Shoe Review: The Mizuno Wave Rider 17

The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Mizuno.

The folks at Mizuno Running are at it again, this time bringing you the new Wave Rider 17, which is suited for the neutral runner who is looking for a high mileage training shoe that is also light enough to race in.

 The first thing that impressed me when I put them on was the roomy toe box. There was plenty of support there, but without feeling tight or narrow. The Men's version weighs in at 8.8ounces, and provides a nice cushion for everyday training. The upgraded sock liner really makes for a comfortable fit as well.

  The first test run was with my morning run group I lead from the gym. We ran the three mile loop at an easy pace and the Wave Rider felt great! Very smooth feel and on the hills it had some nice flex and responsiveness. The next test run was a nice chilly and windy run on Sunday. The route had some nice hills and I was interested to see how the Wave Rider felt over a longer distance. After a slow start, my running partner Hannah and I warmed up and found our groove. We wound up with a nice negative split run, even with the hills on the back half of the route. Even with the wind and cold, my feet felt fine and the upper mesh provided plenty of breathability without making my feet cold. Once again, they felt really good on the climbs, especially when I was digging in  and striking aggressively on the fore foot. My feet felt good during and after the run, no discomfort or "hot spots".



  I ran in the Wave Rider again Thanksgiving morning, as I met up with some friends for an impromptu "Gobble Hobble". What was supposed to be an easy three miler turned into a harder 5 mile run!  We fought off the 25 degree temp at the start and had a great run, talking and laughing as we wound our way through downtown. The last 2 miles some folks started feeling frisky, so the pace picked up. We were running at a good clip at that last mile, and the Wave Rider gave me some great cushion and support as we pounded our way to the finish of the run!

Me and the crew after the run. You can see those shiny white Wave Riders in the back!

 I am very impressed with the Wave Rider 17. I look forward to logging my road miles in them over the winter as I ramp up for the 2014 racing season. If you are looking for an every day training shoe with some good support and nice cushioning, I would definitely recommend checking them out!

For more information on the Wave Rider 17 and other Mizuno gear, visit their website: http://www.mizunousa.com/running

Some nice grip on the soles as well!