its 40 mm heel stack, it nonetheless delivers a surprisingly cushioned journey that holds up properly on longer runs. The shoe strikes a positive stability between consolation and responsiveness, whereas a gently built-in rocker geometry helps create easy, easy transitions. These traits are additionally current within the Mizuno Wave Sky 9, although within the Mizuno they really feel a contact extra pronounced.

All RTR opinions: HERE

Newest Evaluations-chronological order HERE

Thanks for studying our overview!

Buying at our companions under for the Mizuna Wave Sky 9 is far appreciated and helps assist RoadTrailRun

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Males’s & Girls’s SHOP HERE

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Samples had been supplied at no cost for overview functions. No compensation was supplied by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are totally the authors’. 

Tester Profile

Kurt has a background in lengthy distance triathlon. In recent times his focus is again on working. He lately ran varied metropolis marathons like Valencia, Milan and Antwerp. Kurt is working on Belgian soils which means principally flat surfaces. He likes to hit the close by trails that are principally gravel and wooded surfaces. From autumn to spring his favourite trails are reworked into muddy terrain.

Kurt frequently joins a run or path race to maintain the engine going. However he additionally likes greater challenges: he ran round Mont Blanc in 4.5 days in 2024, ran his first extremely path (60K), hiked TMB in 9 days together with his household and completed Tenerife Blue path in 2025. He’s 1m86cm and 77kg.

Article by Kurt Biesemans

Mizuno Wave Sky 9 (190€)

Introduction

Mizuno’s Wave Sky collection has lengthy held the crown because the model’s most cushioned impartial day by day coach. But, in recent times, based on many reviewers, the road was beginning to really feel somewhat stagnant, with solely minor tweaks between variations. Enter the Wave Sky 9—a daring reset that places Mizuno firmly again within the max-cushion sport.

This isn’t only a refresh; it’s a full rebuild from the bottom up.

The all-new midsole platform delivers a real max-cushioned expertise, with a luxurious, protecting journey that also feels surprisingly easy. A delicate rocker geometry helps information the foot effortlessly via the gait cycle, whereas a wider midsole base provides noticeable stability—contributing to a ‘floating-like’ really feel underfoot. Up high, the reengineered Easy Stretch Woven higher gives a safe, breathable match with premium step-in consolation.

With the Wave Sky 9, Mizuno reconnects with the core identification of the collection whereas introducing fashionable updates that make it extremely aggressive in at the moment’s crowded max-cushion market.

Let’s take a better look.

Execs

Enjoyable shoe to run in

Regardless of introduced as ‘simple’ cruiser, it may possibly additionally deal with a extra up-tempo paces

Versatile shoe, ideally for rookies that search for a one-shoe-does-it-all

Supportive shoe

Acceptable weight for a max-cushioned shoe

No cumbersome look and feeling

Cons

Stats

Approx. weight: males’s EUR43 – 290g / girls’s EUR39 – 241gr

Pattern weight: males’s EUR44 – 307gr

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

Platform: Heel 100mm, Midfoot 95mm, forefoot 125mm

Most comparable sneakers

Hoka Skyward X, New Steadiness 880 V15

Additionally please try the crew’s earlier Wave Sky 9 multi tester overview right here

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Proper out of the field, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 impresses with its glossy, fashionable silhouette and refined supplies. The premium look is matched by an equally premium really feel when you slip it on. The step-in consolation is excellent—smooth, structured, and instantly plush with out being sloppy

The redesigned single-layer, unlined engineered woven mesh higher, is skinny with not a lot stretch. However, it feels versatile and comfy with out dragging alongside additional weight.

It adapts gently to the form of the foot, providing a safe midfoot lockdown with out strain factors. It gives good air flow. The match is true to dimension.

The toe bumper extends excessive sufficient to look sturdy whereas providing dependable safety.

The toe field is generously spacious, permitting pure toe splay and freedom of motion throughout longer runs.

In the meantime, the gusseted tongue provides a luxurious, safe really feel and performs a key position in delivering a assured midfoot lock-in.

The tongue is generously padded, providing a smooth and comfy really feel, whereas successfully stopping any lace strain on the highest of the foot.

The heel rises excessive and is generously padded, creating a comfortable and comfy match. It feels agency and supportive, and the mix of the elevated heel building, ample cushioning, and structural rigidity ensures a superb heel lockdown.

Midsole and platform

Mizuno has taken a daring step ahead with the Wave Sky 9’s midsole, making it a real departure from model 8. The stack top has been raised to 44mm within the heel and 38mm within the forefoot (8mm drop), giving it the unmistakable really feel of a contemporary max-cushioned coach. 

