Details
Brand
Mizuno
Heel To Toe Drop
10 mm
Breathability
7/10
Latest Version
Yes
Terrain
Road
Type
Stability
Key Features
• Durable• U4icX foam midsole• Cloudwave technology• Plush cushioning• X10 carbon rubber outsole• Strong, reliable support
Upper
The Mizuno Wave Sky has a brightly-colored upper that not only looks good but works well, too. The tightly-knit mesh material keeps dirt and gravel out, while still allowing air in so that your foot can stay dry and cool. This shoe sports Mizuno’s DynamotionFit technology, a three-panel construction that mimics the natural movement of your foot, giving the shoe a sock-like feel. In addition to this, the Wave Sky’s upper has a U4icX lining, which provides even more comfort. The padding in the upper, sock-liner, heel, collar, and tongue all work together to make this a highly cushioned and wonderfully comfortable shoe.
Midsole
Of course, the outsole is just one piece of the puzzle. When it comes to durability, reliability, comfort, and performance, the midsole is just as (if not more) important. Mizuno’s Wave Sky sports a U4icX midsole, a soft light foam, which is sure to give you a comfortable, flexible, and responsive ride. The midsole also boasts Cloudwave technology (an elastic, thermal plastic stretching from the heel to the middle of the foot) which is all about providing you with the best and most comfortable cushioning. Extra padding in the heel helps protect you from impact and guides your foot for a smooth heel-to-toe transition.
Outsole
Most runners have probably experienced that horrible feeling of watching the bottoms of their running shoes rapidly wear away. It’s difficult to find a material strong enough to withstand the high impact and long distances that most shoes undergo. But Mizuno rose to the challenge. The outsole on the Wave Sky is formed of X10 carbon rubber, which provides premium durability. Two layers of foam extend the length of this shoe, with the base layer segmented into individual pods that compact independently when you hit the ground, giving you a softer, smoother ride.
Breathability
Given the excellent support and remarkable comfort of the Wave Sky, you’re going to want to run long, long miles in these bad boys. But one of the greatest enemies to putting in the miles is that age-old problem of sweaty feet. Thanks to the tightly-knit mesh material of the upper, this shoe lets the air flow, while also keeping the dirt out.
Comfort
Thanks to a U4icX midsole with Cloudwave technology, this shoe is as comfortable as it is attractive. The U4icX midsole provides cushioning that is plush enough to make you feel like you’re running in the clouds, but also firm enough to help you spring forward into your next stride. The upper is also formulated to provide premium comfort: the sock-liner, collar, and tongue are all soft and plush. Finally, for an even more comfortable ride, the heel is extra padded so that it can protect you from all the jolts and jarrings of continuous impact on hard surfaces.
Style
Workout fashion is all about sleek black and grays with brilliant pops of neon colors. Some people do away with the darker colors altogether and dress in resplendent shades of yellow, green, and blue. In part this is simply a social fashion construct — why not look fun while working hard? — but those bright colors also serve a more practical purpose. Because many runners train on the streets in the early morning or late evening when visibility is poor, getting hit by a car is a real danger. Wearing bright colors dramatically increases your chances of being seen and staying safe. When it comes to color, the Mizuno Wave Sky doesn’t disappoint. Available in blue/silver/“safety” yellow, silver/white/purple, and black/aqua/pink, these shoes are sure to be a stylish addition to any workout wardrobe — and they’ll help keep you safe, too.
Durability
When you find a pair of shoes you love, you want them to last. Thanks to the X10 carbon rubber along the outsole, the Wave Sky is not only comfortable, stylish, and supportive — it’s durable, too. The base of carbon rubber is the toughest material in the shoe, but the two layers of foam above it are also built to last. The traditional lacing system and the tightly-woven, layered upper are all designed to help keep this shoe going for as long as you do.
Protection
The Mizuno Wave Sky provides excellent protection, both from injury and from the elements. The midsole, made from soft and light U4icX foam, with Cloudwave technology and extra padding in the heel, gives you both firm support and plush cushioning, thereby protecting you from many impact-related injuries. The carbon rubber outsole provides excellent traction on both dry and wet surfaces, so you don’t have to worry about injuries caused by slipping and falling. And the tightly-woven upper keeps out dirt and gravel, but still lets the air flow in so you’re not susceptible to hot, sweaty, blistered feet.
