The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is very similar to the 27 model. It offers the same high level of cushioning and the same underfoot characteristics. It is a very versatile running shoe that perfectly captures the essence of Mizuno running shoes. The Rider is both soft and stable, and when trying to run faster, it does not “settle” like more cushioned models. It works well in all urban conditions, especially as a shoe for easy, everyday runs.
Basic info
Tech specs
Purpose
The Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is a shoe designed specifically for running on hard surfaces, offering a high level of cushioning, ideal for runners weighing up to around 90 kilograms. It is perfect for hard surfaces such as asphalt, pavements, paved gravel roads, as well as forest paths. It is designed for runners, especially for people with a neutral foot type.
Pros
- very good cushioning
- comfortable, soft upper
- versatility – both in the city and on light terrain
- above-average stability and foot support
Cons
- high drop
Mizuno running shoes – lineup breakdown
The Mizuno Wave Rider is one of the more versatile training shoes in Mizuno’s lineup, combining stability, cushioning and dynamics. It is also one of the best-cushioned models using a Pebax Wave plate in its construction.
In terms of cushioning, it is inferior to models such as Wave Sky or Wave Horizon, which achieve higher softness by, among other things, removing the Wave plate. The Rider, which has it, is a more stable shoe than these models, although it has less cushioning. If, on the other hand, you are looking for the greatest stability, take a look at the Inspire model, which will be the most suitable.
You can find all these models in our shoe guide for Mizuno running shoes.
| FLOATING NEUTRAL | FLOATING STABILITY | PROPULSIVE NEUTRAL | PROPULSIVE STABILITY | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| maximum cushioning | Wave Sky | Wave Horizon | ||
| very high cushioning | Wave Skyrise | Wave Rider Wave Ultima | Wave Inspire | |
| high cushioning | Wave Revolt | Wave Kizuna Wave Prodigy | Wave Equate |
Mizuno Wave Rider 28 alternatives
Among the alternatives to the Rider, we traditionally find the most popular, well-cushioned models of other running shoe brands. The Rider itself is a representative of this group among Mizuno products. If I had to point out what makes it stand out in this shoe guide, it would be the stability and stabilization, which are at a high level for neutral shoes.
| MODEL | STACK HEIGHT (mm) | DROP (mm) | WEIGHT MEN'S (grams) | WEIGHT WOMEN'S (grams) | REGULAR PRICE (€) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| adidas Supernova Rise | 36/26 | 10 | 284 | 242 | 150 |
| Asics Gel-Cumulus 25 | 37/29 | 8 | 253 | 222 | 160 |
| Brooks Ghost 16 | 35/24 | 12 | 278 | 249 | 150 |
| Hoka Clifton 9 | 32/27 | 5 | 248 | 205 | 150 |
| Mizuno Wave Rider 28 | 38/26 | 12 | 273 | 235 | 160 |
| New Balance 880 v14 | n/a | 8 | 270 | 209 | 160 |
| Nike Zoom Pegasus 41 | 37/27 | 10 | 297 | 251 | 140 |
| On Cloudsurfer 7 | 32/22 | 10 | 245 | 205 | 170 |
| Saucony Ride 17 | 35/27 | 8 | 282 | 238 | 150 |
Cushioning: Mizuno Enerzy NXT
The midsole of the Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is made of two soft foams, Mizuno Enerzy and Mizuno Enerzy NXT, which currently make up the highest standard of cushioning in Mizuno running shoes. The stack height is also identical to the previous model, at 38 millimeters at the rear and 26 millimeters at the front.
As you can easily calculate, this results in a fairly high 12-millimeter drop, i.e. the difference in height between the heel and the toe. This is the maximum value for running shoes, which is now less and less common. Most modern shoes tend to gradually reduce the drop, which is usually 8-10 millimeters. On the other hand, the higher twelve-millimeter drop in the Rider model makes the Achilles tendon less stressed.
In addition to the foam, the Rider model has the distinctive wavy Mizuno Wave plate in the midsole. It is much stiffer and harder than foam. It is made of flexible Pebax and fulfills two key functions: first, it cushions by gently flattening, and second, through its rigidity, it stabilizes the shoe, limiting torsional movements and increasing overall stability.
The overall feel of the Rider is very soft, but it is not a max-cushioned shoe. On the other hand, it offers more stiffness in the rear part, which adds stability and creates what some people feel as a heel under the heel. It may not be suitable for everyone, but it can be very beneficial for heel strikers. In terms of cushioning, this shoe is suitable for runners weighing up to around 90 kilograms, and even slightly heavier.
Universal and quite flat
The outsole of the Mizuno Wave Rider 28 is moderately aggressive. Its texture consists of flat quadrangles, measuring a maximum of 1.6 millimeters. This is roughly the standard height for shoes designed for hard surfaces. As a result, the outsole works well on asphalt, sidewalks, and dirt roads. At the same time, this is a much flatter texture than the previous edition, which offered a much deeper tread. In urban and suburban conditions, this should not make any difference. If someone runs a lot on forest gravel roads, the flatter tread of the new Rider may not be the best solution.
The outsole traditionally also contains a significant amount of rubber, which should translate into its higher durability and longer lifespan. There is also a characteristic groove down the middle of the midsole, which in Rider 28 actually runs the entire length of the shoe. Fortunately, it is also wide and shallow, which eliminates the risk of small pebbles getting stuck.
Classic upper with a stable back
The upper is made of technical mesh with a two-layer construction. Thinner and more breathable on the outside, smoother and more comfortable on the inside. This upper makes for good, but not outstanding ventilation. but it does not differ in construction from that known from other running shoe models. This makes these shoes a good choice for training on warm days as well.
The upper also offers a fairly standard amount of space and makes for a good fit. The upper is 104.4 millimeters wide at its widest point, which is slightly less than the average width for all training shoes, which is currently 105.8 millimeters. When you put the shoes on, they are fairly standard – a little loose at the front and tighter at the back. They make a good fit without too much excess room and they don’t seem to be the best choice for runners with very wide feet.
The back of the shoe remains stable, which is not surprising, as the Rider has always stood out for its good stability in the heel area. This is due to both the wedge-shaped stiffener in the back of the upper and the Wave system, which creates a stable platform under the foot. You could say that these shoes not only surround the heel from the sides, but also stabilize it from below, which is what makes this model stand out from the rest. However, looking back at this line over the years, I get the impression that as the amount of foam and cushioning increases, there is less and less stability in the back.
Less weight than in previous editions
According to the producer, the men’s shoe weighs 274 grams and the women’s shoe 235 grams, which is slightly less than the previous model. In my size 12 US, the shoe weighs 318 grams, which is 3 grams less than the previous model, so the difference is small. It is also nice to see that each successive Rider model gets lighter: Mizuno Wave Rider 25 weighed 325 grams, Rider 26 weighed 332 grams, Rider 27 weighed 321 grams, and Rider 28 weighs 318 grams.
Compared to other training shoes, the Rider 28 is an average weight shoe. It is lighter than the average in this category, which is currently 338 grams, and is among the 22% of the lightest training shoes.
Summary
As I mentioned in the introduction, the Rider remains what it is: a soft, universal shoe with excellent cushioning, high stability in the rear and versatile use. This year’s edition does not introduce revolutionary changes in construction. The foam in the midsole has been modified slightly, but the differences are practically unnoticeable. The outsole has also been changed to a flatter one, which may be particularly noticeable for those who have not only run on asphalt surfaces in their Rider shoes, but also on less even roads. The shallower outsole may reduce traction in more difficult conditions. But maybe I’m exaggerating…
