5/5
Overall
wc colonel · Aug 11, 2019
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 18
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Mizuno Wave Rider 20
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.0 oz · 12mm drop
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Rider 21 replaced it
How it ranks
The Mizuno Wave Rider 20 ranks among the stronger daily trainers in our data. Value and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating is based on 16 runner reviews and 16 other rated shoes in the Wave Rider product line.
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
95 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
“Since moving to the Wave Rider series I've avoided the stress fractures which plagued me for over 10 years.”
“They don't last a super long time, usually 350-400 miles for me.”
“Lasts a reasonably long time (roughly 450-500 miles).”
“They have great durability, cushioning, and value (if you get the previous year's model).”
“It's a bit narrow, particularly in the midfoot and toe box.”
“They don't go through an awkward feet-burning breaking-in stage.”
“They felt as cushioned as they had in the first mile.”
“Provides just the right amount of support for those who only slightly pronate.”
“I have very narrow feet, and I don't have to wear narrow in these.”
“These shoes manage to constantly feel sturdy, but comfortable every mile.”
“The upper on the toe tends to wear out, particularly in older models.”
“Light and responsive enough for some speed work.”
“My only reservation is the 12mm heel to toe drop.”
“They aren't the shoe you want to wear for a track or interval session.”
“Firm ride, with a bit of flex.”
“Very comfortable with a nice upper, soft cushioning, responsive.”
“The shoe has a least snug fit that previous Mizuno Wave Riders.”
Prefer this shoe over another
38% 6/16
Where to buy
No offers available
Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.
Prices updated daily. Last checked Oct 22.
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.
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
-
Wave Rider 20 This shoe
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
-
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
- 9.0 oz
- Men's / women's
- Men's 9.6 oz · Women's 8.3 oz
- Release
- 2016 Q3
- MSRP
- $120
- Drop
- 12mm
Runner reviews
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Aug 11, 2019
25 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 3/5
- Value
- 5/5
Wave Rider 20
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Oct 1, 2018
80 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Waverider 20
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Feb 8, 2018
45 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19
- Comfort
- 4/5
- Cushioning
- 4/5
- Durability
- 3/5
- Appearance
- 4/5
- Value
- 5/5
Reliable
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Feb 8, 2018
35 mpw training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19
- Comfort
- 5/5
- Cushioning
- 5/5
- Durability
- 5/5
- Appearance
- 5/5
- Value
- 5/5
Alternatives
Other shoes worth considering.
More from Mizuno
Compared to other shoes
See how this shoe compares to others like it.
Mizuno Wave Rider 20 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 21 next version
- Mizuno Wave Rider 19 previous version
Reviewers Also Ran In
- Mizuno Wave Rider 19 7 runners
- Mizuno Wave Rider 18 3 runners
- Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34 1 runner