Updated: November 25th, 2011
Mizuno Wave Musha 3

Mizuno Wave Musha 3

Full Name: Mizuno Wave Musha 3
Category: Racing-unisex
Weight: 8 oz. ( gr.)
Suggested Price: 85 $
Recommended For: Over-pronators desiring a racing flat or minimalist runners seeking a training shoe
  • Mizuno Wave Musha 3 General Info:

The Mizuno Wave Musha returns for a third year with a revised upper and the same midsole tooling as the Wave Musha 2. The Wave Musha draws it’s racing heritage from the Mizuno Wave Revolver.

  • Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Sole Unit:

The patented Mizuno Wave forms the core of every running shoe that Mizuno makes and the Wave Musha 3 is no exception. The Mizuno Wave is a plastic plate found in the midsole that is engineered to provide long lasting cushioning and support. Although the Wave Musha 3 is a lightweight racing shoe, engineers at Mizuno have crafted the wave plate in the Wave Musha 3 to give over-pronators a touch of support during races or fast training runs. Over-pronation occurs when a runner’s foot rolls too far inward during the gait cycle, often placing extreme stress on the medial structures of the foot and lower leg. In the Wave Musha 3 the medial wave plate extends from the heel all the way to right behind the big toe joint. On the lateral aspect of the shoe the wave stops just past midfoot. This design, along with a slightly wedged heel, allows over-pronators to experience a minimal racing shoe while still having some protection from excessive foot motion. Mizuno’s traditional AP foam is used for the midsole material. The last is also classic Mizuno; fitted in the heel and midfoot with more room in the toebox. The outsole of the Wave Musha 3 features Mizuno’s durable X10 compound in the heel and blown rubber in the forefoot.

Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Lateral

Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Lateral

  • Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Upper:

The Wave Musha 3 keeps it’s midsole heritage but does receive an all new upper. Mizuno removed some of the overlays found in the Wave Musha 2 and replaced them with thinner, yet still supportive, materials. The two forefoot overlays in the Wave Musha 2 have been deleted in favor of four smaller pieces designed to avoid bunching and chafing at the forefoot flex point. The heel overlay still circles the entire shoe to ensure that the foot stays locked into the heel counter during maximum effort running. An additional heel wrap intersects at the eyelet row to keep the foot secured onto the midsole. Mizuno also included a lightweight Runbird logo on the medial side of the shoe while a flashier, more robust Runbird adorns the lateral side. Completing the package are lightweight laces and an AP foam sockliner.

Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Medial

Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Medial

  • Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Opinion:

I write this review with a smile on my face. As of yesterday I won my first 5k, set a new personal best 5k time and I did it all in the Wave Musha 3. The Wave Musha 3 is everything I could want in a 5k shoe. The fit is slim in the heel and midfoot and opens up just a bit in the toebox. No sloppiness anywhere in the shoe. There is a touch of support right under the heel and arch. The transition is fast and firm; you know exactly where you are on the road. In my experience, soft shoes soak up power and end up making me work harder. The Wave Musha let me put every bit of effort I had right into the asphalt. Cosmetically, the uppers’ Chinese red, lime green and glossy black look ultra aggressive and primed for speed. This shoe is everything and nothing all at once. It disappears while the foot is in motion so you can better concentrate on how much your legs and lungs are burning.

Mizuno has done a fantastic job in bringing to market a racing shoe for those of us with flexible arches. Personally, I would not feel comfortable pushing this shoe past a 10k. That’s not a slight against the shoe, it’s just that I’d be better off with a shoe like the Mizuno Elixir 6 for longer race distances. More neutral runners could easily take this shoe to marathon distance and beyond.

In case you were curious, “musha” is Japanese for warrior. A fitting name indeed!

Review by Theo Clyatt

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

  • Mizuno Wave Musha 3 Price Comparison:

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