Mizuno Wave Neo Wind

Looking for a shoe for long, pace-controlled days of long runs, that has no carbon plate and has been crafted from environmentally friendly materials? The Mizuno Wave Neo Wind is a strong candidate to be your next running shoe. This new creation from the Japanese brand positions Mizuno as a high-quality alternative in the mid-pace training shoes category.

Without a doubt, on a personal level, I think this is an aesthetically groundbreaking shoe. Its colour, white with blue accents, leaves no one indifferent, and its bold contours make it suitable even for everyday use. The Neo Wind revolutionises the fit by offering a one-piece construction. The upper is made of a knitted fabric (elastic thread) that offers a perfect fit, without exceeding the pressure and providing a very nice double skin feeling. Check it out!

It is very important to choose the right size. Personally I have a standard foot and the fit has been very good, but I have the feeling that people with a thinner foot type, who do not fill the shoe, will not find the same good sensations as me. The great elasticity of the outer material makes the pressure ideal and the laces, traditionally placed at the top of the upper, give the necessary support to avoid excessive movement inside the foot.

In the heel area, we find a very pronounced inner padding that fixes the heel very well to the fastening area, a harder material that acts as support and a pull-tab to get the foot into the shoe. In order to achieve an optimal fit, fixation and comfort, the Japanese brand has extended the upper part of the shoe leaving a smaller space to introduce the foot than in other models, so the first few times it can be a little hard, but after a week of training you won't have that problem anymore, and you fill find it as easy to put on as other models.

Discover the full catalogue of Mizuno running shoes

Sensations when putting on the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind

Once the shoes are on, the first thing that stands out is the comfort. From the first stride you find a very pleasant feeling of softness under your feet. The Neo Wind have a great lateral support that makes this model very stable and a high drop of 12 mm that benefits heel strikers, facilitating the transition in each stride. This stability and comfort is more and more noticeable as the kilometres go by, where I think the shoes really shine, but we will talk about distances soon.

Under our feet we find three different elements: Mizuno Enerzy Lite foam, Mizuno Enerzy and Wave Plate. The latter is not composed of carbon and its main function is to provide stability in the rotation in the tread, so we will not feel an excessive sense of propulsion at high speeds. Regarding the foams, which I insist, are very pleasant on runs, it is worth mentioning the Enerzy Lite and its reactivity in medium paces, something that has pleasantly surprised me, since I had used its predecessor in other models of the brand and it did not transmit the response that I have extracted from this new version. Another strong point is the outsole, composed of algae and with a pronounced heel that hasn't made me feel insecure at any time, even on uneven terrain such as trails or broken asphalt.

What Kind of Runners Are the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind For?

This model is intended for runners of low to medium weight, up to approximately 80 kilograms. It is an ideal shoe for medium and lively paces, for training at controlled paces or even competitions. I think that for heavier users there are options that will adapt better to their needs, since, despite having good cushioning, I think it may even be too soft for heavier runners. As we have already mentioned, it is a very stable shoe, maybe too much to consider it as a fast or super shoe, but very pleasant at 4:00 minutes per kilometre or so. In addition, the running technique does not need to be very refined, since its high drop facilitates transition without the risk of losing support or stability. These Mizuno Neo Wind combine perfectly with models for relaxed regenerative sessions or very comfortable paces and with speed-oriented models for high-performance sessions.

Ideal paces

In terms of paces, this shoe doesn't excel in excessively fast paces. Faster than 3:40 minutes per kilometre or so you feel that the shoe isn't made for those paces. Stability and comfort turn against you and you notice how those good sensations that exist at somewhat softer paces become too soft, smooth and less reactive. This doesn't mean that you can't run at faster paces with this model, but if you are looking to feel the asphalt, feel the stiffness, propulsion and liveliness of a shoe for fast races, you're not going to find them in this model. However, the Neo Wind is a fantastic option for runs at 3:55 minutes per kilometre to 4:30 minutes per kilometre. The transition is very easy and as the miles go by and fatigue increases you notice how the shoe behaves in a very correct way and makes training easier, so I think this pace rangek is ideal for this model. Slower 4:45 minutes per kilometre, as with fast paces, there are better options on the market and we are not going to get the most out of these Mizuno.

For What Distances Do We Recommend the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind?

This model is undoubtedly focused on outings of 10 kilometres or higher mileage, since its strong point is stability combined with that reactivity to the paces that we have pointed out above. I have used this model for short and very explosive series, something that is certainly not its strong point, for controlled 5 km runs and for long workouts with paces within the range we have mentioned. The feeling of comfort that you find as you advance in time is very good, something that has not happened to me without crossing the double digit barrier. Undoubtedly, this model is at its best between the 10 kilometres and the half marathon.

What We Liked the Most About the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind // Strengths of the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind

As I've previously emphasised, comfort, stability, and fit stand out as the defining characteristics of this model. These attributes elevate it above competitors, without overlooking its outsole, which delivers solid traction and impressive durability. However, its standout attribute remains its price point. The recommended retail price for this model doesn't exceed 165 GBP, and through our price comparison tool, you might even secure it at a more affordable rate. This is a rarity for a shoe of this caliber, especially one crafted with sustainability in mind.

Areas for Improvement for the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind

Honestly, there are few shortcomings that can be pinpointed in this model. It performs admirably in terms of performance, given its target audience. However, I do find room for improvement in terms of midsole responsiveness. I believe that optimising the combination of foams could yield even better results in this aspect. Additionally, while this hasn't been my experience, I am aware that the fit might pose challenges for those with particularly narrow feet, so I wouldn't object to a variation of this model featuring a narrower last for these people.

With Which Models Can We Compare the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind?

The competition of this model is:

• Hoka Clifton 9
• Adidas Adizero SL
• Nike Pegasus 40
• Asics Novablast 3

Final Conclusions About the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind

After testing the Mizuno Wave Neo Wind during several outings, I think it is a very correct shoe, without any element that stands out to this model neither for being extremely negative nor positive. It is a very comfortable shoe, lightweight, with good fit and in my opinion very nice aesthetically. It also has good traction and the sensations are very good if you use it for the situations it has been designed for. A very good and recommendable option to combine with other models in your closet.

RUNNEA tester rating (score out of 10): 7.8

• Lightness: 8
• Responsiveness: 6
• Cushioning: 8
• Stability: 9
• Flexibility: 8
• Grip: 8