Mizuno Wave Inspire 9

Name: Mizuno Wave Inspire 9
Brand: Mizuno
Rating: 4.6 (19 reviews)

Daily trainer · Stability · Road · 10.1 oz · 12mm drop · 29/17mm stack

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 replaced it

How it ranks

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 9 ranks above most daily trainers in our data. Value and durability are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 19 runner reviews and 14 other rated shoes in the Wave Inspire product line.

Decent

80/100

Overall

Decent 80

Value

Good 84

Durability

Decent 80

Cushioning

Decent 72

Comfort

Decent 72

Appearance

Bottom-tier 58

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.

See the product line's history

Confidence

87/100

High 87

What runners say

“Each pair has well over 500 miles on them and they are still going strong.”

5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a half marathon

“The Inspire 9 had just the right mix of support, flexibility and cushion.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw came from the New Balance 870 v3

“I would push these shoes to about 500 miles or so before they began to break down and rip (big toe area and pinky toe area).”

3/5 Full review 55 mpw 1,195 miles in this shoe training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8

“The cushioning has not degraded much over the 2 years I have been consistently running in this shoe.”

5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a half marathon

“Stiff heel collar keeps your foot neutral but doesn't over correct.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a marathon

“The small cutout in the lateral part of the heel of this shoe cradles my foot on impact.”

5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a half marathon

“It works for both neutral runners and over-pronators alike.”

5/5 Full review 70 mpw training for a marathon

“Shoe broke down a little quicker than others but the comfort was outstanding.”

5/5 Full review 66 mpw 17,206 miles in this shoe training for a half marathon

“Mizuno has always tended on the narrow side, which I preferred because I have a narrow foot.”

5/5 Full review 35 mpw came from the New Balance 870 v3

“Really bad for running while it rains - it quickly gets squishy, and is slow to dry.”

4/5 Full review 10 mpw training for a half marathon

Prefer this shoe over another

31% 4/13

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Reviewers call it comfortable for easy days and long runs.
Reviewers like the firm, responsive ride with enough cushion for mileage.
Several reviewers say it keeps their overpronation in check, one on six pairs since 2012.

Cons

Several runners report the cushioning and upper wearing out around 300 miles.
Reviewers often describe the fit as narrow and snug.
Appearance draws the lowest ratings of any dimension, at 3.7 out of 5.

Wave Inspire 9 rates 80. This shoe has high certainty. See how we rate shoes.

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.

Rating

40 60 80 100

68 80 2012 49 54 77 2016 56 68 2018 88 69 2019 63 78 2022 69 72 2025 60 66 —

Release year

We use the reviews of past versions to inform this shoe’s rating. See why.

Inspire

Release year unknown · 2 reviews

66 Below average

44 Confidence
Wave Inspire 22

2025 · 2 reviews

60 Bottom-tier

44 Confidence
Wave Inspire 21

2025 · 1 review

72 Decent

55 Confidence
Wave Inspire 19

2023 · 8 reviews

69 Below average

76 Confidence
Wave Inspire 18

2022 · 5 reviews

78 Decent

75 Confidence
Wave Inspire 17

2021 · 1 review

63 Below average

49 Confidence
Wave Inspire 16

2019 · 1 review

69 Below average

40 Confidence
Wave Inspire 15

2019 · 7 reviews

88 Good

74 Confidence
Wave Inspire 14

2018 · 6 reviews

68 Below average

77 Confidence
Wave Inspire 13

2016 · 7 reviews

56 Bottom-tier

81 Confidence
Wave Inspire 12

2016 · 4 reviews

77 Decent

71 Confidence
Wave Inspire 11

2014 · 7 reviews

54 Bottom-tier

88 Confidence
Wave Inspire 10

2013 · 44 reviews

49 Bottom-tier

97 Confidence
Wave Inspire 9 This shoe

2012 · 19 reviews

80 Decent

87 Confidence
Wave Inspire 8

2014 · 5 reviews

68 Below average

72 Confidence

Reader Ratings

19 ratings

5/5 13

4/5 5

3/5 1

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 10.1 oz
Release: 2012
MSRP: $115
Stack Height: 29mm heel - 17mm toe
Drop Height: 12mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Reader review

3/5

Overall

I have been wearing Mizuno Wave Inspires for 3 years until I finally decided to try something new. I always purchased the model that was a year old just to save money. Typically, I would not spend more than 70 dollars on a pair and certainly got my money worth. I would push these shoes to about 500 miles or so before they began to break down and rip (big toe area and pinky toe area). All in all, a great shoe for the price. A bit more lightweight type which is what I look for and a great feeling shoe.

D3Grinder · Nov 29, 2015

55 mpw 1,195 miles in this shoe training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Inspire 8

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 2/5
Appearance: 3/5
Value: 4/5

Reader review

5/5

Overall

Anonymous runner · Apr 14, 2015

15 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Saucony Hurricane 13

Comfort: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Appearance: 3/5
Value: 4/5

Reader review

5/5

Overall

Like many other big companies, Mizuno decided to fix what ain't broke and gave the Inspire 9 a complete make-over with the Inspire 10. They ruined the Inspire. The 10 was stiff, super firm and had a one-piece top overlay that was too tight for most feet. It also had a lower feel to it, turning off most Mizuno fans. In addition, the last was flat and stiff, unlike the somewhat curved and flexible lasts of previous models. Altogether, an American Motors Pacer of a shoe. Mizuno reverted back to some of its earlier features with the Inspire 11, but the cushioning in the bottom is still too firm or hard, especially in the ball of the foot. The Inspire 9 had just the right mix of support, flexibility and cushion. Mizuno has always tended on the narrow side, which I preferred because I have a narrow foot. The Inspire 11 is wider, especially in the toe box, giving a slightly sloppy feel. But as the American population increases in weight, so does the width of their feet. To appeal to the masses, Mizuno probably felt a need to widen the shoe or at least the toe box. I found two pairs of Mizuno Inspire 9's at a clearance center and am running in those. But when those are spent, I'll be forced to run in my New Balance 870s. They're as close to the old Inspire 9 as you can get.

Anonymous runner · Mar 31, 2015

35 mpw came from the New Balance 870 v3