Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Running Shoes Review
 Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 |
| Full Name: Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 |
| Category: Stability |
| Weight: 11.3oz (320 gr.) |
| Suggested Price: 100$ |
| Recommended For: Over Pronators, Runners with low arches or flat feet |
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 General Info:
After conquering the feet and the hearts of many runners with the previous four installations, Mizuno updates the Wave Inspire 5 without changing its DNA and – most important – without disappointing its loyal runners.
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Sole Unit:
Atypically for a stability shoe, the first thing you notice when you look at the Wave Inspire 5 midsole is the absence of a medial post, the usually gray injection of a harder foam compound underneath the medial (internal) side of the arch.
Mizuno placed instead their trademark Wave system: an undulated plate in a plastic material (constructed with a plant oil, which is more environmental-friendly) that starts underneath the heel and runs across the whole width of the midsole right under the midfoot where it ends in a shank.
This system provides both cushioning and stability. The wave form absorbs the shock and progressively distributes it across the midsole; at the same time the wave returns a spring back that helps the heel-to-toe transition. As opposed to using shock absorbing materials such as air or gel, which are instable, the use of a plastic plate provides the shoe with exceptional stability.
Mizuno uses their VS-1 foam compound, which has added anti-compression proprieties and an adjustable hardness – harder in the heel and softer in the toe area, providing a flexible sole that doesn’t deform quickly.
Last word on the sole construction is the gender-specific engineering, in elements like the heel shape and the toe flex grooves.
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Upper:
The upper of the Wave Inspire 5 has a supportive pattern of overlays especially in the heel and medial side and a very open mesh, especially in the toe box.
The fit is snug in the heel and roomy in the forefoot, it accommodates orthotics well.
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Opinion:
We are great fans of this shoe. Everything about it is just right: immediately after putting it on you can feel its lightness and breathability. The Wave system successfully replaces the foam achieving a dramatic weight cut and adding underfoot breathability – which you don’t find often in stability or motion control shoes.
The ride is flexible and at the same time well supported – so supported that we definitely recommend it to runners with low arches or flat feet.
Last, at 100$, the Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 is great value for money.
UPDATE 2010: Read our Mizuno Wave Inspire 6 Review
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Price Comparison:
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 - Mens - White/blue/blue-2e (FootAction) |
 $69.99 
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 - Mens - Silver/russet Orange/anthracite (FootAction) |
$69.99
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| + 2 others available from FootAction ↓ | ||
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Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 - Mens - White/blue/blue (FootAction) |
$69.99
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Mizuno Men's Wave Inspire 5 Shoes (silver/russet Orange) (shoes.com) |
 $95.00
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Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!
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This is a great shoe, and my first Mizuno. I ran with Asics for the longest time and decided to make the change. These were suggested to me by my local running store when the Asics I liked weren’t available. After the first run in them, I was hooked and never turned back. They are light and comfortable (since i’m a pronator) … the best thing is that the toe box is wide enough to not cause me black toenails on my 20+ milers (which I had problems with in Asics).
Ah, wonderful! Just tried a pair as successors to last year’s Inspire 4′s which served me well in NYC marathon. I have flat feet but do not particularly pronate when I run. These 5′s have wonderful cushioning, are comfy and light and supportive without being disciplinary. And indeed plenty of toebox room, more so than in Asics — maybe my toenails will have a chance once they grow back.
I am an Asics man, but that has changed. The health of my feet forced a decision to move away. Over the years, I have run in most name brand shoes. I did a lot of research on Mizuno before I chose this shoe. I liked the weight, feel, cushioning, and looks. This shoe felt good from the start. The only drawback to purchasing this shoe would be that it is in a competitive market. There are a lot of choices out there for runners. It is important for all types of runners to have a shoe periodization plan. I will be adding Muzino to the list.
I started wearing the Inspire 4 two years ago. Unfortunately, it took several years and pairs to find the right shoe. They are comfortable, stable, and reasonably priced, and most importantly, they work for my flat narrow feet. If you are medium sized like me and are a moderate to severe pronator, these shoes may work very well. Let me add that I do replace the sockliners that come with the shoe, with Powerstep Pinnacle Insoles. A killer combo for ailing flat feet.
I’ve really liked these shoes–easy on the feet and with a wide enough toe box to accomodate the beginnings of bunions (nice). I’m finding a little fatigue in the shape of the sole after 480 km or 3 months for me.
They are really nice and light–and well-priced, but I feel like I may be replacing them a little earlier than my new balance.
i love the new AIR MAX by nike, i used them to hit the gym and run in, i used them for not even two month and i began to notice wear and tear and the air pockets ripped open, so i heard the mizunos nirvana 5′s are great so i just bought my first pair. I hope they work well in and out of the gym ill keep you guys posted.
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