Mizuno Wave Rider
Every version of the Wave Rider we track, compared on ratings, specs and current price.
The line's rating is the median Better Shoes Rating of its five most recent rated versions. The median product line rates 76, and the Wave Rider rates above 85% of the lines we track.
Mizuno Wave Rider vs. Other Shoes
Each dot is one rated shoe: the Wave Rider in gold, all other shoes in gray.
Rating by version, oldest first
Each dot is one version of the Wave Rider, placed by its rating and release year.
Release year
See our analysis of whether a new version is usually as good as the one it replaces.
| Version | Released | Weight | Stack | Rating | Change | Reviews | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mizuno Wave Rider 30 In stock | 2026 | 8.8 oz | 43/35mm stack · 8mm drop | 84 | -5 | — | $150 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 29 In stock | 2025 | 8.6 oz | 39/29mm stack · 10mm drop | 89 | -5 | 1 | $120 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 28 | 2024 | 9.1 oz | 38/28mm stack · 12mm drop | 95 | +12 | 1 | $140 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 27 | 2023 | 9.1 oz | 39/27mm stack · 12mm drop | 82 | +5 | 8 | — |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 26 | 2022 | 9.3 oz | 39/27mm stack · 12mm drop | 77 | -3 | 9 | — |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 25 | 2021 | 9.4 oz | 12mm drop | 79 | +3 | — | — |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 24 | 2020 | 9.9 oz | 12mm drop | 77 | -8 | 2 | — |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 23 | 2019 | 9.0 oz | 32/20mm stack · 12mm drop | 85 | -7 | 7 | $120 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 22 | 2018 | 9.0 oz | 37/25mm stack · 12mm drop | 91 | +20 | 18 | $120 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 21 | 2017 | 9.0 oz | 12mm drop | 72 | -11 | 25 | $130 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 20 | 2016 | 9.0 oz | 12mm drop | 83 | +16 | 16 | $120 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 19 | 2015 | 9.5 oz | 31/19mm stack · 12mm drop | 67 | -9 | 12 | $120 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 18 | 2014 | 8.5 oz | 27/15mm stack · 12mm drop | 76 | +17 | 36 | $120 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 17 | 2013 | 8.0 oz | 31/18mm stack · 13mm drop | 59 | -6 | 49 | $115 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 16 | 2012 | 9.1 oz | 28/16mm stack · 12mm drop | 65 | +3 | 42 | $115 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 15 | 2011 | 8.7 oz (men's) | — | 62 | -12 | 4 | $115 MSRP |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 13 | 2009 | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 10 | 2006 | 9.6 oz (men's) | — | 74 | — | — | — |
18 shoes
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 3084 84 Good Good Good 1 review Confidence 79
v30 (2026) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.8 oz · 43mm stack · 8mm drop
The Wave Rider 28 scores 97 on six reviews and the Wave Rider 27 scores 82 on seventeen.
Durability 77Overall84Cushioning79Value78Durability77Comfort77Appearance74Confidence79Pros
The Wave Rider 28 scores 97 on six reviews and the Wave Rider 27 scores 82 on seventeen.
It is lighter than the typical daily trainer for sale.
Cons
Scores in the Wave Rider line swing version to version, down to 75 for the Wave Rider 26 on twenty-one reviews.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2989 89 Good Good Good 2 reviews Confidence 80
v29 (2025) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.6 oz · 39mm stack · 10mm drop
It is lighter than the typical daily trainer for sale.
Durability 79Overall89Cushioning83Durability79Comfort79Value77Appearance73Confidence80Pros
It is lighter than the typical daily trainer for sale.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2895 95 Excellent Excellent Excellent 6 reviews Confidence 85
v28 (2024) · Racing shoe · Neutral · 9.1 oz · 12mm drop
At 7.7 oz on a 38mm heel stack, lightly built for the cushioning.
Durability 84MSRP $140
Overall95Comfort87Value86Cushioning84Durability84Appearance82Confidence85Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
At 7.7 oz on a 38mm heel stack, lightly built for the cushioning.
All six reviewers so far rate it 5 out of 5 overall and for comfort.
The Wave Rider 27 before it scores 82 on seventeen reviews, and the one reviewer who comes from the 27 rates this better.
Cons
One of six reviewers so far wants a thicker layer of carbon rubber on the outsole.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2782 82 Good Good Good 17 reviews Confidence 92
v27 (2023) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.1 oz · 39mm stack · 12mm drop
Reviewers report the midsole and outsole holding up over many miles.
Durability 88Overall82Durability88Value86Comfort83Cushioning81Appearance78Confidence92Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers report the midsole and outsole holding up over many miles.
