Mizuno Wave Rider 6 £70

Had these since early April. Great shoe, very smooth riding. I've worn them in longer road races, off road (but not in real mud)and on long slow runs and they're good on most surfaces and various speeds. Seem to be a good all rounder.
Posted: 28/05/2003 at 12:40

My last 3 pairs have all been the various flavours of Wave Riders. All I can say is they last me for about 600 Miles, great cusioning and a fast toe off feel. My only issue with them is that I sometimes forget which pair is which and go out in my wornout ones! I highly recommend these. Like all road shoes they are pretty useless on mud, but get yourselves a pair of Walsh or Adidas Swoop for those off road sessions and you can't go far wrong.

TR.
Posted: 28/05/2003 at 15:37

Agreed, after about two years of mucking about with all sorts of stability shoes I tried the riders and think I've found the perfect shoe for me. 200 miles no injuries no blisters and I've completely forgotten aout my dodgy knee! So much for specialist advice from the shops - they almost didn't want to sell me these! Only problem is in very wet weaher whne the very efficient cooling vent squirt water jets into your feet!

Make you feel like GAZELLE


Ptr
Posted: 23/09/2003 at 13:40

Yep, I use Mizuno, have done for about 2 years now. In fact got 3 different ones. Got the Rider 6 and Creation IV (loads and loads of cushioning, more than the Rider 6 and good for me if I'm doing more miles/ longer runs as they give me more protection from injury I think). Also got lighter weight ones (Phantom I think) for speed training/ racing.


Posted: 23/09/2003 at 13:48

1 problem, is it just mine or do they all sound like your walking in high-heels?
Posted: 10/12/2003 at 09:40

No problems with mine sounding like high-heels, you might have a stone stuck to the bottom or something?
Posted: 10/12/2003 at 10:02

Love Wave Rider 6. I find the Creation a little heavy and certainly slow me down a little. I bought some skylons for competitions. Would love to how Mizuno lightweight shoes compare.
Posted: 10/12/2003 at 14:22

trail runner
little trick, when you buy the shoes, take out the inersole and write in permanent maker the date that you first started using them on the sole.

then all you have to do is check the dates to get a matching pair, and also a rough idea of when they are going to go a little bit flat and worn out.
Posted: 10/12/2003 at 17:01

I'm looking for a new pair of shoes and heard good thing about Mizuno.
But, in paris and abroad, we have poor/little specialized running store, and even more rarely Mizuno, so I'll be glad if you could give me any advise.
I've finally found a good one, Citadium, with a good range of choice, but was not given a real hand by the seller.
Actually, I'm coming from the Asics Gel-Nimbus, and look for a lighter pair:
I'm hesitating between the Wave Rider 6, and the Asics DS Trainer 8, (and eventually the Wave Creation 4, but I don't understand the price differance and advantage vs the Rider).
Maybe I've got to take both of them Miz & Asc ?
any other advise welcome !
cheers
Posted: 11/01/2004 at 17:04

does anyone tried either shoes ?
help needed plz
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 11:11

I bought some wave rider 6 shoes recently. I've only done 12 miles in them, but my opinion to date-
very well cushioned and comfortable- noticeably better than my other shoes which are asic gel (cheapies from JJB, I have to admit)
My bug bear is that, although they're comfortable, my last two runs have been in wet or snowy weather, and the right shoe, in particular, has leaked like a sieve.
I've had a good look at the shoes, and there are no obvious flaws.
I always lead off kerbs etc with my right foot.
What I want to know is- are these a particularly leaky shoe, or should I be hot footing it back to Sweatshop?
Also, does anyone else find one foot always gets wetter than the other (ie-is it running style related?)
My el cheapo asics might not be super cushioned, but I don't end up with a cold, wet foot!
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 14:52

They have air-flow holes in the wave plate, for ventilation in the summer, hence the leakage bud.
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 14:55

Cheers KorsaKing
Perhaps I'll reserve them for dry weather running, or just dream of the long hot summer that we're sure to have as I plod along in the rain.
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 15:05

