Mizuno Wave Rider 29 Review (2025): New Drop New Shoes?

Julien Guyod

Published on 07/28/2025

Updated on 07/28/2025

Next year will undoubtedly be a special moment for this iconic series, celebrating its thirtieth anniversary. But for now, we’ll be studying the 29th version here and there’s a lot to discuss.

Edition after edition, this classic evolves at the same pace as the running landscape, but Mizuno rarely misses the mark with its best-seller.

Is it the case for the Wave Rider 29? Does it suit your goals?

This is what we will see in this complete review.

Our Verdict

Cushioning

A revolution? Edition after edition, the Wave Riders follow with a 12mm drop. While there is no consensus on this point, as evidenced by the many heated debates we’ve read on previous versions.

But in my view, the switch to a 10mm drop is a very good decision. It is noticeably felt in the ride, as I always felt a slight discomfort on previous versions.

2mm might seem trivial to you, but I believe there is more difference between 12mm and 10mm than between 10mm and 8mm, for example.

Additionally, it affects another important aspect: the stack height under the forefoot.

Thus, dimensions remain at 38.5 mm under the heel but change to 28.5 mm at the forefoot (compared to 26.5 mm before).

The change may not be evident, especially for heel strikers, but for midfoot or forefoot strikers like me, it’s an added benefit with better protection.

Not surprisingly, the cushioning is substantial, allowing any type of runner to comfortably extend distances, up to a marathon.

The midsole is now fully equipped with Mizuno Enerzy NXT foam infused with nitrogen (compared to a small part last time), still in combination with the Wave plate.

This is positioned higher than before with more foam below. Some felt it more (I’ll discuss this later), but I found the ride very well balanced while leaning more towards firmness.

However, I found the series’ characteristic softness for good running enjoyment.

Energy Return

With a weight of 261 g in size 42 (10g reduction), the shoe continues to lose weight despite increased foam, made possible by the hydrogen infusion which lightens the material.

True to its lineage, the Mizuno Wave Rider 29 allows for acceleration when needed and will be more than sufficient for a large part of the pack. It’s obviously not comparable to carbon-plated rockets, but the dynamism is there (although not its strong suit).

Lastly, with the reduced drop and effective rocker, I found transitions smooth and quick.

Support and Stability

The brand regulars are well aware of the Wave plate. It allows a sort of torsion to better distribute the shockwave upon impact. This rigidity, combined with a fairly wide platform, ensures good support and guarantees very good stability.

Some testers still noted that the positioning of the plate (higher) was felt more, somewhat like in shoes providing pronation control.

I personally didn’t notice it, but it could be a point to consider based on the running style.

This model is officially for neutral striders.

Foot Lockdown

If you were expecting to find negatives in this section, you will be disappointed. Let’s be clear: the upper is a true masterclass, impressive for a shoe in this range and comparable to more expensive models like the Asics Gel Nimbus 27.

The upper uses a seamless Jacquard Air Mesh technical fabric. I was quite worried when taking it out of the box, as I found it quite dense and thick, but it’s not the case: the breathability is impressive, with very good air circulation.

The cover in cold weather is also very good (thanks to the inner lining) for good use in any weather. When I first put the shoe on, I was surprised by the feeling of comfort.

The slipper feel is impressive; there are few models comparable on the market right now, and those that are, are much more expensive. The abundant padding makes keeping the shoe on a real pleasure, even for long durations.

The fit is standard, neither too close nor too loose and should suit a wide variety of feet. I found the previous version a bit shorter than the V27 at the same size.

This is not the case for this Mizuno Wave Rider 29: I find exactly the same foot length as in version 27. The size is therefore standard and you can take your usual size.

The rigid counter on the heel is standard and holds it well in place. The gusseted tongue supports the foot well and adds extra comfort thanks to additional padding. The flat lace system is effective.

The removable Premium Insock insole respects the foot’s shape and ensures good moisture management. A well-executed upper and very good foot lockdown are confirmed.

Traction

Visually, it’s hard to find a difference on the outsole compared to the previous version. There’s a large coverage of X10 carbon rubber on strategic zones from the heel to the toe.

Traction is very effective on all urban surfaces. Even on wet ground, the grip is very good and allows for safe driving.

The central groove is less deep than on the previous version but still ensures good flexibility for the outsole.

As a good training partner, the shoe can accompany you on all classic paths or trails, but it should be avoided on technical terrains.

Use scenarios

To keep it simple, it would be quicker to talk about the shoe’s limitations since they are few. Pure speed sessions! That’s it, I think I can move on to the next paragraph…

It’s true that (as with all shoes in this range), short repetitions like 10*400m sessions are not the shoe’s strong suit, due to its weight and less aggressive driving.

Beyond that point, it’s hard to find a limit to the shoe. You can do everything with it: it’s very relevant for any type of moderate tempo session, like endurance fundamental jogging.

It also adapts well to sessions where you need to vary the pace, like long runs with marathon pace or tempo portions. The shoe’s reactivity is very good and will be more than sufficient for the majority of runners.

Same principle for the distance to consider: there’s no limit to report regardless of the runner’s profile. Moreover, the additional forefoot protection allows forefoot strikers to comfortably push into long outings.

The reduced drop also allows for wider use. Indeed, it makes the ride more standard and the shoe accessible to more runners than before.

Finally, in terms of performance, there are naturally faster shoes for competition (like the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro 3). But the Wave Rider 29 is one of the best options for the marathon for those who do not want a carbon model and prioritize comfort and stability.

Quality and Durability

As with all the shoes in the series, the longevity of the Wave Rider 29 leaves little room for doubt. Resistant outsole, robust upper, dense foam, the brand takes no risks with its flagship product, so you can push the mileage to the usual 800-1000 km.

This gives the shoe a very good quality-price ratio.

The Wave plate is made of Pebax RNew, a bio-based nylon made from castor oil. More than 90% of the upper fabric, laces, and inner lining are made from recycled materials.

Finally, the new ENERZY NXT foam uses more environmentally friendly resources. These shoes are also vegan and contain no animal material.

Conclusion

You can’t really say the series was running out of steam as it was already successful. However, the changes bring a breath of fresh air while retaining what made the Wave Rider successful.

An excellent versatility is found with shoes that can do it all and over any distance. Simply one of the best choices today for daily training or as a single pair.

Facts

Technical Specs

Cushioning

Technologies

Use

Reference: official site