Mizuno Wave Prodigy

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Mizuno Wave Prodigy: Review

β€œA balanced shoe for daily running with excellent cushioning and stability.”

Overview


The Mizuno Wave Prodigy is a running shoe designed to offer comfort and support for daily training. This shoe is known for its balance of cushioning and stability, making it suitable for both beginners and experienced runners.

Key Features:

  • Wave Plate Technology: Provides enhanced cushioning and stability.
  • EL8 Midsole: Offers lightweight cushioning and durability.
  • Breathable Upper: Ensures good ventilation and comfort.

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy is an ideal choice for runners who prioritize comfort and support for daily running. Its Wave Plate Technology offers stability, making it suitable for those with a neutral stride.

Based on our monitoring of prices across the internet, it's currently just below the median price of running shoes today.

Verdict

The consensus on the Mizuno Wave Prodigy


The Mizuno Wave Prodigy is well-regarded for its comfort and support, making it a solid choice for daily running. The shoe's Wave Plate Technology provides excellent cushioning and stability, which is particularly beneficial for those with a neutral stride. The EL8 midsole offers lightweight cushioning, making the shoe suitable for both short and medium distances. The breathable upper ensures good ventilation, keeping the feet cool during runs. Reviewers appreciate the shoe's value for money, noting that it offers many features typically found in higher-end models. However, some users may find the shoe a bit heavy for longer distances. Overall, the Mizuno Wave Prodigy is a reliable and comfortable option for daily training, especially for beginners. It offers a great balance of comfort, support, and value for money.

Updates to Mizuno Wave Prodigy


The Mizuno Wave Prodigy 5 features several updates from its predecessor, the Mizuno Wave Prodigy 4. The new version has a more modern design with an avant-garde logo and reflective details for better visibility. The upper has been updated to a one-piece jacquard mesh fabric, providing greater comfort and breathability. Additionally, the shoe now includes more recycled materials, making it a more environmentally friendly option.

Comparable Shoes


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The Asics Gel-Contend 7 is a good alternative for those seeking a budget-friendly running shoe. It offers similar cushioning and support but is slightly lighter than the Mizuno Wave Prodigy. However, the Wave Prodigy provides better stability and durability, making it a more reliable option for daily training.

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The Nike Revolution 5 is another popular choice for beginner runners. It offers a lightweight design and good cushioning, but the Mizuno Wave Prodigy excels in stability and support. The Wave Prodigy also has a more durable outsole, making it a better option for regular use.

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The Brooks Ghost 13 is a higher-end option with excellent cushioning and comfort. While it is more expensive than the Mizuno Wave Prodigy, it offers superior cushioning and a smoother ride. However, the Wave Prodigy provides better value for money, especially for beginners.

5 Mizuno Wave Prodigy Pros & Cons


3 Pros

Excellent value for money.
Good cushioning and stability.
Breathable upper for better ventilation.

2 Cons

May be a bit heavy for long-distance running.
Not suitable for runners with specific support needs like overpronation.

In Depth


Upper

The upper of the Mizuno Wave Prodigy is made from a one-piece jacquard mesh fabric, which provides excellent breathability and comfort. This material allows for good ventilation, keeping the feet cool during runs. The upper also features TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) inserts on the sides, which enhance stability and support. Additionally, the shoe has reflective details for increased visibility during low-light conditions.

Midsole

The midsole of the Mizuno Wave Prodigy features the brand's Wave Plate Technology, which is made of Pebax (a type of thermoplastic rubbery material) and located in the heel area. This technology provides enhanced cushioning and stability, making it ideal for neutral pronation runners. The midsole also includes the EL8 compound, which offers lightweight cushioning and durability, and the U4icX compound in the heel area for increased reactivity and durability.

Outsole

The outsole of the Mizuno Wave Prodigy is made from Mizuno's signature X10 compound, which offers great resistance to wear and excellent grip on asphalt terrain. This material ensures durability and provides a reliable grip, even on stretches of tamped earth. The outsole design also contributes to the shoe's overall stability and support.

Size/fit

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy offers a comfortable fit with a well-padded tongue and collar. The shoe's design ensures that the foot is well-adjusted inside, providing a secure and snug fit. The upper's technical mesh adapts well to the natural movement of the foot, enhancing overall comfort during runs.

Comfort

Comfort is a standout feature of the Mizuno Wave Prodigy. The shoe's cushioning, provided by the Wave Plate Technology and EL8 midsole, ensures a soft and comfortable ride. The breathable upper and well-padded tongue and collar add to the overall comfort, making it suitable for daily training and longer runs.

Cushioning

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy offers excellent cushioning, thanks to its Wave Plate Technology and EL8 midsole. The Wave Plate provides enhanced cushioning and stability, while the EL8 compound offers lightweight cushioning and durability. This combination ensures a comfortable and responsive ride, making it ideal for daily training.

Breathability

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy excels in breathability, thanks to its one-piece jacquard mesh upper. This material allows for good ventilation, keeping the feet cool and dry during runs. The breathable design ensures comfort, even during longer training sessions.

