Mizuno Women's Wave Inspire 16 Road Running Shoe Review
The Mizuno Women’s Wave Inspire 16 Road Running Shoe in Vapor Blue-Silver is designed for runners seeking a combination of speed and stability. This shoe provides an unbelievably quick ride while ensuring you experience unmatched support during your daily runs. The advanced impact-absorbing midsole paired with the Smoothride support Wave technology creates an ideal balance of cushion and lightness, making every step feel effortless.
The updated upper features engineered mesh that not only looks sleek but also enhances breathability, keeping your feet cool and comfortable throughout your run. With an internal toe cap, this shoe delivers a modern design without compromising on performance.
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Features
- Stability trainer suitable for various distances, including marathons
- Smoothride support wave for optimal cushioning and lightness
- Premium sockliner to enhance cushioning and comfort
- Engineered mesh upper for superior breathability
- X10 outsole for increased durability
Pros
- Excellent balance of cushioning and responsiveness
- Breathable upper keeps feet cool during long runs
- Durable outsole extends the shoe's lifespan
- Responsive for fast-paced workouts
Cons
- May require a break-in period for optimal comfort
- Limited color options available
Comparison With Other Similar Products
| Feature | Mizuno Wave Inspire 16 | ASICS Gel-Kayano 28 | Nike Air Zoom Structure 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cushioning Technology | Smoothride support wave | FlyteFoam & Gel | Zoom Air units |
| Upper Material | Engineered Mesh | Jacquard Mesh | Mesh and synthetic |
| Outsole Material | X10 Rubber | AHAR+ Rubber | Durable rubber |
| Weight | Lightweight | Moderate | Lightweight |
Detailed Review
The Mizuno Women’s Wave Inspire 16 stands out in the running shoe market due to its thoughtful design aimed at enhancing both performance and comfort. Runners who prioritize stability will appreciate the shoe's exceptional support, which is particularly beneficial during longer runs. The new engineered mesh upper adapts well to the foot’s shape, providing a snug yet flexible fit while allowing for excellent airflow.
When evaluating the overall performance, the cushioning provided by the Smoothride support wave offers a supportive landing while still enabling a propulsive push-off. This characteristic makes the Inspire 16 versatile enough for everything from casual jogs to serious track sessions. Additionally, the premium sockliner contributes significantly to the overall comfort level, accommodating varying foot shapes effectively.
However, it's essential to consider that some users have reported needing a break-in period before achieving the desired comfort. Once acclimated, most find that the shoe feels like an extension of their foot.
Detailed Rating
| Category | Score | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Comfort | 9/10 | Exceptional cushioning and support for long-distance running. |
| Stability | 8/10 | Great lateral support, perfect for overpronators. |
| Durability | 8/10 | High-quality materials ensure longevity. |
| Breathability | 9/10 | Engineered mesh upper allows for airflow. |
| Weight | 7/10 | Lightweight design suitable for speed training. |
User Reviews
I've ran in the wave inspires for years. They are a great stability shoe, but still feel light weight. If you use mizunos you know they are super comfy. The inspires have been through several changes but not enough for me to stop buying them. Since the pandemic, I haven't found too many great sales on this style so was excited to see them on sale. I actually logged on today to order another pair to keep in my closet as my backup pair. They are like running in house shoes...love the brand, style, comfort and fit.
I’ve been buying Mizunos shoes since they were recommended to help with extra support. I run a lot and have used these for many years. I usually just buy the next version of these shoes and wear them until they’re worn down which varies depending on the mileage I put on them. They are comfortable and don’t cause pain in my knees or shins like some others types of shoes do. I will continue buying Mizuno for the near future!
They do run small as I usually wear 8.5 for running shoes but wear 9’s in Mizunos. I was looking for shoes for narrow feet, high arches and overpronation and tried three different brands. These fit the best and actually felt like they’re giving some sort of arch support. Exactly what I wanted.
So Mizuno women's running shoes have always been small for me. My old pair is a 9.5 Wave Runner and bruises my toenails. Granted it's a different 'model' but I would think sizing would be consistent with one single brand.My feet have a wider width in the toe box area (pinkey toe and the bone where it attaches in particular), yet have low volume, super high arches, and thin heels.These shoes are good on the length, having sized up to a 10 (I generally wear 9-9.5 in all other brands). They're actually almost *too* roomy - perhaps because I have low volume feet? Zero arch support in these, and there is a fairly significant drop from heel to toe. I had to shop around for orthotic style arch supports with extra padding, 0 drop, and 32 arches to take up the extra space. Superfeet Green are my usual go-to but they also have a significant drop so wouldn't work. The shoelaces are stretchy. I get why, but they're a tad short? Something is off with them and I had to get replacements.A LOT of work to get this pair of shoes to fit! But it's LIGHT! And breathable. My feet are happier.The photo shows it has the same old style "bumpers" or whatever that extra plastic that sticks out around the sole. But note how it's just BIGGER overall! Almost like a Man's size.
This is my favorite shoe for working 12 hr shifts. My arches and ankles are supported. The last pair I bought lasted me a year before I noticed wear on the shoes. I am thankful Amazon had this style because the company stopped making it.
I love these shoes. They are comfortable. They are a little bulky but that’s ok. I did order half a size up and enjoy the extra toe room. My coworker recommended them. First pair of mizuno’s for me. I’ll definitely buy more.
Overpronation & toes that like to spread out when I run, so finding a shoe that accommodates my toes & feet in general is frustrating. But I love my Mizuno Wave Inspire 17. I tried 18’s when they came out & prefer the 17’s, so I’m buying my size as often as I can. With these my feet have room. Other shoes smaller toebox (even if I bump it up 1/2 size) & lack of arch support in other shoes normally results in my knees or hips hurting, or blisters on my toes, if not losing a toenail.The ‘extra’ room in the toe box does NOT make the shoes look like clown shoes. If your toes get blistered after long runs-try these!!
Meh. They’re alright. I had the previous version and ran them - literally - into the dirt. This pair? I had to go buy orthotics for. They’re just not that comfortable. I’ve ran somewhere around 100 miles in these and I’m going to be looking for a replacement pair. I can feel every step in these and they don’t absorb anything. My calves are routinely sore which was not the case until I got these shoes. Would not purchase again. Probably moving away from Mizuno, which sucks because the last iteration were amazing!