Details
Brand
Mizuno
Heel To Toe Drop
12 mm
Breathability
8/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Blown rubber outsole is the first layer of cushioning for wearers and remains unchanged from that of the Inspire 12• X10 outsole material is present in the heel area for grip• Flex Controllers help with the shoe’s ability to bend and flex with the runner• u4icx cushioning in heel provides shock absorption for the wearer• u4ic cushioning in midfoot for a responsive ride• Wave construction reduces pronation and enhances bounce• AIRmesh upper• DynamotionFit technology ensures the upper fits well• Removable insole to accommodate custom orthotics• Gender-specific construction• Lock-down overlays
Upper
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13’s upper is made of special Airmesh fabric that feels lightweight and breathable. DynamotionFit technology is utilized in the upper construction to ensure the best fit and overall comfort for the wearer. The insole is easily removed in case an orthotic needs to be inserted. Also present in the upper is a generously padded tongue for a nice plush feel against the skin. In addition, a roomy toe box provides room to breathe.;The upper also features several overlays that help lock the foot down inside the shoe to ensure a snug but comfy fit. Overall, reviewers agreed that the upper was quite breathable but the mesh material does have a tendency to tear.;The standard lacing system works as it should but some reviewers complained that the stretchy laces came undone a bit too often for their liken and were hard to keep laced.
Midsole
The midsole of the Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 features two types of cushioning material. The u4icx is a new version of cushioning that’s featured in the heel to improve the ride feel for the wearer. Naturally, this makes it pretty obvious that the shoe is geared towards heel strikers. In the midfoot area, the u4ic cushioning from before returns and provides lightweight padding for a responsive ride.;Noticeable from a side profile view, the wave construction provides both energy-return and stability for the wearer. There’s no medial post, so the wave plate works to stabilize runners and discourage pronation.;To get the full effect of the midsole’s responsive cushioning, a breaking in period is required. Toughing out a few runs on a hard midsole gives way to a softer ride in the end.
Outsole
A road shoe doesn’t need to have aggressive lugs or fancy materials for traction, but it should provide a solid platform that stands up to repeated friction that comes with running on pavement. It should also be also to grip slick surfaces during or after rainfall occurs.;The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 doesn’t feature anything fancy in its outsole since it’s mainly geared towards road runners. The blown rubber outsole provides a nice first-layer of padding for the wearer and X10 material in the heel provides the bulk of the grip required for road running. The outsole also features what’s called Flex Controllers to allow the shoe to bend naturally as the runner moves.
Breathability
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 gets a little bit of a revamp in terms of breathability. The upper has been changed slightly to encourage better ventilation. The material remains the same but the different positioning of the mesh has enhanced breathability and improved the fit as well. Reviewers felt the new mesh placement was a lot more comfortable and reduced heat build up within the shoe.;The mesh, though, is quite thin and does tend to tear. The thin construction greatly improves the shoe’s air circulation but it causes durability issues. A roomy toe box is another aspect of the shoe that greatly helps with breathability.
Comfort
In general, reviewers found the Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 quite comfortable. Even with a slight weight increase, the reviewers felt the shoe provided a lightweight ride. Reviewers also loved the midsole cushioning and praised the comfortable fit.;Many reviewers did point out that the shoe requires a breaking in period. The cushioning feels hard at first but softens up over time. This breaking in period may take some time, though, which may turn off some runners. Still, the shoe fits well and has a nicely padded collar and tongue for added comfort.
Style
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 looks less modern than one might expect from the thirteenth iteration of a running shoe. The construction looks slightly dated. There are also no reflective features for added interest, which is a strange omission considering this is a running shoe.;The look of the wave plate looks neat and adds a nice visual element. As always, the large Mizuno logo is the main attraction. Both the men’s and women’s versions are offered in a variety of colors and come in bright colors if so desired.
Durability
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 offers a moderate lifespan compared to other similarly priced shoes. The blown rubber outsole is outfitted with X10 material in the heel to ensure the sole doesn’t wear down too quickly.;Other areas of the Inspire 13 are not so durable, though. The mesh upper does tend to tear, as was mentioned by several reviewers. The forefoot mesh ended up ripping for many as well. In addition, the cushioning falls flat after a while. It’ll still be there to pad your landing, but it won’t feel as responsive and bouncy over time. This doesn’t mean that the shoe is flimsy, though. Its made of quality materials and will hold up fairly well. Its sole is especially resistant and should handle regular use without a problem.
