Customer Reviews Mizuno Wave Rider 26

Mizuno keeps trying to turn their classic Wave Rider into the Brooks Ghost. Why? It was a great shoe. The 24, 25, and now the 26, just keep getting wider, stretchier, and squishier, and the heel cup feels even deeper and wider. I have run in the Wave Rider for 9 years. It has always been my go-to running shoe and I have never found another style or brand that I didn’t have pain or discomfort running in. I have narrow feet (and heels) and stretchy fabric and a wider shoe makes lateral movement even worse. They don’t feel as structured and the cushioning has changed - I liked the firmer feel, now it just feels plush and less responsive. Totally disappointed in what the Wave Rider has become in the last few years.

Fit is good and width, comfortable shoe , good support.

Well, after trying an embarrassing amount of other running shoes, I chose this one! No weird arch feeling, wide enough without being huge across the toes, very supportive without constricting your natural walking & running motion. They just fit a foot shape, all around. And the cushion is great, not overdone but enough for my fussy bony feet. But, these definitely run small! I always order a 7.5 Wide in athletic shoes, but the right size & fit in this Wave Rider 26 turned out to be a 8.5 Wide.

I’ve been wearing wave riders since the WR14; while these are different, they are still fabulous! There is more room in the toe box, top to bottom, not width. I always run with my shoes tied in a heel lock, and this method still works perfectly for this model. No complaints at all!

Liked the shoe at first but noticed not slit if support inside toe area, had to return them were hurting my feet.

Love these Mizuno Wave Riders, these are my go to for daily running. Always have to go up 1/2 size. I just wish Mizuno had more styles.

I have been wearing Mizuno for years and love the wave runners. I am a size 5.5 shoe and 5.0 in a sandal usually. I have been wearing a size 6 in Wave Runners but this time the toe felt a little shorter, possibly slightly flatter (?) so I exchanged it for a 6.5. I do not want my great toe touching anything when I walk for exercise.

This Mizuno Wave Rider & the Inspire 19 definitely are a half size small. I've always when a 7.5 Wide, but needed a size 8 Wide in brb if these. This Wave Rider fits so well, but does have a hugging fit that at first seems too tight. But the toe width is great, unlike so many other brands in a so-called Wide. They feel secure & supportive in the heel & arch.

The length and width were true to size in my opinion. The round toe box gives the shoe a slightly wider feel than some other Mizuno styles. The material is definitely on the cheap side, but the fabric is still comfortable and seems to conform to the foot. I can see how one review mentions the fabric is "squishy" and tends to stretch out of shape. That is pretty accurate, but for me that's a selling point. Overall, this Mizuno was a great purchase, and the price was unbeatable

While I loved the color, the fit was off. Needed to go up a full size for length but the larger size rubbed against my ankle in the design. Sadly, had to return.

Was excited to try this shoe. I'm a true 11 1/2. The 12 is tight, even with thin sock. It seems all brands are making shoes smaller. The tongue also comes up high and is a bit stiff....but if the size had worked, I'd likely put up with that.....Thanks zappos

I've worn the wave rider in the same size for 5-6 years. Now this one is too short. I didn't think about it, packed them for a trip. Had to wear anyway so I can't return :( Mizuno is the perfect shoe for me in a runner and court shoe. I have the worst feet since childhood so fit, comfort, support are important. Hate they are no longer consistent.

I decided to get one pair in my expected/regular size and added this one in a slightly higher size to compare and find out which did better for me. The result was that I found the one in my size (11) did fine and that the arch support hit at just the correct place. Overall, its fit was superior to the one I got to compare it to (the size 11.5). Also, I prefer the lighter color to the one called dark blue but which was closer to black than I'd have liked.

I've been wearing Wave Riders since 2012, and this is one of the worst versions. The shoe felt shorter (in length) or maybe the toe box is shallower. Either way, my big toe rubs the top of the shoe. There is much less cushion than Wave Rider usually has. The soles felt very hard and stiff. I'm very disappointed in this version, and hope they go back to the 25 design!

Mizuno - Waverider is my absolute favorite running shoe. I have owned several pairs. However, this pair runs larger than my other size 6's, so sadly I had to return them.

the new design is absolutely awful.. i’ve been customer of Mizuno for a long time. The change that they made with Waverider 26 is absolutely garbage. The shoe literally fell apart with a month. There’s no Support whatsoever

I’ve been wearing Mizuno for 20 years. That stopped with wave rider 26. Mizuno changed their classic best fitting shoes into worst shoes. After wearing it for a month it fell apart.the shoes has no support. I always wear 6.5. But wave rider 26 was full size bigger on my feet. Construction of the shoes clearly has been changed for the worse. I will not be buying Mizuno anymore.