Mizuno

Wave Paradox 4

Wave Paradox 4
Daily trainer · Stability · Road

Shoe details

Weight
11.3 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$140
Drop Height
12mm

Ratings & Reviews

Good (73/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 2 runner ratings.

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Rating breakdown

Better Shoes score out of 100. Shading shows the expected rating range.
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Rankings combine runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, direct comparisons to other shoes, related product-line performance, and trusted external ratings.

The darker band shows the central score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Good (73/100)

Overall ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (73/100)

Rank

Ranks above 38% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Durability

Good (79/100)

Durability ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (79/100)

Rank

Ranks above 56% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Value

Good (76/100)

Value ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (76/100)

Rank

Ranks above 49% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Appearance

Good (75/100)

Appearance ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (75/100)

Rank

Ranks above 43% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Comfort

Good (72/100)

Comfort ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (72/100)

Rank

Ranks above 35% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

Cushioning

Good (70/100)

Cushioning ranking

We estimate how this shoe ranks by combining runner ratings, whether reviewers say they'd buy a shoe again, and direct comparisons to other shoes they've run in. We also consider related product-line performance and trusted external ratings. More review data helps narrow the likely rating range.

Estimate

Good (70/100)

Rank

Ranks above 29% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

The shaded band shows the score range we think is most likely.

0%

0/1

Prefer this shoe over another.

Reviewers said this shoe was better than another shoe they ran in.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Current shoe
Reference shoe
Lightest / Newest / Best overall
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Stability
Stability
Neutral
Weight
11.3 oz M
11.1 oz M
8.5 oz M Lightest
Stack
32/20mm
40/35mm
Drop
12mm
12mm
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2017 Q3
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$140
$140
$165
Best price
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Below average (38%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (35%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Below average (29%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (56%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (43%)
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Average (49%)
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

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Reader Ratings

2 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–2 of 2 written reviews

Mizuno Wave Paradox 4 - Never Could I have Imagined Such Joy!

Anonymous runner · Apr 28, 2018

5/5

Overall

The Mizuno Wave Paradox 4 is without a doubt a well thought out high quality running shoe. It is a very firm ride but absorbs shock extremely well. How they did this is a miracle. I feel in command of the road. Because of the firmness with minimal effort I can run my daily 5 miles in acceptable healthy time, like under 50 minutes, all in absolute joy. Every step feels so good. Really this shoe makes being alive worth it. It is very comfortable on the foot. The laces are thick and stretchy and rarely become undone. A little touch like this goes a long way to making this, in my opinion the best running shoe of all time. The downside to some would be the same thing that makes it great - the firmness. I will admit that after a number of days of running in a row the shoe does seem hard. But take a day off and the next day it is like heaven! This is a stability shoe and my guess is it is appropriate for almost all runners, overpronators or not.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Not so soft

cathrw · Feb 7, 2018

4/5

Overall

I bought the shoes because everyone was talking about Mizuno and I thought I should try them. However, perhaps I'm more used to Asics as I didn't think they were as comfortable. At least once per run I ended up retying the laces as they felt too tight.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5