5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jun 14, 2026
40 mpw 300 miles in this shoe would buy again
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 3/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Mizuno Wave Inspire 21
Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 9.6 oz · 38/26mm stack · 12mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Inspire 22 replaced it
How it ranks
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 21’s rating is an early estimate. We’ve collected 1 runner review so far, with product line history and external ratings also informing the score.
Current estimate: Good
Confidence
How settled the rating is against every other rated shoe. A shoe can rate high on confidence with relatively few reviews of its own when its product line has a long record and external ratings from retailer sites agree. Confidence is low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
71 Moderate
External retailer ratings
We break apart ratings from mass-market retailers and specialty running shops since they serve different audiences.
The middle of the bar marks the typical shoe at each type of retailer. The dot shows where this shoe ranks in comparison.
Based on
The bars show roughly how much each source contributes to this shoe’s rating. Their influence depends on how many reviews we’ve collected, how many earlier versions are in the product line, and the external ratings available.
- Product line track record
- External ratings
- Our ratings
Where to buy
No offers available
Check back soon for prices
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
Pros
- A 38mm heel stack on a 12mm drop gives a tall, steep build.
- The one reviewer so far rates it 5 out of 5 overall, for comfort and for durability.
Cons
- The one reviewer who rated cushioning gives it 3 out of 5, calling it not too soft.
Rating & Confidence vs. other shoes for sale
Each dot is one rated shoe for sale, placed by its rating and by how much evidence sits behind it. Shoes toward the top right are both well rated and well established.
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Mizuno Wave Inspire
Each dot is one version of the Wave Inspire, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Release year
-
Release year unknown · 2 reviews
71 Decent
78 Confidence
-
2025 · 2 reviews
71 Decent
76 Confidence
-
Wave Inspire 21 This shoe
2025 · 1 review
85 Good
71 Confidence
-
2024 · 0 reviews
86 Good
77 Confidence
-
2023 · 8 reviews
77 Decent
85 Confidence
-
2022 · 5 reviews
84 Good
82 Confidence
-
2021 · 1 review
65 Below average
71 Confidence
-
2019 · 1 review
72 Decent
83 Confidence
-
2019 · 7 reviews
83 Good
81 Confidence
-
2018 · 6 reviews
72 Decent
88 Confidence
-
2016 · 7 reviews
62 Below average
85 Confidence
-
2016 · 4 reviews
73 Decent
81 Confidence
-
2014 · 7 reviews
58 Bottom-tier
90 Confidence
-
2013 · 44 reviews
51 Bottom-tier
96 Confidence
-
2012 · 19 reviews
72 Decent
92 Confidence
-
2014 · 5 reviews
67 Below average
80 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 9.6 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 10.3 oz · Women's 8.8 oz
- Release
- 2025 Q4
- MSRP
- $140
- Stack
- 38/26mm
- Drop
- 12mm
Runner reviews
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Mizuno
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 In Context
More on the Mizuno Wave Inspire
- Mizuno Wave Inspire 22 next version
- Mizuno Wave Inspire 20 previous version
- Mizuno Wave Inspire 19
- Mizuno Wave Inspire 18
- Mizuno Wave Inspire 17
- Mizuno Wave Inspire 16