Mizuno Wave Sonic

Neutral · Road · 7.6 oz · 4mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock.

How it ranks

The Mizuno Wave Sonic rates in the 94th percentile overall among racing shoes. It rates highest on value.

Based on 5 runner reviews.

Mizuno Wave Sonic

/ 5

Exceptional

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 (96/100)

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.

96/100
Overall

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 (96/100)

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.

96
Value

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 (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.

89
Comfort

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 (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 76% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

86
Durability

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 (85/100)

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.

85
Appearance

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 (75/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 45% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

75
Cushioning

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

Average (67/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 25% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

67

What runners say

“Has enough cushion than a typical racing flat but less than a usual trainer.”
f4ngy1yang 5/5 Full review
“Works perfectly fine for 10Ks to the half marathon.”
f4ngy1yang 5/5 Full review
“Forefoot felt a bit sore after some runs.”
f4ngy1yang 5/5 Full review
“Lightweight and keeps the cushion you're looking for.”
5/5 Full review
“Awesome shoe for longer workouts and uptempo runs.”
5/5 Full review
“Would be nice if it was a bit more flexible and a bit softer.”
4/5 Full review
“Little to no arch support.”
f4ngy1yang 5/5 Full review
“Can run half marathon in this.”
5/5 Full review
“Get compliments on its appearance all the time.”
5/5 Full review
“Grip is ok on the roads and some light trails.”
f4ngy1yang 5/5 Full review

Prefer this shoe over another

50% 1/2

Reader Ratings

5 reader ratings
5/5
4
4/5
1
3/5
0
2/5
0
1/5
0

Runner reviews

Write a review

Showing 1–5 of 5 written reviews

Mizuno wave sonic

Anonymous runner · Jul 6, 2019

5/5

Overall

If you looking for flat racing shoe or training . Is lightweight and also keep that cushion that you looking for. You can run half marathon in this. Love this shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Jul 22, 2018

4/5

Overall

About what you can expect form a neutral shoe with 4mm drop. It would be nice if it was a bit more flexible, if it were a bit softer, and if it had zero drop between heel and toe.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Great racing flat

Anonymous runner · Jul 13, 2018

5/5

Overall

Have had a great time racing and training in this shoe, very enjoyable.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reliable and versatile pair for those looking for light and fast but also reasonably cushioned

f4ngy1yang · Feb 6, 2018

5/5

Overall

I mostly employ the Wave Sonic for my long runs and tempo runs, along with the occasional track workout. It has enough cushion than a typical racing flat but less than a usual trainer. Kind of similar to the Asics Gel-DS Trainer, though I haven't had enough experience with both to give an accurate comparison. The reduced cushion meant that my forefoot felt a bit sore after some runs, so some degree of caution would be needed to ease into the shoe for longer and harder workouts. Grip is ok on the roads and some light trails. For the track I might prefer something with better grip like the Nike Zoom Streak LT for faster workouts (5K race pace or faster), but if it's at a slower pace the Wave Sonic works just fine. Note that there is little to no arch support, though it wasn't a problem for me as I'm used to wearing low or no arch support shoes like racing flats and minimalist shoes. For racing I'd choose something lighter for 5Ks, but this shoe should work perfectly fine for 10Ks to the half marathon. Overall a good show that can serve multiple purposes and from my experience so far it seems pretty durable.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
3/5

Best Mizuno Shoe

Anonymous runner · Dec 30, 2017

5/5

Overall

This is an awesome shoe for longer workouts and uptempo runs. I get compliments on its appearance all the time.
Comfort
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Where to buy

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Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Mizuno Wave Sonic
HOKA Mach X 2
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Wave Sonic
Mach X 2
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Choose a model
Lightest
Newest
Lowest price / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Racing
Racing
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
7.6 oz M Lightest
9.4 oz M
—
Stack
—
—
—
Drop
4mm
—
7mm
Release
2017 Q3
2024 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$100
—
$200
Best price
—
$189.99
$149.99 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Excellent (94%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (76%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Below average (25%)
Exceptional (97%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Good (73%)
Very good (84%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (45%)
Very good (81%)
Exceptional (97%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (84%)
Good (71%)
Very good (87%) Best value
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