5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Apr 6, 2015
70 mpw training for a marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Mizuno Wave Rider 18
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 8.5 oz · 27/15mm stack · 12mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Rider 19 replaced it
How it ranks
The Mizuno Wave Rider 18 sits about average for daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and looks are its strongest sub-ratings. Comfort scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 36 runner reviews and 16 other rated shoes in the Wave Rider product line.
Decent
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
98 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.
- Product line track record
- Our ratings
- External ratings
What runners say
“New sole irritates a nerve; toes go numb after 6-8 miles.”
“Only shoe that doesn't cause Achilles tendon issues.”
“The wave plate running through the sole prevents extra impact on injured legs.”
“Heel and midfoot formed to foot; toe box generous for movement and swelling.”
“Perfect for easy runs and base mileage without being too bulky.”
“No visible wear issues at 400 miles.”
“All pairs develop a hole over the big toe.”
“2+ years of use across warmups, drills, tempos, and recovery runs.”
“Cut-out under heel picks up rocks on rocky trails and in heavy mud.”
“Firm due to wave plate, but smooth ride.”
“Not the lightest or sleekest, but never get hurt training in these shoes.”
“Could use a little more cushioning and bounce.”
“Conk out after ~350 miles, but feel great until then.”
“No air bladder to pop; more durable off-road.”
“Minimum 350 miles per pair.”
“Cut-out in sole picks up rocks or mud on trails.”
“Comfortable but slightly heavy.”
“Not as springy as the 16.”
Prefer this shoe over another
48% 21/44
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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.
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 Rider
Each dot is one version of the Wave Rider, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.
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
-
Wave Rider 18 This shoe
2014 · 36 reviews
76 Decent
98 Confidence
-
2013 · 49 reviews
59 Bottom-tier
98 Confidence
-
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
- 8.5 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 9.2 oz · Women's 7.8 oz
- Release
- 2014
- MSRP
- $120
- Stack
- 27/15mm
- Drop
- 12mm
Runner reviews
5/5
Overall
dulax34 · Apr 6, 2015
40 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 17
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 4/5
5/5
Overall
drbruced · Apr 6, 2015
50 mpw came from the Saucony Ride 6
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 4/5
4/5
Overall
nsuster · Apr 6, 2015
30 mpw training for a marathon came from the ASICS GT-2000 2
- Comfort
- 3/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 3/5
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Apr 4, 2015
40 mpw training for a half marathon came from the New Balance 1080 v5
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Durability
- 4/5
- 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.
Mizuno Wave Rider 18 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 19 next version
- Mizuno Wave Rider 17 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Mizuno Wave Rider 17 6 runners
- Saucony Ride 6 2 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 31 2 runners