I have a long history with Mizuno Wave Riders. They recently launched version 20. I started wearing them somewhere around version 6, I think. I’ve loved them except the 13. [They should have skipped 13 – just saying!] Wave Riders have been steadily in my rotation for the last decade or more. I wore my 18s to death and recently got a pair of 19s, too. As a Fitfluential Ambassador, I was offered the opportunity to try the new Wave Rider 20 in exchange for an honest review. I could not say yes fast enough! We runners love our shoes, you know.
The Wave Rider 20 campaign says, “Running is hard. Riding is Easy.” They say it’s the “softest, smoothest and most responsive ride yet.” In this update, they’ve kept the classic fit, but included a breakthrough in cloudwave technology for a softer and smoother ride. Wave Riders are a neutral shoe with medium cushioning. According to the specs, the 20 features a redesigned cloudwave plate, a new midsole foam compound to make it 33% more responsive and durable, engineered mesh for breathe-ability and movement and a a softer heel collar to avoid irritation. It has a 12 mm drop. The shoes weigh 8.3 oz. They retail for $119.99.
My Wave Rider 20s arrived in an awesome collectible shoebox. The women’s version comes in 3 color combos. I like the gunmetal gray with pink accents that I received. The shoes are very light and comfortable.
I grabbed some socks and took them out for a spin. The update is very comfortable. The fit is similar to the Wave Rider 19 and Wave Rider 17. [The 18s were bigger for some reason.] The ride is soft, but not too soft. I took them for a five mile run and had no issues. The were good right out of the box. The shoes have a nice snug fit and I did notice the improvement in the heel collar. It was a good update, too.
I wore them on the roads and in a cross country race, as well. The race was a week after the NY Marathon, so I wasn’t expecting much. The shoes performed well and I ran with a smile. [Ignore the heel strike – nothing to see here!]
As I said, I was a big fan of the Wave Rider 18s and most of the other versions I’ve tried over the years. The Wave Rider 20s are a great update. I can see many happy miles in these shoes ahead. I’m excited about the direction of the updates. Keep up the good work, Mizuno!
You can find out more and buy some Wave Riders here. You can keep up with Mizuno Running on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Have you tried Wave Riders? This is a great one to try! Plus there are lots of black Friday sales. Mizuno’s starting Black Friday early. You can save 20% across their site with the code WHYWAIT20 through 11/25. Don’t wait! Grab a pair of Wave Rider 20s!
Please note: I received these shoes at no cost and received a small fee in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.