Mizuno

Wave Rider 18

Wave Rider 18
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Average (64/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9.2 oz
Release
2014
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
27mm heel - 15mm toe
Drop Height
12mm

Ratings & Reviews

Average (64/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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Scores better than 17% 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 (64/100)

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 (64/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 17% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Excellent (91/100)

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

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 89% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Good (74/100)

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

Good (74/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 55% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (75/100)

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 (75/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 54% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Good (76/100)

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 (76/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 54% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Good (72/100)

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

Good (72/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 46% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

23%

10/44

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 17% of 2,617 running shoes.

Average

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 16% of 1,872 daily trainers.

16%

Wave Rider Family

Scores better than 13% of 10 wave rider family.

13%

Mizuno

Scores better than 8% of 105 Mizuno shoes.

8%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Wave Rider 15.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes overall.
  • Rated above average on cushioning.

Cons

  • Most reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Reference shoe
Newest / Lowest price
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.2 oz M
Stack
27/15mm
Drop
12mm
9mm
7mm
Release
2014
2025 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$120
$200
Best price
$119.88 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Bottom tier (17%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Average (46%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (89%)
Very good (82%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (55%)
Good (80%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (54%)
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Average (55%)
Above average (68%)
Very good (86%) Best value
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

36 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 36 written reviews

Wave Rider 18

Anonymous runner · Jul 4, 2019

5/5

Overall

Best balanced shoe that I've ever ran in. It feels similar to the Nike Pegasus, but doesn't have an air bladder that can pop, which makes it much more durable off-road. Good cushion for a fairly lighter shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Mizuno Wave Rider

Anonymous runner · Jul 1, 2019

5/5

Overall

I bought a previous year's model (value) and ran sparingly in these until making this shoe my primary. The Wave Rider is a good all around shoe. I have not had any injuries while using it as my primary shoe. It's durable and comfortable. It has better arch support than my Wave Enigmas. To make it ideal, it would have a little more cushioning and have a little more bounce.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Good All Purpose Shoe

Anonymous runner · Mar 11, 2018

5/5

Overall

I use the Wave Rider for regular, long, and slower tempo work. It feels zippy enough to race longer efforts in, especially since minimalist shoes tend to lead to injury in my feet. They tend to conk out after ~350 miles, but feel great until then.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Mizuno is my favorite shoe company

Anonymous runner · Feb 10, 2018

5/5

Overall

Have used mizuno wave rider, wave creation, ekiden, and now the sonic. Comfort, fit, and design have appealed to me. I plan to continue wearing mizuno’s For many years to come.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Mizuno Wave Rider 18

Anonymous runner · Feb 7, 2018

4/5

Overall

Provided 2+ years of use during warmups, cooldowns, drills and tempos for sprint workouts, on top of weekly recovery runs. Only just starting to show a hole. Comfortable if slightly heavy.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
4/5