At its core is a dual-layer setup: Mizuno’s nitrogen-infused ENERZY nxt high layer gives plush softness and energetic rebound, whereas a firmer foam beneath provides construction and sturdiness. The forefoot has a contact of stiffness, which contributes to a extra responsive toe-off.

Past supplies, Mizuno additionally reshaped the midsole with a newly launched rockered Wave geometry. This design promotes a smoother heel-to-toe transition, serving to you roll via your stride with much less effort and extra effectivity. The result’s a journey that blends cushion, bounce, and ahead momentum in a method earlier variations couldn’t fairly obtain.

The platform itself has additionally been widened — 100mm on the heel, 95mm on the midfoot, and 125mm on the forefoot — making a steady base that conjures up confidence with out dulling the shoe’s fluid really feel. Whereas it’s primarily tuned for lengthy, simple miles, the Wave Sky 9 has sufficient snap to deal with reasonable uptempo work, making it a surprisingly versatile choice within the max-cushion class.

Outsole

The outsole is created from Mizuno’s X10 carbon rubber in a full-length structure. It’s designed with sturdiness in thoughts, although I’ve some doubts about that given the rubber feels fairly smooth. Mizuno utilized noticeably thicker rubber in high-impact areas and thinner sections — for instance within the midfoot — seemingly to assist scale back weight.

Flex grooves are strategically positioned the place extra flexibility is required, guaranteeing a easy and pure roll-through.

The softer rubber on the Wave Sky 9’s outsole not solely enhances grip but additionally conjures up confidence on moist roads. Traction feels safe throughout totally different situations, and the shoe even handles gentle gravel comfortably, including a contact of versatility to its road-focused design.

Journey, Conclusions and Suggestions

To my opinion Muzuno nailed it with the Wave Sky 9 within the max cushion class. A smooth journey, a responsive and steady shoe that has an ideal and comfy match. Your preferrred companion for lengthy runs and even run at a slitly greater tempo.

The colour scheme make the shoe seems to be fashionable and regardless of the excessive stack it doesn’t look overly enormous and it undoubtedly doesn’t really feel that method on the run.

At 307 gr in my dimension (EUR44 – US10) it’s nonetheless with the appropriate vary for a max cushion shoe.

To conclude, the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 is a good selection when you’re on the lookout for an all-round day by day coach that provides loads of cushioning, excels at lengthy distances, and feels most at residence at a reasonable, regular tempo.

Rating: 9,18/10 😊😊😊😊

Journey: 9 (50%) Match: 9,5 (30%) Worth: 9 (15%) Type: 9,5 (5%)

2 Comparisons

Hoka Skyward X (RTR Assessment)

The Hoka Skyward X is a posh but remarkably nice working shoe. It’s a coaching shoe geared up with a carbon plate, weighing in at 335 grams (dimension 44), which makes it comparatively heavy. With a price ticket of €225, it’s additionally on the costly aspect. In my view, the Mizuno is the higher choice: appropriate for each simple and barely extra up-tempo runs, round 30 grams lighter, €35 cheaper, and delivering a really comparable fulfilling journey.

New Steadiness 880 V15 (RTR Assessment)

The New Steadiness 880v15 isn’t technically a max-cushioning shoe—that title within the NB lineup belongs extra to the 1080—however I embrace it right here as a result of with its 40 mm heel stack, it nonetheless delivers a surprisingly cushioned journey that holds up properly on longer runs. The shoe strikes a positive stability between consolation and responsiveness, whereas a gently built-in rocker geometry helps create easy, easy transitions. These traits are additionally current within the Mizuno Wave Sky 9, although within the Mizuno they really feel a contact extra pronounced.

Additionally please try the crew’s earlier Wave Sky 9 multi tester overview right here

All RTR opinions: HERE

Newest Evaluations-chronological order HERE

Thanks for studying our overview!

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

MIZUNO RUNNING USA

Wave Sky 9

Tester Profile

Kurt has a background in lengthy distance triathlon. In recent times his focus is again on working. He lately ran varied metropolis marathons like Valencia, Milan and Antwerp. Kurt Is working on Belgian soils which means principally flat surfaces. He likes to hit the close by trails that are principally gravel and wooded surfaces. From autumn to spring his favourite trails are reworked into muddy terrain.

Kurt frequently joins a run or path race to maintain the engine going. However he additionally likes ‘greater challenges: he ran Tour du Mont Blanc in days in 2024, ran his first extremely path (60K), hiked TMB in 9 days together with his household and completed Tenerife Blue path in 2025. He’s 1m86cm and 77kg.

Samples had been supplied at no cost for overview functions. No compensation was supplied by manufacturers for writing this text. RoadTrail Run does have affiliate partnerships and will earn fee on merchandise bought by way of procuring hyperlinks on this article. These partnerships don’t affect our editorial content material. The opinions herein are totally the authors’.