Mizuno Men's Wave Inspire 18 Running Shoe

Product Information

One of the few Mizuno shoes without a wave plate, the Horizon 6 offers more softness than other shoes on the lineup, while still providing lots of support from the shoe’s shape. Unlike support shoes with a medial post, the wave-shape design doesn’t require a layer of firm, inflexible foam on the medial side of the midsole to support the foot. This allows the shoe to bend with the motion of your feet, creating a more natural running feel. The Horizon is also extremely durable, thanks to a carbon rubber outsole that will last run after run. For cushioning, Mizuno uses a range of proprietary ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foams called “Enerzy.” The company stays tight-lipped about its exact chemistry and composition, but Mizuno calls the cushion responsive and lightweight, and claims that it offers 15-percent more energy return than the company’s last generation of EVA foam, U4ic.

The Enerzy foam feels alright. It’s just your basic EVA, not much to it. What changes the foam is that Wave Plate, and whether we like it or not, it’s not going away anytime soon. You’re gonna feel the stability as you crash to the inside, which may work great for you knowing that it’s there. I’d have to say it wasn’t my cup of tea, but it’s something I can appreciate in a shoe. The Wave Sky is Mizuno’s super-plush shoe. While previous versions achieved a soft ride using a long list of foams, the Wave Sky 6 streamlines the cushion to save weight and showcase the brand’s latest midsole design, which sandwiches its Enerzy and Enerzy Core foams around a wave plate. All three components complement each other: The firm Enerzy foam provides support. The plush, but resilient Enerzy Core compresses to provide that plush feel. The wave plate, as always, stabilizes your foot and dissipates impact forces. Together, the foams and plate promote smooth transitions and create a notably soft, somewhat responsive ride. Combined Mizuno Enerzy and Mizuno Wave - Guarantees higher stability from landing transition, whilst providing an overall softer and more responsive run.

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ALDREN: In the best way possible, the Wave Inspire 18 is a very thoughtless shoe. While I continue to test a handful of models coming out later this year, I know that if I throw on my Wave Inspire, no issues will spur up. Fit: A- (Overall just a very solid, nice fitting shoe for standard to narrow footed runners and some wider feet ) Performance: B+/A- ( The full-length ENERZY foam creates a nice bounce underfoot while the new flex grooves in the forefoot provide a much smoother toe-off. Heel is still clunky until the shoe breaks in, but far improved from the previous version)

Matt: The Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 is a slightly firmer but cushioned daily training shoe. The full-length ENERZY foam provides a cushioned, slightly firmer and moderately responsive/bouncy feel underfoot. I This makes the shoe feel protective and lighter than its listed weight. I am still not sure what ENERZY foam is, but it feels softer than the previous firm midsole materials Mizuno has used. The 12mm heel drop is noticeable and makes for an initially clunky heel transition. As the foam breaks in, this smooths out somewhat and the drop feels more in the 10mm range due to compression. The higher heel drop, 10.6 oz weight and slightly firmer but protective ride makes the Inspire 18 work best for daily training, long runs and easy runs. The slightly clunky heel prevents this shoe from working well for uptempo session (the Rebellion works much better) and instead makes it better for easier or longer paces. The heel is a bit stiffer, which adds to the stability in the rearfoot. Like the recent Rider, the forefoot has deeper flex grooves and is surprisingly flexible for a daily trainer. The toe-off is smooth and comfortable with fairly minimal toe spring needed thanks to that flexibility up front. The durability is excellent thanks to extensive outsole rubber. I have 35 miles on my pair and have not made a dent in the outsole. For that reason, I would expect this shoe to last beyond the industry standard of 300-500 miles. The Wave Rider has long been Mizuno’s neutral do-it-all shoe, and the new Wave Rider 27 has received an overhaul to improve energy return and comfort. Mizuno has made quite a few changes to the upper on this shoe.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 18 Sole Unit

All applicable customs and import duties and any other charges are the responsibility of the customer. Personal: B+/A- ( Excellent daily trainer for unloading the calves. Just want it to be a little lighter for versatility)

DPT/Footwear Science: A- ( Excellent update to the midsole and wave plate that facilitates forward motion well) The Wave Inspire 18’s midsole also features a bio-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) compound in the midsole. Traditional TPU foams are made with petroleum or natural gas, while Mizuno’s bio-based plastic is made from renewable materials. You can enjoy a smooth, cushioned ride while feeling good about your impact on the environment. ALDREN: Some things fly under the radar and stay out of the public view because, on paper, they’re just not well advertised. Compare season 3 of The Umbrella Academy and season 4 of Stranger Things — which of those did you watch? I’m not bashing Mizuno, but when was the last time you sat down to research their prototypes and leaks? Don’t get me wrong, we’ve seen some glimmers of light from the brand, but for now, let’s dive into their staple stability shoe.Mizuno’s ENERZY foam shines in the midsole, offering a blend of softness and energy return not typically seen in stability shoes. You may have experienced Mizuno ENERZY foam in the Wave Rider 25 or the Wave Sky 5.

For those who want something lighter, there’s the Lite. Unlike its namesake, the Lite uses just a single piece of midsole foam to provide cushioning and stability; the standard model has a dual-density post on the medial side plus a hard plastic Trusstic bridge in the midfoot. Heel drop of 12 mm. A shoe drop is the difference in height from the heel to the toes in a shoe. A higher heel drop shoe places the ankle in a more plantarflexed (pointed) position. This may potentially place less stress through the achilles and calf musculature as those tissues will be in a shortened position and are less prone to be overstretched. A zero-drop shoe has no difference between the heel and toe height. Lower dropped shoes typically require more calf demand due to possible changes in landing pattern and running mechanics, something I was looking to avoid. This is my first pair of Mizuno running shoes ever. I was pretty excited to try them and see why Mizuno Wave fans love this particular model. I opened the box and was surprised with how well made they looked.

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The Inspire 19 does run a high 12mm drop which is noticeable. It helps greatly that the shoe transitions well, but this is clearly a higher drop shoe and best suited for those who prefer that. Though I typically enjoy something closer to 8-10mm, as I put more miles in the Inspire I didn't find it to be as much of an issue as I thought it might be.