Play
Mizuno is not exactly known for being rebellious. Some would argue they are quite conservative when producing shoes. They make solid and functional shoes but rarely make the new ones everyone is talking about. However, that has changed. Mizuno has created a line of super shoes with a fierce look that has made many running shoe enthusiasts pay attention.
I have been fortunate enough to get my hands on their top marathon shoes, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro, which has the most cushioning and is fine-tuned for marathon pace.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro - Stiffer and More Demanding
When you put on the shoes, they feel immediately firmer and stiffer than most other super shoes I have tried. You also become about four centimetres taller, as the foam is not very compressed when wearing the shoes.
The fact that the foam is not compressed as much as in other super shoes is immediately noticeable when you start running. At slow speeds, the shoe doesn't impress. In some way, the shoe requires a certain amount of pressure to feel great. Once you pick up the pace, the shoe shines! For what the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro lacks at slow speeds, it makes up for at a higher pace
This goes in a different direction than many other super shoes we have seen. It is more demanding but in a lovely way where you also receive more. Because if you run fast in the shoes, you get a lot in return.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro - Aggressive, Efficient and Prominent
The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro is built with Enerzy Lite+ foam in the midsole. The midsole is designed with a more aggressive look than we have seen before, with a prominent rocker geometry and a rather prominent cut. When I run in the shoes, I feel a clear sweet spot a little forward on my feet, where it feels like the shoes want me to land all the time. That is clearly where the shoes feel most efficient.
In addition, Mizuno added a carbon plate. Or wait. Mizuno actually went in a different direction compared to other top racing shoes. The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro features a plate made primarily of nylon but with carbon reinforcement. The distribution of the two materials is about 70% nylon and 30% carbon.
So no carbon plate. But is it even fast? Yes!
Because it's not the carbon plate providing the speed, it's the foam. And because the foam is relatively firm, it is not necessary to put a plate of 100% carbon in the shoe, as the firm Enerzy Lite+ foam provides plenty of stiffness. In addition, I think the biggest strength of the shoe lies in the design of the sole. As previously mentioned, it is designed aggressively and feels like a rocket taking off.
Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro - Who is it for?
I would say that Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro is the perfect racing shoe for those of you who feel like you sink a little too deep into the classic super shoes. However, I think it requires you to push yourself when you run with them. You need to have some speed to experience them fully. So buy Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro if you want a shoe that gives a lot back when you run your fastest, but don't if you plan on jogging in it.
Didn't find a favourite?
See the entire selection of running shoes here:
