Daily trainer · Neutral · Road · 10.1 oz · 12mm drop · 36/24mm stack
Discontinued — we no longer see this shoe in stock. The Mizuno Wave Rider 27 replaced it
How it ranks
The Mizuno Wave Rider 26 sits about average for daily trainers in our data. Durability and cushioning are its strongest sub-ratings. Looks scores well below its other sub-ratings. The rating rests on 21 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
88/100
“The heel wraparound became some kind of hard plastic, and the shoes seem to stiffen with version 24 and up.”
“Perfectly suitable for orthotics, minimal concessions to faddish evolution and consistent feel year on year.”
“The drop is too high. Knee pain is common because of it.”
“They're the most reliable and consistent shoe I've ever worn.”
“I like the lightweight feel of the Wave Rider series and think the cushioning is adequate for daily training.”
“Having a shoe that knows who it is means so much.”
“Might have a bit too much padding for my liking.”
38% 6/16
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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
Wave Rider 26 This shoe
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
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.
5/5
Overall
No more expensive than the next shoe. I like the lightweight feel of the Wave Rider series and think the cushioning is adequate for daily training
Anonymous runner · Dec 19, 2023
25 mpw training for 5K and 10K
4/5
Overall
The drop is too high. Knee pain is common because of it. The look is amazing though. Might have a bit too much padding for my liking though.
Anonymous runner · Dec 14, 2023
30 mpw training for 5K and 10K came from the Saucony Cohesion 12
5/5
Overall
agreatrunningshoe/wonstateinit
carson · Aug 9, 2023
36 mpw training for a half marathon
4/5
Overall
Anonymous runner · Jul 27, 2023
40 mpw training for ultramarathons
4/5
Overall
The 26 is a nice upgrade from 25. It has all the qualities that the wave rider is known for without running “hot”. My feet were cooler in the 26’s I use these in the road and hard pack trail and have had a solid experience.
Anonymous runner · Jun 23, 2023
training for a half marathon came from the Mizuno Wave Rider 25
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