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Mizuno

Wave Paradox

Wave Paradox
Daily trainer · Stability · Road
Average (68/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.6 oz
Release
2025
MSRP
$135
Stack Height
29mm heel - 18mm toe
Drop Height
11mm

Ratings & Reviews

Average (68/100)

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

Scores better than 28% 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

Average (68/100)

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

Average (68/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 28% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Very good (82/100)

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 (82/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 65% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Very good (85/100)

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 (85/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 65% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (73/100)

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

Good (73/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 42% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Average (67/100)

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

Average (67/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 24% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Average (65/100)

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

Average (65/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 20% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

29%

2/7

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 28% of 2,617 running shoes.

Average

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 29% of 1,872 daily trainers.

29%

Mizuno

Scores better than 17% of 105 Mizuno shoes.

17%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.

Cons

  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Mizuno Wave Paradox
Mizuno Wave Paradox 3
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Wave Paradox
Wave Paradox 3
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Lightest / Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Stability
Neutral
Weight
8.6 oz M Lightest
11.1 oz M
—
Stack
29/18mm
32/20mm
—
Drop
11mm
12mm
7mm
Release
2025 Newest
2017 Q3
2024 Q2
MSRP
$135 Lower MSRP
$140
$200
Best price
—
—
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Below average (28%)
—
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Bottom tier (20%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Above average (65%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (42%)
—
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Above average (65%)
—
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Below average (24%)
—
Very good (86%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

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Reader Ratings

10 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 10 written reviews

Reader review

RunnerPod · Dec 4, 2015

5/5

Overall

Nice high mileage daily trainer - not as responsive as Id like for tempos / speed work but a great daily trainer for runners with excess forefoot motion / pre-existing foot pain. I run with a powerstep orthotic as well and they go together nicely.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

oldog94 · May 13, 2015

5/5

Overall

So far I like it a lot. I haven't had a lot of opportunity to run in it of late due to my schedule. It's very comfortable and seems well built.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

oldog94 · Apr 17, 2015

5/5

Overall

It seems much sturdier than my previous running shoes. I've ran in the hurricanes since the 5 or 6 model and they basically cured my nagging shin splints. However, they seem to have went downhill in quality in the last few models. So, hopefully these will do the trick. So far so good. Right now I'm just getting back into shape d/t injury and hope to do some local 5k again.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Apr 5, 2015

4/5

Overall

Have been running in Mizuno stability shoes (Wave Nirvana) for several years. This shoe is relatively light and flexible for a stability shoe compared to the shoes it replaced. Works well, although I am making shift to lower heel toe drop shoes gradually (bought my first Hoka recently) and more midfoot strike to reduce injury.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

OTRunner3 · Sep 10, 2014

3/5

Overall

Background info: I was running in the wave rider since model 13 then walked into a running store on my way home from work and wound up on the treadmill for a gait assessment. The Paradox is "light" for a stability shoe in my opinion so I do like that about it. However, it feels very hard both in the midsole and the heal which gets annoying. If it is doing what the salesman said it would do (keeping my right foot from overpronating) I will rotate the shoe during my runs hopefully to keep some of the injuries away. Overall, I like what the shoe does and the weight of it. It is a smooth ride, however the shoe is very stiff. I've been running in them for about 2 weeks so maybe they need some break in time.
Comfort
2/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
2/5