Responsiveness
Mizuno is known for the firm cushioning in their shoes. The Wave Sky maintains this firmness but adds in a little extra cushioning. Some reviewers said that this shoe had such a perfect balance of firmness and plushness that it felt like they were running on air. This combo of plush cushioning and firm stability makes for a wonderfully responsive shoe — the cushioning protects you from the impact as your foot strikes the ground, while the firm yet springy foam midsole propels you into the rebound. Even with its high level of cushioning, the Wave Sky is a shoe that lets you feel the earth beneath you.
Support
When it comes to support the Mizuno Wave Sky delivers one hundred percent. The soft foam of the U4icX provides premium cushioning with secure arch support. The elastic, thermal plastic stretching from the midfoot to the heel (called Cloudwave technology) gives even more comfort and support. Additional padding in the heel cushions you against impact and helps guide your foot for a smooth stride. Whether you have flat feet, struggle with knee pain, or just want a well-cushioned shoe, the Wave Sky is sure to provide the support you’re looking for.
Terrain
The Mizuno Wave Sky is specifically designed to be a road shoe. With its X10 carbon rubber outsole, U4icX foam midsole, and DynamotionFit sock-liner, this shoe has the traction, support, and stability you need for running on hard surfaces like cement streets and paved running trails. Although not designed for this, the Wave Sky could also serve you well out on dirt or gravel trails, where its tightly-woven upper and firm outsole would protect you from the terrain. Just keep in mind that off-roading in your running shoes can cause them to wear out faster — and to lose that new-shoe shine!
Price
As with many maximalist shoes, the Mizuno Wave Sky has a high price point. It might seem like a lot to pay for a pair of shoes, but keep in mind that this is an investment. Given the support, security, and stability you’ll experience in these shoes, you just might be saving yourself from injury-related costs down the road.
Drop
The Mizuno Wave Sky features a fairly high drop of 10mm. This drop helps you to land on the ball of your foot and guides you forward into your next stride, keeping each step soft and smooth. Higher heel drops also help protect you against potential foot and ankle issues like achilles tendinitis, so you can run faster, longer, without fear of injury.
Stability
No matter what other features a shoe might boast, it’s no good if it doesn’t fit securely and give you the stability you need. Thankfully, the Mizuno has really figured stability out in the Wave Sky. The anatomical sock-liner forms to your foot, keeping you nice and snug without restricting your natural movement. U4icX Strobel lining provides even more stability and comfort, while the traditional lacing system enables you to cinch up your shoes just the way you like them, without worrying about the laces coming undone in the middle of your run.
Flexibility
As a maximalist shoe with plush cushioning and firm support, the Wave Sky does not have a great deal of flexibility. It does, however, have DynamotionFit technology, which mimics the natural movement of your foot and gives the shoe a sock-life feel. While it doesn’t have the flexibility of a more minimal shoe (a flexibility that runners wanting more supportive shoes probably aren’t looking for), its combination of plush cushioning and firm stability does make it a wonderfully responsive shoe, with the springy foam midsole propelling you into your next step.
Traction
Since these shoes are so incredibly comfortable (remember, people have likened running in them to running on air or walking in the clouds), you’re sure to want to wear them all the time, rain or shine. And thanks to the excellent traction from the X10 carbon rubber outsole, you can. The maximum grip on the bottom of the Wave Sky will keep you standing (and running!) whether the roads are wet or dry.
Bottom Line
The Mizuno Wave Sky brings being comfortable in your own shoes to a whole new level. Whether you plan to run twenty miles or two, you need to be comfortable. It’s not just about avoiding discomfort (let’s face it, there is going to be a certain extent of discomfort while running no matter how perfect your gear is), but about avoiding injury. The Wave Sky provides the cushion and support you need to keep your feet, ankles, knees, and the whole rest of your body healthy while you run. The U4icX foam combined with the Cloudwave technology makes for a midsole with cloud-like cushioning. The sock-liner hugs the foot, helping the shoe mimic natural movement, and the X10 outsole provides premium durability. From its stylish upper to its carbon rubber underfoot, this is a comfortable and supportive neutral running shoe that would be a solid choice for a wide variety of people.
