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Mizuno

Wave Universe 5

Shoe image placeholder
Daily trainer · Neutral · Road
Good (70/100)

Shoe details

Weight
2.8 oz
Release
2025
MSRP
$1.25
Stack Height
13mm heel - 11mm toe
Drop Height
2mm

Ratings & Reviews

Good (70/100)

Based on product-line history, external ratings, and 3 runner ratings.
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This score rates worse than 71% 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.

Review a shoe.

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

Good (70/100)

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

Good (70/100)

Rank

Ranks above 29% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Comfort

Above average (88/100)

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

Above average (88/100)

Rank

Ranks above 77% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Value

Above average (81/100)

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

Above average (81/100)

Rank

Ranks above 61% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Durability

Good (68/100)

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 (68/100)

Rank

Ranks above 23% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Cushioning

Good (66/100)

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

Good (66/100)

Rank

Ranks above 15% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

Appearance

Below average (55/100)

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

Below average (55/100)

Rank

Ranks above 3% of shoes

Compared with all shoes

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

20%

1/5

Prefer this shoe over another.

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

All Running Shoes

Worse than 71% of 2,526 running shoes ranked.

Good (70/100)

Daily Trainers

Worse than 68% of 1,847 daily trainers ranked.

32%

Mizuno

Worse than 78% of 101 Mizuno shoes ranked.

22%

Compared to other shoes

See how this shoe compares to others like it.

Shoe image placeholder
Shoe image placeholder
HOKA Clifton 9
Wave Universe 5
Wave Universe 4
Clifton 9
Current shoe
Lightest / Newest
Best overall / Best comfort / Best cushioning
Shoe properties
Type
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Daily trainer
Pronation
Neutral
Neutral
Neutral
Weight
2.8 oz M Lightest
—
8.5 oz M
Stack
13/11mm
—
40/35mm
Drop
2mm
—
5mm
Release
2025 Newest
2016
2023 Q1
MSRP
$1.25 Lower MSRP
—
$165
Best price
—
—
$164.99
Ratings
Overall
Below average (29%)
Below average (23%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best overall
Comfort
Good (77%)
Above average (63%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best comfort
Cushioning
Bottom tier (15%)
Bottom tier (18%)
Exceptional (>99%) Best cushioning
Durability
Below average (23%)
Bottom tier (17%)
Good (80%) Best durability
Appearance
Bottom tier (3%)
Bottom tier (17%)
Very good (81%) Best appearance
Value
Average (61%)
Average (43%)
Good (74%) Best value
Specific shoe

Search for the exact model to add to this comparison.

Where to buy

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Reader Ratings

3 reader ratings

Review a shoe

Showing 1–3 of 3 written reviews

Mizuno Wave Universe 5 - minimalist friendly flats

Anonymous runner · Feb 6, 2018

4/5

Overall

As a minimalist shoe loving, mid/fore foot striking runner the Mizuno Wave Universe 5 has been one of my all-time favorite shoes. The way I run the lack of motion control or cushioning is a positive, not a negative. Not needing any of this from the shoe, the life of the shoe is determined by how long the uppers last and how long before the sole wears too thin. After 500+ miles on my current pair I still use them 3-4 times per week and only change into heavier shoes if I'm going on a trail or need some grip as I have worn the grip fairly slick. They are ugly but if you are looking for a light, flat no-cushion, no-motion control shoe, this is my top recommendation.
Comfort
5/5
Cushioning
1/5
Durability
4/5
Appearance
2/5
Value
5/5

Reader review

Anonymous runner · Aug 1, 2015

4/5

Overall

This is my normal training shoe. You could describe me as a minimalist. I believe in power and efficiency by using the muscles in your feet and lower legs. I run 55-60 /week and these shoes last about 5 weeks or 300 miles. overall I'm satisfied with the tread and fit. Only downside is durability.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
3/5
Appearance
3/5
Value
4/5

Reader review

paulteini · Mar 22, 2015

5/5

Overall

This shoe is incredibly light weight and very comfortable barefoot. I have ran a couple of races in the shoe and about ten training runs and I have had zero problems. This is a great light weight, minimalist show if that is what you desire.
Comfort
5/5
Durability
5/5
Appearance
4/5
Value
5/5