The Wave Rider and the Ghost are two shoes with a classic ride, comfortable cushioning, and high heel-to-toe drop for everyday runs.
The Wave Rider is slightly more cushioned, with a 3 mm more thickness (38.5 mm heel stack height and 26.5 mm toe stack height, compared with 35.5 and 23.5 mm for the Ghost).
In the midsole, the Wave Rider features the brand new Mizuno Enerzy foam. The Ghost, on the other hand, relies on DNA Loft v3, an older technology that has been updated with a new version.
In practice, the Ghost’s cushioning is softer underfoot. However, the shoe offers less structure which gives, according to testers, a less responsive ride than with the Wave Rider.
In addition, the Ghost is a little lighter with 259 g/9.1 oz against 270 g/9.5 oz for the Wave Rider (men’s model).
Finally, both shoes are very durable with their rubber-rich outsoles to protect the platform from the wear of road running.
Wave Rider vs. Ghost: Which One Should You Choose?
Overall, we recommend the Wave Rider because it has a more bouncy cushioning, resulting in a smoother, more versatile ride.
However, runners looking for really soft cushioning will prefer the Ghost.
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| Description | The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a daily training staple that offers great comfort and impressive versatility. | The Brooks Ghost 16 is a safe bet for daily training that's comfortable and accessible for everyone. |
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| Facts | ||
| Terrain | Road | Road |
| Support | Neutral | Neutral |
| Heel stack height | 38.5 mm | 34.5 mm |
| Forefoot stack height | 26.5 mm | 22.5 mm |
| Heel-to-toe drop | 12 mm | 12 mm |
| Weight (men) | 270 g | 259 g |
| Weight (women) | 235 g | 240 g |
| Features | Vegan, Heavy runner, Recycled materials | Vegan, Recycled materials |
| Athletes | ||
| Release year | 2024 | 2024 |
| Technologies | ||
| Outsole | Carbon rubber X10 | RoadTack Rubber |
| Midsole | MIZUNO ENERZY, MIZUNO ENERZY NXT, MIZUNO WAVE | DNA LOFT V3, Segmented Crash Pad |
| Upper | Jacquard Air Mesh | Air Mesh |
| Cushioning | ||
| Cushioning | Balanced | Balanced |
| Responsiveness | Medium | Medium |
| Use | ||
| Distance | Short, 5K, Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon | Short, 5K, Mid, 10K, Half marathon, Long, Marathon |
| Speed | Slow, Moderate | Slow, Moderate |
| Workouts | Daily running | Daily running |
