Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 2 Review: 10 Comparisons

Execs: 

Extra rounded anatomical formed toebox – Derek

Wonderful Outsole – Derek

Higher for heel strikers than earlier than – Derek 

Cons: 

Some individuals might expertise heel slippage – Derek

Nonetheless comparatively unstable as a consequence of excessive stack and slim platform – Derek

Derek is in his 40’s and trains 70-80 miles per week at 7 to eight minute tempo in principally tropical circumstances in Singapore. He has a 2:39 marathon PR from the 2022 Zurich Marathon.

Stats

Approx. Weight: males’s 7.2 oz / 204g  (US9) 

Samples:  males’s US9.5: 210g / 7.41 oz  (v1 US9.5: 213g / 7.51oz)

Stack Peak: males’s 38 mm heel / 36 mm forefoot (2mm drop)

Platform Width: v2 77mm heel 62mm midfoot 115mm forefoot

                          v1 77mm heel 62mm midfoot 114mm  forefoot

$250. Obtainable now

First Impressions, Match and Higher

Derek: My first impression on taking the footwear out of the field was how a lot bigger the shoe appeared than its predecessor. The entire shoe simply appeared longer and taller. So it got here as a little bit of a shock when the measured widths of the shoe have been practically equivalent to v1, and it got here in a hair lighter as properly. 

Placing the footwear aspect by aspect, v2 does look marginally longer than v1, although on step in with socks on, the quantity of house in entrance of the toes was nonetheless about the identical for each variations.

 It’s instantly apparent on lacing up and strolling round that model 2 is considerably bouncier, and a variety of that spring appears to be stemming from the midfoot and heel. There’s much more pure directed rebound within the ahead path, one thing that model 1 didn’t have (nor certainly a variety of different tremendous footwear. 

The NB SC Elite 3 is the opposite shoe that involves thoughts with this form of very directed ahead spring from the heel, however with the Riot Professional 2, it’s way more exaggerated than within the NB). The footwear positively really feel unstable on the heel when strolling round, and in case you rock too far again in your heels, chances are high you’ll really feel like you’re falling backwards. Advantageous, they don’t seem to be strolling footwear. 

The higher has moved away from a extra conventional assemble to a skinny engineered mesh higher. There’s some lamination across the edges of the ankle opening and tongue, however in any other case the higher is extraordinarily minimal and easy. 

The principle supply of help within the shoe comes within the type of an inner help strap that reinforces the midfoot space. That is inelastic and adhered to the higher on either side of the midfoot. It doesn’t connect to the tongue. 

There’s a small quantity of padding constructed into the again of the ankle opening to help heel maintain on both aspect of the Achilles, however in any other case all the heel counter may simply be compressed. 

There’s a properly designed inner laminate that varieties the premise of the inner toe guard up entrance. This toe guard does a wonderful job of elevating the peak of the toe field and actually offers the toe field much more quantity. 

The tongue is simply connected to the higher on the entrance, and is totally free-floating on the sides, but it surely eliminates motion via three completely different slots, by way of which the laces run. One on the entrance working centrally, and two extra nearer to the perimeters increased up. By comparability, v1’s tongue solely makes use of the 2 slot design. Model 1 had 5 major rows of eyelets plus an extra final eyelet situated obliquely to facilitate a runner’s knot. Model 2 has 5 rows of eyelets however no further eyelet for a runner’s knot. People who find themselves vulnerable to heel slippage with these minimal heel counters ought to be aware of this as there is no such thing as a simple answer. I rely myself fortunate as a result of I’ve very poor heel maintain with e.g. Hoka Rocket X 2 even with each particular lacing technique, however i managed to attain superb heel maintain within the Riot Professional 2 with simply standard lacing.

Though the extra minimal higher of model 2 seems to be like it might be much less efficient than the standard assemble of model 1, it really works simply in addition to model 1 for me. There’s a little bit extra room for the toes on the toebox now, however the quantity and match of the shoe is in any other case fairly just like model 1. 

Midsole & Platform

Derek: The fabric assemble of the midsole is just like model 1. The midsole is fabricated from a plant-based materials (Pebax Rnew) infused into Mizuno Enerzy Lite so now we have now Mizuno Enerzy Lite+. Sandwiched within the foam is a carbon fiber infused nylon Mizuno Wave Plate. 

