Review: Riding the Mizuno Running Wave

Before we even get started with the full review of the Mizuno Wave Prophecy, I’m just going to say two things: 1) This shoe has a pretty impressive sounding name that reminds me of the Harry Potter movies and 2) It totally lives up to its name.

I have a lot of running friends who swear by Mizuno running shoes. While I am definitely a fan of the company’s running apparel, I’ve always admired the shoes from afar. The really cool ones are quite pricey (these puppies retail for just less than $200!), and after buying a pair during the early part of my full-marathon training only to find that they rubbed my heel (I was smart and tested them on a treadmill so I was able to return them—that’s your running-shoe-buying tip for the day, FBGs!), I wondered if all Mizunos rubbed me—quite literally—the wrong way. So when the company wanted to send us a pair to review, I obliged, hoping to get to the bottom of the heel-rubbing issues. Unfortunately, after a four-mile run in the Wave Prophecy, I had the tell-tale start of a blister on my outside heel. (Apparently Erin has freakish ears, and I have freakish heels.) Bummer.

But do they rub me the wrong way in general? Heck no. Despite the fact that my foot may be only designed to fit a pair of Nike running shoes, I still have a lot to say about this shoe. And it’s good. First, just look at it. It may be a little loud for those who like to wear more neutral-toned shoes, but I got big-cartoon-sized eyes when I first pulled these out of the box. Shazam, they are sah-weet looking! Second, the actual fabric part of the shoe is made of a stretchy mesh material that is super comfy and breathable. And then there’s the sole with holes in it. Um, whoa, Batman. Seven years in the making, the full-length “Infinity Wave Plate,” feels a bit like a moon-shoe, but it gives you a really unique heel-to-toe feel that kind of rolls and propels you forward. Simply put, when you put these on, you want to bounce on the moon—and then run fast. While the soles do feel a little bulky on, the shoe itself is super light. (I guess that’s what happens when you have holes in your soles.)

So what I’m really trying to say in this review is, I need to get me some new, non-freakish heels, so I can really enjoy this awesome running shoes! —Jenn