Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 Introduction
As the name states, the Mizuno Wave Inspire is on its 19th edition. Any shoe that has this many iterations is worth considering.
The latest version includes a redesigned supportive plate, called MIZUNO WAVE, running through the midsole. The WAVE plate is much improved from the Wave Inspire 18 and does more to roll your foot forward and transition your next step. This shoe sits firmly in the daily trainer category, as well as being a choice for runners that tend to overpronate.
At a price point of $140, this feels like a shoe that will last for a lot of miles. It is very well built which is why folks should feel good about paying for it.
A comparable shoe to the Wave Inspire 19 is the Brooks Adrenaline GTS 22. Both are high-stack, stability shoes that are almost identical in weight and price.
The Wave Inspire 19 weighs in at 10.6 oz (size 9) and has a 12mm heel-to-toe drop.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 First Impressions
When opening the box for the first time, I immediately noticed the bright and bold colors. Holding the shoes in my hand, they felt a bit heavy and stiff, but more on that later. It was impossible to miss the MIZUNO WAVE plate in the center of the midsole.
On my feet, the shoes felt snug, but I was not overly impressed with the comfort. I would not wear these shoes to walk around all day. For me, this was strictly a training shoe.
My first run in the Wave Inspire 19s was 5 miles and a word to describe it was smooth. They were firm, yet supportive and did not feel as heavy as I previously mentioned. It was evident that I was running in a more supportive shoe than my typical go-to neutral shoes.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 Upper
The Engineered Mesh upper was the biggest surprise to me. It was snug and very breathable which made running in warm weather all the more enjoyable. Built with seamless fabric, I had no concerns about rubbing or blisters. There was also the right amount of stretch in the fabric, so I didn’t feel like my feet were restricted.
Mizuno designed the fit for a slightly wider toe box and a narrower heel. This allows for movement and security in all the right places. Lacing on this shoe is pretty standard, other than the fact that the laces seemed extra long.
The tongue is an interesting feature of the shoe. It’s longer than most and has more padding but none of that seemed to affect the performance or comfort. A feature that I did like about the tongue was that the fabric wrapped around your foot and connected at the insole. This prevented it from sliding down or from side to side. It also added to the overall secure feel.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 Sole Unit
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 uses MIZUNO ENERGY foam in the midsole. Mizuno describes this as “a material that delivers excellent softness and rebound next to being very durable.”
The midsole also includes the MIZUNO WAVE plate which was designed for superior cushioning and stability.
The combination of materials in the midsole resulted in less foot and leg soreness during and after long runs. The design of the WAVE plate helps guide your foot from impact to push off, to avoid overpronation.
Most of my runs in this shoe were between 5 and 10 miles, which is where this shoe shines. I did however do some faster paced tempo runs and a few 5Ks. This is where things went sideways. With the support and 12mm heel to toe drop, my stride felt forced and any natural gait was lost. There was a lack of freedom and smoothness that I’ve had with neutral running shoes that I did not get from the Wave Inspire 19s.
The sole of the shoe consists of Mizuno’s X10 carbon rubber material which is a staple in many of their shoes. The traction performed as expected on pavement in both wet and dry conditions and held up to a bit of grass, dirt and gravel. In addition to the traction, after 50+ miles there is little to no sign of wear on the rubber.
Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 Conclusions
To conclude, if you’re in the market for a daily trainer with stability features, look no further. This shoe will withstand many miles and can be used as a singular training shoe or for recovery runs, depending on your need. Mizuno makes quality footwear and the Wave Inspire 19 is no exception.