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Mizuno

Wave Rider 21

Wave Rider 21
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Very good (86/100)

Shoe details

Weight
9.6 oz
Release
2017 Q4
MSRP
$130
Drop Height
12mm

Ratings & Reviews

Very good (86/100)

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

Scores better than 81% of all shoes.

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

Better Shoes Rating. 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 rating range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Very good (86/100)

Overall rating

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.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (86/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 81% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Exceptional (95/100)

Comfort rating

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.

Better Shoes Rating

Exceptional (95/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 94% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Excellent (93/100)

Durability rating

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.

Better Shoes Rating

Excellent (93/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 93% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Very good (89/100)

Value rating

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.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (89/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Very good (89/100)

Cushioning rating

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.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (89/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Very good (87/100)

Appearance rating

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.

Better Shoes Rating

Very good (87/100)

Compared To Other Shoes

Scores better than 80% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

25%

8/32

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Scores better than 81% of 2,617 running shoes.

Very good

Daily Trainers

Scores better than 77% of 1,872 daily trainers.

77%

Wave Rider Family

Scores better than 56% of 10 wave rider family.

56%

Mizuno

Scores better than 71% of 105 Mizuno shoes.

71%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes overall.
  • Rated among the top 5% of shoes on comfort.
  • Rated among the top 25% of shoes on cushioning.
  • Rated among the top 10% of shoes on durability.

Cons

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Mizuno Wave Rider 21
Mizuno Wave Rider 29
ASICS SUPERBLAST 2
Wave Rider 21
Wave Rider 29
SUPERBLAST 2
Current shoe
Best value
Newest / Lowest price
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
9.6 oz M
—
—
Stack
—
—
—
Drop
12mm
9mm
7mm
Release
2017 Q4
2025 Q3 Newest
2024 Q2
MSRP
$130
—
$200
Best price
—
$119.88 Lowest price
$149.99
Ratings
Overall
Very good (81%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Excellent (94%)
Good (72%)
Exceptional (99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Very good (86%)
Very good (82%)
Exceptional (99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Excellent (93%)
Good (80%)
Exceptional (99%) Best durability
Appearance
Very good (80%)
Below average (33%)
Exceptional (98%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (86%) Best value
Above average (68%)
Very good (86%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

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Reader Ratings

25 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 25 written reviews

best neutral show around!

Anonymous runner · Aug 13, 2019

5/5

Overall

I've been running in the Mizuno Wave Rider for 10 years now. I've dabbled in other shoes (Brooks Launch, 361 Spinjet) but I keep coming back to them because of their comfort and stiffness. I can reliably wear them through 450-500 miles a pair without them feeling too broken down, but pushing past 500 isn't very viable. I have slightly narrow feet and a very high arch, and wear my Mizunos for almost all training and workouts.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Jul 20, 2019

4/5

Overall

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

My go-to everyday trainer

Anonymous runner · Jul 14, 2019

5/5

Overall

I've used the Wave Rider in some form for about 5 years as my regular daily training shoe. It provides adequate cushion and is lighter than many comparable shoes. I normally retire them after about 600km, at which point they are still functional but the cushion has reduced somewhat. Only downside of the shoes is that the design of the heel can cause a medium sized stone to lodge in it from time to time, so I avoid them when I'm running on rocky trails.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
4/5

Great sure for road runners

Anonymous runner · Jul 6, 2019

4/5

Overall

I bought these based on a recommendation last year. They improved my splits immediately. After several hundred miles, they’re pretty used up for racing but they’re still my go to kick around pair.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
3/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Great shoe

Anonymous runner · Jul 5, 2019

5/5

Overall

Light, but sturdy and firm enough. responsive.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5