Reviewers say it is comfortable out of the box, from easy runs to tempo.
It scores 82 against 75 for the Wave Rider 26 before it.
Cons
Scores across the Wave Rider line have ranged from 56 to 97.
Value and appearance draw the lowest ratings of any dimension, both at 4.4 out of 5.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2677 77 Decent Decent Decent 21 reviews Confidence 93
v26 (2022) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.3 oz · 39mm stack · 12mm drop
Durability is among its best-rated dimensions, and long-time wearers call it reliable.
Durability 85Overall77Durability85Comfort73Cushioning73Value72Appearance69Confidence93Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Durability is among its best-rated dimensions, and long-time wearers call it reliable.
Long-time users value the fit and the ride staying consistent year to year.
One reviewer says the 26 runs cooler than the 25, on road and hardpack trail.
Cons
At 12mm the drop is high, and one reviewer calls it too high for them.
One reviewer says the heel wraparound became hard plastic and the shoe stiffened from the 24 on.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2579 79 Decent Decent Decent 2 reviews Confidence 80
v25 (2021) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.4 oz · 12mm drop
Both reviewers rate durability and value 5 out of 5.
Durability 80Overall79Value83Durability80Cushioning78Comfort76Appearance71Confidence80Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Both reviewers rate durability and value 5 out of 5.
Cons
Appearance is its lowest-rated dimension, at 3.5 out of 5 from the two reviewers.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2477 77 Decent Decent Decent 4 reviews Confidence 86
v24 (2020) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.9 oz · 12mm drop
One reviewer on their twelfth pair has never had blister problems, and uses it for both speed work and long runs.
Durability 77Overall77Value81Cushioning78Durability77Comfort76Appearance73Confidence86Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
One reviewer on their twelfth pair has never had blister problems, and uses it for both speed work and long runs.
Its four reviewers rate comfort and value 4.5 out of 5.
Cons
The Wave Rider 23 before it scores 90 on seven reviews, and the 22 97 on eighteen.
Averaging 10.2 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is much heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2385 85 Good Good Good 7 reviews Confidence 90
v23 (2019) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.0 oz · 32mm stack · 12mm drop
Every reviewer rates it 5 out of 5 overall and 5 out of 5 for comfort.
Durability 87MSRP $120
Overall85Comfort89Value87Durability87Cushioning85Appearance81Confidence90Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Every reviewer rates it 5 out of 5 overall and 5 out of 5 for comfort.
Three reviewers have worn Wave Riders for ten years or more, one of them fifteen.
One reviewer does both fast efforts and long runs in it, calling it responsive and light.
Cons
One reviewer finds the inner heel fabric wears out quickly, though a second pair holds up.
One reviewer calls it on the pricey side.
Two of seven reviewers report an injury while running in it.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2291 91 Very good Very good Very good 18 reviews Confidence 95
v22 (2018) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.0 oz · 37mm stack · 12mm drop
Reviewers describe a soft, cushioned ride suited to long, easy miles.
Durability 82MSRP $120
Overall91Comfort86Cushioning85Value83Durability82Appearance75Confidence95Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers describe a soft, cushioned ride suited to long, easy miles.
Reviewers praise the roomy toe box, one finding more room there than in adidas or Nike trainers.
Three reviewers report pairs lasting well past 600 miles.
Cons
Three reviewers report the upper wearing through near the big toe.
Three runners want more responsiveness or find it a little heavy at 9.6 oz.
Appearance is the weakest dimension at 4.1 out of 5, and one reviewer calls the looks unremarkable.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2172 72 Decent Decent Decent 25 reviews Confidence 97
v21 (2017) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.0 oz · 12mm drop
Reviewers repeatedly call it comfortable, including on long marathon-training runs.
Durability 87MSRP $130
Overall72Comfort90Value87Durability87Appearance83Cushioning82Confidence97Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers repeatedly call it comfortable, including on long marathon-training runs.
Many runners find it light for how much cushion it offers.
Reviewers describe a firm, responsive ride that handles easy and quicker running.
Cons
High-mileage runners say the cushion flattens after several hundred miles.
One reviewer finds it bulkier than past versions, and another cannot find anything special about it.
One reviewer finds stones lodging in the heel design, and avoids rocky trails in them.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 2083 83 Good Good Good 16 reviews Confidence 95
v20 (2016) · Daily trainer · Neutral (Moderate) · 9.0 oz · 12mm drop
Reviewers consistently rate comfort highly, and one says it needs no break-in period.
Durability 86MSRP $120
Overall83Value96Comfort88Durability86Cushioning85Appearance80Confidence95Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers consistently rate comfort highly, and one says it needs no break-in period.
