Mizuno Wave Rider 28 Review
By Matthew Klein and David Salas
Mizuno Wave Rider 28Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
Weight: 9.5 oz, 269 g (men's size 9), 8.0 oz, 227 g (women's size 8)
Stack Height: 41 mm / 29 mm
Drop: 12mm
Shoe Purpose: Neutral Daily Training Shoe
Pros: Durable and consistent ride
Cons: Heel collar puts some pressure into the lateral ankle
RUNNING SHOE SUMMARY
The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a neutral daily training shoe for those wanting a firmer traditional ride. The shoe retains its high drop ratio (12mm) from the heel into the forefoot with a gradual bevel and flexible forefoot. The latest Wave Rider updates the midsole for the 28th edition, now featuring Mizuno ENERZY NXT to soften the foam some and provide a more environmentally-friendly package.
SIMILAR SHOES: Nike Pegasus 41, Puma Velocity Nitro 3, Brooks Ghost 16
PAST MODEL: Mizuno Wave Rider 27
FIT
(To learn how a shoe should fit, check out our full podcast on fit by Matt Klein.)
Matt: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 fits me true to size if slightly short in my normal men's US size 10. The toe guard curls back and does put pressure on the toes, making the shoe feel slightly short. This has not caused any major issues for me over short-to-moderate distances but has caused some light abrasion during longer runs. Those with sensitive toes may want to go up a half size. The width is normal in the heel and midfoot with a slightly wider midfoot. This used to be a standard fit for Mizuno and has returned in this version. The mesh upper stretches and creates a little extra room without sacrificing security. The tongue is well gusseted and secures the midfoot well. I did not have to tighten the laces much to get a secure fit. The heel is normal in width with moderate heel collar cushioning and a stiffer but rounded heel counter. Those with heel sensitivities will need to approach with caution but I did not have any issues. Thanks to the toe guard, sockless running is not an option. The rest of the inner is extremely comfortable but socks are a necessity.
Typical Size: Men's US Size 10
Shoes that have fit Matt well: Saucony Guide 17, ASICS Kayano 30, Hoka Gaviota 5, Saucony Endorphin Elite, Nike Ultrafly
Shoes that have fit snug: Hoka Arahi 7, Saucony Kinvara 14
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon S/Lab Phantasm 2, Altra Timp 5
David: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 fits true to size in my Men's 9.5. The shoe has normal width through the heel and midfoot with a wider forefoot. The shoe has good volume through the forefoot and feels like there is plenty of space. The lockdown from the laces is good and I had no issues with slippage or translation of my heel or foot. The tongue is moderately padded, and though I can feel the laces through it I never had any irritation with it. The heel counter is moderately stiff heel counter with some padding around it. The heel security is good throughout. The heel collar does rise higher than other shoes however. I found it was a little higher than I wanted it to be, since the lateral aspect would dig into my ankle some. It wasn't enough to cause any pain, but I would definitely want it a little lower. I don't think it would sacrifice the security of the region. The mesh upper is lightweight and breathable and does provide good comfort as well. The material has some slight stretch and break in, but runs really well. The fit of the Wave Rider 28 is really good outside of the heel collar hiccup.
David's Typical Size: Men's US Size 9.5
Shoes that have fit David well: Nike Vomero 17, Saucony Ride 16, Puma Velocity Nitro 3
Shoes that have fit snug: HOKA Arahi 7
Shoes that have fit large: Salomon Aero Glide
Doctors of Running Checklist
Is This a Good Shoe for Walking: Yes
Is This a Good Shoe for Standing: Yes
Is the Forefoot Flexible: Yes
How Flexible is the Shoe: Moderate
Is This a Good Heel Bevel: Yes
Recommended for Haglunds: Yes
Recommended for Sockless: No
Durability Expectation: Average - Above Average
PERFORMANCE
Matt: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a neutral daily training shoe that has some versatility into uptempo efforts. The midsole is updated with ENERZY NXT and feels like it is mostly a heel wedge (as was done previously with the ENERZY foam before becoming full length). Classic to the Rider series, the underfoot feel is still on the slightly firmer end but now with more bounce in the heel from the ENERZY NXT.
