Mizuno Wave Inspire 20

Summary

Weight: Men's 305g / Women's 245g
Stack height: 12mm
Heel drop: 37.5mm / 25.5mm

The redesigned update to the anti-pronation Mizuno Wave Inspire series features significant changes. Focused on improving the comfort and stability of all its runners.

Men's Mizuno Wave Inspire 20
Men's Support Road Running Shoes
£140

Women's Mizuno Wave Inspire 20
Women's Support Road Running Shoes
£140

Features

Upper:

AIRmesh material is breathable and lightweight
More than 30% recycled plastic used on textiles
More than 90% recycled plastic used on lining

Midsole:

2mm thicker than previous models, providing improved cushioning for soft landing
Enerzy foam is responsive, promoting better energy return
Anatomical wave plate follows the shape of the foot, offering a secure fit whilst preventing over-pronation
SmoothRide technology minimizes rapid acceleration/deceleration to prevent injury from overuse
High-grade removable premium Insock provides additional comfort
More than 90% of recycled plastic used on sockliner lining

Outsole:

X10 durable carbon rubber prevents excessive wear

Pros:

Soft and propulsive cushioning
Wave plate follows anatomy of the foot, keeping the body in a natural straight alignment
Increased use of breathable, recycled materials to support sustainability
Extremely durable outsole

Cons

May fit slightly too wide for those requiring narrow-fitting shoes

In Testing

The Mizuno Wave Inspire 20 was my first pair of Mizuno shoes. They delivered on all necessary fronts! The fit was secure but not obtrusive, and my feet felt held in a naturally comfortable position. The cushioning was on par with recent trends, offering plush comfort for my long distance runs, at the end of which my legs felt less tired than usual.

Alongside the cushioning however, I observed that my gait had almost immediately improved and become straighter because of the new wave plate. My ankles tend to roll excessively, but this decreased when wearing the Wave Inspire 20, and it remained so throughout the duration of my half marathon training-preventing all the usual injuries!

Verdict

This newest iteration of the Mizuno Wave Inspire series is completely redesigned and offers a fresh approach to running shoes. That is, one that provides over-pronation support in conjunction with a comfortable amount of cushioning which caters to each individual runner according to the anatomy of their feet and gait.