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Mizuno

Wave Rider 22

Wave Rider 22
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Exceptional (97/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9.6 oz
Release
2018 Q3
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
37mm heel - 25mm 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.
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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

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.

Comfort

Exceptional (96/100)

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

Exceptional (96/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 95% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Exceptional (95/100)

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

Exceptional (95/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Very good (87/100)

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 (87/100)

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.

Value

Very good (87/100)

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 (87/100)

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.

Appearance

Good (74/100)

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 (74/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 47% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

52%

13/25

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 95% of 1,872 daily trainers.

95%

Wave Rider Family

Scores better than 94% of 10 wave rider family.

94%

Mizuno

Scores better than 98% of 105 Mizuno shoes.

98%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • A majority of reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on cushioning.

Cons

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Mizuno Wave Rider 22
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Wave Rider 22
Wave Rider 29
SUPERBLAST 2
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
9.6 oz M
—
—
Stack
37/25mm
—
—
Drop
12mm
9mm
7mm
Release
2018 Q3
2025 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$120
—
$200
Best price
—
$119.88 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (96%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (95%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (94%)
Very good (82%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Very good (82%)
Good (80%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (47%)
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (82%)
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

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Reader Ratings

18 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 18 written reviews

Why be a Swimmer when you can be a Wave Rider (22)

fastandlow · Jan 19, 2020

5/5

Overall

What I love 1) Excellent ride. I have about 150 miles (still practically new) in the WR22, and still feel cushiony soft and light when running. I compare this to my WR20 (about 220miles) which still feel light but not quite as cushiony as WR22, but more than my other shoes. Also, cushiony feel around foot, compared to WR20, which feels good but not as comfy as the 22s. 2) Shoestrings stay tied. Unsure if its the shoestrings or the shoes, but never had to readjust or retie during a run.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

Why be a Swimmer when you can be a Wave Rider (22)

Anonymous runner · Jan 19, 2020

5/5

Overall

What I love 1) Excellent ride. I have about 150 miles (still practically new) in the WR22, and still feel cushiony soft and light when running. I compare this to my WR20 (about 220miles) which still feel light but not quite as cushiony as WR22, but more than my other shoes. Also, cushiony feel around foot, compared to WR20, which feels good but not as comfy as the 22s. 2) Shoestrings stay tied. Unsure if its the shoestrings or the shoes, but never had to readjust or retie during a run.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5

First marathon shoe

Anonymous runner · Jan 11, 2020

4/5

Overall

Found the shoe to be very comfortable after doing a few runs and getting the lacing right. The cushioning seems just right for me. The wave technology seems to do as it says and gives a bit of spring when going forwards.. Ran Berlin in them and had no blisters..Done 400km in them now and have gone onto my second pair now. If you are a neutral runner I think these shoes do a great job. Just bought a 3rd pair for when second pair wear out.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

Well-cushioned, affordable shoes

Anonymous runner · Jan 3, 2020

5/5

Overall

I switched from a lightly cushioned shoe and found the weight adjustment manageable and the cushioning much more agreeable. They have really mitigated the impact pain that I have felt in other shoes. They aren't waterproof, but still do well in the rain with excellent traction. Durability seems average, and they're meh to look at but overall a great, dependable workhorse shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
5/5

Great shoe but sometimes wish they were more responsive

Anonymous runner · Oct 17, 2019

4/5

Overall

I've worn Wave Riders off and on for years. Everything about the shoe is great, but some times while running I wish they were more responsive.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5