Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro

Review Score
75%
🏅 Highly Rated
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Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: Review

“Mizuno's radical maximalist racer.”

Overview


The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro is a maximalist carbon plated racing shoe designed for neutral runners seeking a responsive and energetic ride. With its exaggerated heel geometry, soft Enerzy foam, and grippy outsole, this shoe provides a smooth and propulsive sensation ideal for distances from 5K to the marathon. Though the Wave Rebellion Pro's radical looks may seem gimmicky, testers found the innovative shaping delivered on a fast, enjoyable running experience. As Mizuno's premier racing shoe, the Wave Rebellion Pro brings a distinctive new option to the increasingly crowded super shoe market.

According to our analysis of reviews from experts around the world, it averages a review score of 75%. This puts it in the lowest rated 20% of comparable running shoes. According to our analysis of prices across the internet, at current rates it's just above the median price of running shoes.

Verdict

The consensus on the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro


With its extremely thick yet lightweight foam stack, carbon plate, and bold heel shaping, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro delivers an energetic marathon racing experience unlike any other shoe. Testers found the smooth transitions and snappy toe-off provided by the exaggerated carbon plated midsole made this a highly enjoyable speedwork and racing shoe. Though the maximalist cushioning suits longer distances, the neutral Wave Rebellion Pro truly shines for half marathons or shorter. Its racing pedigree does come at a cost, however, with its high price tag limiting the value proposition.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: Base model


The Wave Rebellion Pro is a more maximal, well-cushioned version of the MizunoWave Rebellion racing flat.

Comparable Shoes




The Vaporfly provides a softer, more forgiving marathon racer while the Wave Rebellion Pro has snappier transitions suiting shorter distances.

Adios Pro has a more stable ride while Wave Rebellion Pro has a softer feel. Both excel at 10K to half marathon.

The Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro and the New Balance FuelCell RC Elite are both lightweight, cushioned running shoes. However, the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro offers a more durable outsole and a more breathable upper.

6 Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro Pros & Cons


3 Pros

Smooth, energetic toe-off sensation
Grippy wet/dry traction
Lightweight for a maximal shoe

3 Cons

Unstable at slower paces
Narrow toe box
Expensive

In Depth


Upper

The Wave Rebellion Pro's lightweight mesh upper provides a snug, foot-conforming fit. The thin, minimal upper results in an exceptionally breathable environment around the foot. An internal ghillie lacing system secures lockdown across the midfoot, while the collar padding ensures a comfortable, slip-free heel fit. Reviewers cautioned that the toe box runs narrow.

Midsole

The carbon plated midsole is the key technology powering the responsive propulsion of the Wave Rebellion Pro. Mizuno combines two types of its Enerzy foam ? softer Enerzy Light+ on top and firmer Enerzy Light below. Sandwiched between is a full-length carbon-infused nylon plate to provide rigidity. Testers found this midsole compound delivered a smooth, energetic toe-off motion that maintained efficiency even late into longer races. The plate's shaping also encourages quick transition through the exaggerated heel to midfoot contact point.

Outsole

The Wave Rebellion Pro uses Mizuno's grippy XG3 rubber technology on the outsole. This firm, durable rubber features a tread pattern of small lugs for traction even on wet roads. The outsole incorporates deep flex grooves and exposed foam for a smooth transition, while rubber covers high-wear areas. Reviewers praised the outsole grip, with one tester calling it the "best gripping outsole I've tested to date."

Who should buy the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro?


Neutral, efficient runners looking for a responsive and energetic racing shoe will find the Wave Rebellion Pro a great option for distances from 5K to the marathon. Its smooth transitions and snappy toe-off suit those with a mid to forefoot strike who want a propulsive sensation without excessive stiffness.

Who should not buy the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro?


The Wave Rebellion Pro's tall, soft midsole and exposed foam make it less stable for overpronators, especially on uneven surfaces. Heavy heel strikers may find the abrupt heel geometry uncomfortable. It also lacks the versatility for easy runs of a daily trainer.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: What's it good for?


With its carbon plated midsole and grippy outsole, the Wave Rebellion Pro provides an ideal racing platform for distances from 5K to the marathon. It also suits uptempo speedwork sessions.

4 Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro FAQs


Is the Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro good for easy runs?

No, the Wave Rebellion Pro is designed purely as a racing shoe, lacking the versatility for daily training.

How does the sizing of the Wave Rebellion Pro compare to other Mizuno shoes?

Reviewers found the Wave Rebellion Pro runs true to size, but the toe box is quite narrow.

What is the heel drop of the Wave Rebellion Pro?

It has a 6mm heel drop, with a 39mm heel and 33mm forefoot height.

Is there a stability version of the Wave Rebellion Pro?

No, Mizuno only makes the Wave Rebellion Pro for neutral runners. The Wave Inspire is Mizuno's stability shoe.

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro alternatives

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Weight
Weight
218 g
181 g
M: 255 g
W: 190 g
249 g
M: 196 g
W: 167 g
M: 306 g
W: 281 g
Forefoot
Forefoot
35 mm
35 mm
32 mm
37 mm
27 mm
44 mm
Heel to toe drop
Heel to toe drop
5 mm
5 mm
8 mm
8 mm
6 mm
7 mm
Heel
Heel
39 mm
40 mm
40 mm
45 mm
33 mm
50 mm
Usages
Usages
Racing
RacingRacingSpeed trainingRacingSpeed trainingRacingSpeed trainingRacingSpeed training
Brand
Brand
Mizuno
ASICSPUMAASICSadidasadidas
Strike Type
Strike Type
Fore/Midfoot strike
Fore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strikeFore/Midfoot strikeFore/Midfoot strikeHeel strike
Shoe Type
Shoe Type
LightweightLow dropMaximalist
LightweightMaximalistMaximalistComfortableMaximalistLightweightComfortableMaximalist
Carbon fiber plate
Carbon fiber plate
Rocker
Rocker
Breathable
Breathable
Techs
Techs
Pebax
PUMA NITROPUMA NITRO Elite
Environmental Characteristics
Environmental Characteristics
Sustainable
SustainableSustainable
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Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: what the experts say (2 reviews)

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: 14 Expert video reviews

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro: 1 Manufacturer video

Mizuno Wave Rebellion Pro characteristics and specifications

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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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December 18, 2024 at 9:55 AM
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