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Mizuno

Wave Inspire 18

Wave Inspire 18
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Very good (86/100)

Shoe details

Weight
11 oz
Release
2022 Q2

Ratings & Reviews

Very good (86/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 78% 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.
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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

Very good (86/100)

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

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 78% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Excellent (95/100)

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

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.

Cushioning

Very good (89/100)

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 (89/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 84% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Very good (88/100)

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

Very good (88/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 82% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Very good (84/100)

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

Very good (84/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 73% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (72/100)

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

Good (72/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 37% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

0%

0/1

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 78% of 2,617 running shoes.

Very good

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 78% of 1,872 daily trainers.

78%

Wave Inspire Family

Scores better than 86% of 10 wave inspire family.

86%

Mizuno

Scores better than 72% of 105 Mizuno shoes.

72%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 18
Mizuno Wave Inspire 20
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Wave Inspire 18
Wave Inspire 20
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
11 oz M
10.6 oz M Lightest
—
Stack
—
38/26mm
—
Drop
—
12mm
7mm
Release
2022 Q2
2024 Q1
2024 Q2 Newest
MSRP
—
—
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Good (78%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (73%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (84%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (93%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Below average (37%)
—
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (82%)
—
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

5 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–1 of 1 written review

The old school, durable trainer

Anonymous runner · Jun 16, 2024

5/5

Overall

I have gone through 7 of these and have 2 more on my shelf. I use this shoe for most of my training runs that include speed workouts up to around 25k. It is heavier than modern trainers but is excellent as a stability shoe and has great durability. I have never moved on from one of these because of quality issues. I easily get 500 miles into each pair. As a note, on easy and recovery days, I do use a Kayano 30 for the cushion. The major difference between these two shoes is the Kayano feels like I'm running in sand. Last point: I can find these Wave Inspire 18s for as cheap as $50/pair. When I find those deals, most recently at Marshall's, I buy multiple pairs. 

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