Mizuno has chosen to nonetheless not go along with a full carbon plate, maybe as a result of they acknowledge {that a} extra versatile plate works higher for his or her shoe geometry. Mizuno calls this Easy Velocity Help. It’s arduous to argue with the outcomes when you expertise the journey of this shoe. I’ll say although, that the shoe does really feel slightly stiffer than model 1. Whereas the v1 plate, (additionally carbon-infused nylon) had a perforated design, the v2 plate is strong with a extra conventional spoon form and so nonetheless has slightly extra torsional stiffness than earlier than. 

The geometry is completely different, and it’s tough to place into phrases the way it’s completely different, however the heel is now angled up much more than earlier than, but with the upper forefoot stack than earlier than, the official drop of the shoe sits at a measly 2mm. In actuality, it rides like a 8-10mm sort shoe, because the foot pivots throughout the “hump” that rests beneath the heel throughout transition. 

The platform continues to be comparatively slim on the heel and midfoot, so it’s nonetheless strictly a impartial runner’s shoe. Not a variety of room for error you probably have a sloppy touchdown. I do want it this fashion because it makes it really feel nimbler on the run.  

Outsole

Derek: The outsole continues to be the identical wonderful G3 outsole materials as in model 1, with superb traction and sturdiness, however as an alternative of the disjointed protection of the medial aspect, the protection now runs the total size of the shoe on either side. This truly accentuates the rocker motion of the shoe. There’s nonetheless a deep cutout of the midsole to show the plate, and I feel that is purely to avoid wasting weight, although New Stability has employed one thing related to enhance the cushioning and stability of the shoe of their SC Elite and Coach choices. 

Experience, Conclusions and Suggestions

Derek: The journey is extremely dynamic for me, with a springy heel that rapidly transitions to a extra responsive forefoot. The shoe nonetheless favors working at a quick clip, and slightly of the magic is misplaced when going at slower paces. Naturally, with its slim final and excessive stack, you’ll take pleasure in it extra when getting in a straight line than when there’s a variety of cornering to do.

 I’ve seen a number of different opinions on this shoe, and my private take is that the shoe is extra suited to a rearward foot strike than model 1. I say rearward as a result of a really excessive heel striker goes to battle with the shoe, and but it’s also not likely going to favor a pure midfoot striker. 

The zone of max rebound is situated proper on the pointy finish of the outsole, and in case you extrapolate that to the place your foot sits within the shoe, one can find that the pivot level is true on the posterior arch/anterior heel interface. In order that’s the place I naturally gravitated to land with this shoe, and the place I feel the max profit is for touchdown. 

The shoe tilts ahead slightly greater than model 1, and so there’s a extra aggressive rocker right here, whereas model 2 can truly really feel slightly flat in case you don’t land midfoot. All these variations inform me that the Wave Riot Professional 2 is a extra user-friendly shoe for middle-of-the-pack runners, and a extra viable choice for the marathon distance than v1 was. 

So to summarize, if you’re slightly bit rear of mid-foot placing, do this shoe. Should you prefer to land in a really supinated approach, positively do this shoe. Should you want midfoot or heel stability, you most likely ought to look elsewhere. 

Derek’s Rating: 9.8 / 10 

Experience (50%): 10 Match (30%): 9.6 Worth (15%): 10 Type (5%): 9

Small deductions for match and elegance. I most popular the snugger forefoot of model 1. 

The model factors – properly, the colors are a giant step down from Zebra for me. I used to be an enormous fan of the zebra, and the present colours are slightly bland.  

😊😊😊😊😊

10 Comparisons

Index to all RTR opinions: HERE

Mizuno Wave Riot Professional 1 (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. V2 is softer and bouncier with a simpler rocker, that’s simpler to have interaction for heel strikers, requiring a much less aggressive mid-forefoot engagement than earlier than. I want the general match of v1, however v2 is fairly darn good in case you don’t have heel slippage points. V2 additionally solves the constrictive toebox challenge that some individuals skilled with v1. Total, I want the match of v1, however the journey of v2. I’d say that v2 is a worthy improve. 

Saucony Endorphin Elite  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. The Endorphin Elite feels a bit flat by comparability, requiring an aggressive mid-forefoot strike with sturdy calf motion to have interaction the froth. The EE outsole can also be a bit slippery on moist roads. The Riot Professional 2 (RP2) is simpler to have interaction and has a simpler rocker. The outsole additionally probably the greatest amongst supershoes. Total, the RP2 is the higher shoe.

