Details
Brand
Mizuno
Heel To Toe Drop
12mm
Breathability
6/10
Latest Version
Wave Kazan 2
Terrain
Trail
Type
Neutral
Key Features
• Mizuno Wave Kazan• The outsole features the X groove system, which provides independent movement for the forefoot and the heel area.• The upper is made out of high-quality AIRmesh, which offers breathability and a lightweight secure covering.• Vegan materials are both environmentally friendly and high quality.• The X10 rubber located in high impact areas provides durability and traction control.• Unique mesh design and coloring offers a stylish shoe that is very attractive.
Upper
The Mizuno Wave Kazan may not appear to be the most well-ventilated shoe at first glance, but the AIRmesh actually does an extremely good job at keeping the air moving through. The upper is mostly made of the AIRmesh, with a few overlays including the well-known running bird logo and the toe cap. The mesh additionally shows through with a unique design that mimics a topographic map. The lacing system features traditional laces to create a secure and safe fit. Around the ankle is enough padding to keep the shoe comfortable and the tongue adds additional padding for comfort on the upper foot.
Midsole
The midsole of the Wave Kazan features the Wave technology to provide a well-cushioned and comfortable ride. There is actually a plastic wave that runs from the back of the heel to the midfoot. It is thermal and elastic, offering a small spring in each step. The Concave Wave system also is part of the heel, which helps to stabilize the heel during the strike motions and provides support as well. The midsole even features U4ic technology, which is featured in many Mizuno shoes, including the Wave Sayonara 3 and the Wave Prophecy 5. This helps absorb shock and provides a resilient ride while you tackle even the toughest trails.
Outsole
The Mizuno Wave Kazan is a trail shoe that combines the high-quality X10 carbon rubber and a unique X groove design to create a high-quality outsole unit. The X groove is designed to deliver trail adaptability and keep you securely moving over many types of terrain. This system allows the forefoot and heel to move independently of each other, creating a flexible option for a neutral shoe. The X10 carbon rubber is applied to high impact areas and keeps the outsole safe from wear and tear for much longer than standard rubber. The outsole also features an x-lug design to provide optimal grip and traction while still allowing for flexibility.
Breathability
The upper of the Wave Kazan may not appear to be the material that will allow the most airflow, but that is because the topographic-style line design around the mesh distracts from the fact that it is somewhat ventilated. With minimal overlays to trap heat in, the Kazan offers some breathability. Unfortunately and fortunately, the AIRmesh material is strong enough to fend off the elements while providing you with airflow, but the airflow is minimal because this is a water-resistant shoe.
Comfort
The Mizuno Kazan offers an array of features to keep runners comfortable on even the toughest trails. The light and breathable upper allows your foot to stay well ventilated. The unique X groove system in the outsole provides a flexibility that will boost comfort by allowing your foot to interact with the ground in a natural way. Beyond that, the midsole provides enough cushion and bounce to keep this shoe in the neutral category instead of minimalist, again offering a nice compromise between the two different styles of trail shoes.
Style
Mizuno shoes have a unique style, often beginning with the base mesh layer’s lines. For example, some feature a weave pattern, some a hexagonal pattern, but the Wave Kazan goes an entirely new direction: topographical map-style lines. Beyond this uniqueness, the Kazan shows off bright contrasting colors including mint and Chinese red, gunmetal and tangerine, red and blue, blue and silver, or turbulence green and orange. For those seeking something more muted, there is an option called dark shadow white, a combination of gray and black with a white logo. These shoes are sure to draw some attention when you go flying down the trail.
Durability
Durability means one thing: more miles for you. With the X10 outsole sections, you will be able to log mile after mile while standing up to the tough ground underneath you. The U4ic and the Wave technology provide a cushion system that will also stand up to the test of the trail. With these shoes providing a long-lasting base, you will surely be able to get enough value out of them to make them worth the price. Plus, once you find shoes you love, you won’t want to move on to another pair. The Wave Kazan is one you will want to hold on to.
Protection
The outsole of the Kazan offers protection from the elements by allowing your forefoot and heel to connect with this ground independently. This is done through the X groove system. Beyond that, the Wave technology provides enough cushion to keep you protected from even the hardest trails. The upper AIRmesh will keep the elements out as well.
