Mizuno Wave Rider 20

Name: Mizuno Wave Rider 20
Brand: Mizuno
Rating: 4.8 (16 reviews)

Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 9.6 oz · 12mm drop

Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Rider 21 replaced it

How it ranks

The Mizuno Wave Rider 20 ranks among the stronger daily trainers in our data. Value and comfort are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 16 runner reviews and 15 other rated shoes in the Wave Rider product line.

Very good

92/100

Overall

Very good 92

Value

Exceptional 99

Comfort

Excellent 95

Cushioning

Very good 92

Durability

Very good 91

Appearance

Good 82

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

91/100

High 91

What runners say

“Since moving to the Wave Rider series I've avoided the stress fractures which plagued me for over 10 years.”

5/5 Full review 25 mpw training for a half marathon

“They don't last a super long time, usually 350-400 miles for me.”

5/5 Full review 50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

“Lasts a reasonably long time (roughly 450-500 miles).”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

“They have great durability, cushioning, and value (if you get the previous year's model).”

5/5 Full review 32 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

“It's a bit narrow, particularly in the midfoot and toe box.”

5/5 Full review 20 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

“They don't go through an awkward feet-burning breaking-in stage.”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 18

“They felt as cushioned as they had in the first mile.”

5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

“Provides just the right amount of support for those who only slightly pronate.”

5/5 Full review 65 mpw training for a half marathon

“I have very narrow feet, and I don't have to wear narrow in these.”

4/5 Full review 40 mpw training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 18

“These shoes manage to constantly feel sturdy, but comfortable every mile.”

5/5 Full review 80 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Nike Air Zoom Pegasus 34

Prefer this shoe over another

38% 6/16

Where to buy

No offers available

Affiliate links included. They never affect our ratings.

Prices updated daily. Last checked Sep 14.

Pros

Reviewers consistently rate comfort highly, and one says it needs no break-in period.
Reviewers use it for easy miles, long runs and tempo work.
Reviewers rate value highly, several noting it is regularly discounted.

Cons

One reviewer reports the forefoot mesh wearing through and ripping, even in the wide version.
At 12mm the drop is higher than most current trainers, and one reviewer names it as their only reservation.

Wave Rider 20 rates 92. This shoe has high certainty. See how we rate shoes.

Better Shoes Rating of prior versions of the Mizuno Wave Rider

Each dot is one version of the Wave Rider, placed by its rating and release year. The gold dot is this shoe.

Rating

40 60 80 100

60 2011 66 56 2013 85 62 92 2016 74 97 90 2019 68 71 2021 75 81 2023 97 81 2025 74

Release year

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

Wave Rider 30

2026 · 0 reviews

74 Decent

49 Confidence
Wave Rider 29

2025 · 2 reviews

81 Good

75 Confidence
Wave Rider 28

2024 · 6 reviews

97 Excellent

89 Confidence
Wave Rider 27

2023 · 17 reviews

81 Good

85 Confidence
Wave Rider 26

2022 · 21 reviews

75 Decent

88 Confidence
Wave Rider 25

2021 · 2 reviews

71 Decent

72 Confidence
Wave Rider 24

2020 · 4 reviews

68 Below average

48 Confidence
Wave Rider 23

2019 · 7 reviews

90 Good

86 Confidence
Wave Rider 22

2018 · 18 reviews

97 Exceptional

95 Confidence
Wave Rider 21

2017 · 25 reviews

74 Decent

91 Confidence
Wave Rider 20 This shoe

2016 · 16 reviews

92 Very good

91 Confidence
Wave Rider 19

2015 · 12 reviews

62 Below average

88 Confidence
Wave Rider 18

2014 · 36 reviews

85 Good

95 Confidence
Wave Rider 17

2013 · 49 reviews

56 Bottom-tier

97 Confidence
Wave Rider 16

2012 · 42 reviews

66 Below average

93 Confidence
Wave Rider 15

2011 · 4 reviews

60 Bottom-tier

85 Confidence

Reader Ratings

16 ratings

5/5 13

4/5 3

3/5 0

2/5 0

1/5 0

See written reviews Write a review

Specs & fit

Sizing and ride details at a glance.

Weight: 9.6 oz
Release: 2016 Q3
MSRP: $120
Drop Height: 12mm

Runner reviews

Write a review

Wave Rider since 15

5/5

Overall

Mizuno Wave Rider 15 was the first running shoe when I started running about five years ago. Ive had every iteration since then and am currently wearing the 20. I think they have great durability, cushioning, and value (if you get the previous year's model). I use them mainly for my daily run or my long run. They aren't the shoe you want to wear for a track or interval session but could hold up fine during a tempo run.

Anonymous runner · Feb 7, 2018

32 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

Comfort: 5/5
Cushioning: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Appearance: 5/5
Value: 5/5

Love the Wave Rider

5/5

Overall

I'm a 25-30 mile per week runner with high arches. Since moving to the Wave Rider series I've avoided the stress fractures which plagued me for over 10 years. Enjoy the comfort provided to me by these shoes.

kwallcuse · Feb 7, 2018

25 mpw training for a half marathon

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

Solid!

4/5

Overall

I almost always run in these. They're really solid, good shoes, and are good for asphalt or trails. They don't go through an awkward feet-burning breaking-in stage when I get them, which is perhaps their best quality. I have very narrow feet, and I don't have to wear narrow in these, which is great for ordering online. Plus, you can almost always find them on sale.

Anonymous runner · Feb 6, 2018

40 mpw training for middle distance came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 18

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

The workhorse

5/5

Overall

This shoe has been my longtime favorite workhorse shoe. If I ever consider trying another brand, I always look for their version of the Wave Rider. Not flashy, just a good, solid shoe. Neutral, medium-weight, medium cushioning, medium heel to toe offset, it just lets you run. If I have any complaint, it's that they don't last a super long time, usually 350-400 miles for me. To offset that, though, they're not particularly expensive.

andicamp · Feb 6, 2018

50 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 19

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

Mizuno Wave Rider 20 for work commute

5/5

Overall

Solid shoe for running to and from work on pavements, yet light and responsive enough for some speed work. The laces are a bit odd - they appear to have some elasticity in them, which may explain why the shoe has a least snug fit that previous Mizuno Wave Riders.

Anonymous runner · Feb 6, 2018

45 mpw training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 18