Mizuno

Wave Rider 23

Wave Rider 23
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Excellent (93/100)

Shoe details

Weight
10 oz
Release
2019 Q3
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
32mm heel - 20mm toe
Drop Height
12mm

Ratings & Reviews

Excellent (93/100)

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

Scores better than 91% 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

Excellent (93/100)

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

Excellent (93/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% 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.

Durability

Excellent (93/100)

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 (93/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Excellent (93/100)

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 (93/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 91% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Excellent (91/100)

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

Excellent (91/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 88% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Very good (81/100)

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 (81/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 63% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

25%

4/16

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 91% of 2,617 running shoes.

Excellent

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 90% of 1,872 daily trainers.

90%

Wave Rider Family

Scores better than 69% of 10 wave rider family.

69%

Mizuno

Scores better than 92% of 105 Mizuno shoes.

92%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Most reviewers like this shoe more than their last shoe.
  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Wave Rider 22.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.

Cons

  • 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 / Lowest price
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
10 oz M
Stack
32/20mm
Drop
12mm
9mm
7mm
Release
2019 Q3
2025 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$120
$200
Best price
$119.88 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (91%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (95%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Excellent (91%)
Very good (82%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (91%)
Good (80%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Above average (63%)
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (88%) Best value
Above average (68%)
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

7 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 7 written reviews

10+ Year Mizuno Wave Rider Wearer Approved!

Anonymous runner · Jan 17, 2020

5/5

Overall

I've been wearing Mizuno Wave Riders since their 11th model...10+ years worth of Wave Rider legacy. The Wave Rider 23s are another iteration of a great shoe, continue to satisfy me for all my training needs! Overall, Wave Riders have the perfect weight, cushioning, and stability for everything from long runs to 400 repeats. You seriously can't go wrong. In comparison to the other Wave Rider models (since Wave Rider 11)...I'd put these in the top half....maaaaybe top quarter. For me personally, Wave Rider 13 was the peak for me...and every Wave Rider thereafter is judged off this piece of perfection. The big pros for Wave Rider 23? I love the appearance of the shoe. The material and colors are super sleek and neutral, reflective of all these neutral colors splashing the racks of every running store. (OK but does anyone else miss the glitter cobalt blue of those Wave Rider 13s??? Like yeah I'm in my late 20s now and probably wouldn't want glitter on my shoes but neutral colors are for 9-5, not my frolic through the park or ripping up the local high school track). I think the actual fit of this shoe is one of the best in the series. Wave Riders have had a slightly varied history of fit (Wave Rider 14s were the bane of my existence), but the latest in the series, including the 23s, I've been very happy with the fit. They feel fast on my feet. My one con is that the inner heels of these shoes both wore out very quickly. I notice this happens to me every so often with Wave Riders...I personally think it's just slight variations from shoe to shoe because I have since bought another pair of Wave Rider 23s and the inner heel fabric seems to be holding. Overall, Wave Riders have decreased in durability since my first pair 10 years ago...but that's just the way the industry is. In short, if you are looking for a neutral shoe...Wave Riders are am amazing shoe to become attached to, the series is incredible and I'd suggest to any runner to become a part of the Wave Rider family.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

overall

Anonymous runner · Jan 11, 2020

5/5

Overall

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

Love Mizunos

Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2019

5/5

Overall

I've been wearing Mizuno shoes for 10 years and really like their feel and response.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 13, 2019

5/5

Overall

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

Mizuno Waverider review

Anonymous runner · Aug 11, 2019

5/5

Overall

I do most of my training in this shoe and find that I can do both fast efforts as well as long runs in it. It's very responsive and lightweight at the same time which is terrific.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5