High mileage runners and weekend warriors alike have gravitated towards the Mizuno Wave Rider as a lightweight but durable shoe with a smooth ride. The Wave Rider 13 was widely considered the benchmark of perfection in the Mizuno neutral cushioning line and many runners have high expectations for the Wave Rider 15. The Wave Rider 14 left many runners disappointed due to poor flexibility and a slightly different fit, and many were hoping for return to the feel of the Wave Rider 13. Weighing in at 11.1 oz (men’s size 9) and with a heel drop of 12 mm Mizuno seems to be sticking with what has worked in the past.
For those runners unfamiliar with Mizuno’s running shoes it can be quite easy to become a convert. Mizuno lovers speak of great fitting shoes with a smooth natural feeling transition through the gait cycle.
Mizuno Wave Rider 15 First Impressions
The 15th edition of the popular Wave Rider features an improved fit with a lower heel collar after many runners complained of abrasions on the too high heel collar of the last edition. The first thing I noticed about the fit of the Wave Rider 15 is that it runs true to size and the fit feels excellent. An ample toe box is supported by a snug fit throughout the mid foot and heel, and the overlays throughout the upper of the shoe give a nice locked down feel. The cushioning feels firm, consistent with Mizuno’s wave technology, and initially the Wave Rider 15 felt a bit stiff and inflexible. I needed to put the shoe through the paces to truly assess performance.
Mizuno Wave Rider 15 Upper
The Wave Rider 15 upper features a breathable mesh and lightweight construction. The lacing system is straightforward with standard oval laces and the tongue is adequately cushioned. What I liked most about the interior of the shoe was the fairly thin and minimalist feeling and open mesh. The upper is pliable and there aren’t any overlays which feel extraneous. Mizuno uses a durable micro-mesh to reinforce areas on the lateral side of the upper where runners often wear holes, like the pinky toe area.
The fit is pure Mizuno with a snug heel and forefoot giving way to a roomier toe box. The length is true to size and I was impressed with how locked down my foot feels on down-hills and even trails in the Wave Rider 15. This is a shoe which most runners will be able to wear right out of the box without having to spend an annoying break-in period. Overall, the Wave Rider 15 has a durable but lightweight upper with a fantastic fit.
Mizuno Wave Rider 15 Midsole
The Wave Rider 15 features Wave Technology which provides a very smooth transition from heel to toe. The Wave Rider 15 also features an extended wave plate through the mid foot and almost up to the metatarsals of the foot. While this improves the ride of the shoe it does add some rigidity in the mid foot. The toe box of the shoe past where the wave plate ends is flexible which gives a nice toe-off for mid foot and forefoot strikers.
The Wave Rider 15′s cushioning feels soft on top with the firmer wave plates on the bottom creating a pleasantly firm yet responsive cushioning. Mizuno uses its AP+ EVA foam on top of the wave plates and the AP+ feels has maintained its feel and seems to perform well in temperature variations from 20 F to 75 F. The wave plate in the heel is reinforced with more cushioning courtesy of Mizuno’s VS-1 material.
Mizuno also uses Smooth Ride technology which is a gender specific series of grooves that minimize acceleration and deceleration of the foot to even out the ride. Honestly, I didn’t notice this feature in any way but as stated earlier the Wave Rider 15 is a smooth ride.
Mizuno Wave Rider 15 Outsole
The Wave Rider outsole features a large cutout in the heel of the shoe, presumably to save weight, and durably carbon rubber lines the entire outsole of the shoe. The wave plate is exposed in the mid foot area of the shoe which did get fairly beat up after 20-30 miles of dirt/gravel running. Nothing too avant garde in the lug pattern of the Wave Rider 15 and I’m happy to report that the sole does not pick up rocks while running.
Mizuno Wave Rider 15 Performance and Overall Impressions
Mizuno advertises the new Wave Rider as an amalgam of all of the positive aspects of past Wave Riders molded into one shoe. While they manage to hit the mark in fit, cushioning, and support they missed in the flexibility department for me. Lovers of the Wave Rider 13 will be disappointed with this shoe. Instead of feeling like a built up responsive racing flat (like the 13) the Wave Rider 15 feels and functions more like a lightweight stability trainer. This lack of flexibility throughout the heel and forefoot was especially noticed on trails where the shoe had difficulty negotiating cambered surfaces and rocks, and I even rolled my ankle twice. To be fair, this shoe is not a trail shoe but it really did give me an indication of the rigidity of this shoe.