Saucony Endorphin Professional 3 (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. The EP3 is a firmer shoe with a extra conventional (4percentish) sort of transition model. The RP2 has the extra dynamic and cushioned journey, and the extra snug match for me. Total i want the RP2, particularly for the HM and FM distance.

Saucony Endorphin Professional 4 (Embargo)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. EP4 is the softer shoe, however with a a lot milder rocker, and truly feels a bit flat with a extra sluggish transition consequently. The outsole is healthier than EP3 by way of grip however continues to be barely slippery on moist roads. The Riot Professional 2 positively has the extra assistive geometry and extra enjoyable, dynamic journey. 

Nike Alphafly 1 & 2  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 within the Riot Professional 2, and US9.0 in AF1 and AF2, and US9.5 in AF3. It’s now a really very shut contest and we’re actually splitting hairs, however I feel AF1 continues to be marginally higher than RP2. It’s simply as assistive, however is a little more forgiving underfoot. AF2 doesn’t work for me, as I get unhealthy arch blisters with it, so I didn’t run far sufficient within the shoe to make any logic on it, the shoe doesn’t really feel very assistive on brief runs although. 

Nike Vaporfly 3  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. The VF3 has a much less dynamic journey, although its comparatively conventional underfoot really feel additionally makes it a extra steady and predictable shoe. The RP2 is the extra assistive and enjoyable journey, and i’d say, the extra cushioned journey over the marathon distance.

adidas Adizero Adios Professional 3  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear, although I’d say the Adidas arguably runs only a smidge longer than the Mizuno. The Adidas is just like the VF3 in that it’s also extra steady and fewer dynamic in journey than the Mizuno RP2. Once more, the RP2 additionally feels extra cushioned than the AP3 for the marathon distance. 

ASICS Metaspeed Sky OG  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. The OG Sky has a wonderful bouncy forefoot that favors a mid-forefoot strike extra, whereas that very same form of rebound lies extra towards the heel for the RP2, making it extra appropriate for heel strikers. OG Sky is decrease stack, and wider in width so is a little more steady. The  RP2’s outsole is extra grippy for me. I feel the Sky continues to be the higher 5/10/21k racer for me, whereas I’d favor the RP2 for the marathon distance. 

ASICS Metaspeed Sky+  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. Sky+ requires a good stronger forefoot motion than OG Sky, and the journey feels much less dynamic than OG Sky so it’s not likely a greater shoe for me. I don’t have the stride that works properly with Sky+ so take that for what it’s value. RP2 is healthier for all run distances for me. 

New Stability SC Elite 4  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear, although I feel i’d be higher off going a half measurement down in SCE4. The SCE4 is an general softer shoe, however can also be much less bouncy than RP2. By way of rocker geometry, RP2 wins by a mile because the SCE4 can really feel a bit flat in case you don’t have an excellent mid-forefoot strike. Should you want stability, the SCE4 is certainly the higher shoe given its wider platform. Total, the RP2 is the quicker shoe for me, for all distances. 

Xtep 160 3.0 Professional  (RTR Assessment)

Derek: I put on US9.5 in each footwear. The Xtep geometry is mainly a carbon copy of the Nike AF1, however with a steady midsole configuration. It’s a superb shoe, with weight being its personal disadvantage. It has already featured on the rostrum on the world championships marathon at Budapest in 2023, and was worn by the male winner of the 2023 Sydney Marathon, slated to be a WMM race in 2025. I’d say the Xtep is a extra forgiving and bouncy shoe than the RP2, however the RP2 feels extra environment friendly and quicker when you’re pushing at a quick tempo. The Xtep can also be a extra steady shoe with a wider platform. I feel runners over 3h for the marathon would most likely want the Xtep, whereas quicker runners would benefit from the RP2 extra. 

The Wave Riot Professional 2 is accessible at our companions

RUNNING WAREHOUSE US

FREE 2 Day Delivery EASY No Sweat Returns

Feedback and Questions Welcome Under! Please tell us mileage, paces, race distances, and present most popular footwear

RoadTrailRun Official Retailer Customized Fractel Caps and Bucket Hats

Cap:$39                                                             Bucket:$49