Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 General Info:
When Mizuno debuted the Wave plate technology 15 or so years ago, you just had to know that they were itching to create a completely Wave plate based shoe. Well, that finally happened last year with the introduction of the Wave Prophecy. Now, the Wave Prophecy 2 is less of a groundbreaker and more of a tale of simply refining an already innovative and rather risky design.
Mizuno decided to introduce a premium, high tech running shoe just when all the trends in running were headed the opposite direction. It appears to have struck a chord with runners however, as we now have a refined upper and a bit less weight in the Prophecy 2 while keeping the ultra techy Infinity Wave midsole.
Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 First Impression:
Since I tested the original Wave Prophecy, I had a pretty good idea what to expect from the Prophecy 2: a firm, propulsive ride with great arch support. If you’ve read any of my reviews you’ll know that I run in stability shoes. The Wave Prophecy series is the only neutral designated shoe I’ve ever been able to get any decent mileage out of.
The Wave Prophecy 2 follows the rest of the 2013 Mizuno line by featuring a stripped down upper package. Seeing that the Wave Prophecy 2 uses the same midsole design as before, I figured that the new shoe would perform identically to the legacy shoe. What I didn’t expect was that the Wave Prophecy 2 would arrive to me in a Thomas the Train color way. Wow. Choo! Choo!
Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 Sole Unit:
Employing the most visually commanding midsole in all of foot wear, the Wave Prophecy is all about showcasing the Mizuno wave plate design philosophy. Mizuno uses a unique system of plastic plates to guide and cushion the foot while running. These wave plates are geared for different applications and the Wave Prophecy 2’s Infinity Wave is built for a neutral runner, or a runner whose foot does not roll in excessively.
Traveling nearly the entire length of the shoe, the Infinity Wave is two plastic plates sandwiched together and linked by 11 rubber columns that provide quick transition and a high level of shock attenuation. Although intended for a neutral runner, I found that the Wave Prophecy 2 Infinity plate did a pretty decent job of controlling my over pronation. This is likely due to the fact that the Infinity Wave is very torsionally resistant and rather firm. A small amount of Mizuno’s AP+ midsole foam is present underfoot and beneath the toe box. Mizuno’s X10 high durability carbon rubber is situated in the heel and blown rubber comprises the rest of the wave shaped tread.
Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 Upper Unit:
The Wave Prophecy 2 upper is the focal point of the updates to this shoe. Minimizing upper materials and reducing weight while retaining a premium fit and feel was obviously the goal Mizuno had in mind. The upper mesh is laid out in a checkerboard weave that is quite breathable and has a premium “silk sheets” feel. Most of the overlays have been deleted and replaced by two invisible “underlays” in the toe box and a single overlay traveling across the mid foot.
Mizuno has included some welded overlays that tie in to the eyelet row and Runbird logo. The heel counter overlay appears primarily for decoration as the heel counter feels sufficiently rigid on its own. The eyelet row has now been placed in a very mild offset pattern which does seem to complement the foot’s natural shape. Mizuno uses a premium ribbed shoe lace for the Prophecy series and it remains the same as last year as does the OrthoLite style sock liner.
Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 Opinion:
The Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 is something of a departure for me as I usually run exclusively in stability shoes. As I stated earlier, the Prophecy series has been the only neutral shoe that has ever even come close to agreeing with my foot. As an over pronator, I demand that a training shoe be torsionally stable and solid in the arch; both boxes that the Wave Prophecy 2 ticks. The fit experience is traditionally Mizuno with a close, fitted heel and mid foot that opens up to a freer fitting toe box. The depth of the upper is decidedly medium and the width sizes in fairly narrow through the mid foot.The Wave Prophecy 2 also has the arch placed close to the heel which is another Mizuno hallmark. All of which add up to a fantastic fitting shoe that again impressed me at both initial try on and when on the run.
I decided to compare the Wave Prophecy and Wave Prophecy 2 in regards to runnability and there were some surprising differences. Although the two shoes share the same midsole the Wave Prophecy 2 feels more neutral than its predecessor. I am at a loss to explain this as the two midsoles are visually identical. But the original Prophecy was definitely less forgiving in the medial heel.
The Wave Prophecy 2 retains the propulsive transition of the earlier design while allowing the foot to roll in just a bit more. Both shoes feature a sprung toe configuration which is supposed to improve toe off but I honestly have a hard time telling the difference in regards to sprung vs. non-sprung designs. Incidentally, I had to stop and retie the laces on the Prophecy 2 on several runs. Best double knot these suckers!
I think the Prophecy series really serves as a test bed and showcase for Mizuno. The audience for the shoe is likely smaller than it could be due to the retail price that the shoe commands. The Wave Prophecy 2 comes in at over an ounce lighter than before and feels more appropriate for the neutral runner.
However, I had no issues with the Prophecy 2 during my testing but I would be hesitant to take it for a 20 miler as a moderate over pronator. Having said that, I do believe that the shoe will work best for mild over pronators and neutral runners with arch problems like plantar fasciitis. The shoe excels at arch support and firm cushioning; just what sore feet need!
We thank the nice people at Mizuno for sending us a pair of Wave Prophecy 2 to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.
Mizuno Wave Prophecy 2 Price Comparison
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