Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.2 oz · 12mm drop · 27/15mm stack
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Rider 19 replaced it
How it ranks
The Mizuno Wave Rider 18 ranks above most daily trainers in our data. Cushioning and value are its strongest sub-ratings. Comfort scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 36 runner reviews and 15 other rated shoes in the Wave Rider product line.
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
95/100
“New sole irritates a nerve; toes go numb after 6-8 miles.”
“Only shoe that doesn't cause Achilles tendon issues.”
“The wave plate running through the sole prevents extra impact on injured legs.”
“Heel and midfoot formed to foot; toe box generous for movement and swelling.”
“Perfect for easy runs and base mileage without being too bulky.”
“No visible wear issues at 400 miles.”
“All pairs develop a hole over the big toe.”
“2+ years of use across warmups, drills, tempos, and recovery runs.”
“Cut-out under heel picks up rocks on rocky trails and in heavy mud.”
“Firm due to wave plate, but smooth ride.”
48% 21/44
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Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.
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.
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Better Shoes Rating
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 · 0 reviews
74 Decent
49 Confidence
2025 · 2 reviews
81 Good
75 Confidence
2024 · 6 reviews
97 Excellent
89 Confidence
2023 · 17 reviews
81 Good
85 Confidence
2022 · 21 reviews
75 Decent
88 Confidence
2021 · 2 reviews
71 Decent
72 Confidence
2020 · 4 reviews
68 Below average
48 Confidence
2019 · 7 reviews
90 Good
86 Confidence
2018 · 18 reviews
97 Exceptional
95 Confidence
2017 · 25 reviews
74 Decent
91 Confidence
2016 · 16 reviews
92 Very good
91 Confidence
2015 · 12 reviews
62 Below average
88 Confidence
Wave Rider 18 This shoe
2014 · 36 reviews
85 Good
95 Confidence
2013 · 49 reviews
56 Bottom-tier
97 Confidence
2012 · 42 reviews
66 Below average
93 Confidence
2011 · 4 reviews
60 Bottom-tier
85 Confidence
Sizing and ride details at a glance.
4/5
Overall
MulesXC41 · Apr 3, 2015
60 mpw came from the Mizuno Wave Elixir 8
4/5
Overall
PatD315 · Apr 3, 2015
25 mpw came from the ASICS GT-2000 3
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Mar 29, 2015
50 mpw training for a marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Precision 13
4/5
Overall
adam911smith · Mar 25, 2015
75 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Lunar Glide+ 5
5/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Mar 24, 2015
35 mpw training for a half marathon came from the adidas adizero Tempo 6
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