I was pretty excited to try these trail shoes as I have heard good things about Mizuno products and had been eyeing a pair of the company’s road shoes.
But after more than 50 miles of running cross-country courses and mild to moderate trails, I have lost my enthusiasm and relegated the Wave Daichis to the back of the closet.
Mizuno Wave Diachi 2 General Info
The Wave Diachi 2 (a light-weight neutral shoe weighing 10.4 ounces with a 12 mm drop) is well cushioned and constructed, primarily in the upper part of the sole where mesh provides support without sacrificing comfort.
If it’s a durable trail shoe you are seeking for basic trail conditions — think bike paths and simple dirt trails — the Wave Diachi 2 will suffice. The shoes do dry fairly quickly when they get wet.
However, when I took the Diachis out on a mildly muddy trail, the small lugs could not handle it. I slipped. I slid. I slowed my pace considerably, far more than in other trail shoes on the same trails but with significantly more mud, snow or a mixture.
Additionally, the small lugs have difficulty in clearing dirt and mud that gets caught. After a run — again in mildly muddy conditions — the bottom was completely clogged with mud. Other trail shoes don’t collect trail debris as souvenirs.
Mizuno Wave Diachi 2 Sole Unit
This is where Mizuno’s design and manufacturing illustrate the benefits of the shoe, as opposed to the previously mentioned small and ineffective lugs.
The Wave Daichi features the XtaRide midsole, an elastic, thermal plastic wave running from the heel to the midfoot, giving support and cushioning to the runner.
This technology allows the heel and forefront to act independently. I experienced this as I ran along grassy sections of the cross-country course, and the shoes definitely supported the varying terrain.
The Michelin outsole is made of a durable carbon rubber. The lugs appear to be made well; they are just too small to be effective.
Mizuno Wave Diachi 2 Upper Info
In these Daichis, Mizuno rolls out a newly constructed upper for maximum protection, featuring its DynamotionFit for comfort and G-TX construction to keep feet dry.
The Daichi shoes are made with a strong mesh for enhanced upper support without losing a dynamic feel. The result is a secure and breathable shoe that feels comfortable from the moment a runner slides his or her feet into them.
Also notable is Mizuno’s OrthoLite Sockliner — an anti-microbial and moisture wicking concept that creates a healthy foot environment.
Mizuno Wave Diachi 2 Conclusions
The Mizuno Diachi 2 claims to be for any runners on any surface. But the small lugs counter that pronouncement, in my opinion.
Quite honestly, there are better trail shoes out there, even for mild surfaces. If you don’t ever plan on running in the mud or dirt, these shoes may work for you. But even if that is the case, I would bypass these and check out other options.
We thank the nice people at Mizuno for sending us a pair of Wave Diachi 2 to test. This did not influence the outcome of the review, written after running more than 50 miles in them.
Mizuno Wave Diachi 2 Price Comparison
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