Peter Pan - glad you said it, I've had loads of comments about "ooh, hard heels on your shoes" when I run with anyone else, and it's started to bug me recently. I've also got Asics Nimbus IV which seem much softer-sounding - I think they feel slightly more cushioned in the heel, but to be honest there doesn't seem to be much in it, feel-wise. It's sound-wise that there's such a huge difference! I've had two pairs of Rider VIs, and had the heel thing with both. However, they are so comfortable to wear and they're the only shoe that's a snug fit round the heel - even the Nimbus feels like it's slipping a bit. I was thinkigng of trying the Creation and seeing if the extra cushioning made any difference.
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 18:22

johnjohn, the ds trainers are a support shoe, so not as suitable for a neutral runner as the mizunos-

if you have been running in the nimbus because it has been recommended as the right trainer for your running style, then ignore the ds trainers and go for the mizunos.

the difference between the rider and the creation is basically in the forefoot-the creations are better cushioned and also a little bit more stable there. The 'wave' cushioning goes through to the forefoot and the cushioning there is enhanced in the creations, compared to the riders, which have a standard cushioning insert in the forefoot.
Posted: 13/01/2004 at 20:06

Im a Mizuno fan - gone through loads of Wave riders. Definately the best running shoe I have ever worn.


If I have one critisism its that they seem to wear very very fast, I keep an eye around the rear plate area because once you start to see lots of crease marks on the upper sole then I find they need to be ditched. I have given myself knee ankle probs in the past trying to squeeze an extra month out of them.

Wave creations seem to be slightly better at wearing but obviously are slightly heavier.

Someone says earlier they use wave riders off road, hell, I cant think off a more unsuitable shoe for off road running.
Posted: 14/01/2004 at 12:43

I'm also a Mizuno fan. I've had Wave Creation's x2 and Rider x1, though the Creation's are my favorite. Just brillaint shoes for a plodder.
Posted: 14/01/2004 at 13:38

Just approaching 350 injury free miles in the wave rider 6 - brilliant cushioning and smooth ride with good stability for a neutral shoe BUT :

1. Feeling rather "flat" now - seem to have lost cushioning sooner than other makes I have tried.
2. Those ventilation holes in the sole are a dreadful idea for a country like ours where it rains most of the time - I'm sick of cold,wet feet. Surely this slows you down more than the 6% ventilation advantage Mizuno claim ?
3. Material at heel starting to wear out causing mild blisters.

I would definately buy another pair come drier weather. Meantime I'm starting to break in a pair of NB 752 which have similar fit/feel (need half size bigger in NB)and should keep my feet more comfortable.

Also tried the creations - bulkier,more cushioned,for some reason seem less stable than the Riders,less useful for fast paced running,quite a bit more expensive.
Posted: 15/01/2004 at 21:31

i am a big fan of the "wave range" but racing over longer distances i've had a bruised toe and i'm told most runners go for a size larger than they would in there every day shoe, do you find that right?
Posted: 21/01/2004 at 19:11

Bought a new pair of Wave Creation's a couple of weeks ago. Have also run with Wave Riders. Always Mizuno for more years than I can remember (apart from unpleasant experience with Asics).

Excellent shoes, can't fault them.
Size-wise I do not think that need to go for a size larger than every day shoe. Bought my recent pair through mail order since I'm know 7s fit me perfectly.
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 09:06

Now on my second pair of Wave Rider 6's. Yes the cushioning does seem to go "flat much quicker than some other brands, never had leaks from below but the mesh uppers are very breathable and let in water and the sizing around the toe box seems generous despite my wide feet. Despite that I quite like them for long slow runs.
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 13:27

I've just checked my Mizunos, and, in fact, they're a half size smaller than my asics, whilst the fit feels very similar.
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 14:08

Nomad Colin
In addition to the above,my everyday 'non-running' shoe size is a 6.5, as are my Mizunos.
Posted: 22/01/2004 at 14:13

The first pair of Mizuno Wave Rider VIs I bought were a size bigger than my everyday shoes (I'm a 5, bought a 6 on the running shop's recommendation). Very very comfy, no blisters - but I got bruised big toes, bizarrely.

