Mizuno Wave Rider 25
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By Tara Summerville Editor’s Conclusion
If you are on the hunt for an excellent neutral daily trainer with a good deal of cushioning and responsiveness, the Mizuno Wave Rider 25 is worth checking out. The Wave Rider is hailed as one of Mizuno’s most popular styles of running shoes, and for a very good reason. This shoe walks that fine line between plush cushioning and a responsive ride that makes it so special.
This neutral trainer walks right up to the line of a stability shoe but omits a few key components that leave it in the neutral running shoe category. If you are on the fence between a stability trainer and a neutral running shoe, this shoe is an excellent compromise. Runners love the full-length U4ic midsole that wraps your feet in plush cushioning, and the lightweight and stretchy upper boosts overall lockdown.
Plus, it doesn’t get much more durable than the Wave Rider 25. This shoe is able to easily conquer up to 500 miles before it starts to show subtle hints that it needs to be retired.
This neutral trainer walks right up to the line of a stability shoe but omits a few key components that leave it in the neutral running shoe category. If you are on the fence between a stability trainer and a neutral running shoe, this shoe is an excellent compromise. Runners love the full-length U4ic midsole that wraps your feet in plush cushioning, and the lightweight and stretchy upper boosts overall lockdown.
Plus, it doesn’t get much more durable than the Wave Rider 25. This shoe is able to easily conquer up to 500 miles before it starts to show subtle hints that it needs to be retired.
Editor's Pros & Cons
Pros
Wave Plate helps even out the impact when running on hard surfaces
Mizuno Enerzy midsole is highly cushioned yet very responsive
Gusseted tongue
Breathable mesh upper
The outsole is built for up to 500 miles
Excellent lockdown
Cons
Slightly expensive
A tad heavy for a neutral running shoe
Limited color options
Key Features
Key Features
MIDSOLE
The midsole of this design is composed of a full-length Mizuno Enerzy foam that provides ample cushioning with a bouncy ride. Overall, the feel of this midsole lies somewhere in between the soft cushioning of a stability shoe with the energy return of a neutral running shoe.
What I like most about Mizuno Enerzy foam is that it is incredibly versatile. It’s a perfect option for nice and easy tempo runs, and really shines when you start to pick up the pace.
The Mizuno Enerzy foam in the midsole is wrapped around a solid wave plate. The firm wave plate on this running shoe is designed to naturally disperse the energy from the ground evenly throughout your foot. The plate is composed of stiff materials and is wrapped in light cushioning that you won’t be able to feel when out for your run. This blend of wave plates and light foam cushioning creates a light and springy ride that feels light and energetic.
UPPER
Mizuno has yet to design an upper that I don’t like. The upper on this design is composed of an engineered mesh upper that is incredibly comfortable and breathable. Runners love that this stretchy mesh contours to the shape of their feet without feeling too tight or stiff. The gusseted tongue melts over your forefoot and the slight padding in the tongue offers a wider range of motion.
What I also love about the upper of this design is that it has very subtle synthetic overlays on the sides of the foot for a small boost of stability. These synthetic overlays won’t hinder your full range of motion, but help to really lock your feet in place and prevent the shoe from shifting around on your feet as you run without weighing you down too much.
OUTSOLE
The outsole of this shoe is designed to hold up for the long haul. The outsole of this design is composed of abrasion-resistant X10 rubber. This insanely durable rubber is reinforced in high-impact areas that hold up quite well over time. Runners found that they were able to easily get up to 500 miles of quality miles before needing to retire them.
This outsole also has small flex grooves built into the rubber to help boost flexibility and movement. It boasts modest lugs that are built for the road and treadmills but can easily transition to modest trails as needed.
These small grooves are also ideal when running on slick rain-soaked sidewalks as well for added stability. Overall, this outsole really shines in all types of weather conditions and the boost in durability makes it a really great value.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, I would recommend this shoe for runners that need something that will hold up for long distances. The construction of the outsole is designed to tackle up to 500 high-quality miles, making it a wonderful choice for long-distance runners.
The addition of the Wave Plate and Mizuno Enerzy midsole cushioning help to evenly disperse weight to prevent fatigue and injury, and offers a light and spring ride.
While this shoe really shines when running for long distances, the lightweight and nimble upper are great for speed as well. It might be slightly heavier than your neutral running shoe, but the easy fit of the upper and the flex grooves in the outsole help to boost overall flexibility for nice and easy movements.
