Mizuno Wave Rider 28 Review | Traditional Trainer that Lives On

Mizuno describes the Wave Rider 28 as “the ultimate daily trainer.” With no shortage of high quality daily trainers on the market today, that’s a pretty bold statement. Does it live up to it? Let’s find out.

First, let’s address the elephant in the room. Anyone who knows me, knows I’ve been a long-time Brooks fan. It’s been a long time since I can remember wearing anything but, and I can honestly say Mizuno was never on my radar to try. However, I’m not so stuck in my ways that I’m not game to try something new.

After all, it’s true what they say – don’t knock it til you try it. And if you don’t try it, you’ll never know what you’re missing. Turns out, I would’ve been missing out on a rather comfortable daily trainer had I never tried these.

So is the Mizuno Wave Rider 28 truly the ultimate daily trainer? Maybe, maybe not, but it is certainly a solid choice to add to your easy and long run shoe rotation.

Love an old school daily trainer? That’s exactly what you’ll find here with durable cushion, nothing too flashy or fast, but a shoe that can go the distance with you.

Mizuno Wave Rider 28 Overview

When a shoe has been around for as long as the Mizuno Wave Rider, they must be doing something right. The first version came out in 1998, and while running shoe technology has changed quite a bit since then, it remains Mizuno’s top selling everyday neutral trainer.

Those who love the Wave Rider 27 will be happy to know not much has changed in the 28th version. The stack height, heel drop, gusseted tongue, weight, outsole, Wave plate and ENERZY foam remain the same.

Updated in the 28, you’ll find the addition of ENERZY NXT compound in the midsole, which Mizuno says is “Designed to maximize energy return and cushioning for optimum performance,” as well as a jacquard mesh upper instead of engineered mesh.

What I noticed first upon trying on the Wave Rider 28 was that the cushioning felt soft but not squishy – just how I prefer it, one reason the Brooks Ghost has been a long time favorite of mine for most everyday runs. If you’re looking for a super soft shoe, akin to a Brooks Glycerin feel, this isn’t it. Nor is it a max cushion shoe like the Brooks Glycerin Max or Hyperion Max.

The next thing I noticed is that while the midfoot and toe box were both plenty roomy, the heel fit nice and snug. This is a positive for me, someone with narrow heels but toes that like to spread out, but might not be so great if your heels and ankles/achilles need a little more room.

I was afraid the Pebax Wave plate might make the shoe feel too stiff, but it transitioned well at all paces from very easy warm up to quick strides. It also added stability that was appreciated toward the end of a long run when I could feel my legs and ankles getting tired.

As promised, the Mizuno ENERZY NXT also provided noticeable energy return and resilient cushioning that lasted throughout runs of all distances. I was a little concerned that the jacquard upper, though quite comfortable, might not be the most breathable in hot weather, but luckily that was unfounded. My feet didn’t overheat even during a very warm and humid long run (the rest of me, however, came close).

Coach Amanda: Unlike Laura, Mizuno was one of the first shoes I ran in back in 2002! I wore many versions of the Wave Rider until other brands started to really capture my attention with different features.

Slapping these on I was happy to find they still feel like a trusted trainer. While Mizuno is doing some other crazy with carbon plated shoes and the Neo Vista, the Rider remains an old school (in a good way) daily trainer.

Not all comfortable shoes also look good, but this one is an exception. Not only do I LOVE the colorway (and so far have managed not to get them dirty despite running with a dog that loves to run through puddles, dirt, and wet grass), they also have an attractive design.

While these definitely have a home in my regular daily run rotation, I would gladly wear these out and about to run errands too.

Mizuno Wave Rider Fit

As I mentioned before, these shoes have a roomy toebox and midfoot but a snug fit around the heel.

The midfoot isn’t SO loose that it feels sloppy, however, and can easily be adjusted to fit more snugly by lacing tighter. I generally feel like most Brooks shoes have plenty of room in the toebox, but these felt even roomier, which my toes definitely appreciate especially going into the summer when more foot swelling is likely.

Those who like a lower-profile, super padded heel might not like the slightly higher, tighter fit of the heel collar, but anyone with narrow heels like mine will appreciate it.

My heels didn’t move at all, and I didn’t have any issues with rubbing or blisters. I do wear higher socks, which may help – if you prefer super low, no-show socks, your mileage may vary.

The gusseted tongue was the ideal thickness for me – not too thick where it put unnecessary pressure on the top of my foot, but not so thin I felt the laces through it either. It hugged my foot perfectly and didn’t move.

Mizuno Wave Rider 28 Feel

The best thing I can say about the feel of the Wave Rider 28 is that I didn’t think about it too much. They were comfortable from the first time I tried them on, and only got more comfortable the more miles I ran in them.

As I noted earlier, the cushioning was Goldilocks perfect for me – not too firm, not too soft. I prefer a shoe that has just enough softness to keep my aging joints happy, while still providing good energy return. These fit the bill.

At 12mm, the drop was the same as the previous versions of the Brooks Ghosts I wore (16 and earlier – the new 17 has decreased to a 10mm drop), and the weight was similar as well. The shoes didn’t feel heavy, but aren’t the lightest either – pretty standard for a daily trainer.

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