Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Running Shoes Review

Now this is the running set up I Have, a pair of new shiny Mizuno wave inspires, a pair of ever flex custom orthotics, and a set of sorbothane shock absortion insoles (I used to have Mizuno Nirvana's but they were to rigid, these feel like a good balance of cushioning and stabilty). Read on for a more in depth review of the mizuno wave inspire 5's.

Recommended For: Over Pronators, Runners with low arches or flat feet

Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 General Info:

After conquering the feet and the hearts of lots of runners with the previous 4 installations, Mizuno updates the Wave Inspire 5 without changing its DNA and – most important – without disappointing its loyal runners.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Sole Unit:

Atypically for a stability shoe, the first thing you notice when you look at the Wave Inspire 5 midsole is the absence of a medial post, the usually gray injection of a harder foam compound underneath the medial (internal) side of the arch.

Mizuno placed instead their trademark Wave system: an undulated plate in a plastic material (constructed with a plant oil, which is more environmental-friendly) that starts underneath the tilt and runs across the whole width of the midsole correct under the midfoot where it ends in a shank.

This system provides both cushioning and stability. The gesture form absorbs the shock and progressively distributes it across the midsole; at the aforementioned instance returns a spring back that helps the heel-to-toe transition. As opposed to using shock absorbing materials such as air or gel, which are instable, the use of a plastic plate provides the shoe with surpassing stability.

Mizuno uses their VS-1 foam compound, which has added anti-compression proprieties and an adjustable hardness – harder in the tilt and softer in the drive area, providing a flexible mend that doesn’t deform quickly.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Upper:

The upper of the Wave Inspire 5 has a supportive pattern of overlays especially in the heel and medial side and a rattling unstoppered mesh, especially at the front. The fit is snug in the heel with more room in the forefoot, it accommodates orthotics well.

Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 Opinion:

We are enthusiastic fans of this shoe. Everything about it is just right: immediately after putting it on you can feel its light weight and breathability. The Wave system successfully replaces the foam achieving a dramatic weight cut and adding underfoot breathability – which you don’t find in many in stability or control shoes.

The ride is flexible and at the same time well supported – so supported that we definitely recommend it to runners with low arches or flat feet, and over pronators suffering from shin splints.