Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Introduction

Mizuno, a brand once recognised for its practicality and functionality rather than trendiness, has undergone a significant transformation. This shift is best exemplified by the Wave Rebellion Pro, a running shoe that stands out as one of the most striking and unconventional shoes available. Its bold design and innovative features are so eye-catching that it has become a conversation starter, drawing attention and prompting curiosity.

The brand’s evolution also includes a shift in marketing strategy. Mizuno has moved away from its traditional approach and embraced a new tactic that generates excitement and anticipation.

By initially referring to new releases as “Mystery Shoes” and only revealing the actual name shortly before launch, Mizuno creates a sense of intrigue and buzz around its products. This strategy reflects a departure from the brand’s previous focus on practicality and demonstrates a willingness to embrace a more modern and trend-focused approach.

The Wave Rebellion Pro is Mizuno’s flagship marathon racer. It’s complemented by the Wave Rebellion Flash, a plated speed trainer as well as the Wave Rebellion Pro Low, an alternate version of the Rebellion Pro.

Mizuno states on the product page of the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 that it’s for all elite runners. I would generally agree with this statement, especially when considering the shoe’s demanding nature. Most hobby runners lack the refined running form and robust leg muscles that elite runners possess through rigorous training and natural talent.

These attributes are essential to effectively utilise the Wave Rebellion Pro 3, particularly over long distances like a marathon. The shoe’s aggressive design is optimised for runners who can maintain efficient form and generate powerful strides throughout a race.

The normal Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is so unstable and aggressive, that Mizuno has launched a low version of it called the Wave Rebellion Pro Low with a reduced incline that promotes flat contact. It’s a “friendlier” racer for non-elites.

Last year, after thoroughly testing the Wave Rebellion Pro 2, I concluded that it was unsuitable for me for any race involving numerous turns and hills due to its inherent instability. The shoe’s design and construction made it feel precarious when navigating sharp corners or uneven terrain, which could compromise my performance and increase the risk of injury.

Furthermore, I observed that the Wave Rebellion Pro 2 didn’t deliver the same level of speed assistance as other top-tier racing shoes. This was primarily due to a lack of an aggressive forefoot rocker that propels you forward and enhances running efficiency.

The Wave Rebellion Pro 3 weighs 225 g (7.9 oz) for a men’s US9. It’s about 10 grams (0.3 oz) more than the Wave Rebellion Pro 2. It’s noticeably heavier than other flagship racers such as the ASICS Metaspeeds, Adidas Adios Pro 4 and Saucony Endorphin Pro 4 which are all below 207 g (7.3 oz). The Wave Rebellion Pro 3 costs $250.

This is the Beta version of the Wave Rebellion Pro 3. The only difference between the Beta version and the regular one is the colourway. Mizuno says that the colourway is inspired by nature. The stripes are designed to mimic “disruptive coloration”, a technique animals use to blend in and confuse predators.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 First Impressions

My first run was a 10K specific workout consisting of 7 km at marathon effort, 2 x 1 km at half marathon effort and then 800 m, 600 m, 400 m, 200 m.

In the first 7 km, I found it difficult to hold marathon effort. I felt like I was working harder in the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 than in other super shoes to get to my marathon effort. I enjoyed the faster paces at half marathon effort (and below) more because I was landing further forward and it felt more natural.

In the second half of the workout, I experienced some discomfort. I felt the heel tab of the right shoe digging into my heel which was unusual for me- I don’t normally experience this problem. Luckily it was a short workout or else the heel tab would have pierced my skin.

The new version felt much softer and bouncier than version 2. I also felt that it was more stable than version 2 thanks to the redesigned outsole and the ground contact area having increased.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Upper

The upper of the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is crafted from thin engineered mesh and it has good ventilation in the toe-box, tongue and side panels. It fits true to size and has an accommodating, roomy fit, particularly in the forefoot so it’s suitable for runners with wider than average feet.

Its tongue is thin and not gusseted but it doesn’t slide around thanks to its wide wings and loop for the laces to pass through in the middle of the tongue. There are small, reflective triangles on the back of the heel counter, making it one of the rare racers to feature low-light reflectivity.

The Rebellion Pro 3 suffers from a major design flaw: a sharp heel tab edge. This minor detail has significant consequences for runners, as it causes blisters and sores during runs.
The sharp edge digs into the skin, particularly with repetitive friction, leading to discomfort and potential injury.

