Details
Brand
Mizuno
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Trail
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Dynamotion fit makes the upper more responsive to the motions of the feet• Smoothride design of the outsole adapts to the shape of a rocker• AP+ midsole component gives a springy feel• Wave Technology absorbs shocks and allows for smoother steps
Upper
The upper of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is specifically designed to have Active-X features that deliver a greater traction theme. The upper incorporates asymmetrical lacing, and what this does is improve the fit for your foot. The upper aggressively protects the top of your foot, keeping it in place no matter how much abuse the shoe may go through. It’s surprisingly breathable for how comprehensive of a support it is, and yet it still has a high degree of impermeability when it comes to keeping out mud and water. Again, it’s difficult to overstate just how much this shoe can stand up to the elements.
Midsole
The midsole on the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is similar to what was offered in the previous version of this shoe, offering up durability that’s unique to this kind of shoe, another reason why you can count on this shoe to handle difficult terrains where other shoes simply wouldn’t be able to keep up. It has an AP+ midsole, which offers a degree of strength to the midsole that you don’t typically see. It also has increased rebound to make sure that you’re propelled forward as you run, making this perfect for the more technical trails.
Outsole
The outsole on the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is very similar to the previous incarnation, featuring a very durable tread that can grip just about any surface while still remaining super smooth on roads. This means that this shoe is suitable for just about any kind of terrain, allowing you to tackle challenging races that transition from paved road to unpaved. It also sheds mud very easily, which means that this shoe is particularly well-suited toward mud runs where other similar running shoes would simply fail to perform.
Breathability
Along with the absolutely solid grip at the ankles that will keep you upright no matter what you put the shoe through, the upper on the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is specifically designed to be super breathable, with a mesh that is simultaneously impermeable to mud and water while still remaining highly breathable. This shoe, as you’d expect is especially well-suited to summer runs, with the breathable mesh ensuring that your tootsies are always cool and dry. This also means that you can rest easy taking this show out for more long distance runs, not having to worry about the shoe giving out or else your feet swelling or overheating.
Comfort
Surprisingly, the comfort of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is primarily affected (or not affected) by the upper on the shoe. It’s been designed to be effective at keeping extreme temps and elements out while still remaining highly breathable. It does all of this while still not affecting the overall comfort of the shoe, meaning that you can run for miles without having to worry about blisters and other annoying things that other shoes will make you put up with. The fit on the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is improved from the previous version, available in a half size larger to accommodate swelling that could possibly occur during a run.
Style
The build of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is specifically designed to be as streamlined as possible, while also acknowledging that the shoe has to be as visually appealing as possible to still remain relevant to customers. The coloration is bold on this shoe, offering up bright blues and yellows set against dark blacks that segue into the outsole of the shoe. These bold stylings are a throwback to earlier times with bolder colorations on shoes while still remaining relevant and fresh as well. You can’t go wrong with the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 when it comes to the unique stylings of the shoe.
Durability
The durability of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 really all starts with the outsole. This is what allows this shoe to tackle any terrain, including muddy and rocky technical trails. This durable outsole is supported by a secure upper that protects the top of your foot, provides a good fit, and prevents the foot from slipping out of the shoe. The cushioning of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is also quite durable while providing an experience that’s a bit lighter than the previous iteration, ensuring that you’ll get a good stride no matter what kind of terrain you’re tackling.
Protection
The protection on the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 all starts with the outsole. It has an X10 outsole unit that adds an extra layer of protection of the exterior of the shoe, making sure that even the rockiest of terrain doesn’t do damage to your feet. Your feet will be cradled in a contoured fit that will almost feel like it’s been customized to fit your foot. This means that the toe box and other aspects of the shoe’s interior are designed to protect you just as much as the exterior is. The weight of the shoe will also impact the protection. It might affect the way your foot makes contact with the road or the trail, so you should keep in mind that the heavier weight of this shoe will make an impact.
Responsiveness
The Dynamotion fit of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 means that the upper is immediately more responsive to the movements of your foot. This translates to the underfoot, where you have a responsible platform that protects your foot while also offering a high level of comfort. Mizuno has also improved the midsole on this particular shoe, making it more cushioned as well as more responsive, giving you a ride that’s more resilient than what you might face with other similar, inferior shoes. The midsole also has a high energy rebound capacity, making it easier for you to launch off of the ground on a run.
Support
The support of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is immediately aided by the arch support, which is designed for stability even on the most treacherous of trails. This is further helped by the durable outsole that works in conjunction with the protective upper, providing a high level of support for your feet as you run, no matter what kind of trail you might be tackling that day. The Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is secure as well, meaning you don’t have to worry about an obtrusive fit. Instead, the fit is almost customized to work directly with your foot, making it seem as though the shoe was specifically designed for you.
Terrain
The terrain of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is specifically built for the trail, lending this shoe to be more popular on technical trails and rocky terrain than it is on the road. Even so, this shoe is more than competent on the road, and it will provide a good experience for those who are just looking to take it on the treadmill or other similar venues. It will handle flat terrain with ease, although it’s definitely built to be taken out on the trails. It has enhanced traction that ensures it can stand up to even the most extreme of terrain situations.
Price
The price of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 is fairly reasonable when you consider just what you’re getting out of the shoe. It’s loaded with features, specifically designed to be as responsive and comfortable as possible, and still manages to be quite affordable. You should keep in mind that not every seller is created equal. Without a doubt, you’re going to get the best deal by shopping with Amazon. They’re notorious for having the best deals on running shoes, so you should definitely consider tapping into this resource.
Drop
In terms of heel to toe drop for the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8, you’ll be looking at a reasonable 11mm for both the men’s and women’s version of the shoe. It should be noted that this is around the mid-level when it comes to heel to toe drops, so you can definitely do better out there in the running shoe world, but you can also do worse. When you also take into account the dynamic cushioning and advanced geometry on the outsole, you have a shoe that will make sure your feet don’t suffer when you hit the ground.
Stability
When it comes to the stability of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8, it all starts with the arch support. It was specifically built for stability, so you won’t have to worry about falling out of your shoes. When you also consider that the ankle support is sound and gives you enough cushioning to make sure that you don’t fall prone to the bane of every runner’s existence: the blister. Instead of getting hassled by a blister, you’ll be looking towards the finish line.
Flexibility
The flexibility of the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 all starts with the shoe’s midsole. It uses Mizuno’s proprietary SmoothRide Engineering to ensure that your feet have more natural movement when they’re hitting the trails. It has a rocking-chair motion that better reflects the natural movement of the foot, making it that much easier to get a comfortable toe-off, your heel to toe contact much more reasonable than what you’d get in shoes that don’t feature this sort of technology.
Traction
The Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 has improved traction when compared to its predecessor, especially when it comes to traction over water. This means that it’s great for a large number of surfaces, and not just the relatively simple terrain of the road. The x-shaped outsole lugs enhance the traction for a variety of terrains. This is multi-directional and allows you to adapt to your unique situation, depending on what you might be facing out on the trail. The heel and forefoot are fortified, allowing for comfort while at the same time giving you plenty of traction on the trail.
Bottom Line
The features that are present in the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8 are, above all else, designed to make it so that you can take these shoes into literally any environment and not have a problem with any type of terrain. This means you can take to the streets with ease while at the same time taking on the more technical trails as well as the more treacherous routes that you’d be likely to encounter on a mud run. It does all of this while still remaining responsive and comfortable on the inside. When you couple that with the fact that it’s priced very competitively for what it has to offer, it becomes a no-brainer to go and check out the Mizuno Wave Ascend 8.