It’s a great shoe for alternate workouts such as HIIT, cross-training, or even weight lifting. If you are in the market for a shoe that is supportive and versatile, this is an excellent choice.
FIT
The good news about this shoe is that it runs true to size. If you are a size 10 in other Mizuno trainers, the same can be said for the Wave Rider 25. In fact, if you rocked the Wave Rider 24, there have been no big changes to the size and fit, so you can opt for your normal size.
If you are new to Mizuno, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare them to Mizuno’s detailed sizing chart to ensure that you get the right size for your feet.
What I love most about Mizuno running shoes is that they are designed with a nice and roomy toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay inside of the shoe for added stability. The upper is also composed of a nice and stretchy material that contours to the shape of your foot for a comfortable yet locked-down fit.
STYLE
The silhouette of this shoe is slim and sleek and incredibly modern. The low profile design is perfect for quick and agile movements, and while it is very padded and cushioned it isn’t the least bit clunky. The only downside to the design of this shoe is that it isn’t offered in a wide variety of color options.
Runners have the option of selecting from neutral tones such as blue, green, and gray, which all offer a modest pop of neon color around the trim. It’s not the most exciting style of running shoe out there on the market, but it isn’t exactly boring either.
PRICE
The price of this shoe is slightly higher than similar neutral running shoes out there on the market. However, Mizuno fans know that when you invest in a pair of their shoes, you are getting a pretty big bang for your buck.
This shoe is composed of high-end materials that are designed to hold up for the long haul. Many runners found that the outsole of this shoe is able to comfortably conquer up to 500 miles, which also include heavier runners or heel strikers.
Sure, the price tag may be slightly higher than your average neutral running shoe, but the added cushioning and durability make this shoe an investment that is worth making.
The midsole of this design is composed of a full-length Mizuno Enerzy foam that provides ample cushioning with a bouncy ride. Overall, the feel of this midsole lies somewhere in between the soft cushioning of a stability shoe with the energy return of a neutral running shoe.
What I like most about Mizuno Enerzy foam is that it is incredibly versatile. It’s a perfect option for nice and easy tempo runs, and really shines when you start to pick up the pace.
The Mizuno Enerzy foam in the midsole is wrapped around a solid wave plate. The firm wave plate on this running shoe is designed to naturally disperse the energy from the ground evenly throughout your foot. The plate is composed of stiff materials and is wrapped in light cushioning that you won’t be able to feel when out for your run. This blend of wave plates and light foam cushioning creates a light and springy ride that feels light and energetic.
UPPER
Mizuno has yet to design an upper that I don’t like. The upper on this design is composed of an engineered mesh upper that is incredibly comfortable and breathable. Runners love that this stretchy mesh contours to the shape of their feet without feeling too tight or stiff. The gusseted tongue melts over your forefoot and the slight padding in the tongue offers a wider range of motion.
What I also love about the upper of this design is that it has very subtle synthetic overlays on the sides of the foot for a small boost of stability. These synthetic overlays won’t hinder your full range of motion, but help to really lock your feet in place and prevent the shoe from shifting around on your feet as you run without weighing you down too much.
OUTSOLE
The outsole of this shoe is designed to hold up for the long haul. The outsole of this design is composed of abrasion-resistant X10 rubber. This insanely durable rubber is reinforced in high-impact areas that hold up quite well over time. Runners found that they were able to easily get up to 500 miles of quality miles before needing to retire them.
This outsole also has small flex grooves built into the rubber to help boost flexibility and movement. It boasts modest lugs that are built for the road and treadmills but can easily transition to modest trails as needed.
These small grooves are also ideal when running on slick rain-soaked sidewalks as well for added stability. Overall, this outsole really shines in all types of weather conditions and the boost in durability makes it a really great value.
PERFORMANCE
Overall, I would recommend this shoe for runners that need something that will hold up for long distances. The construction of the outsole is designed to tackle up to 500 high-quality miles, making it a wonderful choice for long-distance runners.
The addition of the Wave Plate and Mizuno Enerzy midsole cushioning help to evenly disperse weight to prevent fatigue and injury, and offers a light and spring ride.
