Updated: November 20th, 2011
Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Running Shoes Review
Mizuno Wave Inspire 7

Mizuno Wave Inspire 7

Full Name: Mizuno Wave Inspire 7
Category: Stability
Weight: 11.4 oz. ( gr.)
Suggested Price: $100
Recommended For: Mild to moderate overpronators
  • Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 General Info:

The Mizuno Wave Inspire returns for it’s seventh year updated for 2011. As Mizuno’s best selling stability shoe, the Wave Inspire 7 has an impressive legacy to live up to. The upper and midsole are completely revised as is the Dynamotion Fit. Mizuno continues to provide male and female specific models using their Gender Engineering design principles.

  • Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Sole Unit:

The heart of any Mizuno running shoe is the patented Mizuno Wave. The Mizuno Wave is a plastic device sandwiched into the midsole of the shoe that provides stability and shock dispersion. In the case of the Wave Inspire 7 the wave plate is designed to curb overpronation. Overpronation occurs when a runner’s foot rolls too far to the inside and places excessive force on the inner foot and arch.

The wave plate in the Wave Inspire 7 is carried over from the Wave Inspire 6. The most noticeable change in the sole unit is the new last that Mizuno designed for the Wave Inspire 7. The last is the fundamental shape of the shoe and is a primary factor in how it conforms to the foot. In recent Inspire models, Mizuno opted to use a roomier last which resulted in a looser fit for those accustomed to the earliest versions of the shoe. However, the last in the Wave Inspire 7 has been tightened up to provide the most secure heel and arch feel that the shoe has ever offered.

Mizuno also introduced their new midsole compound, called AP+, that provides better cushioning and resiliency against compression. Mizuno’s VS-1 cushioning foam is still featured in the heel. In the women’s version, Mizuno altered the heel angle to further help control overpronation and improve transition.

  • Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Upper:

Two new features are immediately noticeable in the Wave Inspire 7 upper.

First, Mizuno is using a very open and breathable mesh guaranteed to help keep feet cool in nearly all conditions.

Second, the overlays are now concentrated more towards the heel of the shoe, no doubt part of Mizuno’s plan to give this edition the best heel fit possible.

Also present is Mizuno’s updated Dynamotion Fit collar tab that helps the shoe collar maintain contact with the foot at strike-where the upper is under the most stress. Flex eyelets are present and help the shoe to move with the foot as it travels through toe-off. A cushy Ortholite sockliner is still standard equipment as in the Wave Inspire 6.

Wave Inspire 7 Medial

Wave Inspire 7 Medial

  • Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Opinion:

I have run in the Wave Inspire 2, 4, 5 and 6. I can say this without any reservation; this shoe has never been better. As a runner with flexible arches I demand a shoe that features solid arch support. As such, I was a fan of Mizuno’s narrower last in the early Inspire because it felt made for my foot. While I really liked subsequent versions of the shoe, I could never use them as my main long distance shoes because of the wider last and lower arch they employed.

Mizuno has a hit on their hands for 2011. There are many fans of the older Mizuno fit who will welcome this new Inspire. Everything is there: great fit, arch support, light weight and superb transition. Mizuno knows that a mistake on the Wave Inspire design would be disastrous and it’s quite obvious that great detail and careful attention to customers needs went into the design of this shoe.

In fact, I took my pair out of the box and took over a minute off of my personal best half-marathon time. If you need a stability shoe, do not miss this one.

Let us know what you think of this shoe in the comments!

Review by Theo Clyatt

  • Mizuno Wave Inspire 7 Price Comparison:

{"datafeed":{"items":[]}}
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases

Recommended reviews

Saucony Cohesion 15 Review

The Saucony Cohesion 15 has some serious "Dad Shoe" vibes. I was sent a boring ... (Read expert review)

New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 Review

The New Balance FuelCell Rebel v3 is a lightweight daily trainer with a ... (Read expert review)

New Balance Fresh Foam X 880 v12 Review

VERDICT: The 880 is a great classic trainer with a modernized ride that ... (Read expert review)

Hoka Mach 5 Review

The Hoka Mach 5 is a lightweight, smooth-riding trainer which can fill a ... (Read expert review)

Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 Review

The Adidas Adizero Adios Pro 3 is a long-distance specialist. Its highly ... (Read expert review)

Reebok Nanoflex TR Review

The Reebok Nanoflex TR is one of the best budget training shoes on the market, ... (Read expert review)