Mizuno

Wave Elixir 8

Shoe image placeholder
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Exceptional (97/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9 oz
Release
2013
Stack Height
27mm heel - 15mm toe
Drop Height
12mm

Ratings & Reviews

Exceptional (97/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
?

Scores better than 96% of all shoes.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Better Shoes Rating. Shading shows the expected rating range.
?

Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Exceptional (97/100)

Overall rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Value

Exceptional (97/100)

Value rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (97/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 96% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Excellent (95/100)

Comfort rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (95/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 93% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Durability

Very good (86/100)

Durability rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 79% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Very good (86/100)

Appearance rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 77% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Very good (86/100)

Cushioning rating

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 74% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the rating range we think is most likely.

45%

10/22

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 96% of 2,617 running shoes.

Exceptional

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 96% of 1,872 daily trainers.

96%

Mizuno

Scores better than 99% of 105 Mizuno shoes.

99%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on cushioning.
  • Rated above average on durability.

Cons

  • Most reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Several of reviewers reported getting injured in this shoe.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Best value
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9 oz M
Stack
27/15mm
Drop
12mm
7mm
Release
2013
2016
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
$200
Best price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (93%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Good (74%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (79%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (77%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Excellent (96%) Best value
Very good (86%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

More from Mizuno

Reader Ratings

13 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 13 written reviews

Shoe

Anonymous runner · Jul 2, 2019

5/5

Overall

Been wearing for years. Alternate between ASICS DS trainer. Works well for me. Holds up for 6+ months of 40 miles/week. Cycle between 2 pairs for races-5k to marathon. Use superfeet inserts also.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Feb 13, 2016

4/5

Overall

Only problem is a slight pressure on top of foot when the tendons are tight
Comfort
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · May 3, 2015

5/5

Overall

Been running in Mizuno Elixir since the original model came out. Use them for all training runs - lately alternating speedwork in Mizuno Sayonara - and races up to marathon distance. Very sad that it's been discontinued because Sayonara is not an adequate replacement. There isn't much else in the light stability category. Cannot wait for Mizuno to bring some redesigned version of the Elixir back in 2016.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

gavs · Apr 7, 2015

4/5

Overall

Comfort
4/5
Durability
2/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
3/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Apr 6, 2015

5/5

Overall

Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5