This issue is not isolated; numerous users of the Rebellion Pro 3 have also experienced this problem, suggesting a design oversight rather than individual user error. I managed to remedy this issue by putting anti-blister tape onto my Achilles as an extra layer of protection.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Sole Unit

The Wave Rebellion Pro 3, much like its predecessors, maintains a visually striking design however, my personal experience with it reveals a disparity between its aesthetic promise and actual performance enhancement. As someone who predominantly strikes the ground heavily with their heels, I find it challenging to optimally engage with the shoe’s unique geometry.

Unlike more traditional shoe designs that accommodate a heel strike, the Rebellion Pro 3’s construction and technology favour a forefoot or midfoot strike. This limits me being able to fully utilise the shoe’s propulsion mechanism and there’s no springboard effect. While it may cater effectively to runners with a forefoot or midfoot strike, it falls short in providing substantial speed assistance for heel strikers like myself.

Although Mizuno hasn’t advertised it, the heel of the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 that comes into contact with the ground has been extended backwards. You can confirm this by placing both version 2 and version 3 on the table in front of you. This update is good news because there’s a bigger area to make contact with the ground so it improves stability.

Despite this change, the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is still not suitable for a full marathon for most runners because of how high the heel is (61 mm) and how narrow the base is. The base is so narrow that making tight turns exerts a lot of unwanted pressure on your ankles.

The new Enerzy XP foam is a nitrogen-infused supercritical foam and it compresses a lot easier than the Enerzy Lite and Lite+ foams in the Wave Rebellion Pro 2. The Pro 3’s midsole is noticeably softer and more bouncy than previous versions but it still lacks the high energy return of Lightstrike Pro, ZoomX and FuelCell.

The Rebellion Pro 3 now utilises soft Enerzy XP foam throughout both the top and bottom sections of the midsole, providing a consistent level of cushioning and responsiveness. This differs from the previous models, which featured a combination of firm and soft foam materials in the midsole construction.

While excelling in short, intense runs like intervals and short tempo runs, I find that it demands a high level of focus and precision in foot placement to maintain its effectiveness. This heightened concentration becomes mentally and physically fatiguing over extended periods, so it’s less suitable for long runs and long workouts.

The Rebellion Pro 3 running shoe is not a versatile shoe and struggles significantly when used at slower paces. The shoe’s design and technology are optimised for faster running, and as a result, it doesn’t perform well when the runner slows down.

At slower paces, the runner’s foot lands further back in the shoe, which can lead to an awkward and uncomfortable running experience. This lack of adaptability makes the shoe less than ideal for midpack runners who have a marathon target time of 3 hours or slower.

The G3 PU resin outsole of the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 stands out as a pinnacle of outsole performance, surpassing all competitors in the current market. This exceptional material, which provides unparalleled grip, is implemented across the entirety of the outsole. I’ve had zero slipping issues in the Rebellion Pro 3 so far.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3 Conclusions

Of all the shoes I’ve tested over the years, the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 has taken me the longest to review. If I’m being brutally honest, I just didn’t enjoy it. It’s a very niche racer which suits only certain conditions. It needs to be used on straight routes with very few turns due to its instability. It also doesn’t perform well on tracks.

If you have calf or Achilles issues, the Rebellion Pro 3 is one racer that you should avoid because of the aggressive heel bevel which is particularly demanding on the lower leg. The nail in the coffin however is the sharp heel tab which makes it unrunnable without the use of anti-blister tape. It’s a mystery how Mizuno missed this issue (or ignored it) during the development and testing of it.

The sole of the Rebellion Pro 3 however, has undergone a significant upgrade compared to its predecessors. The midsole, in particular, has been re-engineered to be softer and more responsive, resulting in a noticeable increase in both long-distance comfort and energy return.

This enhanced cushioning and bounce not only provide a more pleasant running experience but also contribute to a more efficient stride by storing and releasing energy with each foot strike.

At $250, the Wave Rebellion Pro 3 is the same price as other top-tier racers such as the Hoka Rocket X 2 and the Adidas Adios Pro 3 but it has some significant drawbacks. The Wave Rebellion Pro 3 struggles to justify its cost. Potential buyers will find more compelling options in the market that offer a better balance of price and performance.