While this shoe really shines when running for long distances, the lightweight and nimble upper are great for speed as well. It might be slightly heavier than your neutral running shoe, but the easy fit of the upper and the flex grooves in the outsole help to boost overall flexibility for nice and easy movements.
It’s a great shoe for alternate workouts such as HIIT, cross-training, or even weight lifting. If you are in the market for a shoe that is supportive and versatile, this is an excellent choice.
FIT
The good news about this shoe is that it runs true to size. If you are a size 10 in other Mizuno trainers, the same can be said for the Wave Rider 25. In fact, if you rocked the Wave Rider 24, there have been no big changes to the size and fit, so you can opt for your normal size.
If you are new to Mizuno, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare them to Mizuno’s detailed sizing chart to ensure that you get the right size for your feet.
What I love most about Mizuno running shoes is that they are designed with a nice and roomy toe box that allows your toes to naturally splay inside of the shoe for added stability. The upper is also composed of a nice and stretchy material that contours to the shape of your foot for a comfortable yet locked-down fit.
STYLE
The silhouette of this shoe is slim and sleek and incredibly modern. The low profile design is perfect for quick and agile movements, and while it is very padded and cushioned it isn’t the least bit clunky. The only downside to the design of this shoe is that it isn’t offered in a wide variety of color options.
Runners have the option of selecting from neutral tones such as blue, green, and gray, which all offer a modest pop of neon color around the trim. It’s not the most exciting style of running shoe out there on the market, but it isn’t exactly boring either.
PRICE
The price of this shoe is slightly higher than similar neutral running shoes out there on the market. However, Mizuno fans know that when you invest in a pair of their shoes, you are getting a pretty big bang for your buck.
This shoe is composed of high-end materials that are designed to hold up for the long haul. Many runners found that the outsole of this shoe is able to comfortably conquer up to 500 miles, which also include heavier runners or heel strikers.
Sure, the price tag may be slightly higher than your average neutral running shoe, but the added cushioning and durability make this shoe an investment that is worth making.
Comparisons to Previous Versions
Comparisons to Previous Versions
If you loved the design of the Mizuno Wave Rider 24, you are in luck! There have been very small changes made to the overall design between the Wave Rider 24 and Wave Rider 25.
At face value, these two shoes are almost identical. Mizuno kept the overall construction and design of the upper the same. One of the biggest changes made to this newest iteration is found inside of the shoe.
The midsole of the Wave Rider 24 was composed of a dual-density Mizuno Enerzy and U4ic foam cushioning. For the Wave Rider 25, Mizuno has dropped the Enerzy foam and replaced it with a full-length Enerzy cushioning.
This cushioning is much more softer and responsive than the U4ic, and it is wrapped around the wave plate for an added spring to your step that doesn’t feel quite stiff as previous versions of this shoe.
At face value, these two shoes are almost identical. Mizuno kept the overall construction and design of the upper the same. One of the biggest changes made to this newest iteration is found inside of the shoe.
The midsole of the Wave Rider 24 was composed of a dual-density Mizuno Enerzy and U4ic foam cushioning. For the Wave Rider 25, Mizuno has dropped the Enerzy foam and replaced it with a full-length Enerzy cushioning.
This cushioning is much more softer and responsive than the U4ic, and it is wrapped around the wave plate for an added spring to your step that doesn’t feel quite stiff as previous versions of this shoe.
Verdict
Verdict
If you are on the hunt for an excellent pair of neutral running shoes that can tackle long distances with ease, the Mizuno Wave Rider 25 is an excellent choice. It is composed of an abrasion-resistant X10 rubber outsole that is built for up to 500 miles, and it is packed with advanced comfort features that make your ride nice and easy.
What makes the Wave Rider 25 stand out from the pack is the addition of the Wave plate that is sandwiched between two layers of Mizuno Enerzy foam cushioning. This Wave Plate helps to evenly disperse your weight to take pressure off of your joints and creates a super energetic ride not found in most neutral running shoes. It offers the comfort of a stability shoe with the versatile performance of a neutral running shoe.
What makes the Wave Rider 25 stand out from the pack is the addition of the Wave plate that is sandwiched between two layers of Mizuno Enerzy foam cushioning. This Wave Plate helps to evenly disperse your weight to take pressure off of your joints and creates a super energetic ride not found in most neutral running shoes. It offers the comfort of a stability shoe with the versatile performance of a neutral running shoe.
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