Reviewers use it for easy miles, long runs and tempo work.
Reviewers rate value highly, several noting it is regularly discounted.
Cons
One reviewer reports the forefoot mesh wearing through and ripping, even in the wide version.
At 12mm the drop is higher than most current trainers, and one reviewer names it as their only reservation.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 1967 67 Below average Below average Below average 12 reviews Confidence 93
v19 (2015) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.5 oz · 31mm stack · 12mm drop
Three reviewers find the ride smooth and versatile across tempo, long and easy runs.
Durability 75MSRP $120
Overall67Cushioning77Durability75Comfort74Appearance72Value69Confidence93Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Three reviewers find the ride smooth and versatile across tempo, long and easy runs.
Four reviewers keep coming back to it, one of them four years in and one seven.
Durability averages 4.3 out of 5 across twelve reviews.
Cons
Three reviewers find the midsole firm or stiff, one saying it feels almost like concrete.
Two reviewers wear holes in the toe box fabric before the sole is done.
Averaging 9.4 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is heavier than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 1876 76 Decent Decent Decent 36 reviews Confidence 98
v18 (2014) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.5 oz · 27mm stack · 12mm drop
Reviewers use it for easy miles, long runs and tempo work.
Durability 74MSRP $120
Overall76Cushioning79Appearance77Value76Durability74Comfort72Confidence98Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers use it for easy miles, long runs and tempo work.
Three reviewers get 400 miles or more from a pair.
The Wave Rider 17 before it scores 56 on forty-nine reviews and the 16 scores 67 on forty-two, against this version's 84.
Cons
Two reviewers say the cutout under the sole picks up rocks and mud, and they keep it off trails.
Three reviewers find the wave plate firm and want more give.
One of thirty-six reviewers so far wore holes over the big toe in four separate pairs.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 1759 59 Bottom-tier Bottom-tier Bottom-tier 49 reviews Confidence 98
v17 (2013) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.0 oz · 31mm stack · 13mm drop
Comfort averages 4.3 out of 5 across forty-nine reviews.
Durability 62MSRP $115
Overall59Cushioning77Appearance67Durability62Value61Comfort56Confidence98Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Comfort averages 4.3 out of 5 across forty-nine reviews.
Averaging 8.0 oz across the men's and women's builds, it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and several reviewers call it light.
Three reviewers describe a firm ride with noticeable ground feel.
Cons
Durability averages 3.8 out of 5, and many reviewers report the outsole or the upper breaking down early, one getting 350 to 400 miles where earlier versions gave 600 to 700.
Several longtime buyers of the line prefer the Wave Rider 16.
Six of the forty-eight reviewers who answered report an injury while running in it.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 1665 65 Below average Below average Below average 42 reviews Confidence 96
v16 (2012) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.1 oz · 28mm stack · 12mm drop
Reviewers find it cushioned enough for daily miles without feeling bulky, many having run the line for a decade or more.
Durability 65MSRP $115
Overall65Cushioning79Comfort70Value69Durability65Appearance60Confidence96Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
Reviewers find it cushioned enough for daily miles without feeling bulky, many having run the line for a decade or more.
Several reviewers prefer it to the Wave Rider 17 that followed, one buying a second pair of the 16 rather than switch.
Reviewers with wider feet and with neuromas repeatedly say the fit accommodates them.
Cons
Reviewers report outsoles wearing through and holes forming in the uppers, one coach saying Mizunos are the only shoes his runners consistently do this to.
Durability draws 3.9 out of 5 across forty-two reviewers, the lowest mark of any dimension, and several say the midsole goes flat sooner than other brands.
The Wave Rider 18, 20 and 22 score 84, 92 and 97 against its 67.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 1562 62 Below average Below average Below average 4 reviews Confidence 91
v15 (2011) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 8.7 oz (men's)
At 8.7 oz it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and one reviewer uses it for long intervals and threshold runs.
Durability 79MSRP $115
Overall62Value83Durability79Cushioning78Comfort74Appearance73Confidence91Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
Pros
At 8.7 oz it is lighter than the 8.9 oz median for daily trainers for sale, and one reviewer uses it for long intervals and threshold runs.
Two reviewers say it holds up over months of regular running.
One reviewer with a very wide forefoot and a narrow heel has bought ten pairs, finding later Wave Riders too narrow.
Cons
One reviewer says it has problems on soft trails.
It is the lowest-scoring rated Wave Rider on file, and eight later versions score 75 or above.
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Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.
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Mizuno
Wave Rider 1074 74 Decent Decent Decent Confidence 80
v10 (2006) · Daily trainer · Neutral · 9.6 oz (men's)
Overall74Confidence80Buy it now
Not available at tracked retailers right now.