Reader review
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 · 10.3 oz · 12mm drop · 38/26mm stack
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Inspire 22 replaced it
How it ranks
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 21 ranks below most daily trainers in our data. Durability and value are its strongest sub-ratings. The rating rests on 1 runner review and 14 other rated shoes in the Wave Inspire product line. Another 11 reviews would set the confidence on this shoe's own reviews.
Current estimate: 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 will score low when we have few ratings or when runners disagree.
Confidence
55/100
Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 1 runner rating.
Where to buy
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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.
50
60
70
80
90
100
25
50
75
100
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
66 Below average
44 Confidence
-
2025 · 2 reviews
60 Bottom-tier
44 Confidence
-
Wave Inspire 21 This shoe
2025 · 1 review
72 Decent
55 Confidence
-
2023 · 8 reviews
69 Below average
76 Confidence
-
2022 · 5 reviews
78 Decent
75 Confidence
-
2021 · 1 review
63 Below average
49 Confidence
-
2019 · 1 review
69 Below average
40 Confidence
-
2019 · 7 reviews
88 Good
74 Confidence
-
2018 · 6 reviews
68 Below average
77 Confidence
-
2016 · 7 reviews
56 Bottom-tier
81 Confidence
-
2016 · 4 reviews
77 Decent
71 Confidence
-
2014 · 7 reviews
54 Bottom-tier
88 Confidence
-
2013 · 44 reviews
49 Bottom-tier
97 Confidence
-
2012 · 19 reviews
80 Decent
87 Confidence
-
2014 · 5 reviews
68 Below average
72 Confidence
Specs & fit
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
- Weight
- 10.3 oz
- Release
- 2025 Q4
- MSRP
- $140
- Stack Height
- 38mm heel - 26mm toe
- Drop Height
- 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