← Back home
Mizuno

Wave Rider 18

Wave Rider 18
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Average (54%)

Shoe details

Weight
9.2 oz
Release
2014
MSRP
$120
Stack Height
27mm heel - 15mm toe
Drop Height
12mm

Ratings & Reviews

Average (54%)

Rated better overall than 54% of all shoes.
?

This score rates better than 54% of other shoes we judged.

Our ratings use detailed reviews from knowledgeable runners, ratings for shoes in the same product line, and reliable product information from trusted retailers.

Rating breakdown

Percentile vs. all shoes. Shaded bars reflect our uncertainty.
?

Rankings are based on real review data, but there is always some uncertainty.

The shaded bar shows a plausible range for this shoe’s rank based on the review data we have and normal variation in runner feedback. More reviews usually narrow the range.

Overall

Average (54%)

Cushioning

Average (57%)

Value

Average (55%)

Appearance

Average (51%)

Durability

Average (49%)

Comfort

Below average (38%)

All Running Shoes

Better than 54% of 2,492 running shoes ranked.

Average (54%)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 53% of 1,818 daily trainers ranked.

Average (47%)

Wave Rider Family

Worse than 80% of 10 wave rider family ranked.

Bottom tier (20%)

Mizuno

Worse than 75% of 101 Mizuno shoes ranked.

Below average (25%)

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Reviewers rate this shoe better than the Wave Rider 15.
  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes overall.
  • Rated above average on cushioning.

Cons

  • Most reviewers like this shoe less than their last shoe.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on durability.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Mizuno Wave Rider 18
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
Saucony Kinvara 16
Wave Rider 18
Wave Rider 29
Kinvara 16
Current shoe
Reference shoe
Newest
Lowest price / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.2 oz M
—
—
Stack
27/15mm
—
—
Drop
12mm
9mm
—
Release
2014
2025 Q3 Newest
2025 Q2
MSRP
$120
—
—
Best price
—
$149.95
$129.95 Lowest price
Ratings
Overall
Above average (64%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (100%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (38%)
Exceptional (99%)
Exceptional (100%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Average (57%)
Exceptional (97%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (49%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Average (51%)
Excellent (96%)
Exceptional (99%) Best appearance
Value
Average (55%)
Exceptional (98%)
Exceptional (100%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Check back soon for deals

Better alternatives

Higher-rated shoes similar to this one

Saucony Triumph 23

Triumph 23

Daily trainer

$134.96

98th percentile

+44% vs this shoe
Nike Quest 6

Quest 6

Daily trainer

$64.97

97th percentile

+43% vs this shoe
Brooks Ghost 17

Ghost 17

Daily trainer

$119.96

95th percentile

+41% vs this shoe
Brooks Ariel GTS 24

Ariel GTS 24

Daily trainer

$119.96

95th percentile

+41% vs this shoe
HOKA Skyward X

Skyward X

Daily trainer

$179.88

93rd percentile

+39% vs this shoe
Saucony Hurricane 25

Hurricane 25

Daily trainer

$169.95

92nd percentile

+38% vs this shoe

More from Mizuno

Mizuno Neo Zen

Neo Zen

Daily trainer

$119.88

91st percentile

+37% vs this shoe
Mizuno Wave Inspire 22

Wave Inspire 22

$149.95

57th percentile

+3% vs this shoe
Mizuno Neo Zen 2

Neo Zen 2

Racing

$159.95

73rd percentile

+19% vs this shoe

Reader Reviews

36 reader reviews

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 36 reviews

Wave Rider 18

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

Best balanced shoe that I've ever ran in. It feels similar to the Nike Pegasus, but doesn't have an air bladder that can pop, which makes it much more durable off-road. Good cushion for a fairly lighter shoe.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Mizuno Wave Rider

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

I bought a previous year's model (value) and ran sparingly in these until making this shoe my primary. The Wave Rider is a good all around shoe. I have not had any injuries while using it as my primary shoe. It's durable and comfortable. It has better arch support than my Wave Enigmas. To make it ideal, it would have a little more cushioning and have a little more bounce.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Good All Purpose Shoe

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

I use the Wave Rider for regular, long, and slower tempo work. It feels zippy enough to race longer efforts in, especially since minimalist shoes tend to lead to injury in my feet. They tend to conk out after ~350 miles, but feel great until then.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
4/5

Mizuno is my favorite shoe company

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

5/5

Overall

Have used mizuno wave rider, wave creation, ekiden, and now the sonic. Comfort, fit, and design have appealed to me. I plan to continue wearing mizuno’s For many years to come.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Mizuno Wave Rider 18

Anonymous runner · Sep 28, 2025

4/5

Overall

Provided 2+ years of use during warmups, cooldowns, drills and tempos for sprint workouts, on top of weekly recovery runs. Only just starting to show a hole. Comfortable if slightly heavy.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
4/5