Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 Shoe Review

I have been a fan of shoes with very thin insoles because they mimic barefoot running. However, because of a recent injury, I’ve temporarily switched to stability shoes. And one of the shoes that have always been on my short list was the Mizuno Wave Inspire 13.

Luckily, the guys at Mizuno Bonifacio High Street gave me the opportunity to review a new pair of these beauties. Here is a not so technical review of the Wave Inspire 13 and my thoughts about this stability shoe.

(With Mickey Regala, Mizuno’s Digital Marketing Officer)

Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 Specs

Mizuno is one of the few shoe brands that annually tinkers their shoes so they could reach their fullest potential. The constant refresh keeps their shoes ever relevant to the running community who they said is their primary source of input on what features to improve and what to keep.

The Wave Inspire 13 is their current mid-range stability shoe offering which is priced at PhP 5,995. Mizuno has marketed it as a lightweight support shoe that is meant for long distance running.

Here is a quick summary of its specs:

Weight: 312 grams for a half pair

Heel Offset: 12 mm

Upper: Molded urethane, synthetic leather

Midsole: Wave plate insert, dual density compression foam

Outsole: blown rubber forefoot sole, carbon rubber for the heel

What’s New in the Wave Inspire Series?

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 received minor updates focused mainly on the material of the shoes, without sacrificing the reliable support system, plush fit and great cushioning which Mizuno fans came to love.

Here are some of the changes that Mizuno made for this stability shoe:

• New cosmetic detail to the front bumper feel
• Switched spacer type mesh which makes it spongier than last year’s release
• Added strip of synthetic leather on the lateral/ outer side making it snugger to some extent

Test Running the Wave Inspire 13

When I first put on these sneakers, I immediately sense its great fit. Its in that “Goldilocks zone” where its not too narrow nor is it too loose. The toebox is also wide enough for my toes to splay naturally.

A tip for beginner runners. Always add 0.5 inch to one inch allowance when you are buying a shoe meant for long distance running. This is so your feet have extra room as it expands significantly during your run.

I’ve had the Wave Rider for about a week and had it test ran for three times, with the farthest mileage at 16km. I did most of the running in our subdivision and the nearby Molino Boulevard-Molino Road.

On a straight road, the shoe is very consistent in terms of its cushioning. Each step I felt a boost in my bounciness. My feet were less stressed even when I am striking the concrete hard. Thanks to its breathable mesh, my feet were well ventilated.

Meanwhile, on the other two runs, I  snake around the streets of our subdivision and has to take corners every 150 meters or so. The shoe has a nifty support that stabilizes your footing even when you are shifting your weight when turning.

I appreciate the shoes’ impressive rear foot striking and energy return for each step. This helps you propel forward with less effort.

The only issue I have with the Inspire 13 was I felt slower because my reduced turn over rate. Now this is a given with any daily trainer/ stability shoe, however, I felt that it could be more reflexive.

The cushioning is also extraordinary, however, there is at least one or two stability shoes in the market that offers better cushioning system.

Overall, I was satisfied with my runs wearing the Wave Inspire 13. Its a great shoe to wear if you are building your mileage base or running a long distance event.

Pros and Cons of the Mizuno Wave Inspire 13

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 is still an evolving shoe product that, in my opinion, have yet to reach its fullest potential. You can expect, however, that it will have better versions in the coming years.

In the meantime, here are its pros and cons:

Pros

• Superb cushioning
• Provides table footing
• Breathable mesh
• Impressive rear foot strike
• Comfy toebox
• Good energy conversion

Cons

• Poor turnover rate
• Isn’t reflexive enough

Verdict

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 is a trusty shoe that can get you running longer. It has a lot of support features that provide the best comfort for your feet.

I highly recommend it for runners who want to transition from 21K to a full marathon.