The 12mm heel drop is noticeable, making the heel feel large and clunky despite a posterior lateral heel bevel. This took one run to break in and once the ENERZY foam began to compress more it felt somewhat smoother and bouncier. The heel transitions into a moderately flexible forefoot which rolls nicely at both easy and uptempo efforts. The responsive heel and quick transitioning forefoot help the Rider 28 return to its prior form with versatility from easy efforts into uptempo work. I have used it for easy runs, a long run, a short tempo and a fartlek and found that while it is not the lightest shoe, it can do them all decently. It does best at easier and uptempo efforts as this is a daily training shoe first. Like prior Riders, the 28 is best for road almost exclusively. I have attempted trail and found rocks to get stuck quickly in the heel. The outsole durability is good as usual as I have almost no wear after 30 miles in my pair. Overall, the Rider 28 returns to form as a slightly firmer, high drop, snappier daily trainer with some reach into faster paces.
David: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 definitely feels like a Wave Rider. The Wave Rider series has always been a shoe that showcases a high drop ratio and moderately flexible forefoot. The upper update is quite nice and the volume is appreciated. The Wave Rider 28 does have a gentle posterior lateral heel bevel that is not too dramatic. The 12mm drop is noticeable, but is eased with the introduction of the new midsole ENERZY NXT. The ENERZY NXT part of the midsole is inserted as a heel wedge that softens the loading at initial contact. The wave plate helps guide you down onto the moderately flexible forefoot. The shoe feels very much like a traditional neutral running shoe in many regards. This is not a rocker design. The wave plate feels wider than in previous wave riders and does feel like it gives you an element of guidance. There is also some gentle sole flaring throughout the platform that makes this feel like the classic stable neutral that the Mizuno Wave Rider has always been. The weight of the Mizuno Wave Rider 28 allows it to also carry into some light uptempo work as well.
The outsole traction is quite good and can tackle most footings you throw at it. The Wave Rider has a firmer ride to it, but a nice fluid transition from the high drop trainer. The moderately flexible forefoot does give you a natural toe off sensation, despite the elevated heel at initial contact. The shoe is moderate stack height by today's standards and can serve as an excellent workhorse to tackle your daily mileage in. I do feel like the heel can still come off a tad clunky, especially at first. I think adding a tad more ENERZY NXT in the heel wedge and slightly changing the angle of the wave plate can help with improving that initial contact through midstance phases of the gait cycle.
COMPARED TO WAVE RIDER 27
STABILITY
(Learn more about stability in our full guide)
Matt: The Mizono Wave Rider 28 is a neutral training shoe. The PEBAX Wave plate extends the width of the shoe and features some geometry that keeps the foot centered especially at the heel. The slight firmness of the midsole also adds some proprioceptive cuing that provides some centeredness with the plate. The midfoot does narrow, which initially caused me to go slightly medially until the plate broke in after a few miles. The forefoot has plenty of flare which combined with the good forward flexibility makes for mildly guided front. Overall the Rider 28 is neutral but stays true to form with mild guided elements in certain areas.
David: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is intended to be a neutral training shoe. The Wave Rider has always been a neutral shoe that still maintains some nice stability elements. The first is the midsole and geometry. The foam is still on the firmer side throughout the platform on a geometry that feels very grounded from the start. The moderate stack height with good outsole coverage also makes the shoe feel a tad firmer and grounded. The shoe uses some gentle sole flaring through the heel and forefoot that make for a little more cross sectional area. The heel collar and upper provide a good secure lockdown that is trustworthy. The slight clunkiness of the heel at initial contact did give me a medial pitch at times when running. I think cleaning up the heel would be the thing I work on. Otherwise, stability for the neutral category is very good in the Wave Rider 28.
Thoughts as a DPT: What Does A High Drop Shoe Do to the Knee?
By Matthew Klein
Although most evidence suggests that higher drop shoes may increase stress into the knee, there are still frequent reports from certain patients/people that they decrease their knee symptoms. Generally, high-drop shoes increase the forces at the knee joint and reduce them at the ankle joint (Richert et al., 2019; Zhang et al,. 2022). The higher drop can place the knee and patella in a more forward position, increase stress on the joint. They can be great tools for those with limited ankle mobility or to reduce ankle forces in some (but not all) individuals. However, in certain individuals, they can reduce knee strain. Those with with severally limited or restricted calf/ankle mobility can experience compensatory motions and forces at the knee joint (You et al., 2009). In those individuals, a higher drop shoe can actually reduce the relative stress on the knee joint and in those with active irritation may reduce symptoms. This is a reminder that shoes are tools that can be used to redistribute forces in a variety of ways. Where each person may need those forces to be distributed will vary. Thus, an individual assessment is usually needed.
