Mizuno Wave Rider TT2

Testing products is a great way to know your adaptability and a good test to know if your technique is sufficiently refined in any condition and with any shoe. In this sense, the review of the new Mizuno Wave Rider TT2 has shown me that there is still a long way to go, both on my part and on the part of the Japanese company as far as trail running is concerned.

Without forgetting that this is a flagship line within the Japanese brand, I have to be clear and blunt and say that after several rough outings, and some other scare crossing the Pyrenees, this trail running shoe has left me a bittersweet taste, somewhat cold. Now I'll tell you why.

Assuming that this is a mountain model, the optimal runner to wear this model is basically a man or woman of medium-high weight, with a basic running technique and not very high paces.

What type of runner are the Mizuno Wave Rider TT2 recommended for?

It is clear that the Mizuno Wave Rider TT2 are conceived with the same philosophy as their homonymous and already legendary Rider for asphalt. The people of Mizuno wanted to bring the comfort and quality of the Mizuno Wave Rider to mountain terrain, therefore, the profile of the runner to whom they are oriented is similar.

Main features Mizuno Wave Rider TT2

Based on the fact that this is a mountain model, the optimal runner to wear this model is basically a man or woman of medium-high weight, with a basic running technique and not very high paces. It is a good option for those runners who, like me, suffer a lot in joints such as ankles and knees and are looking to be able to complete training and long runs.

What did we like most about the Mizuno Wave Rider TT2?

What I liked most about these trail running shoes from Mizuno is, without a doubt, the cushioning of its midsole. Their 12 mm drop (25/37) make them shoes with ideal comfort in every step, which help you to devour kilometers and kilometers. The combination of Wave technology and Mizuno Enerzy makes it one of the most comfortable shoes I have ever tried.

In parallel to its lightness (only 285 grams in weight), I am forced to add that, thanks in part to the size of the midsole, they are shoes with great protection. And I say this because they were able to protect me from a nail of about a centimeter and a half that got embedded in the sole while running downhill. This would be the sweetest part of my Rider TT2 review, the one that has to do with cushioning and comfort. However, I also have to talk about the other side of the coin.

Opportunities for improvement in the Mizuno Wave Rider TT2

As I already anticipated, my analysis of these trail running shoes also has a darker, more sour side, and it is the one that has to do with its sole and grip, and even with the construction of its upper.

I'll be clear from the outset and comment that these Mizuno Wave Rider TT2 are not optimal trail running shoes for technical terrain. After countless slips, and the occasional more serious fall, I can say that they are not the ideal shoe for rock and scree surfaces.

Cheapest Mizuno Wave Rider TT2 Prices

This model, unlike other models from the company such as the Mizuno Wave Daichi 7 or the Mizuno Wave Mujin 8, do not have a Michelin compound outsole, and I think this is where they lose all the potential that their other features give. As you can see in the comparison photo, the soles of the Rider TT2 and Mujin 8 are simply polar opposites of what a runner might want to find in an all-purpose trail shoes.

Smaller lugs, with a totally different layout and even clearing the center heel area, where we mostly traction when going down steep terrain. Not to mention the difference in the compound, much softer and more wear-resistant in the case of the Rider TT2.

I could define these trail running shoes Mizuno Wave Rider TT2 as a model suitable for runners of medium technique and weights, whose goal is to perform long and comfortable runs on compact terrain and not too much unevenness.

For me, a flaw to consider when reissuing of this model. I know that this type of construction lightens the weight and offers greater flexibility, with the improvement in comfort that this entails, but I believe that one of the maxims of this sport is safety, and we can not afford to feel insecure dancing among rocks, as the consequences can be serious.

Another of the less remarkable points is found in the upper. Although it is a more than comfortable shoe, the protection against external elements is somewhat poor. Rock chafing can become a nuisance in long mileage runs if we do not have a layer of protection that protects the toes and sides of the foot. An improvement option that is more common to see in other brands, so I'm not as surprised as the previous point.

What are the main competitors of the Mizuno Wave Rider TT2?

Based on my sensations, after checking the lights and shadows of this model from the Japanese company, I can say that this is a model whose direct competitors could be the following:

Nike Pegasus Trail 4

Salomon Sense Ride 4

Hoka Torrent 2

Merrell Agility Peak 4

Final Conclusions about the Mizuno Wave Rider TT2

In conclusion, and to qualify my words and make myself understood as well as possible, I could define these trail running shoes Mizuno Wave Rider TT2 as a model suitable for runners of medium technique and weights, whose goal is to perform long and comfortable runs on compact terrain and not too much slope, or at least not a demanding slope as far as slope of the terrain is concerned.

This is a shoe that brings the comfort and quality of the Mizuno Wave Rider 25 to the mountain, but fails to transfer the status of solvency and safety that these shoes are known for. Undoubtedly, a great point where to improve and progress to achieve in a not too distant future.

RUNNEA tester's evaluation

• Lightness: 7
• Response: 65
• Cushioning: 7
• Flexibility: 8
• Stability: 6
• Grip :5