Details
Brand
Mizuno
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Wave Ultima 8
Terrain
Road
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Mizuno’s Wave Technology• Dynammotion Fit• X10 Carbon rubber outsole• Deep Flex Grooves located in the center of the outsole• Breathable Airmesh upper• Stitched overlays for a more durable upper• Smoothride technology for rocking chair motion response• U4iCX midsole: lightweight and more responsive• Removable sock liner
Upper
Like most modern running shoes, the Wave Ultima 7 includes a seamless upper. However, this version brings back the use of stitched overlays — keeping in theme with the shoe’s enhanced durability features. The mesh is extremely breathable. The interior includes a good portion of padded fabric as well as a padded tongue and collar.
Midsole
Though at first glance the middle part of the shoe appears to be overwhelming, Mizuno’s U4iCx midsole is actually a lightweight platform that has been designed for a generous amount of cushion and responsiveness. Located on the forefoot is an additional U4iCX foam to provide extra padding and protection for the forefoot area.
Outsole
Made from carbon rubber materials, the Ultimate Wave 7 has an X10 outsole. It is designed for extra durability and traction. In the center, you’ll find deep grooves that are strategically placed for added flexibility. Additionally, an X10 rubber outsole strengthens the immunity against typical wear & tear and abrasions in high impact areas.
Breathability
It’s a big shoe with a lot of “stuff” on it, but it’s not cluttered enough to turn it into a furnace. Quite the contrary, the Wave Ultima uses Airmesh technology for generating a gracious amount of airflow throughout the interior. One can observe the generous distribution of mesh material spread throughout the entire perimeter of the shoe.
Comfort
Those who’ve run in this shoe praise it for its comfort. With technologies as Intercool, as just mentioned, the Japanese maker goes out of its way to ensure that its customers are blessed with a state of ease and serenity as they pounce away through every step of each mile. The U4iCX midsole gives you a well-cushioned ride while working together with Mizuno’s SmoothRide technology which works like a rocking chair in providing a smooth heel to toe transition.;On the interior, there’s a removable sock liner for optional cushion and generously padded fabric lining to keep your skin comfortable.
Style
Like it’s another Japanese athletic brand counterpart, Asics, the Japanese are known for their bold, unconventional, and vibrant styles. While Asics goes a bit edgier, the Wave Ultima 7’s style does not fail to disappoint. For the time being, there is only one color option available on Amazon. However, with a bit more searching, you might able to locate more colors and styles. Most of the color styles feature “cool” colors like blue and green hues which keep in theme with the Wave’s oceanic vibe.
Durability
This shoe has been constructed so that you’re not having to replace it constantly. Much of the technology has been centered around creating a shoe that will have a long lifespan. Specifically, the X10 rubber outsole has been designed to keep going after taking much abuse from the pavement. Similarly, the shoe’s upper is designed for added strength and resiliency against the elements.
Protection
The Ultima Wave 7 comes with an arsenal of protective features that are sure to guarantee you stay safe from injury. They can be found in every part of the shoe. For instance, the shoe’s key central technology, Wave technology, works by dissipating energy evenly so that no single area of the shoe is impacted more than the other. In other words, when you land on the ground, no specific area of your joints will sustain more contact than another. Another technology, Dynamotion fit, works naturally with your foot’s gait cycle while the Smootride feature provides a seamless heel to toe transition.
Responsiveness
The key component of the U4iCX midsole is its responsive features. It provides an enigmatic amount of energy return so that a runner can have an effective bounce after every step. The U4iCs foam on the forefoot also helps with this process. At the same time, it absorbs shock impact and captures that same energy to use it as fuel when taking off again. All in all, it’s a well thought-out process that helps with the shoe’s integral communication with the ground.
Support
Just as with its protective features, the Ultima Wave 7 offers plenty when it comes to the support, vertically and laterally. In conjunction with the shoe’s support construction, Dynamotion technology which is a bio-mechanical system to help with the overall movement of your body ensures that your body remains well aligned. The upper’s design also offers protection by providing a snug and secure fit.
Terrain
While designated as a road shoe, the Ultima Wave 7 is durable and grippy enough to be able to handle some light trails and gravel paths. With a thick midsole, the Wave 7’s elevated profile is far enough away from the ground that it keeps you protected from rocks, fragments, and other external elements.
Price
The Ultima Wave 7 is no longer being manufactured by Mizuno. There are other shoes that utilize Wave technology as well an updated Wave 8 version. Despite these updates, however, the Wave 7 remains highly priced in the mid $100 range. Several reviewers have taken note of its expensive price tag as a negative.
Drop
The heel height on the Ultima Wave 7 measures 33 mm and the forefoot height measures 21 mm. The offset between the heel and forefoot is 12 mm. A 12 mm drop offset comes in the higher range category of stability shoes. This indicates that a runner will be more prone to landing on the heel than on the midfoot or the forefoot. While this may seem like an issue of concern in that heel landings can increase the likelihood of injury, it’s offset by the fact that Mizuno has incorporated technology that absorbs impact and redistributes it evenly by way of Wave technology. If one can picture small waves in the middle of the ocean and how they are evenly distributed throughout the entire surface, the same concept applies to captured energy from shock impact on the Wave Ultima 7.
Stability
This is a high stability shoe and one that is far removed from any minimalistic qualities. The U4iCX midsole is a fairly inflated, albeit lightweight, platform that raises your foot pretty high from the ground. This might be an issue for runners who are more used to being in tune with the ground and generally for those who have developed more neutral running mechanics. On the other hand, being that this is a classic support and stability high profile shoe, it’s great for beginners and severe overpronators who may need the extra bit of help they can get.
Flexibility
It can be said that the Wave Ultima 7 is flexible but not in a traditional sense. A stitched upper naturally makes the shoe less expandable and restricted in how far it can stretch. However, the use of Mizuno’s Dynamotion technology signifies that the shoe itself adjust and adapts itself to the natural movements of your foot. In addition, the shoe’s lightweight midsole helps to make this region of the shoe more stretchy. While it does have some features that make this shoe flexible, the shoe’s large profile and added weight keep it restricted in terms of how much freedom you’ll have in terms of movement.
Traction
The X10 carbon rubber outsole provides enhanced grip and traction capabilities. There’s a special focus on the heel, with added traction features on the rear of the outsole. This is especially important on a shoe with a higher drop ratio since a runner will be more likely to engage in heel strikes. Deep flex grooves located in the center make the shoe’s outsole ideal for more rugged surfaces like trails.
Bottom Line
We are able to vouch for the Wave Ultima 7’s intelligence. It addresses the many complexities of running through the use of various technological features that don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk. Runners will appreciate each and every one of these features to ensure a smooth and enjoyable ride — one that is painless, supportive, and comfortable.;While it is true that there are some strong limitations in the construction of the shoe, specifically the weight, bulkiness, and overall large profile of the shoe. However, the use of Wave technology works to mitigate some of these weaknesses. In fact, user reviews have not mentioned much, if anything at all in the added weight and thickness of the shoe being a burden.;n terms of a support/stability shoe, it can usually be a given that it’s going to be a larger profile. But it wouldn’t hurt for Mizuno to try and trim off some of the fat, sort of speak, in order to make future versions lighter and more compact while retaining some of the same features of earlier versions.