Now, for those who aren’t looking for Mizuno to remake a previous model, the Wave Rider 15 is a fantastic shoe. This is a great all-in-one shoe for those looking to run long, do tempo work, and have a race day shoe in one package. Many runners will like the stiffer mid-foot as it does seem to propel the wearer forward when feet are tired. With a near perfect fit, lightweight and lower profile feel, and great cushioning the Wave Rider 15 is definitely worth a try on!
Please comment with your own suggestions regarding the Mizuno Wave Rider 15. We are always open to differing opinions!
We thank the nice people at Mizuno for sending us this shoe for testing. This did not influence our review of the shoes, written after running 60 miles in it.
price comparison
 | Mizuno Men's Wave Rider 15 Running Shoe endless.com FREE overnight shipping, FREE return shipping (for 365 days). Ships internationally (FREE over 100$) | $104.95 |
 | Mizuno - Wave Rider 15 (bleached Aqua/sun Orange/dark Shadow) - Footwear Zappos Free shipping both ways (free return shipping), 365 days returns | $104.99 |
 | Mizuno Wave Rider 15 - Men's - Shoes - White Onlineshoes Free shippings, free exchanges, 365 days returns. | $114.95 |
 | Mizuno Wave Rider 15 Shoes (wht/anthracite/aizom) - Men's Shoes - 7.5 M shoes.com Free shippings, Free returns | $115.00 |
Written by Thomas Caughlan
Tom Caughlan has been running since age 11 and ran competitively in college. Tom has six years of experience at running specialty stores and continues to test products for running shoe companies. Ever the gearhead, Tom enjoys testing shoes on the roads and trails of the rocky mountains in Colorado.
My question is: what type of foot striker are you? I ask because I wonder if the rigidity that you describe affects heel strikers more than mid and forefoot strikers. Do you have any opinions about this?
Daniel,
Thanks for your question. I am a midfoot striker, neutral in my right foot, late stage mild pronation in my left foot. The rigid midfoot may not bother some, it just depends on what you’re used to. I run in everything from racing flats and very flexible shoes to highly cushioned neutral trainers. I consider Mizuno’s wave technology to have a stiffer midfoot in general compared to similar shoes but I specifically wanted to address the differences between this shoe and the highly lauded Wave Rider 13.
The 15 is a great shoe. Try it on and let us know what you think!
Thanks for answering my question. I have been wearing the Rider 15 since they came out. I too am a mid foot striker. But I find it a very flexible ride. Or I might say just flexible enough. That is why I asked. In regards to the Rider 13 comparisons, I feel the 15 is a far more consistent and smoother feel and transition, which I attribute to the extended wave plate.
Hey Daniel ! Thanks for your feedback!
Can I ask you a favour? Why don’t you leave a rating of the shoe (1 to 5) – there is an option in the comment!
This will show up in the “user rating” stars at the top. It’s a new function and I really hope our readers start picking this up!
thanks a lot!
I really like this shoe, so I am going five stars. But I agree with the review that if you are insisting on rediscovering the 13, you will be disappointed (and miss an excellent shoe in the process, in my opinion).
So far Im giving the 15′s just an ok. I absolutely loved my 13′s. They were my go to shoe, never an issue. I didnt have any trouble with the 14′s until I wore them a few weeks. Now I only run 4 times in my 15′s and I have a section cutting into my heel and achilles soreness. Not too happy with this shoe but willing to try to “Break them in”. Im a neutral runner.
I bought these shoes because I can no longer find the Wave Rider 11′s or 12′s which were the best running shoes I’ve ever owned. I stayed away from the 14′s due to all of the negative press but was eager to try the 15′s in hopes that Mizuno would have corrected any issues identified with the 14′s. I love the look of the 15′s but I would not recommend them. For the first time in years I am dealing with shin splints, and the first time ever the balls of my feet hurt after a run. In addition, my heels have been sore with the 15′s. I run often and am a neutral striker. I do not need arch support or anything special. Sadly, I must now find a different brand of shoe to replace my Mizunos.
I stand 6’4″ and around 340 pounds….I have been running in neutral shoes for about a year. Should I switch over to Stability shoes? I have had Mizuno Wave Riders in the past but I am looking for more cushioning.
Jim,
That’s a tough question. You’re a big guy and if you’re looking for additional cushioning, but like the Mizuno fit, you may want to look at the Mizuno Creation 13 review coming later this week. In my opinion that shoe is made for bigger runners.
If you didn’t have problems (injuries) with a neutral shoe then I wouldn’t worry about switching over to a stability trainer. If you are tearing shoes up and crushing the inside of the shoe you may want to think about it.