Stability

Stability is a key feature of the Mizuno Wave Prodigy. The shoe's Wave Plate Technology and TPU inserts on the sides provide excellent stability and support. This makes it suitable for runners with a neutral stride, ensuring a secure and stable ride.

Durability

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy is designed for durability, with its X10 compound outsole offering great resistance to wear. The EL8 midsole and U4icX compound in the heel area also contribute to the shoe's overall durability, ensuring it can withstand regular use for daily training.

Grip

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy offers a reliable grip, thanks to its X10 compound outsole. This material provides excellent traction on asphalt terrain and even on stretches of tamped earth. The shoe's grip ensures stability and confidence during runs.

Who should buy the Mizuno Wave Prodigy?


The Mizuno Wave Prodigy is ideal for runners who are looking for a comfortable and supportive shoe for daily running. It is particularly suitable for beginners and those with a neutral pronation. Runners who prioritize cushioning and stability will find this shoe to be a great choice for their training needs.

Who should not buy the Mizuno Wave Prodigy?


Runners who prefer a lightweight shoe for long-distance running may find the Mizuno Wave Prodigy a bit heavy. Those who need a shoe with more advanced features and technologies might want to consider other models. Additionally, runners with specific support needs, such as overpronation (excessive inward rolling of the foot), may not find this shoe suitable for their requirements.

Mizuno Wave Prodigy: What's it good for?


The Mizuno Wave Prodigy is good for daily running and short to medium distances. It is suitable for road running and offers excellent cushioning and stability. The shoe is also ideal for 10k and half marathon events.

5 Mizuno Wave Prodigy FAQs


Is the Mizuno Wave Prodigy suitable for daily running?

Yes, the Mizuno Wave Prodigy is designed for daily running. It offers excellent cushioning and stability, making it a reliable choice for regular training sessions.

What type of runner is the Mizuno Wave Prodigy best for?

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy is best for beginner to intermediate runners with a neutral stride. It provides good support and cushioning, making it suitable for daily training and short to medium distances.

How does the Mizuno Wave Prodigy compare to other running shoes?

The Mizuno Wave Prodigy offers a great balance of comfort, support, and value for money. It is comparable to other budget-friendly running shoes like the Asics Gel Contend 7 and Nike Revolution 5 but provides better stability and durability.

Is the Mizuno Wave Prodigy good for long-distance running?

While the Mizuno Wave Prodigy is suitable for short to medium distances, it may be a bit heavy for long-distance running. Runners looking for a lightweight shoe for long distances might want to consider other options.

Does the Mizuno Wave Prodigy have good breathability?

Yes, the Mizuno Wave Prodigy features a one-piece jacquard mesh upper that provides excellent breathability. This ensures good ventilation and comfort during runs.

Mizuno Wave Prodigy alternatives

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Mizuno Wave Prodigy
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similarity
Similarity
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released
Released
Jul 2018
Nov 2016Feb 2015Apr 2017Apr 2017Jun 2017
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Weight
Weight
M: 306 g
W: 261 g
255 g
M: 218 g
W: 181 g
M: 238 g
W: 190 g
M: 232 g
W: 179 g
M: 221 g
W: 176 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
18 mm
18 mm
M: 20 mm
W: 18 mm
16 mm
13 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
12 mm
10 mm
10 mm
8 mm
8 mm
7 mm
Heel
Heel
30 mm
28 mm
M: 28 mm
W: 26 mm
24 mm
20 mm
Usages
Usages
Daily running
Daily runningDaily runningSpeed trainingDaily runningDaily runningDaily running
Brand
Brand
Mizuno
adidasNikeNikeNikeNike
Strike Type
Strike Type
Heel strike
Heel strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
Maximalist
LightweightLightweightLightweightLightweight
Techs
Techs
Nike Flyknit
Nike Flyknit
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
Vegan β“‹
Vegan β“‹
0

Mizuno Wave Prodigy characteristics and specifications

Characteristics
SportsRunning (+2049)
TerrainRoad (+1362)
UsagesDaily running (+1132)
BrandMizuno (+89)
Support TypeNeutral (+1603)
Pronation TypeNeutral pronation (+1578)
Strike TypeHeel strike (+1097)
Arch TypeHigh arch (+1525)
Shoe TypeMaximalist (+428)
Events10k (+711)Half marathon (+711)Marathon (+711)
ColorwaysBlack, Black / White, Blue, Grey, Navy / Blue, Orange, Pink, White, Yellow
Specificationsvs Average
Released
Jul 2018
Measurements
Weight
M: 306 g
W: 261 g
Heel to toe drop
12 mm
Heel
30 mm
Forefoot
18 mm

Evolution of the Mizuno Wave Prodigy product family

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AuthorTom Green
Tom is the founder of geerly. Based in West London, he found his passion for running in his mid-30s. He’s best at longer distances, and is a regular at the London Marathon, where he's edging closer to sub-2.40. He started geerly because he found it frustrating when shopping for running shoes spending ages trying to find the best deal in his size, and wading through verbose, waffling reviews clearly designed to appeal to search engines rather than be helpful to users. For geerly he's passionate about writing reviews that get straight to the point, and helping runners find the right gear at the best price.
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