5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Dec 8, 2015
40 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 4/5
Mizuno Wave Rider 16
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.1 oz · 28/16mm stack · 12mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Rider 17 replaced it
How it ranks
The Mizuno Wave Rider 16 trails most daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 42 runner reviews and 16 other rated shoes in the Wave Rider product line.
Below average
65
Overall
65
Cushioning
79
Comfort
70
Value
69
Durability
65
Appearance
60
Confidence
96
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
96 Very high
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.
- Our ratings
- Product line track record
- External ratings
What runners say
“Consistently develop enormous holes in the sides and toes.”
“Experiencing achilles soreness once the shoe broke down due to the softness of the heel.”
“The shoes seem to go flat more quickly than other brands.”
“Feels like I have no shoe on at all.”
“Good for a lighter runner who wants feel of the road with enough cushioning.”
“Tends to rip along inside of toe box after several hundred miles.”
“Usually last 300–400 miles, though 700 possible.”
“Not too heavy, but durable.”
“The outer sole does wear away faster than other shoes.”
“No injuries in this shoe despite being injury-prone.”
“Plenty cushioning without being lumpy.”
“Injury free since wearing the Wave Rider series.”
“Even after 200+ miles, smooth feel.”
“Seems to break down very quickly.”
“Fits higher arches with a tighter toe box.”
“500+ miles per pair.”
“No control, not too heavy, no stability reinforcement.”
“Lots of room in the toe box.”
“A bit wider than others, which helps.”
“Wish they lasted a bit longer.”
“Missed the boat after the 15 but regaining momentum now.”
Prefer this shoe over another
18% 4/22
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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.
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.
Confidence
Better Shoes Rating
Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Mizuno Wave Rider
Each dot is one version of the Wave Rider, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
Rating
40
60
80
100
74
2006
62
65
2012
59
76
2014
67
83
2016
72
91
2018
85
77
2020
79
77
2022
82
95
2024
89
84
2026
Release year
-
2026 · 1 review
84 Good
79 Confidence
-
2025 · 2 reviews
89 Good
80 Confidence
-
2024 · 6 reviews
95 Excellent
85 Confidence
-
2023 · 17 reviews
82 Good
92 Confidence
-
2022 · 21 reviews
77 Decent
93 Confidence
-
2021 · 2 reviews
79 Decent
80 Confidence
-
2020 · 4 reviews
77 Decent
86 Confidence
-
2019 · 7 reviews
85 Good
90 Confidence
-
2018 · 18 reviews
91 Very good
95 Confidence
-
2017 · 25 reviews
72 Decent
97 Confidence
-
2016 · 16 reviews
83 Good
95 Confidence
-
2015 · 12 reviews
67 Below average
93 Confidence
-
2014 · 36 reviews
76 Decent
98 Confidence
-
2013 · 49 reviews
59 Bottom-tier
98 Confidence
-
Wave Rider 16 This shoe
2012 · 42 reviews
65 Below average
96 Confidence
-
2011 · 4 reviews
62 Below average
91 Confidence
-
2006 · 0 reviews
74 Decent
80 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 9.1 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 9.9 oz · Women's 8.2 oz
- Release
- 2012
- MSRP
- $115
- Stack
- 28/16mm
- Drop
- 12mm
Runner reviews
4/5
Overall
I have worn the Mizuno Wave Rider for nearly a decade now. I have forayed into a few other models such as the precision at times, but the standard has always been the Wave Rider. I felt they missed the boat a bit after the 15 but might be regaining a bit of momentum now.
Anonymous runner · Dec 2, 2015
55 mpw training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 17
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · May 8, 2015
35 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
5/5
Overall
I had terrible neuromas in both feet, and I tried 5-6 different pairs in the summer of 2013. This shoe worked, and I have run in it since. I think it is a bit wider than others, and that seems to have helped.
garvin · Apr 4, 2015
50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas Supernova Classic
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
3/5
Overall
aift319 · Apr 4, 2015
35 mpw training for a half marathon
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Mizuno
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Current shoe
Choose a model
Reference shoe
Lightest
/
Newest
/
Best value rating
Lowest price
/
Best overall
/
Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.1 oz
8.8 oz
Lightest
9.9 oz
Stack
28/16mm
43/35mm
40/35mm
Drop
12mm
8mm
4mm
Release
2012
2026
Newest
2022 Q3
MSRP
$115
$150
$165
Best price
—
$150
$95
Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
65 Below average
84 Good
99 Exceptional
Best overall
Comfort
70 Decent
77 Decent
99 Exceptional
Best comfort
Cushioning
79 Decent
79 Decent
99 Exceptional
Best cushioning
Durability
65 Below average
77 Decent
97 Exceptional
Best durability
Appearance
60 Below average
74 Decent
75 Decent
Best appearance
Value
69 Below average
78 Decent
Best value rating
77 Decent
Mizuno Wave Rider 16 In Context
More on the Mizuno Wave Rider
- Mizuno Wave Rider 30
- Mizuno Wave Rider 29
- Mizuno Wave Rider 28
- Mizuno Wave Rider 27
- Mizuno Wave Rider 26
- Mizuno Wave Rider 25
- Mizuno Wave Rider 17 next version
- Mizuno Wave Rider 15 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- adidas Supernova Classic 1 runner
- Mizuno Wave Rider 15 1 runner