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Mizuno

Wave Shadow

Wave Shadow
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Above average (81/100)

Shoe details

Weight
8.8 oz
Release
2017 Q3
MSRP
$110
Drop Height
8mm

Ratings & Reviews

Above average (81/100)

Better than about 66% of shoes

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and runner reviews.
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This score rates better than 66% of 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 score out of 100. 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 score range. The lighter band shows a wider range of reasonable outcomes. More reviews for this shoe usually narrow both bands.

Overall

Above average (81/100)

Overall ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (81/100)

Rank

Ranks above 66% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Excellent (91/100)

Value ranking

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.

Estimate

Excellent (91/100)

Rank

Ranks above 86% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Above average (85/100)

Appearance ranking

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.

Estimate

Above average (85/100)

Rank

Ranks above 71% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (77/100)

Durability ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (77/100)

Rank

Ranks above 53% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Good (72/100)

Comfort ranking

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.

Estimate

Good (72/100)

Rank

Ranks above 38% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Below average (60/100)

Cushioning ranking

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.

Estimate

Below average (60/100)

Rank

Ranks above 11% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

60%

3/5

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Better than 66% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Above average (81/100)

Daily Trainers

Better than 66% of 1,847 daily trainers ranked.

66%

Mizuno

Better than 53% of 101 Mizuno shoes ranked.

53%

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Popular shoe among LetsRun.com readers.
  • Rated above average on durability.

Cons

  • Rated below average overall.
  • Rated below average on comfort.
  • Rated below average on cushioning.

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Mizuno Wave Shadow
Mizuno Wave Shadow 3
HOKA Clifton 9
Wave Shadow
Wave Shadow 3
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Best value
Lightest
Newest / Best overall / Best comfort
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
8.8 oz M
7.4 oz W Lightest
8.5 oz M
Stack
—
26/16mm
40/35mm
Drop
8mm
1mm
5mm
Release
2017 Q3
2019 Q2
2023 Q1 Newest
MSRP
$110
$110
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Above average (66%)
Average (46%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Below average (38%)
Below average (34%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Bottom tier (11%)
Bottom tier (8%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Average (53%)
Good (74%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Good (71%)
Average (43%)
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Very good (86%) Best value
Average (60%)
Good (74%)
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

No offers available

Better alternatives

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89th percentile

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83rd percentile

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81st percentile

+15 percentile points vs this shoe
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80th percentile

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More from Mizuno

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Shoe image placeholder

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Reader Ratings

7 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–5 of 7 written reviews

Fast, well-fitting, nice-looking trainer

mottman964 · Jul 20, 2019

5/5

Overall

Appreciate the good, comfortable fit. No advanced materials in the upper, really, but nothing to complain about. Laces are nice and stretchy but secure. Fit is standard - maybe a 1/2 size large. A firm, fast, straightforward shoe. As a forefoot striker I don't think I benefit much from the wave plate but it adds some stability if my gait falters. Color schemes are nice too. Outsole is fairly classic daily trainer--can work okay on mild trails but nothing more. Seems to wear well so far.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

They are Oook

Dubyah · Feb 6, 2019

2/5

Overall

Bought these on sale after I started to bottom out on the Peg 34. Fit true to size. Mid - narrow fit. The ride is really firm and after coming from the softness of the Peg it was quite a shock. They are light but not that light and almost have a racing flat feel to them which I'm not that fond of. They have about 250k in them now and feel about the same as they did after 50k. Like a lot of Mizunos the heel is quite rigid and if you're not landing mid foot they feel clunky so you can't be lazy in these. Upper is really nice and supportive. Breathes well. The outsole is durable if not hard. The little slits collect little pebbles which is annoying. Over all an ok tempo/workout shoe if you like a really firm ride. I sorta can't wait until they are dead and I can get something more forgiving.
Comfort
3/5
Cushioning
2/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
3/5

Wave Shadow is an excellent tempo run training shoe

Anonymous runner · Oct 3, 2018

5/5

Overall

Wave Shadow is a great addition to ones shoe quiver. Light enough for fast distance race efforts, but stable enough for faster long runs. The Safety Yellow color is a fantastic statement. As some have noticed, the sole is prone to pick up stones, which is annoying. The thread is a little underwhelming when traction is an issue (wet roads, soft trails.) The fit is great, because the shoe is so close in shape and design to the Wave Shadow (my daily trainer.) The fit is slightly different, such that I wear a thinner sock.
Comfort
4/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Super Fast but some Tendonitis Issues

jumpjumpjumpjumpjump · Sep 20, 2018

3/5

Overall

I love running in these shoes, I feel way faster than I do than in any other shoe I own. Unfortunately, I can only run in these 1-2 times per week. They rub my Achilles tendon in a weird way, and I have tendonitis flare ups if I train in these everyday. I bought these for $50 so they are insane value.
Comfort
3/5
Cushioning
5/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5

Fast trainer - right out of the box

Anonymous runner · Jun 7, 2018

5/5

Overall

Light enough to race in, the Shadow is also perfect for training. Other than a quick relacing, there's no break-in required. The first time I put them on it was like 'welcome home!' and I went out for 11 miles. The stretchy material forms around my feet perfectly. I've been running exclusively in Mizuno's for the past ten years. The Shadow is one of their classics.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
4/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
5/5
Value
5/5