Other great neutral cushioning shoes for large runners are:
Asics Gel Nimbus
Nike Vomero
Brooks Glycerin
For anyone else whose knees have finally given out, its also a great walking shoe, light, comfortable and supportive.
HI, thanks for the review. Im a a slight over-pronator in one foot, and have had some peroneal tendonitis in that foot; so I definitly need a little stability, but I loved the feel of the wave riders.
You mentioned that the Wave Rider 15 is less flexible than you’d hoped. Do you think that the shoe could serve runners who need some stability (but still want the flexibility of a more neutral shoe)?
Disappointed. I’ve been wearing wave riders for years, in particular loving the virtue of their generous toe box. The 15′s feel narrower in that area leading to discomfort on longer runs. Like Shane, I am also getting very sore balls of feet which I put down to the rigid sole. Their only redeeming feature is they look great, but that’s not what I bought them for. I’m lucky my 13′s are still roadworthy. Come on Mizuno, sort it out!
I weigh 92kg (202lbs), low foot arch, while standing my ankles tend to turn inwards, while running my feet turn outwards (supinate) and all my shoe soles wear on the outer edge.
After a disastrous attempt (based on “wet test”) with Asics Foundation (like running on wood planks) I steered to a more cushioned shoe, Nimbus 10 which was recommended for “Supinators and Heavier Runners”. While I could actually run without knee pains, the shoe was narrow and gave my toes a hard time.
Since the shoe is 4 years old it’s time I got a new one and I was thinking of giving Mizuno a chance. I tried Rider 15 along with Precision 12 and Inspire 8, size 46.5 on all of them.
Precision was light, relatively flat with lots of room and a nice bouncy feeling.
Rider was like Precision on steroids. The heel was higher and I felt like wearing high heel shoes, my body was leaning forward while wearing them. The cushion system also felt “alien” (especially compared to nimbus), my heel could actually bounce inside the shoe and it felt funny while walking. I don’t know how that would “translate” when running. Finally, the shoe had lots of room at the toe-box and mid-foot. It was a bit heavier than Precision and felt slower while walking around.
Logic says I should go with Rider (or even Enigma?) but I was really impressed with Precision lightness. Do you think it will fall apart under my weight and I should play safe with Rider?
For the record, Inspire was narrower and stiffer than the other two at the toe-box and the heel. My toes were pressed together and inner side of the heel was pressing hard against my skin..
Aris,
First of all, I don’t consider you to be that big, unless you’re short. It is very rare for runners to have a standing overpronation and then supinate when they run! I think that is why it is so important for running stores to have treadmills to fit people with.
Anyways, you have to go by feel, and you have aptly described the difference between the Precision and the Wave Rider. I think that depending on how much you run, and if you’re relatively low mileage (less than 40 per week) you should do find in the Precision. Just acknowledge that you’re skipping several steps in the cushioning continuum from the Nimbus to the Precision. If that doesn’t bother you, I say go for it. Otherwise, if you would like something between the Nimbus (a ton of cushioning) and the Precision you might look towards other brands with widths such as the Nike Pegasus (wide) or the Brooks Ghost (wide). But, always trust your feet and definitely try to get out on the sidewalk or run on the treadmill for a bit just to see how they’ll feel. Carpet in a shoe store always feels great!
Hope this helps,
Tom
Hi Tom.
I am short for my weight (180cm/5.9ft) or fat for my height
My whole standing vs running pronation is driving me nuts and as if that wasn’t enough, I get the extra bonus of my second toe being the longest one just to make me buy 1/2 size larger…
Treadmills would be great but are mostly available in orthopedic clinics and only 1-2 athletic stores in whole Athens Greece. The majority offers the more or less pointless static foot scan and a really short (marble) walk inside the store so I will have to go by feet feeling.
Weekly mileage is low but a bit intense. I train for an hour twice a week on a track (10-12mph, 100m – 400m, hurdling, sprint intervals) so the shoe has to keep up with that type of usage. My only doubt regarding Precision is if its lighter weight (2.5-3oz less than Nimbus 10) would affect its durability.
Thank you.
I was an avid WR-13 wearer. I skipped the 14′s due to poor press and tried the 15s hoping for the return of my beloved 13s. After 6 weeks of alternating the 15s in with my workouts and EXTREMELY painful shin splints, I relented and returned the Muzunos. C’mon Muzuno! I wish you’d return you WR-13s to the shelves! Why is it that when something is working for you guys, you go and change it!!!!