When I bought my 2nd pair, the guy made me try on a 5.5, then a 5, which felt quite snug and I was a little unsure - but decided to trust him. No blisters, no bruises... so the next pair I bought in size 5, and the last pair I bought (yesterday!) I didn't bother to try on.

My Asics Nimbus IV are a size 6 (again, no problems), as are my Nike Airs that I wear for the gym, and I also bought some New Balance off-road shoes yesterday - size 6, but narrow fitting.

Mizunos seem to have a reputation for "coming up big" - it may be you're getting a bruised toe cos your feet are sliding around, as mine were?


I've noticed that the Nimbus seems to be more cushioned than the Mizuno - I tend to wear the Asics for pavement running (to and from work), and the Mizunos for most other running (mainly a combination of road/park/riverside path - paved/asphalt).

Posted: 22/01/2004 at 20:32

I'm pleased most of yoy use the same size as your normal shoes, and i'm wondering if the problem i had was cos the race was very "hilly" with a lot of down hill running which i supose pushes your toe's to the front of the shoe. I've always been pleased with the shoes and don't realy like the idea of going for a larger size as i think this could cause other problems
Posted: 23/01/2004 at 19:16

any news about the Rider's VII ? comments, advise ? how better is the new version ?
Posted: 25/02/2004 at 16:34

So far I do not feel the rider 7 has such a good fit.Been getting blisters inside both heels - hopefully shall settle in time. Otherwise, every bit as good as the 6.
Posted: 25/02/2004 at 17:50

Was happy with mine, now they've got a hole in them by my little toe i've only had them since december. :(
Posted: 26/02/2004 at 15:01

I think I'll stock up on the 6 as widely available at reduced price now and I don't think the 7 provides any significant benefits.
Posted: 26/02/2004 at 15:16

I switched from Asics 2080s to the Rider 7 at the recommendation of my local shop who examined my Asics shoes and also listening to what I told him about my feel in the Asics.

The Asics felt stable and very cushioned but somewhat "slow", can't seem to accelerate or run fast in them. I tried out the Rider 7(2 runs of 10km each) and to me personally, it definitely felt like a much faster shoe and I particularly like the snug fit. The cushioning seemed to be firmer than the Asics and I had a little pain in my left knee after 5km, luckily I was in the gym and swap the insoles for my Asics Gel insole and the cushioning improved significantly and the knee pain subsided. The second run went through without any discomfort and I must say this shoe felt better running fast. The Asics Gel insole did make the shoe a little snug(lucky that I got 1/2 size bigger initially) and I'll probably shop around for a less thicker insole probably with similar arch support(not sure if those with graphite boards would be a good choice).

Initially bought the Rider 7 at a 1/2 size smaller than my Asics, and for shorter runs, I think it's quite ok, but as I'm planning on using it for a yr-end marathon, in the end took a 1/2 size bigger(ie. same shoe size as my Asics), no problems after two runs, no blisters or discomfort whatsoever. However the heel material seems to snag on my socks, not sure what is the impact longterm.

Cheers

Posted: 14/08/2004 at 17:43

I have just been for a 6 mile run in my new Wave Rider VII's. I started to get a sore feeling in both my forefeet at about 5 miles and carried on running. When I looked at the bottom of my feet I found I had the beginnings of small blisters which corresponded to the bumps of the insole. Has anyone else had this problem and if so what did they do? I have been for a couple of 3-4 mile runs in them ok and find the shoe has really helped with some other problems I was having. I know I could swap the insole but would this change the shoes working in anyway. I am so annoyed as I thought I had found my perfect shoe at last. Any thoughts greatly appreciated!!

Posted: 12/09/2004 at 11:05

i've run distances uo to half marathon and never had any problems. i always use "proper running socks" as i think this is inportant, but i'm surprized you've had a problem
Posted: 14/09/2004 at 19:16

The big question for me remains the following: Is Creation 5 worth the extra cash over Rider 7?

Please also advise if there is any reason somebody should not buy any of these two models.

Finally i welcome any advise in relation to sizing; is the Mizuno size the same as your other running shoes?

Thanx
Posted: 07/10/2004 at 13:24