Protection
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 offers decent protection for runners. The moderate padding in the midsole (u4icx in the heel and u4ic in the midfoot) acts to absorb the shock of each landing. The wave construction works to stop pronation and balance out the wearer’s gait. Unfortunately, the shoe does lack reflective panels. It’s a bit odd that none of the overlays nor the logo are made of reflective material. You should always think of wearing a light of some sort while you run in the dark, of course, but it’s also nice when your shoes help out as well.
Responsiveness
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 delivers the bulk of its energy-return thanks to its wave construction. The wave form of the midsole offers plenty of rebound for the wearer. The midsole cushioning is also fairly responsive and delivers a quick bouncy feel with each step. Reviewers agreed that the shoe provided a responsive ride but did mention that the midsole’s rebound properties faded with use. Towards the end of the shoe’s lifespan, the cushioning feels less and less responsive.
Support
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 is a fairly supportive shoe. The cushioning offers a solid platform for wearers and the outsole is firm enough to ensure support is felt throughout a run. The amount of arch support is moderate but reviewers didn’t find it was uncomfortable at all.
Terrain
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 is a road shoe and features a non-aggressive outsole construction. The blown rubber adds cushion and the X10 material provides grip. The grip is limited to the rearfoot, though, so forefoot runners will want to be careful when dealing with slippery surfaces.
Price
This shoe is priced fairly and offers great value to potential buyers. It offers a low stability construction with a nice amount of midsole cushion for wearers who need a bit of control without a stiff medial post. They’re a good shoe for your average mild overpronator and are priced accordingly. The breaking in period might scare some runners away, but reviewers who liked the shoe felt the breaking in period was a small price to pay for an overall solid shoe.
Drop
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 features a 12mm drop. It’s a bit higher than your standard running shoe drop. The Inspire 13 actually features a higher heel to toe angle than its predecessor, a move that seems to favor heel strikers over other types of runners.;The chunky heel raises runners pretty high off the ground. A few reviewers pointed out that the heel felt heavier and larger than in previous versions of the Wave Inspire. Runners with heavy heel strikes will be most pleased with this update.
Stability
In this shoe, Mizuno provides minimal stability for mild overpronators by way of its wave plate technology. The midsole’s wave construction works to balance out the wearer as they move and reduce pronation. Runners will also feel stable because of the outsole’s X10 material. The X10 covering on the shoe’s heel provides traction to stabilize runners as they strike the ground.;In addition, the DynamotionFit technology ensures the right fit so runners aren’t flopping around as they move. The fit is snug without being too tight and the stretchy laces allow the user to tighten as they wish. Overlays, present in the upper, add an additional element of stability by helping to lock down the wearer’s foot.
Flexibility
This road shoe features Flex Controllers in its outsole to enable the shoe to bend as the wearer moves. The wave construction also helps with overall flexibility. It provides rebound, of course, but it also promotes a natural ride. The upper is fairly flexible as well, although it’s so thin and flexible that it’s prone to tearing.
Traction
The Wave Inspire 13 features an outsole with blown rubber. The forefoot area is nicely cushioned thanks to the rubber sole but the X10 gripping material is omitted from the front area of the sole. Its mainly featured in the heel to help with grip when running. Unfortunately, that means forefoot runners will experience uncertain footing when running on wet surfaces in the Inspire 13. The shoe is clearly geared towards heel strikers, so forefoot runners will likely steer clear. Still, it’s an unfortunate omission that reduces the overall grip of the shoe.
Bottom Line
The Mizuno Wave Inspire 13 is a great update to an already beloved mild-stability shoe. The wave construction offers an alternative to stiff medial posts but delivers effective pronation control for those needing mild correction.;The shoe does require a significant breaking in period, but reviewers seemed to feel it was worth it in the end. The ride is responsive and the upper ensures a well-ventilated experience. A roomy toe box rounds out the overall great fit. Slightly heavier than its predecessor, reviewers seemed not to notice a little extra weight. Overall, the shoe pleased reviewers, including fans of the Inspire 12.
