Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Introduction
There’s a Japanese saying known as “Hiyaku-teki Hatten” which interprets to “Leap-like improvement”. This can be a completely becoming time period to explain Mizuno’s progress in efficiency working over the previous 2 years.
I can keep in mind my first time working within the Wave Rider 22 a few years in the past and feeling so underwhelmed by the expertise. Mizuno has now been reworked from a standard, boring model into an modern, futuristic one which has distinctive choices you may get enthusiastic about.
The Mizuno Neo Vista 2 which I examined earlier this 12 months is an absolute pleasure to run in. It has a excessive degree of bounce and power return that’s not often seen in trainers. It’s one in every of my favorite tremendous trainers to launch this 12 months.
The Wave Rider 29 of 2025 can also be not like any earlier Wave Rider model: it has an excellent smooth and fashionable ride- huge distinction to the agency, flat rides of its predecessors.
The Wave Sky is Mizuno’s max-cushioned coach and it’s designed to be the plushest, most cushioned coach of their lineup. It weighs 10.3 oz (292 g) for a males’s US 9. It has gained 0.5 oz (15 g) and it prices $10 greater than its predecessor.
Testing Particulars
- 8 km restoration run at 7:17 per km
- 17 km restoration run at 6:59 per km
- 11 km restoration run at 7:13 per km
- 9 km simple run at 6:32 per km
- 8 km simple run at 6:38 per km
- 16 km restoration run at 6:47 per km
- 13 km east run at 6:35 per km
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 First Impressions
My first run was an 8 kilometre, very sluggish restoration run. It felt surprisingly agency for a max-cushioned coach contemplating how thick its midsole is. It didn’t really feel as smooth because the Wave Rider 29.
It had a very secure journey with out no rockered transitions. It felt like a pure simple day/restoration coach.
The higher was actually comfy and wanted no break-in interval. The shoe it jogged my memory of was the Hoka Bondi 9 which is one other max-cushioned coach that isn’t extraordinarily plush.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Higher
The stretch woven higher of the Sky 9 is admittedly distinctive as a result of it has a reflective sample that’s woven into it. This makes virtually the whole higher mild up when the sunshine hits it at the hours of darkness.
There’s numerous padding within the collar and the tongue and it’s not the best of uppers- it’s extra suited to chill climates than heat ones. The tongue is gusseted so there’s no tongue slide and a stout inside heel counter supplies glorious heel lockdown.
The match is true to dimension however the forefoot and toe field are slim so in the event you’re a wide-footed runner, you’ll undoubtedly want the 2E model. General, it appears like a very smooth, premium, comfy higher.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Sole Unit
In contrast to different manufacturers who’ve companions, all of Mizuno’s midsole foams are developed by them of their analysis lab in Osaka. Which means that they will tweak them precisely for his or her functions.
Previously 2 years, their midsoles have been hit or miss. I felt that the midsole of Mizuno’s Neo Vista 1 was too smooth and mushy and that the Wave Rider 29 was additionally a bit too smooth. Within the Wave Sky 9, the midsole is extra balanced- it’s not overly squishy.
It’s a dual-density midsole with supercritical Enerzy NXT (EVA) on the highest and Enerzy (additionally EVA) on the underside for stability. This setup offers it an extremely supportive journey. It additionally has a wider base than the Wave Sky 8 and it’s one of many extra secure max-cushioned trainers.
The Wave Sky 9 is an excellent max stack coach. It has 44 mm within the heel and 38 mm within the forefoot (males’s US 9), leading to a 6 mm drop. It’s nice to see Mizuno reducing their drops; 12 mm was their signature drop. The Wave Sky is a extremely cushioned coach with deep cushioning that’s not mushy.
The journey of the Wave Sky 9 is firmer than different current max-cushioned trainers. This consists of the Nike Vomero 18 and Vomero Plus, Adidas Ultraboost 5 and ASICS Nimbus 27. My toes don’t sink down into the midsole much- this makes it a good selection for heavier runners. The one firmer max-cushioned coach is the Hoka Bondi 9.
The Wave Sky 9 is greatest suited to very sluggish, simple or restoration runs. Whereas its midsole isn’t tremendous smooth, its substantial weight makes it really feel a bit sluggish. There additionally isn’t a large amount of bounce throughout transitions so it doesn’t urge you to choose up the tempo. For me, it feels most at house doing 6 minutes per km (9:40 per m) or slower paces.
The sturdiness of the Wave Sky 9’s outsole is excellent. Thick X10 carbon rubber lugs cowl all of the excessive put on areas and the uncovered midsole foam can also be very robust. Traction on moist surfaces is common although as a result of the lugs aren’t aggressive.
Mizuno Wave Sky 9 Conclusions
The Wave Sky 9 is a strong max-cushioned coach with no weaknesses. It has a very sturdy outsole, good stability and really deep cushioning. It appears like a premium providing that’s well-built. Nonetheless, in comparison with different current max-cushioned trainers, it lacks some pleasure.
It falls into the identical class because the Hoka Bondi 9. It has a secure, balanced journey, it’s comfy but it surely’s missing in power return. If I may change something about it, I’d make its midsole a bit softer and a bit extra energetic. It’s not as enjoyable or partaking because the Mizuno Neo Vista 2.
I get pleasure from working within the Wave Sky 9 however I desire a stiffer maximalist coach with a rocker. This quickens transitions and makes it really feel extra environment friendly. I additionally desire a midsole that compresses and decompresses extra throughout transitions. For those who examine the journey of the Wave Sky 9 to the Nike Vomero Plus (identical value), the Mizuno feels so much blander.
At $180, it’s a bit too costly for the standard, max-cushioned coach. It needs to be no less than $15 cheaper. It’s costlier than the Bondi 9, Triumph 23, Cloud 27Extra v6 and Vomero 18.