Zhang, M., Zhou, X., Zhang, L., Liu, H., & Yu, B. (2022). The effect of heel-to-toe drop of running shoes on patellofemoral joint stress during running. Gait & posture, 93, 230-234.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Matt: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 has been a go to shoe for both training and walking recently. As someone with tighter calf muscles, it has been a comfortable training companion and all day shoe. Plus they look great. My major suggestion for Mizuno is to clean up the toe guard. As mentioned, I found this shoe to feel a bit small and had some mild toe abrasion on longer runs. With the amount of work they have done on knit uppers, I would like to challenge Mizuno to move away from traditional toe guards and use a less obtrusive way to create structure and durability up front at the toes. Or just make the shoe slightly longer. As David mentions below, I too found the rearfoot more clunky, especially compared to prior versions which smoothed it out quite a bit. I would suggest reducing the durometer just slightly as I was already surprised that the same ENERZY NXT from the Neo Vista would still be on the firmer end.
David: The main recommendation I have for the Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is to clean up the heel collar fit. The whole upper is done really well, but the heel collar feels like it rides too far up. I will get some pressure to my lateral malleolus when the shoe is fully laced down. The other thing I would work on is cleaning up the initial contact at the heel. It is pretty good as is, but can still come off a tad clunky. I think adding a tad more ENERZY NXT and tweaking the wave plate could make for a smoother landing there.
WHO IS THIS SHOE FOR?
Matt: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a neutral training shoe for those who want a higher drop shoe with some snappier versatility into uptempo training. The shoe has a slightly firmer ride despite the amount of ENERZY NXT foam underfoot, making it a great option for those who like a slightly firmer option, want a lot of material underneath their heel yet want a slightly snappier shoe that can handle some pace changes. It is also the rare daily trainer that has some forefoot flexibility, so those that want a smooth easy transition up front will also love this rare high drop training shoe. The updated foam continues the return to the lighter (relative) daily training days of the older models, making this a unique combination of an updated shoe with some traditional vibes.
David: The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a neutral training shoe for those wanting the traditional high-drop experience. The shoe maintains a firmer ride throughout (though still enough cushioning for daily training). The heel is offset 12mm from the forefoot and drops you into a flexible forefoot. Those wanting an experience like that will have fun in the Wave Rider 28. The shoe also does a great job of integrating some gently stability, and so those that like neutral shoes but want a little extra stability may find some grace in the Wave Rider 28.
GRADES
Matt
Fit: B+/A- (Comfortable upper for those with normal to slightly wider feet. Slightly short feeling fit due to toe guard)
Performance: B+/A- (Higher drop shoe with slightly firmer but snappier/cushioned ride)
Stability: B+/A- [Neutral] (Neutral ride with centeredness in the heel thanks to the wave plate)
Value: A- (Solid durability with versatility into training and uptempo paces)
Personal: A- (I've almost always like the Rider series and this one is no different. A solid high drop option in my arsenal for when my calves are tight or I need to take pressure off my Achilles tendon)
Overall Design: B+/A-
David
Fit: B+/A- (Good forefoot volume, good lockdown, heel collar puts pressure into lateral malleolus, some pressure noted from the lacing system to the dorsum of the foot)
Performance: B+/A- (Great for easy rhythmic efforts, can handle some uptempo, heel can be a tad clunky and feel like you are scuffing the ground. More ENERZY NXT would be welcomed.)
Stability: A- (Very good for a neutral shoe. I do feel that cleaning up the heel and making for a smoother initial contact would do the shoe good.)
Value: A (This is still that durable workhorse that will get you from A to B pretty smoothly)
Personal: A- (I've been a long time Wave Rider fan and do enjoy this model. I would just like the heel collar and geometry played with a tad.)
Overall Design: B+/A-
SHOP | SUPPORT DORMizuno Wave Rider 28Price: $139.95 at Running Warehouse
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FURTHER READING
The super max favorite returns with solid changes all-around.
A very light and flexible trainer for multiple uses.
Find all Shoe Reviews at Doctors of Running here.
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