The Mizuno Wave Rider 30 and the Mizuno Wave Sky 9 are the Japanese brand’s models for daily training. They complement each other more than anything: the Rider focuses on versatility while the Wave Sky goes for maximum cushioning.
That distinction is less clear-cut on the latest versions though, because the Wave Rider has moved up a notch in stack height.
The drop is a bit lower on the Wave Sky, even if you barely feel it in the ride.
On weight, the Rider is lighter, by about 30 g / 1.1 oz.
The main difference between these two models comes, as is often the case, from the feel underfoot.
On the technology side, the Wave Rider 30 carries its famous plastic Wave Plate (for the first time it runs the full length of the shoe), while the Wave Sky relies on a foam-based geometry, with no plate.
The foam is the same on both models, the new-generation nitrogen-infused Enerzy NXT.
In practice, the Rider 30 is firmer underfoot than the Sky 9, which opts for softer cushioning.
More versatile and more responsive, the Wave Rider is better suited to faster paces like tempo workouts and long intervals. The Sky is more at home at slow paces for base miles and recovery. Both models are good candidates for the marathon, but the Rider will be the more capable option there.
On fit, the Rider’s 1BY1 mesh upper combines step-in comfort with very good breathability. The Sky goes for a stretchy upper with a gusseted tongue, in the same comfort-first spirit.
Wave Rider 30 or Wave Sky 9: Which Should You Choose?
For most runners, the Wave Rider 30 is the better choice: more versatile, lighter, more responsive and less expensive (the Sky costs about $30 more).
The Wave Sky 9 is a good pair for Mizuno fans looking for a softer option to round out their rotation.