Responsiveness
The midsole of the Kazan offers a thermal and elastic-plastic Wave plate that creates a springy feeling that helps your foot respond to the changing ground underneath. Additionally, the outsole features the X groove, which allows your forefoot to flex without compromising heel position. This combination creates a comfortable and responsive shoe that will serve you well for miles of trails.
Support
The Wave Kazan offers support to runners that tackle the trails with a strong heel strike, specifically by including the Concave Wave system, which stabilizes the heel during the strike and then the rest of the Wave plate helps your foot roll forward to the forefoot before launching off again. The AIRmesh upper cocoons the foot and creates a nice and tight fit to help keep your foot in the perfect position.
Terrain
The Wave Kazan was built to best serve you while running on the trail. The tough outer sole features x-shaped lugs to grip even loose trail or to reach through the debris and grip the ground underneath. The X groove system that helps the foot connects with the ground even when it is covered in roots and rocks. The ability of the forefoot and the heel to move independently means that when an obstacle is present you can connect with the ground right around it and keep moving forward with the momentum you intended. No obstacle will stand in the way of the Kazan, and by extension, you.
Price
The price of the Wave Kazan is comparable or cheaper than many other trail shoes. When picking something to head out into the woods and depend on, it makes sense that many runners feel more secure buying something that is more expensive, but there are times when the value of a shoe isn’t seen in the price tag but instead on the quality of the shoe. The Kazan may not be the most expensive shoe out there, but it does offer higher quality than you might expect for a shoe in this price range.
Drop
As with other features, there are several options in trail shoes. Minimalist shoes offer little to no drop and encourage a forefoot strike to help you run with different form. Maximalist options offer a large amount of padding and aggressive outsoles. Instead of either of these, however, the Wave Kazan offers a good amount of padding while creating some drop but nothing overly dramatic. The men’s version has 29mm of height at the heel and 17mm at the forefoot. This leads to a very reasonable 12mm drop. The women’s version is identical in measurement. This creates the ability of the runner to have a solid heel strike and roll forward to the forefoot without experiencing the shock that they may with less padding. The drop facilitates heel striking and standard gait.
Stability
The Mizuno Wave Kazan is a unique shoe because it is designed to be a high-quality trail shoe and combines the best of multiple designs. The upper is light and airy, offering the feeling of being truly connected to the trail under your feet and moving across the land at a quick pace. The outsole offers superior grip and traction control. The midsole is what creates stability in this shoe, though. The Wave system flexes to create a durable and springy ride that will stay stable even on the roughest trail. The full-foot U4ic foam technology will absorb shock and provide a stable neutral running shoe compared to many other trail shoes. In terms of overall stability, it is difficult to find comparable performance in the same price range.
Flexibility
In terms of flexibility, the Mizuno Wave Kazan features specifically designed cuts in the outsole to allow for additional flex. One of the key features is the X-shaped groove that allows entire sections of the shoe to flex independently of each other. The midsole’s Wave system flexes to offer superior shock absorption and spring. Additionally, the upper’s AIRmesh flexes around your foot to keep you comfortable and in position to experience all the benefits of the quality midsole and outsole.
Traction
Designed to grip the dirt and help you keep your footing even on technical terrain, the Wave Kazan offers a unique outsole design. The aggressive studded X-shaped designed lugs on the outsole create traction in even the harshest environments. The concave wave and X groove create additional contact points to keep the bottom of the outsole connected to the ground to offer superior traction and grip.
Bottom Line
The bottom line with the Mizuno Wave Kazan is that it is a high-quality trail shoe that offers superior grip, traction, and a surprising amount of comfort. Without carrying the high price tag that some competitors offer, this shoe features the Wave system in the midsole along with the U4ci foam to help you maintain comfort. The upper is uniquely designed to bring to mind a Japanese rock garden or topographical map with nicely contrasting colors that any runner will love. A flexible and aggressive outsole will grip the trail and create a high-quality running experience. For those that are looking for a best of both worlds trail shoe, the Wave Kazan might be exactly what you are looking for.
