Founded in 1906, Mizuno is one of the oldest running shoe brands on the market. With Japanese roots, they have historically made sports equipment with a more conservative twist, but lately we have seen some very exciting and crazy ideas come out of Osaka, Japan.
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The Mizuno Wave Rider 27, the oldest and most sold neutral shoe from Mizuno, is a daily trainer, made to be agile and versatile.
Replacing the highly cushioned Mizuno Enigma 7 years ago, was the Mizuno Wave Sky, a brand-new take on the highly cushioned neutral running shoe. Now in its 7th iteration, it brings underfoot softness to another level.
Choosing which running shoe you want can sometimes be daunting, and with this article, we aim to make the choice easier for you.
Mizuno Wave Rider 27
Wave Rider 27 has in the last few years gone through some different upgrades, but the Rider still always feels very close to its roots.
Last year it got more foam in the midsole, and this year there is a bigger emphasis on upgrading the upper and the grip around the foot. It still aims to be under the magical 300 grams in weight (Size US 9) and gives the runner a cushioned experience, while still offering the chance to speed up a bit.
The new upper has a knit-like feel and is very comfortable on foot. It offers quite a lot of space for your toes, while still being tight enough around my midfoot and heel. Speaking of the heel which has also gone through an update with a better structure to accommodate the foot's anatomy.
What is so special about the Mizuno Wave Rider 27 is the midsole geometry. It has quite an amount of foam in the heel, but because of a 12mm drop, the foam in the forefoot has a lower stack and a firmer feel. This results in a shoe that can pick up the pace quite efficiently, while still offering some nice cushion when you run slower.
Mizuno Wave Sky 7
The Mizuno Wave Sky 7 gives a comfortable experience to the runner who wants a soft and smooth run above all else. Unlike the Mizuno Rider 27, the Sky 7 is meant to be softer and more comfortable running shoe. It does though surprise the fastest of us, Emil, who has taken this out for some runs.
While it still looks like a Mizuno Wave Sky, the seventh model really has become an entirely new shoe. The stack height is now taller, hitting 41mm in the heel and an 8mm drop. With Mizuno Enerzy foam at the bottom and Enerzy Core foam on the top, the midsole provides the runner with a soft but surprising pop you haven’t found in a Mizuno Wave Sky before.
The upper has also gotten an overhaul with a premium knit-like material, a gusseted tongue, and just a sense of comfort and plushness all around the foot.
Mizuno Wave Rider 27 vs. Wave Sky 7
It is clear to us that the Mizuno Wave Rider 27 and the Mizuno Wave Sky 7 offer quite different experiences. The Rider 27 is a firmer and more responsive running shoe, for the runner who wants to switch up the pace a bit more, in their daily training.
It does handle a long run but works better at a higher pace, and is by far the best option if you want one shoe for many types of runs.
If you on the other hand want a soft and smooth transition, comfort first, and just a float-like sensation throughout your run, then the Mizuno Wave Sky 7 is the way to go. It can pick up the pace, as any shoe can, but it really shines when the pillowy midsole can keep supporting you on the longer days and recovery days.
Mizuno has managed to separate these two shoes in a good way, by making them very different. This also makes them work well together. You can use the Mizuno Wave Rider 27 on the faster days, on tempo runs and the long runs where you want a higher pace, and the Mizuno Wave Sky 7 on the days where speed isn’t as important.
Anyway you choose, you’ll get a great and solid running shoe for your daily miles.
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